Rainy, cold weather on 10 August, the third day of the Tonga Mission Centennial Celebration, threatened to prevent the cultural show at Teufaiva Stadium from happening. But the organisers determined that “rain or shine, the show must go on!”
3,000 Tongan youth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints danced before Their Majesties, King George Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u; the Crown Prince, HRH Ulukalala and his wife Sinaitakala; and HRH Prince Ata, with more than 3,000 others in attendance.
Prince Ata opened the event, officially welcoming his parents and thanking them for gracing the celebration with their presence. He said, “In spite of the weather we hope that everyone will enjoy the show.”
The dances depicted the growth of the Church throughout the islands of the Pacific—beginning at the time of King George Tupou I—and included dances from Tahiti, Hawaii, New Zealand, Samoa, Fiji, and Tonga.
As the dancers performed, one observer said, “The amount of preparation showed through the vibrant colours of the costumes, the oneness and gracefulness of the motions of the dances, and also the excitement that was seen and felt from the dancers. It was as if the sun was out and that they were not performing in the mud and rain.”
Comments from the crowd included many exclamations of “wow,” “beautiful,” “amazing,” and “awesome!” The performers were rewarded with a standing ovation at the close of the show.
- Young LDS Performers Tonga Mission Centennial Celebration 10 August 2016
- Tonga CC audience and choir
- His Majesty King Tupou VI arrives at Tonga Mission Centennial Celebration at Teufaiva Stadium, 10 August 2016.
- Her Majesty Queen Nanasipau’u Arrives Tonga Mission Centennial Cultural Celebration Teufaiva Stadium 10 August 2016
- Tonga C Tonga dance
- Tonga CC Tonga dance2
- Tonga CC Tahiti dance2
- Tonga CC Tahiti dance3
- Tonga CC Hawaii dance
- Tonga CC Hawaii dance
- Tonga CC Aotearoa dance
- Tonga CC Aotearoa dance
- Tonga CC Samoa dance
- Tonga CC Samoa dance2
- Young Latter-day Saints perform Fijian dance at Tonga Mission Centennial Celebration at Teufaiva Stadium, 10 August 2016
- Young Latter-day Saints perform Fijian dance at Tonga Mission Centennial Celebration at Teufaiva Stadium, 10 August 2016.
- Tonga CC Tonga dance
- Tonga CC Tonga dance
- Tonga CC Prince departs
| 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 |
The early LDS missionaries to Tonga arrived in July 1891, and the Nuku’alofa Tonga Mission was officially organized 8 July 1916. By 2015, the LDS Church reported there are over 63,000 Tongan members in over 166 congregations.
Elder ‘Aisake Tukuafu, senior Church leader in Tonga and his wife, Lose, welcomed former mission presidents and their wives, former and current missionaries, and members and friends of the Church to the remarkable event.
Senior leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Tonga attending included stake president, Ian Claude Tu'ihalangingie, Elder 'Aisake Tukuafu and his wife Lose, Mission President Tuione and his wife Moala, and stake president 'Alavani Sika and his wife Mokiana.
Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni; Lord Tu’ivakano, Speaker of the Parliament; and Hon. Semisi Sika, Minister of Tourism were also in attendance.
President of the Centennial Committee, ‘Alavini Sika, gave the closing remarks for the evening, followed by a prayer and the singing of the national anthem; then “farewelling” Their Majesties and honoured guests, keeping with Tongan tradition.
Photo credits: Sione Langi
Read a related article from Matangi Tonga Online.