Church Historical Marker Honours First Missionaries in the Samoan Islands

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A Church historical marker was unveiled and dedicated in Aunu’u, American Samoa on Saturday, 10 June 2023, among a gathering of community and government leaders, friends, and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The marker commemorates the 1863 arrival of the first missionaries, Samuela Manoa and Kimo Pelio, to Aunu’u, where they began sharing the restored gospel of Jesus Christ with the people of Samoa.

The marker also gives an account of a miracle that occurred in Aunu’u in 1986, when the Lord provided sand for cement, to build the Aunu’u meetinghouse.

Elder K. Brett Nattress, president of the Church’s Pacific Area, dedicated the historical marker in a special event held in the Aunu’u Church meetinghouse.

Elder Nattress was accompanied by his wife, Shawna Nattress; Elder Faapito Auapaau, Area Seventy; and President M. Fred Purcell and Sister Kylene Purcell of the Church’s Samoa Apia Mission.

Elder Nattress acknowledged the early Samoan Latter-day Saints for their willingness to “give so much and endure so much” to live by their faith in Jesus Christ and His Church, despite hardship and persecution.

“They would not deny their faith,”He said, “They believed in the miracle that happened in 1820,” in answer to a young boy’s prayer.

Elder Nattress shared that “while reading the Bible, Joseph came across a scripture” that teaches, “if we lack wisdom, we can ask God and if we ask with faith, it will be given to us” (James 1:5).

Elder Nattress continued, “When Joseph read that scripture, it came with power to his heart, and he determined to pray in a grove of trees near his home. Joseph later recorded his experience.”

“I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me… When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him! (Joseph Smith History 1:16-17).

“Joseph Smith saw God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. A miracle occurred,” declared Elder Nattress.

He continued, “Through the prophet Joseph, the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored to the earth. This restoration, this miracle, changed the world.”

Elder Auapaau spoke about missionaries making sacrifices to go where God needs them and “leaving their families [for a time] because of their love for God,” and “their willingness to face challenges because of their love for the people.”

“One of the lessons we learn from the early missionaries is to always progress forward and never look backwards,” said Elder Auapaau.

He encouraged people to “offer whatever strength you have to the Lord,” and promised “that it will be enough.”

Elder Nattress offered a dedicatory prayer with respect to the historical marker, giving thanks to God “for the strength and perseverance of those first two missionaries.”

He expressed gratitude “for our Saviour, Jesus Christ, for His life and His infinite Atonement.”

He dedicated the historical marker that it “may be protected and preserved; that all who come to learn, will reflect on the blessings that thou hast given them, that they will feel thy love and have a greater desire to serve thee and to be faithful to thy will.”

He prayed for God’s “protective blessing for our families and especially for our children, the rising generation. May they be true and steadfast in their testimonies of thy Son, Jesus Christ, that they too, will recognise miracles in their lives.”

Among the invited guests were local village chiefs and American Samoan government officials Aumua Amata Radewagen and Titiali'i Kitara Vaiau. In addition, leaders from other churches including the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa and Assembly of God were present.

Also attending the event were Dr Melanie Riwai-Couch, Church History Manager for the Pacific Area; Elder O. Vincent Haleck, Emeritus General Authority Seventy, and his wife, Sister Peggy Haleck.

A choir made up of Church members of the Aunu’u ward (congregation) sang during the event.

Following the historical marker unveiling, families of the Malaeimi ward presented a cultural presentation of the story of the first missionaries.