Church Joins Samoan Council of Churches

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined Samoa’s Council of Churches at the Council’s annual general meeting on 19 April.

Secretary of the Council of Churches, Rev. Maauga Motu, told reporters after the meeting: “It is a great joy to leaders of the Council of Churches to accept these fellow brethren to work together within the witness ministry through the message of the Gospel.”

Pacific Area President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder James J. Hamula, told Samoa’s TV3 News: “The Church is very, very pleased that we have become a full member of the Council of Churches. This is something that we have worked for and prayed for and are grateful that our fellow brothers in Christ have opened their arms to us and received us so warmly as they did today.”

“I think it is very important that all the churches stand together,” Elder Hamula said. “There are many forces in the world that seek to divide us and seek to fight against us and in these days we must stand together and talk with each other and work with each other to achieve good things for all people — not just members of our respective churches but for the entire nation in Samoa.”

“How might we strengthen families? How might we help young people? How might we work with the government to do good things for this great nation? Those are the kinds of discussions that we hope to have and expect to have with our fellow church members in Samoa.”

Taimalie Sapele Fa’alogo, president of the Latter-day Saints’ Pesega Samoa Stake represented The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the annual general meeting.

President Fa’alogo says “there is already goodwill established among the various churches’ leaders. This opportunity will promote even better understanding across the religious spectrum through involvement and participation."

“Membership in the Council of Churches will provide The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with many more opportunities to work closely with other faiths on matters of common interest. We all want to bless the lives of all Samoans," he said.

The Samoa Council of Churches now has members representing 10 religious denominations and one women's organization.

In Samoa, as well as in many other nations, Latter-day Saints often meet with representatives of other faiths to build mutual understanding, as well as to participate in combined efforts for the benefit of individuals, families and communities.

Mormon Newsroom states: "A respect for the diverse beliefs and unique contributions of all the world's faiths is one of the hallmarks of Mormonism. From the earliest days of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith elevated the principle of religious liberty and tolerance: 'We claim the privilege of worshipping Almight God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may'" (Articles of Faith 11).

Read more about the Church's approach to interfaith relations.