The Nuku’alofa Tonga Malapo Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized on 8 December 2013. Elder James J. Hamula, president of the Church’s Pacific Area, presided at the Sunday meeting at which its creation was announced.
Misipulu Vaiangina was called to serve as the president of the new stake with Siaki Ramsey and Samuela Fukofuka as first and second counselors, respectively.
Prior to this call, President Vaiangina served as the first counselor in the Vaini stake presidency. He is married to ‘Ailini and they have nine children ― seven boys and two girls.
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A stake is a group of five to twelve congregations in a defined geographical area, similar to a diocese in other churches, and is presided over by a stake president and two counselors. They are not paid for their service, but donate their time to serve the congregations of the stake.
President Vaiangina will be responsible to help the members of his stake in their efforts to follow Jesus Christ. He and his counselors will also oversee the activities of the bishops or ward leaders, counseling and training them as needed.
President Vaiangina comforted the members of the new stake with the promise that if they keep the commandments of the Lord, they would be able to do what was needed for the new stake to succeed.
At a luncheon held after the conference, Elder ‘Aisake Tukuafu, Area Seventy, encouraged the new presidency with counsel given to him when he was called as a stake president: “All the powerful talks you will give from the podium will be forgotten by the people, but they will never forget how you visited them at their time of need. Don’t forget the people you serve as a stake presidency.”
Elder Hamula was the concluding speaker at the conference. In his talk, he blessed the saints that the ocean and the land would produce abundantly for their needs. He also warned of many natural and spiritual storms that might come into their lives. He added that if they trust in the Lord and do their part, they will be able to stand on the day of the storm.