News Release

Elder O. Vincent Haleck Thanks Tongans for ‘Loving Our Neighbours’ After Cyclone Ian

Elder O. Vincent Haleck, First Counselor in the Pacific Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, thanked Latter-day Saints, government leaders and other churches in Tonga yesterday for working together to support communities devastated by Cyclone Ian earlier this year.

“We should stand together in good times and bad times,” he said in remarks at a dinner to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Church’s Nuku’alofa Tonga Central Stake.

Elder Haleck thanked the people of Tonga for “heeding the counsel of the Lord Jesus Christ to love our neighbours.”

“The Church has been part of Tongan history for many years,” he said.

Looking to the future, he said, "Be strong in faith, keep the commandments.  Man may change.  God does not. We are all recipients of His blessings."

Acting Prime Minister Hon Samiu Vaipulu also spoke at the event. He welcomed Elder Haleck and thanked the Church and its members for their support of cyclone victims in the Ha’apai Islands. The Acting Prime Minister said he hoped the Government and Church would continue to work closely together to serve the people of Tonga.

Read more about the Church’s Nuku’alofa Central Stake’s 20th anniversary celebrations at Matangi Tonga Online.

Last week the Church and Government signed an agreement paving the way for a humanitarian project to begin on the Ha’apai Islands where 116 homes will be rebuilt and 61 homes will be repaired.

Elder Haleck visited Ha’apai today to meet with local leaders and inspect the humanitarian project. 

For more information on the Church's history in Tonga, go to Tonga - a Land Dedicated to God.

 

 

 

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