In the village of Afono in the mountains of Tutuila Island in American Samoa, members of a branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently moved into a new house of worship.
The village is located in the rugged mountains near the National Park of American Samoa, east of the capital, Pago Pago.
The Afono Branch has been meeting for many years in the home of one its member families, the Ki family.
Construction of a meetinghouse was planned and made possible by the leasing of land from the Aoelua family, which has many members of the Church in Afono and the village of Aua on the other side of the mountains.
On Saturday 20 February the building was dedicated by Elder Faapito Auapa’au, Area Seventy (senior Church leader).
Honored guests included the Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa, Talauega Ale, and his wife Sakala Mautofu Ale, as well as leaders from the Afono village.
- Dedication-of-new-chapel-in-Afono-with-many-residents-and-church-leaders.-American-Samoa,-February-2021.
- High-Chief--Matautia,-the-Senior-Matai-of-the-village-of-Afono-was-an-honoured-guest-at-the-event.-American-Samoa,-February-2021
- New-Afono-chapel-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints-was-dedicated-in-February-2021.-American-Samoa.
- Attendees-at-Afono-dedication---(l-tor)-Bishop-Tutaia-Uiagalelei;-High-Councilor-Sakaria-Laulu;-Stake-presidency-members-Misiualapa-Tauai-and-Siauini-Silipa-Taala.-American-Samoa,-February-2021.
- President-of-the-Pago-Pago-Stake-Michael-Lavea-and-his-wife-attend-Afono-dedication-ceremony.-American-Samoa,-February-2021.
- Honored-guests-includedthe-Lieutenant-Governor-of-American-Samoa,-Talauega-Ale,-who-offered-congratulations-from-himself-and-GovernorLemanu-Peleti-Mauga.-February-2021.
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In his remarks, Lt Governor Ale offered his congratulations and best wishes from Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga, and their thanks to the Church for its efforts to strengthen families in the Territory.
Elder Auapa’au offered a dedicatory prayer asking that, “this building would be a place of peace and harmony and where all people can come and get closer to our Heavenly Father."
He also thanked members of the Pago Pago Stake for their support over many years to bring this project about, and their efforts to build more chapels like this to promote the growth of the Church in American Samoa.
The event came to a conclusion with a traditional Samoan meal and well wishes expressed by local chiefs.
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