Mormon Life - Pacific Islands tag

Church leaders join in Pacific freedom of religion conference

Wed, 23 May 2012 12:36:00 -0600

source: Newsroom.lds.org

Mormon Life says: Though the Church is a minority in the Pacific Islands, leaders were invited to discuss managing religious diversity. Elder James J. Hamula joined Samoa’s head of state and leaders of other faiths last week in the first “Managing Religious and Cultural Diversity in the Pacific” conference at the National University of Samoa in Apia.

In remarks directed to fellow conference delegates, Elder Hamula, who is the Pacific Area President for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said, “It is contrary to the interests of all religious faiths to have any one religious faith restrict or limit another religious faith. Further, it is contrary to the doctrines and beliefs of the Christian faiths that prevail in the Pacific to restrict or limit others from believing what they wish.”

Vai's View: Much aloha, Junior Seau

Mon, 07 May 2012 11:25:00 -0600

source: MormonTimes.com

My heart is heavy and broken.

News of Junior Seau's death first filled my BlackBerry from mutual friends before it was confirmed by my station producers and ESPN.

We weren't buddy-buddy, though he famously called everyone "Buddy." We were good friends and we had dinner together whenever he came to Philly to play the Eagles and I'd see him whenever I was in San Diego, but we didn't call each other weekly or email. Now and then we'd text each other.

87–88: Pacific Island Mormon Identities

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 09:28:00 -0600

source: mormonmatters.org

This two-part episode features a fascinating, dynamic, and soaring discussion that takes us into the experiences, cultures, and elements of the worldviews of Latter-day Saints from Pacific Island nations. We learn pieces of the history of two of these nations as it relates to the LDS Church taking hold there, what elements resonate with those who are from the “islands of the sea” (D&C 1:1; 2 Nephi 29:11), and the ways that Mormonism integrates into the daily lives of, especially, Maori and Tongan Saints–including places where Polynesian culture does not allow white Mormon practices and ways of seeing to penetrate, such as with the ceremonial use of kava, notions of family and various power dynamics within families, and funeral practices. In letting us into their lives and perspectives, the panelists also take us deep into the experience of forming identities shaped by both Polynesian and white cultures, which also allows us to see very clearly how there truly are no “neutral” spaces–how “whiteness” carries values and perspectives that are often invisible if not explored through the comparative process. In this Mormon Matters episode, we are privileged to have powerful and open yet charitable guides into these (often wonderfully evocative) tensions.

The LDS Church have more schools in Tonga than any where else in the world

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 11:21:00 -0600

source: matangitonga.to

The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints LDS have more schools in Tonga than anywhere else in the world, the Commissioner of the LDS Church Education System, Elder Paul V. Johnson told Matangi Tonga during a one-day stop over in Tonga to attend the annual conference of Pacific Principals' of LDS church schools at Liahona on March 8.

Mission changes for Cook Islands District

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 10:47:00 -0700

source: ldschurchnews.com

Elder F. Michael Watson of the Seventy was warmly greeted by members of the Church as he visited the Cook Islands in January. Elder Watson presided over the Cook Islands District Conference, which was held in Rarotonga at the Arorangi Branch chapel on Jan. 8.

Book of Mormon translation: Pacific Islands

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:14:00 -0700

source: deseretnews.com

Editor's note: This is one in a series on the Book of Mormon translations and translators.

The Pacific Islands span multiple languages and a variety of translation stories. From Tongan to Maori, from as early as the 1840s through today, translating the Book of Mormon for faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on these hundreds of islands has been a constant work in progress.

According to the Deseret News’ 2011 Church Almanac, the first missionaries to venture into the Pacific were called in 1843 for the first non-English proselytizing in the history of the church — only 13 years after the LDS Church was organized. Aiming for the Sandwich Islands (now Hawaii), they wound up in Tubai, part of French Polynesia.

Church Members in Fiji Provide Humanitarian Aid to Flood Victims

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:56:00 -0700

source: news.lds.org

Three stakes in the Suva, Fiji, area recently held a drive to collect food, household items, and school supplies for flood victims in northern and western Fiji.

Elder Taniela Wakolo, Area Seventy and the Church’s Fiji Service Centre manager, initiated the drive on February 6, shortly after local Church leaders were alerted about the flood. Members collected food, clothing, bedding, kitchenware, and school supplies.

Temples Are a Beacon

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:06:00 -0700

source: radio.lds.org

Mormon Life says: I loved this story during general conference, and now it's been turned into a beautiful video.

Vai's View: Legendary friend has made lasting impression

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:18:00 -0700

source: MormonTimes.com

Think back to when you were 9 or 10 years old. Were there figures in your life who were bigger than life? A teacher? A church leader? A favorite uncle? At that time, everything seemed bigger than life. Just go back to your elementary school and see how small the classrooms and cafeteria are compared to how you remembered them. Sometimes, we're disappointed when, as adults, we see that people and buildings from our childhood don't quite live up to our memories.

