Elder James J. Hamula Encourages Tongan Latter-day Saints to Minister to Others in Their Homes

Elder James J. Hamula, President of the Pacific Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, presided and was the concluding speaker at the Nuku’alofa Tonga Halaliku Stake conference last month [23 February 2014].

Standing before a congregation that overflowed the chapel and cultural hall into the outside hallways, he encouraged the Latter-day Saints in attendance to expand their church service outside the walls of their church buildings and into the homes of their fellow church members, neighbors, and others in their communities.

“You may not remember the words or talks shared in this conference, but you will remember the people you minister to and visit in their homes,” he said.  "That is true religion, and it will endure in your hearts and minds, and in the hearts and minds of those you minister to and visit."

Elder Hamula encouraged Latter-day Saints to “place both feet in the Kingdom of God.”  Only by doing so, he said, might they avail themselves of God's promise to His people that they would find "refuge from the storms" of mortality [quoting Doctrine and Covenants 115:6].    

Elder Hamula referred to the recent disaster in Haʻapai caused by Cyclone Ian and reported that Latter-day Saint Church buildings were largely undamaged by the storm.  Because of this, many people, including those of other faiths, sought and secured refuge there.  

Although he does not believe that Latter-day Saint Church buildings are better than others that were destroyed, Elder Hamula indicated that their survival may be "an outward sign of God's promise to His people -- indeed to all people everywhere -- that He will protect those who reside in the Kingdom of God?  When storms come, people will obtain refuge, both physically and spiritually, in The Church of Jesus Christ.” 

Elder Hamula was accompanied on his visit by his wife, Sister Joyce Hamula. When they first visited Tonga almost five years ago, they were excited to find a village there named Hamula. He said that from that moment they felt like family with the people there. They were especially pleased on this visit to speak at the Nuku’alofa Halaliku Tonga Stake, which includes the village of Hamula.

The meeting was attended by the District Officer, Taumoha’apai Tafu; and Town Officer of Lavengatonga, Viliami Tautalanoa.