On Sunday, 23 June, Erica Stanford, Member of Parliament for East Coast Bays, met with members and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Auckland’s North Shore, as they gathered for their semi-annual stake conference.
Ms Stanford said she had driven past the Sunset Road meetinghouse many times but had never been inside.
Church leaders, including Elder Daniel Hamilton, visiting from Australia, were pleased to have the opportunity to invite her to the conference and host her beforehand.
Auckland New Zealand Harbour Stake President, Douglas Martin, said: “We were able to explain to Ms Stanford that a ward is a congregation of members in a geographical area, and a group of wards make up a stake.”
Lee-Anne Hulme, president of the stake’s Relief Society—the Church’s women’s organisation—hosted Ms Stanford for a tour of the meetinghouse, which was an opportunity to explain how the Church assists families, singles, young adults, youth and children.
Urim Shin, a young adult member of the Church, explained her role as part of the interfaith community.
Another local Latter-day Saint, Ashleigh Hobbs, told Ms Stanford what was at the core of many Church members’ involvement in worship services and other church activities.
“We strive to emulate and follow the life and teachings of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and to invite all to follow Him.”
Ms Stanford also spoke with two young women currently serving for 18 months in the New Zealand Auckland Mission.
She was surprised to hear that the Church has over 100,000 members in New Zealand.
Elder Hamilton talked about Church members’ willingness to work with others to strengthen individuals, families and communities.