John "Sonny" Hogle was a towering figure in my early years. Forty years later, he's still a legend to me and in many ways, even more so. Out of the blue this week, I got a call from Hogle, or as my family called him, "Hokili" (pronounced, HO-KEE-LEE), the Tongan way of pronouncing "Hogle." Sonny was a legendary missionary in Tonga in the early '70s in the way John Groberg was in the late '50s.

Volunteers needed for Pacific Partnership 2012

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 08:41:00 -0700

source: ldschurchnews.com

For the past three years the Church has worked with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Partnership, a program designed to help strengthen relationships with other regions and to offer humanitarian services. Specific healthcare volunteers are being recruited for the Pacific Partnership 2012, which will serve Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Elder Neil L. Andersen travels to the Pacific Area of the Church

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 11:28:00 -0700

source: ldschurchnews.com

During a 12-day trip to the Pacific Area, Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve visited with missionaries and members in Australia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Tahiti and French Polynesia. Accompanying Elder Andersen during his travels was his wife, Sister Kathy Andersen; Elder Claudio R.M. Costa of the Presidency of the Seventy; Elder Tad R. Callister, Pacific Area President; and Bishop Richard C. Edgley of the Presiding Bishopric.

Some of the highlights of his trip include a visit to Papua New Guinea, meeting with saints from New Caledonia at the Hamilton New Zealand Temple and a visit with the President of French Polynesia.

'Isles of the sea' — First Apostle visit to the Marshall Islands

Sat, 05 Feb 2011 11:38:00 -0700

source: ldschurchnews.com

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve spent 13 days traveling in the Pacific Area during January. Stops on his itinerary included Tonga, New Zealand, Hawaii and the Marshall Islands.

"According to information provided by the mission president, it was the first time a member of the Quorum of the Twelve had been to and walked on Marjuro," said Elder Bednar. "The people of the Marshall Islands were very warm and welcoming."

Accompanying Elder Bednar during his travels was his wife, Sister Susan Bednar; also joining him for part or all of his travels were Elder Claudio R.M. Costa of the Presidency of the Seventy, Bishop Richard C. Edgley of the Presiding Bishopric, Elder Tad R. Callister of the Seventy and President of the Pacific Area, and Elder James J. Hamula of the Seventy and first counselor in the Pacific Area Presidency.

"As we travel to the isles of the sea and the uttermost parts of the earth, we see the Church is everywhere," Elder Bednar said. "It is firmly established, it is growing, and there are faithful, good people. It is truly miraculous."

Years of faith and effort for members of new stake in Guam

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 10:31:00 -0700

source: ldschurchnews.com

Mormon Life says: Read this for the incredible photo gallery. Nearly 800 local members unanimously raised their hands in approval as Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve called for a sustaining vote to create the first stake in Guam — the Barrigada Guam Stake — during a conference held on Dec. 12, 2010.

Members of the Church representing a handful of languages and cultures filled the Barrigada meetinghouse to capacity, while members on the island of Saipan, in the Mariana Islands, participated in the special occasion by teleconference. During the meeting, Elder Perry explained that the name "stake" is derived from an Old Testament verse: "Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes" (Isaiah 54:2). In Moses' time, the stakes held the curtains of the tabernacle. In the Church, a stake represents an anchor for the gospel of Jesus Christ (the tent).

Church Historian Honors First Pacific Mormons

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 10:05:00 -0700

source: Newsroom.lds.org

"Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the French Polynesian island of Tubuai are a living legacy of the Pacific's first Mormons," according to Church historian, Elder Marlin K. Jensen.

Elder Jensen visited the Tubuai Latter-day Saints last weekend (10-12 December) as part of a Pacific tour. He was accompanied by Elder James J. Hamula of the Church's Pacific Area Presidency, Richard E. Turley, Assistant Church Historian, and other leaders.

Last Friday Elder Jensen attended a dinner and cultural presentation with Tubuai Latter-day Saints and guests. On Saturday he visited historical sites on the island, including sites where the first Mormon missionary to the island, Addison Pratt, first landed, resided, and baptized and congregated with new members.

Apostle visits, establishes first Guam stake

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 10:40:00 -0700

source: Newsroom.lds.org

On 10 December, Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles created the Barrigada Guam Stake, the first stake for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Territory of Guam.

A stake is an administrative unit composed of numerous congregations (called wards and branches) within a geographic area (similar to what other faiths might call a diocese).

Elder Perry visits Guam and Saipan, remembers serving in WWII

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 08:43:00 -0700

source: guamnewswatch.com

Pacific island thankful for LDS Church's donation of desalination unit

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 09:35:00 -0600

source: guampdn.com

Worries over a lack of drinking water in Chuuk due to recent droughts have been alleviated thanks to the donation of a desalination unit.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormons, donated the unit Oct. 19. It will convert ocean water into drinking water, according to a news release from the church.

"On behalf of the people of Chuuk and the Chuuk state government, I say thank you," said Chuuk Gov. Wesley W. Simina." Indeed, words cannot express how much we are thankful for what you have done."