Sapele Fa'alogo, president of the Pesega Samoa Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, offered one of three special prayers at the religious service that opened Samoa’s 51st Independence Celebration.
It was held at the Government Prayer House on Mt. Vaea in Upolu, Samoa on the evening of May 31, 2013.
The government asked the Samoa Council of Churches (SCC) to conduct this traditional service, and the Chairman of the SCC asked President Fa'alogo to offer a prayer. The service was broadcast live on radio and on Samoa’s TV3.
Members of the SCC who participated in the service were the Rev. Deacon Kasiano Leaupepe, Chairman; the Rev. Maauga Motu, Secretary; the Rev. Nuuausala, Treasurer; Pastor Francis of The Church of the Nazarene; and Stake President Sapele Fa'alogo of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Dignitaries who attended included the Samoan Head of State and his wife; the Council of Deputies; the Deputy Governor of American Samoa; Members of the Cabinet; Members of the Opposition; Members of Parliament and Judiciary; CEOs of Government Ministries; and members of the diplomatic community including the US Ambassador to Samoa; and the local US Consul Charge d’Affaires.
Music was provided by the Ola Toe Fuataina choir which consists of police officers and prison inmates. (Ola Toe Fuataina means “restored lives” or “reformed lives”.)
President Fa’alogo also walked with other members of the SCC in the country’s Independence Parade held at Mulinu’u on June 1.
The Church of Jesus Christ recently joined the SCC and is pleased to be working with them to bring people to Christ and to encourage positive shared values among people of all faiths.