Latter-day Saints and Fellow Christians Link Arms During Easter

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered in homes and other places of worship this Easter to joyfully celebrate the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been encouraging Church members to elevate Easter by establishing personal, family, and community traditions.

He said, “All who accept the invitations from our living Prophet and his counsellors to more intentionally commemorate the holy events that Easter represents will find that their bond with Jesus Christ grows ever stronger.”

In addition, friendships with fellow disciples of Jesus Christ were strengthened during Easter commemorations organised by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held in New Zealand, American Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, and other parts of the South Pacific.

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President Alf Daniels, leader of several congregations of the Church of Jesus Christ in Hamilton New Zealand, said having the celebration the first Sunday in April focused the entire month of April on Jesus Christ for himself and many others. “Inviting other Christ-centered friends to join us blessed them and us with an increased outpouring of the Spirit of our Saviour,” he said.

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At an Easter gathering in Wellington New Zealand, new friends were made, and old friendships were rekindled. 

Sister Catherine Jones, Safeguarding Adviser for the Catholic Archdiocese, said, “It is particularly moving to be here at this time of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis having received condolences from many including members of this church. It reminds me we are a wider family that will always come together.”

That sense of family and coming together was also recognised by newly called Area Seventy (regional leader) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Huri Parata.

Elder Parata described the Wellington event as "a wonderful night of fellowship and food spent with our dear friends and leaders from other faiths, celebrating and appreciating the Saviour Jesus Christ and his selfless act of love for each of us."

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An Easter celebration in Pago Pago, American Samoa brought together pastors, church leaders, and friends from many Christian denominations.

Assemblies of God Pastor Aumalesulu shared his convictions about the Saviour's victory over death. "I always tell my congregation that we are put on this earth to build His kingdom and His salvation."

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In Fiji, attendees at a similar event shared how they show the greater love of Jesus Christ with members of their respective denominations.

Roman Catholic Church Archbishop, Peter Chong, said by making the Saviour's sacrifice present in our lives, not just a memory, we can live Jesus' redemptive love in how we treat others.

General Secretary of Fiji Evangelical Fellowship, Reverend Simione Tugi, spoke of regularly gathering his family and inviting them to return to faith. He also emphasized inclusion and unity over religious divisions.

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In Nuku‘alofa Tonga, Elder Sione F. Tuione, Area Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, shared his testimony of the Saviour. “As we host programs in the coming week, we wish you the best. May it be a joyous program where our children feel our love for them and the love of God. Jesus is the Christ. I know He lives. He gave His life to save us and forgive us of our sins."

Father Motekiai Tāufa of the Anglican Church summed up the evening. “Despite our different denominations, we are one family. We are related in the blood that was shed in Calvary.”  

Learn more about how members of the Church of Jesus Christ celebrate easter here, and its Easter #GreaterLove initiative. Read and watch Easter messages from modern-day prophets and apostles, here.

Watch the Church’s Easter #GreaterLove video.