Bora Bora mayor, Gaston Tong Sang, and Latter-day Saint leaders recently explored ways churches and government could work together to strengthen youth, families and communities.
The occasion was a community open house organised by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 26 September on the French Polynesian island of Bora Bora.
Mayor Sang viewed displays regarding how the Church and its members bless the island by teaching the importance of self-reliant, faith-filled families.
- Bora Bora mayor, Gaston Tong Sang
- Mayor Gaston Tong Sung Bora Bora 26 Sep 2015
- Volunteers Bora Bora 26 September 2015
- Bora Bora volunteers Sep 2015
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Speaking to those in attendance at the event, Mayor Sang expressed his desire to find ways to help families and youth in Bora Bora embrace values that will help them become good citizens, happy families and ultimately lead to success and happiness in life.
“Our mayor of Bora Bora is looking for support from us as a church in helping the youth and the community to be more educated in the important values in life,” said French Polynesian Latter-day Saint leader, Elder Benjamin T. Sinjoux.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints encourages individuals to follow the example of Jesus Christ by serving others, obeying the laws of the land, and contributing in positive ways to their communities.
Elder Sinjoux explained that local members of the Church took part in a community service activity on the day of the open house.
“We had a group of volunteers from our Church – mostly young people – who participated in a service project cleaning up around the community," Elder Sinjoux said.
"They are an example of how our members are supporting their communities and working to improve and beautify them.”
As Mayor Sang participated in the various presentation, he showed particular interest in learning how Church members strive to prepare their families spiritually, physically and temporally for whatever the future may bring.
Becoming self-reliant – taking care of your own and your family’s physical, spiritual and temporal needs – is a goal and a principle taught to Church members.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been in French Polynesia since 1844.