Elder O. Vincent Haleck of the Pacific Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints presided over the creation of the Auckland New Zealand Penrose Stake on the weekend (16-17 May).
Approximately 1,000 members and guests of the Church attended a special conference on the weekend when the new stake and its leadership were announced.
New Zealand Church leader, Elder Paul R. Coward, accompanied Elder Haleck at the conference.
Faaleaga Young Yen, David A. Lawrence and Etimoni Uele were announced as the new stake’s presidency. They, along with other lay leaders, will teach the gospel of Jesus Christ as well as provide counselling and other support to the members of the stake.
Elder Haleck counselled those at the conference to increase their faith in Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. “Put your trust in God and Christ,” he said.
“If you will centre your lives on Heavenly Father and our Saviour, Jesus Christ, and keep the commandments, you will prosper in this land.”
Elder Haleck reminded the many who were there from the Pacific Islands to reflect on why they moved to this country. “You moved to provide a better future for families,” he said. “To build a better future for your families, you must make getting an education for your children a priority to ensure a bright future for them and the future generations of your families.”
He also encouraged members of the Penrose stake to support their new leaders. “They have been called of God,” he said.
Elder Coward invited those attending the conference to “look forward with faith, unity and service.”
Watch videos about Latter-day Saint beliefs and practices: