Family and friends were assured Tuesday 22 September at a funeral service that Elder Soane Viena Tanginoa Meʻahala was still a missionary, only in a different realm.
The 64-year-old was born on 31 December, 1955 at Pangaimotu, Vavaʻu, Tonga. He later married the love of his life, Lavinia Lepeka Meʻahala, in the Nukuʻalofa Tonga Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1985.
Together they raised five children ─ Viena Jr, Tom Perry, ‘Ana, Viliami and Tuʻimakite.
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- Elder & Sister Me'ahala in Kiribati during an activity for the mission
- Me'ahala's with missionaries in Kiribati
- Elder Soane Viena Tanginoa Meʻahala
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In 2019, while serving as a local Latter-day Saint leader in ‘Utui, Vava’u, he heard Church leaders say there was a need to have more missionary couples throughout the Pacific.
He and his wife felt inspired to serve as missionaries together. After submitting their missionary application papers, they received a mission call and were assigned to the Marshal Islands/Kiribati Mission ─ the same mission he had served in more than 40 years ago as a young man.
They began their mission in August, 2019, and over the next few months they made a lot of friends, and helped many families and communities.
Exactly a year into their mission, Elder Meʻahala passed away.
In order for family and friends in Tonga to say farewell and to celebrate his life, Elder Me’ahala’s body was returned to his homeland.
Elder Inoke Kupu, Area Seventy; Hakeai Piutai, president of the Tonga Nuku’alofa Mission; and other leaders greeted Sister Me’ahala at the airport.
Elder Me’ahala’s body was laid to rest in his home village, Pangiamotu, on the island of Vava’u.
According to Elder Me’ahala’s eldest sister, ‘Ema Fe’ao, “He knew his time was near, so he called and sent his love to every one of us siblings. He even said he is coming home soon. Of course, they all doubted that they would personally bid him farewell, due to all the borders closing and restrictions from COVID-19.”
Another family member reminisced, “He had such a good heart and was a very kind and generous person. He constantly reminded us that because we grew up poor, our attitude and behaviour towards life should never exceed what we have in our hands and we should always remember our humble beginnings.”
The district officer in Elder Me’ahala’s home village, Viliami Maka Latavao, praised Elder Me’ahala’s life saying he lost himself in the service of others, and that he influenced many people for good.
The Noble of Pangaimotu honoured him with the chief title, “Hauhau Kakala,” due to his great leadership in his family and community.
Lutoviko Saipa’ia, president of the Neiafu ava’u Tonga Stake, felt honoured to have worked alongside this great man.
“He served whole-heartedly with unwavering faith in every one of his callings in the ward and the stake as well,” President Sai’ia said.
“He was an impeccable Sunday School teacher. Served as a high councillor for years before he was called as branch president of ‘Utui. We became really good friends, like brothers almost. Even with his mission call, he wanted me to open the envelope and tell him where he was called to. It has been a great blessing knowing this humble servant of the Lord and my heart aches that he has been called back by our God, but I find peace knowing that he is only going to continue the great work in the next life.”