Latter-day Saint Leaders Meet with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister

Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill on Friday [9 May] at National Parliament House in Port Moresby. Finance Minister Hon James Marape also attended the meeting.

Elder James J. Hamula, Pacific Area President of the Church; Jonathan Omae, President of the Church’s Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Stake; and Dr Lautofa McCarthy Pulotu, the Church’s Papua New Guinea Director of Public Affairs, discussed the growth of the Church in Papua New Guinea and the positive contribution the Church makes to the country through its missionary efforts, strengthening of families, and welfare and humanitarian activities.   

“We are followers of Jesus Christ seeking to improve our own lives, and help others to do the same,” Elder Hamula said. “We believe faith has a vital place in society, that strong families lead to strong nations, and that religious freedom opens doors to personal, family and social improvement and growth.”

Prime Minister O'Neill thanked Elder Hamula and his companions for the work of the Church in Papua New Guinea, and affirmed his government's commitment to facilitating the work of all faiths ― including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ― who seek to improve the lives of the people of Papua New Guinea.  Prime Minister also noted his and his wife's 2011 visit to Brigham Young University-Hawaii, the Polynesian Cultural Centre, and the Latter-day Saints’ Laie Hawaii Temple.  

At the conclusion of the meeting, Elder Hamula presented Prime Minister O'Neill with a statuette of "The Christus.”  Prime Minister O'Neill warmly received this gift, indicating that he would place it on his desk as a reminder of the visit, the friendship of the Church, and a symbol of the country's Christian faith.  

After the meeting, Elder Hamula observed:  “We are grateful to Prime Minister O’Neill and other leaders in Papua New Guinea who are working so hard to better the lives of the people in their nation.  We too are committed to bettering the lives of the people of Papua New Guinea, both spiritually and physically, and grateful to be regarded as a friend to Papua New Guinea.”

There are now close to 22,000 Latter-day Saints in 73 congregations across Papua New Guinea. The Church has two missions, two stakes, and has established a self-reliance centre and two family history centres in the country.

Current or recent humanitarian projects supported by the Church include: revitalizing the Gigwa health centre in Suki; clean water, sanitation and hygiene training project in Wewak; wheelchairs donations in Port Moresby and Lae through the National Orthotic & Prosthetic Services Organization; food initiative projects in Suki, Sogere & Daru; assisting Daru families whose homes were destroyed in a recent storm ; partnership with National Board of Disability Persons and the National Orthotic & Prosthetic Services to deliver devices and check limbs, hearing and sight for impairment; and partnership with government to digitize and preserve vital records.

Over 250,000 Papua New Guineans have benefited from humanitarian projects supported by the Church in recent years.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a global, Christ-centred faith with over 15 million members.