News Story

A Work of Heart

From Utah to New Zealand, a framed canvas print unites individuals, families, and communities

New Zealander, Vicki Wihongi, was browsing in a bookstore in Utah, USA earlier this year when she met Reid Turley, who worked there.

They got to talking and she shared that she was a volunteer communication director for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Zealand. She told Reid that she often had the opportunity to meet with friends from other faiths and the wider community.

Reid told Vicki that he had been praying for an opportunity to gift a special framed print which featured an artist’s interpretation of Jesus Christ’s hand.

Reid Turley and Vicki Wihongi.
Reid Turley and Vicki Wihongi.
Reid Turley and Vicki Wihongi. 2022.© 2022 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Vicki offered to help Reid by taking the print back to New Zealand, both of them agreeing that they would make it a matter of prayer so Vicki and her husband, Stranz, would be led to the right recipient for the gift.

Some weeks later, Vicki, Stranz and Stranz’s brother Troy had the opportunity to meet the newly appointed president of the Hamilton Fijian Association, Samisoni Tikoinasau Speight. They felt inspired that Mr Speight was the person to whom the print should be given.

The image on the canvas shows the hand of the Lord, Jesus Christ, with the nail mark in His palm, a reminder of His suffering on the cross of Calvery, reaching out for another person’s hand to help and lift another. It brings to mind the importance of serving both the Saviour and all of God’s children, just as the Lord taught when He said, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me,” (Matthew 25:40, The Holy Bible).

Only after the presentation of the gift, and speaking with several people who know Mr Speight, did Vicki, Strantz and Troy more fully understand the significance of the choice of recipient.

Samisoni Speight, a former Fijian politician, had served his country’s people when he had held a Cabinet office as Minister of State. Since moving to Hamilton, he has immersed himself in the Fijian community and he is described by those who know him well as a follower of Christ who loves to serve others. The same kind words were spoken about his wife.

A friend, Seniana Tabudravu, said, “This is a perfect gift for Sam. You don’t even know how perfect it is. Sam and his wife are like Jesus too. They serve us all the time. He is always helping our Fijian community. He makes time to help families with food or money or whatever they need. This picture shows the hand of Jesus reaching out to help other people. That is what Sam does. He tries to lift us, the Fijian people, up too.”

Left to right: Vicki Wihongi; Troy Wihongi; and Samisoni Tikoinasau Speight. August 2022. Hamilton, New Zealand.
Left to right: Vicki Wihongi; Troy Wihongi; and Samisoni Tikoinasau Speight. August 2022. Hamilton, New Zealand.
Left to right: Vicki Wihongi; Troy Wihongi; and Samisoni Tikoinasau Speight. August 2022. Hamilton, New Zealand.© 2022 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Sam graciously accepted the gift with gratitude. He said that his community is now tied to the Latter-day Saint community, and they would serve God’s people together.

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