Elder Rasband Ministers to Temple Patrons in New Zealand

“I am very excited to see all of you come to the temple for the first time,” said Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder Rasband met with a group of temple patrons in Hamilton, New Zealand, on Monday, March 18, 2024, during his 10-day ministry to the South Pacific.

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“It’s very thrilling to have you here. And it reminds me of my own ancestor roots,” Elder Rasband added.

The first- and second-generation Latter-day Saints Elder Rasband met with are from Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. All the patrons are recipients of the Church's Temple Patron Assistance Fund, which provides financial assistance to those who otherwise could not afford the travel expenses associated with attending a temple.

The Apostle walked to the Hamilton New Zealand Temple with 11 prospective missionaries from Papua New Guinea. The young men and women are getting ready to go on their missions, where they will serve the Lord for 18 months to two years.

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“It's a blessing to come to the temple,” said Nuan Korere, who came to the Hamilton Temple to receive his endowment  and make sacred promises to God before serving as a full-time missionary in the Marshall Islands/Kiribati Mission. “I'm the first in my family to come to the temple. I hope I end up being a legacy one day.”

Charlotte and Ronnie Woiwoi were in Hamilton for training to be temple volunteers in their home country of Papua New Guinea.

“The feeling is great and joyful,” Charlotte Woiwoi said. “We are so blessed to meet with the Apostle.”

“I'm grateful [to] the Lord for giving me the opportunity with my wife to come here and prepare ourselves [to be] ordinance workers and prepare for our temple back in Papua New Guinea,” Ronnie Woiwoi said.

Patrons also included Dalcy Idu of the Solomon Islands, a mother who was sealed to members of her family, including her living children and deceased husband, parents and a child. “That’s why we’re here. We come for our sealing with my husband.”

“You’re not just living your life for yourselves. You’re living your lives for your posterity,” Elder Rasband explained to the temple patrons during a breakfast gathering at the house of the Lord. “And I tell you, your posterity will bless your names for making these commitments to join the Lord’s Church, to come and create eternal families.”

The Hamilton Temple is one of three temples in operation, under construction or announced in New Zealand. The Hamilton New Zealand Temple is the only operating temple in New Zealand.

Elder Rasband took a hard hat tour of the Auckland house of the Lord currently under construction during his time in New Zealand. The Wellington New Zealand Temple will be built in Porirua, north of Wellington city.

The senior Church leader began his journey in Australia. He will continue his ministry in Samoa and Fiji, where he will meet with government leaders.