Church Opens LDS Family Services Facility in Tonga

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints opened a new centre for LDS Family Services in Tonga last month.

LDS Family Services professionals around the world support local Latter-day Saint leaders as they provide guidance and assistance to Church members with specific questions and challenges.

The new facility was officially opened on Friday 14 July in Ma’ufanga.

Representatives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Welfare Services Department and Self Reliance Services hosted the gathering.

Presiding at the event was Elder ‘Aisake K. Tukuafu, Area Seventy in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Other guests included Seini Filiai, CEO of Tonga Health; ‘Etuate T. Toutai, president of the Nuku’alofa Tonga Ha’akame Stake; and Hans Sorensen and Doug LeCheminant of the Church’s Welfare Services Department.

Valenitaine Maunga, manager of the new LDS Family Services centre, will train individuals who will lead addiction recovery meetings and classes aimed at strengthening marriages and families.

LDS Family Services staff also connect Latter-day Saints with community resources as they seek help with various personal and family challenges.

Despite some rain on the day, guests at the opening enjoyed the chance to learn more about LDS Family Services and other resources and programs offered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including self-reliance courses and the BYU Pathway Worldwide educational program.

Blood glucose and blood pressure tests were also offered to visitors.

The purpose of the LDS Family Services centre is to promote both spiritual and temporal self-reliance among Latter-day Saints.