Speaking at the Mu’a Tonga Stake Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently, Elder O. Vincent Haleck, president of the Pacific Area of the Church, encouraged members and guests to “listen, listen to the Holy Spirit.”
Elder Haleck, who was accompanied at the 19 February conference by his wife, Sister Peggy Haleck, noted that the Church owns and operates seven schools in Tonga, has a temple and many meetinghouses.
“Let’s not take our blessings for granted,” he said.
“We are here because of the great faith of those who have built the Church over the past 100 years. Let us show our gratitude to the Lord and to those who have gone before us by always being faithful.”
“We want our children to be in a better place than where we are today,” he said.
Elder Haleck explained that the gospel of Jesus Christ is based on simple things and that it is through personal revelation that those simple things are revealed to us.
Sister Haleck encouraged all, no matter their age, to get all the education they can. She reminded those at the conference that we will not be able to take material things to our heavenly home, but will be able to take with us the intelligence and experiences we gain here.
Among guests at the conference were Tonga’s Minister of Education, Penisimani Fifita; Minister for Police, Prisons and Fire Services, Dr. Pohiva Tui'onetoa; and Lapaha Town Officer Saimone Kiu.
After the conference Dr. Tu’ionetoa expressed gratitude for being invited. He told Elder Haleck, “We always talk about the great things your church has done, especially for the youth. I am glad that we are here with the Minister of Education, so thank you so much.”
Elder Haleck replied, “We value our association with you and your desire to be here with us. We (members of the Church) believe in obeying the laws of the country and sustaining its leaders.”