Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Tonga are coming together over the next few days to mark a significant Church milestone, and also to celebrate what it means to be a Tongan Latter-day Saint.
The principal reason for the celebration is the 20th anniversary of the Tonga Nuku’alofa Central Stake, which was created on 31 July 1994.
A Mormon stake is a group of congregations in a suburb, village or town. There are 19 Latter-day Saint stakes in the Kingdom of Tonga, 116 chapels or meetinghouses, one temple, and seven Church-owned schools.
“Another reason for our coming together,” says Church leader, Elder Aisake Tukuafu, “is to celebrate the Church’s presence in Tonga since the 1890’s, and our friendships with members of the Royal Family, other community leaders, and our neighbours of other faiths.”
“Without the approval and blessing of the Royal Family, the Chuch would not be here, and not be able to help individuals, families and communities.”
- Kami Taofi
- King and Queen of Tonga at Liahona High School Graduation 2012
- Ha'apai Homes Rebuild MOU Signing Tonga 17 July 2014
- MOU Signing 17 July 2014 Ha'apai Tonga Homes Rebuild Project
- Tonga Youth Conference
- Cyclone Ian Response January 2014
- Cyclone Ian Response January 2014
- Tonga Youth Conference
| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
Elder Tukuafu said that Latter-day Saints strive to be devoted and helpful followers of Jesus Christ. That includes being good citizens and contributing in our villages and nations.
“’We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honouring, and sustaining the law,’ is one of the Latter-day Saints’ articles of faith,” he said.
Speaking of the younger generation of Tongans, Elder Tukuafu said, “The Church’s presence in Tonga contributes to the emotional, intellectual and moral growth of the youth.”
Elder O. Vincent Haleck, First Counselor in the Pacific Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will fly into Tonga today to attend a special dinner this afternoon.
Elder Haleck and Elder Tukuafu will host dignitaries at the dinner, including: His Royal Highness, Viliami ʻUnuaki-ʻo-Tonga Lalaka moʻe ʻEiki Tukuʻaho, Prince Ata; Deputy Prime Minister Hon Samiu Kuita Vaipulu; Hon Lord Fulivai, Governor of Vava'u; People Representative Misi Sika (MP); and other guests.
A formal ball will be held on Friday evening.
After Elder Haleck attends the celebration activities he will fly to the Ha’apai Islands group to inspect the humanitarian work being done there by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Government of Tonga to rebuild 116 homes destroyed by Cyclone Ian earlier this year.
To read more on the Church and it's history in Tonga, go to Tonga - a Land Dedicated to God.