Gisborne, New Zealand, and the surrounding region has experienced six cyclones over the last eight years.
According to Elder Jeremy R. Jaggi, a member of the Pacific Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and community togetherness have been essential parts of residents’ roads to recovery.
Elder Jaggi presided at the Gisborne Stake Conference of the Church on Saturday and Sunday 15-16 June. A stake is a group of Latter-day Saint congregations.
DOWNLOADElder Jaggi told members and friends attending the conference on Sunday morning that the Church and its members are a part of the region’s recovery, bringing materials for home rebuilds, providing a place for school students to learn, and by offering other humanitarian aid.
“When we serve one another, we are serving God,” Elder Jaggi said. (See Mosiah 2:17, The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.)
Mayor of Gisborne, Rehette Stoltz, attended the Sunday morning session of the conference.
In her remarks, she said that she has seen how members of the Church of Jesus Christ, with their neighbours, have rallied together during difficult times.
Mayor Stoltz shared how she appreciated Church members' efforts as communitiies have been recovering from tough times.
DOWNLOADAfter the conference, Elder Jaggi said, “As we strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ through worshipping together in our homes, each Sunday in sacrament meetings, and in the house of the Lord, we can minister to those we know and love around us, inviting them to come with us as we serve the Lord and our neighbours.
“This leads to stronger personal faith, and greater love and unity with one another, so we are empowered to face the challenges of life together.”
Elder Denny Faalogo, Area Seventy, accompanied Elder Jaggi at the conference.
DOWNLOADMembers of the Gisborne stake presidency (local lay leadership)—Presidents Maui Aben, Melvyn Brown, and Orlo Dennison—were released after several years of faithful service. A new stake president, Caleb West, was called to serve the congregations and communities of Gisborne. Mervyn Brown and Orlo Dennison will continue as councillors to President West.
