Latter-day Saints Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Church in Kiribati

2025 marks the 50^th anniversary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Pacific Island nation of Kiribati. Members of the Church celebrated this historical event over 9 days including a cultural celebration, and a countrywide devotional. The anniversary weekend coincided with the organisation of  Kiribati’s fourth stake.

The Church is rapidly growing in Kiribati, with approximately one in five people being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Thousands of people participated in the celebratory events organised by Area Seventy Elder Iotua Tune and other local members of the Church. Elder Jeremy R. Jaggi of the Seventy and Pacific Area Presidency presided at the Church conference and weekend events.

The cultural celebration was held on Saturday 18 October at Moroni High School, a Church high school. The celebration was attended by His Excellency Taneti Maamau, President of Kiribati and several ministers from the Kiribati Government. About 1,000 dancers from the Betio, West, and East Stakes and the North District performed in a cultural extravaganza made up of twelve performances, praised by HE President Maamau.

On Sunday, 19 October, Kiribati’s fourth stake was organised, the Tarawa Kiribati North Stake. A stake is a group of Latter-day Saint congregations in a geographical area.

The new stake is made up of five wards, including two newly created wards, and four branches. The new units required a new stake presidency and five new bishops to be called for the Tarawa Kiribati North Stake.

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During the conference, Elder Tune said, “the Lord will now bless us as we work together to build a Zion people, of one heart and one mind in preparation for the temple.”

A temple for Tarawa, Kiribati was announced in 2021 and is currently under construction.

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On the same Sunday, a nationwide devotional was held to celebrate 50 years of the Church. A children's choir sang Ana Tataro te Tei (A Child’s Prayer). Other musical items were provided by a youth choir from Moroni High School.

Elder Tune spoke about the Church’s beginnings in Kiribati and how the Lord prepared the young people through education and missionary work to lead the Church in Kiribati.

“There were a lot of people chosen by Heavenly Father to lead the Church in Kiribati,” Elder Tune said. “Many of our people went to Tonga to be prepared.”

Saiosi (George) Moleni was a missionary at Moroni High School from 1977-1979. He traveled from Tonga to speak about his missionary service and how happy he was returning to Kiribati and seeing the people of Kiribati being joyful, loving their church and their island.

His Excellency Taneti Maamau, president of Kiribati, also spoke at the devotional. His remarks reflected his gratitude for the Church and the education it provides to the students of Moroni High School. He congratulated the Church for developing leaders who serve in the community, including in government.

Elder Jaggi of the Seventy also acknowledged the positive relationship between the Church and the Kiribati government. President Maamau’s remarks displayed his gratitude and love for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“The Church will grow in Kiribati and the people will be strong and happy,” President Maamau said.

Elder Jaggi touched on the history of the Church in Kiribati, honouring the pioneers and sharing photos from key historical events. He spoke to the youth, inviting them to serve missions and continue their education. He also extended the invitation to “make every day a joyous day.”

Concluding his remarks, Elder Jaggi invited Church members and all those attending the devotional to strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ and prepare for the upcoming temple.