Global Women Leaders’ Weekend of Loving Service in Fiji

Sister Amy Wright, First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency, and Sister Andrea Spannaus, Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, received a warm welcome from more than 300 youth gathered for a special devotional at the Church College Fiji campus on Friday, 8 September 2023.

Over the weekend, Elder Peter F. Meurs and Elder Jeremy R. Jaggi, of the Pacific Area Presidency, and Sister Wright and Sister Spannaus shared empowering and inspiring Christ-focused messages with the Church’s youngest members, youth, young adults, local leaders and friends.

Elder Meurs and Elder Jaggi were accompanied by their wives, Sister Maxine Meurs, and Sister Amy Jaggi. The visiting Primary and Young Women organisation leaders travelled with their respective husbands, Brother James Wright, and Brother Alin Spannaus.

Elder Meurs said, “It is a delight to be in Fiji, helping parents and leaders, children, youth, young adults and friends of the Church look to Jesus Christ for peace and power in their lives to overcome the challenges of this world, and to experience the blessings of God every day.”

Sister Amy Wright helped children understand that they can be part of the gathering of Israel by being kind and doing good. She said, “Everyone can help to gather yourselves and others to Jesus Christ. As we gather to Jesus Christ, he leads us to the temple. It’s through temple covenants that we can live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as eternal families.”

Speaking with youth, Sister Spannaus showed how the songs in the 2023 Youth Album, can be a powerful resource for keeping Jesus Christ in “our thoughts and helping us overcome fears and doubts.”

“Jesus Christ has the power to help us,” she said. “We need to have more Jesus Christ in our lives. Our lives need to be filled with Jesus Christ.”

Selai Koroinamua attended the devotional for young adults. She said, “I felt the Saviour’s love. Though I go through trials, the covenants that I have made with Heavenly Father help me to remember I am loved.”

Sister Wright and Sister Spannaus visited the Suva Fiji temple, where a large group of youth participated in ordinances on behalf of their ancestors. They then gathered with the young people on the lawns, as the sun set over the ocean, to reflect on the feelings they had experienced in the House of the Lord.

Elder and Sister Meurs and Sister Wright visited with Homes of Hope Director Mark Roche and his team on Sunday. On behalf of the Church, the leaders donated a vehicle that will be used to support the organisation’s work of providing care for girls and young women in vulnerable situations.

Sister Spannaus worked with young women to put together care packages and provide service at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital. Elder and Sister Jaggi and Sister Spannaus met with staff of St. Christopher’s Home for children and presented the care packages.

While in Fiji, Elder and Sister Meurs, and Sister Wright, also met with the Fiji government’s Minister for Women, Honourable Linda Tabuya.

During their meeting they discussed topics including how we could work together to strengthen families, the Fiji governments focus on providing vocational training that leads to job opportunities, the challenges of seasonal workers and providing support and refuge for vulnerable women and children.