Heeding their church’s encouragement to be good citizens and to make their communities better places, seven members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently ran for political office in the Republic of Kiribati.
All seven men and women were elected as Members of the Kiribati House of Assembly in the country's August 2024 elections.
Kiribati political leaders Ruth Cross Kwansing
Ruth Cross Kwansing© 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.In their own ways, each of these Members of Parliament was inspired by the teachings of their church, and a sense of civic duty, to do what they can to make their communities wholesome places to live and raise families.
Over the next four years, the Parliamentarians are working with 38 other Members of Parliament to provide government services to Kiribati’s population of nearly 340,000.
The seven elected MPs consist of two incumbents: Tekeeua Tarati and Pinto Katia.
Bautaake Beia, Tokaibure Rabaua, Ruta Teretia Babo, Niiti Itaaka and Ruth Cross Kwansing are newly elected officials.
Three of the members serve in the cabinet: Honorable Tekeeua Tarati - Minister of Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy, Honorable Tokaibure Rabaua - Minister of Environment and Lands, and Honorable Ruth Cross Kwansing - Minister of Women, Youth, Sport and Social Affairs.
Babo and Cross Kwansing are two of five women MPs in the country’s 13th Parliament.
Shortly after her election, in an interview with Pacific Media Network, Babo said, “They voted for me and it’s a humbling experience to have those that you look up to, you know, put the responsibility on your shoulders, I feel so blessed.”
Cross Kwansing said in a radio interview that her goals in governing reflect the traditional blessings of her forefathers, including health, peace, and prosperity.
“In all these things we trust in Heavenly Father. I feel I’m going in the right direction, doing what He wants me to do.”
In a Church Newsroom commentary, titled Citizenship and Conscience, it states: “Wherever they live, Latter-day Saints have the responsibility and privilege to make their corner of the globe a better place. They act in hope that the demands of citizenship and conscience will be weighed in balance and peace.”
The Church Newsroom topic, Political Neutrality and Participation, states: “The work of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints includes sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, strengthening individuals and families, and caring for those in need. The Church does not seek to elect government officials, support, or oppose political parties, or, generally, take sides in global conflicts. The Church is neutral in matters of politics within or between the world’s many nations, lands, and peoples. However, as an institution, it reserves the right to address issues it believes have significant moral consequences or that directly affect the mission, teachings, or operations of the Church.”
Newsroom continues: The Church encourages “its members to play a role as responsible citizens in their communities, including becoming informed about issues, voting in elections, participating in governance processes and (as they desire) seeking for elected, appointed or voluntary office.”
