Senior missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered in Takapuna, New Zealand, to celebrate the early “Pioneers of the Pacific” this week.
They met July 24, 2017, the day that is annually celebrated worldwide by LDS faithful in recognition of early Mormon pioneers and the many sacrifices and hardships they endured to establish the Church throughout the world.
Invited speakers were Vic and Rangi Parker, Church service missionaries from Temple View, Hamilton, New Zealand.
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Vic Parker paid tribute to early New Zealand Mormon missionaries, Elders Abbott and Butterfield. He shared an account of the two missionaries visiting the home of a New Zealand family by the name of Field.
As they entered the Field’s home, Mrs. Field was crying and the missionaries asked what was the matter. Mrs. Butler, a nurse standing close by, said, referring to Mrs. Field’s daughter, Edith, “…She is dying. The doctors just left her and said she was, and they left the certificate of death signed by both.”
Having received a spiritual feeling that Edith should be given a blessing of healing, the two missionaries asked Mrs. Butler for permission to give her a blessing. Mrs. Butler replied, “Very well, but it will do no good.”
Mr. Parker recounted that the missionaries blessed her, rebuking the disease and commanding Edith to be made whole.
She immediately opened her eyes and motioned to the young missionaries, calling them by name. She said she was “just going away but you have called me back.”
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Rangi Parker shared some of the experiences she has had in acquiring photos, histories and other archival items that represent early Latter-day Saint missionary experiences in New Zealand.
Elder Gifford Nielsen, a former member of the Church’s Pacific Area Presidency, had previously mentioned “the heart and vision of Vic and Rangi Parker. They have collected journals, stories, artifacts, and oral histories for more than 25 years.”
“Each time I have gotten on a plane and gone to the United States the Spirit has guided me,” Mrs. Parker said.
On one of her 29 trips to acquire historical items, she told her son traveling with her, “I have a real strong feeling that we need to go to the Los Angeles Temple.”
As they walked into the temple they encountered a woman who recognized her from an article she had read. The woman said she had a recording of a missionary who had served among the Maori many years ago and wondered if Rangi would like to have it.
“I can honestly say that the Lord has directed us as we have been doing this work,” Mrs. Parker said.
And why is Rangi Parker so passionate about the work she is involved in? To quote her, “It’s a feeling from the other side, ‘keep going’.” She knows that God is watching over this work. And she knows her ancestors are too.
Elder Lynn Summerhays and his wife, Ann, Directors of the Matthew Cowley Pacific Church History Centre, accompanied the Parkers to the event. On behalf of the Centre, Elder Summerhays expressed gratitude for the invaluable work of the Parkers.
He noted, “Each day in the reading room outside my office, the Parkers will be gathered around the table viewing photos and films of the ancestors of the Maori people and early Pacific missionaries. Inspiration comes to them each and every day to help them in this great work.”
In the United States, Pioneer Day is celebrated by LDS faithful, recognizing early Mormon pioneers and the many sacrifices and hardships that they endured.
Christine Streeter, a senior missionary serving in the Church’s Pacific Area Office shared her thoughts. “What happened in New Zealand could only happen because of the courage, sacrifice and faith of early pioneers . . . and it is good for us to remember and honor them. Every nation, every time, has their pioneers.”
And Mormons in the Pacific will be forever grateful for theirs.
In closing, Rangi shared a favourite Maori proverb with fellow senior missionaries: “He Aha te me nui o te Ao Maku e kia atu He Tangata He Tangata He Tangata.” Translated, it means “What is the most important thing in this world? I say to you - It is people. It is people. It is people.”