Elder F. Michael Watson of the First Quorum of the Seventy and Pacific Area Presidency visited The Marshall Islands from the 5th to the 9th of May 2012. During his visit he met with Latter-day Saint leaders, members and missionaries.
"I am amazed at the faith of these wonderful people," he said today as he reflected on his experiences in the Marshalls. "Some live on tiny atolls, 30 miles long, and half a mile across. In some islands it only takes 45 minutes to walk the entire length."
"Their biggest challenge is to provide for themselves and their families," he said. "The members of the Church are meeting their challenges with great faith, and by living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They are happy."
- Latter-day Saint Leaders in The Marshall Islands
- Elder F. Michael Watson Points to The Marshall Islands on a Map of the Pacific Area
- Elder F. Michael Watson of the Pacific Area Presidency and Sister Jolene Watson visit with His Excellency Mr. Anthony Mongalo, High Commissioner to New Zealand for South Africa
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Elder Watson says that the Church is strong in The Marshall Islands and neighbouring Kiribati. They send their young people, well prepared, on missions, and every year many of them travel to the temple in Hawaii or Fiji. This takes great faith and sacrifice.
There are over 5,000 Latter-day Saints in The Marshall Islands out of a population of 64,000. Put another way, around one out of every fourteen people is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Read more about the Church and its members in The Marshall Islands here.