Tongatapu members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered together in the Atele Indoor Stadium on Sunday, 19 November 2017, for the creation of the new Nuku’alofa Tonga Capital Stake from the Nuku’alofa Tonga North Stake and the Nuku’alofa Tonga Harbour Stake, and for the reorganisation of the Nuku’alofa Tonga North Stake. (A stake is a group of several congregations.)
Elder Craig A. Cardon of the Seventy and First Counsellor in the Church’s Pacific Area Presidency presided at the conference with Elder ‘Aisake Tukuafu of the Seventy assigned as his companion. Sister Deborah Cardon accompanied her husband.
In his remarks Elder Cardon taught the eternal nature of the family, saying, “Heavenly Father’s work and glory is ‘to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man’ (Moses 1:39). This occurs as His children live righteously and unite their families eternally in holy temples. No matter our other responsibilities in the Church or in life, our family responsibilities and living the gospel in our homes are the priority."
New leaders for the reorganised Nuku’alofa Tonga North Stake are Tali Tupou, President; Samuela Fonua, First Counsellor; and Isileli V. Taufa, Second Counsellor.
Also called for the newly organised Nuku’alofa Tonga Capital Stake were Ian Claude Tuihalangingie, President; Anau Vuna Hala, First Counsellor; and Daniel Fredrick Taumoepeau, Second Counselor.
Encouraging Church members, Elder Tukuafu said, “It’s important that we understand the word ‘MUST’, as found in the scriptures. ‘MUST’ is a responsibility, a need, and a force to do something. How and what we do with this understanding will change our ways of thinking and enable us to better serve in the Church”