On Sunday 29, January 2023, Church members in French Polynesia and across the isles of the South Pacific and Australia, attended a special 'fifth Sunday' meeting to discuss the Pacific Area focus for 2023.
The meeting included a video presentation with members of the Pacific Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Elder K. Brett Nattress, Elder Peter F. Meurs and Elder Taniela B. Wakolo.
DOWNLOADElder Nattress said, "May we strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ as we look to walk in His light, by gathering to participate in the sacred ordinances of the sacrament and the temple and by making and keeping our covenants with God."
He continued, "The Lord has provided a promise to all who seek and follow Him. He declared, "I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.' These are our promises as we centre and focus our lives on [Jesus Christ]."
DOWNLOADA number of local members of the Church shared their responses in the comments below:
Jean Mou Tham from Punaauia
“Both the temple and the sacrament are very important to every member of the Church. They prepare us to be ready to return to live with our Savior, Jesus Christ."
Erita Hutia from Faanui
“It is important to know the goals of our Pacific leaders, it helps us to align ourselves so we can make our homes safe. We need Jesus Christ in our lives, it's obvious."
DOWNLOADTeriipaia Moana Congregation leader from Bora Bora
“Our efforts to follow the Area Focus for 2023 will strengthen our homes and strengthen our testimonies of Jesus Christ. He is the rock on which we must lay our foundation."
Temaiana Aishwarya from Oremu
"I will remember the Savior each week by going to church to receive the sacrament ordinance. I will research my family history and go to the temple to receive ordinances on behalf of my beloved ancestors."
Thierry Hunter, Papeete Tahiti Temple President
"To keep the faith is to follow our leaders and partake of the sacrament and stay on the covenant path. Going to the temple helps me grow my faith and stay close to the Lord. Despite life’s trials, I trust in my Savior.”
Tinai Tatarata, from Punaauia
"Today we are blessed [to hear] from our church leaders. We can help our families attend the temple weekly and prepare to receive the teachings in sacrament meeting and especially remember the atoning sacrifice of Christ."
The Pacific Area video presentation is available in English, French, Tahitian, Marshallese, Bislama, Samoan, Tongan, Kiribati and Tok Pisin languages.
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