Representatives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints exchanged ideas on education, community service, faith and family with Papua New Guinea government officials recently.
Acting High Commissioner to New Zealand, His Excellency Morea Veratau, and Lieutenant Colonel Michael Kumun, Defence Advisor, met with Latter-day Saint leaders, Mr Peter Thomson and Mrs Tania Torea on 26 May in Wellington, New Zealand.
Mr Thomson is president of the Church’s Wellington Stake, and Mrs Torea is the faith’s director of public affairs for Wellington. A stake is a group of Latter-day Saint congregations in a geographical area.
The government and faith leaders discussed the status of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Papua New Guinea, and some of the humanitarian and other initiaitives the Church is supporting in that country.
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Latter-day Saints have had a presence in Papua New Guinea since 1944. There are approximately 22,000 members of the Church in 73 congregations throughout the country.
The Church has supported various humanitarian efforts in Papua New Guinea over the last several years, including donations of wheelchairs, orthotic and prosthetic aids; clean water projects; initiatives to help families and communities grow more nutritious food; and relief to communities affected by Cholera outbreaks.
The Church is partnering with the government to digitise and preserve vital records.
Last month Pacific Area President of the Church, Elder James J. Hamula, met with Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister, Mr Peter O’Neill.