As a follow-up to a visit to Temple View by Ratana Church representatives in June, Elder David J. Thomson, Area Seventy in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, led a group of Latter-day Saints who attended centennial events for the Ratana Church in Auckland on 28-29 July.
Accompanying Elder Thomson were President James and Sister Harumi Walker of the New Zealand Auckland Mission; President William R. Gardner of the Panmure Stake Presidency; Chairman of the Waitangi National Trust Board and former Member of Parliament Pita Paraone; and LDS director of public affairs for Auckland and Northland, Sonny Junior Samuela.
Herewini Jones, a local Church leader from Opotiki and LDS academic Dr Robert Joseph of Waikato University were key speakers at the event which was also attended by a number of other LDS guests and members from other faiths.
In his remarks, Elder Thomson noted the close relationship the Ratana Church and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints experienced in the 1920’s, and expressed a desire for that relationship to be strengthened in the coming years.
He also stressed the importance of seeking to follow the example of the Saviour in our love and care of members of our families and communities.
As part of the celebration, the Church presented Ratana leaders with gifts depicting the Latter-day Saints' Articles of Faith and The Family: A Proclamation to the World, which were well received.
Around 50 missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints led by President Derek Couch counsellor in the NZ Auckland mission presidency and Sister Couch provided welcome service to the Ratana Church members and guests by helping over the weekend with setting up furniture, serving meals and cleaning up.
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 worshiping Almighty 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 1:11).
Watch a an introductory video about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: