New Mission Leaders Called to Serve in the South Pacific

Seven couples will arrive soon in the South Pacific to lead missions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“Those coming to the Pacific Area will be marvellous presidents and companions,” said Elder Craig A. Cardon, General Authority Seventy and second counsellor in the Pacific Area Presidency serving in Auckland.

Mission presidents and their wives serve for three years and are responsible for sharing the restored gospel of Jesus Christ in their assigned areas of service. They train, teach, guide and look after the spiritual and physical needs of up to 200 missionaries, including young men (elders) who can begin serving at the age of 18; young women (sisters) who can begin their service at the age of 19; and senior couples who are generally retired.

Elders and sisters serve from 18 months to two years at their own expense. Along with teaching others about Jesus Christ they render service to others as often as they can.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has 419 missions around the world.

The following couples have been called to serve in the Pacific Area. 

McSwain - Australia Brisbane Mission

Mark E. McSwain, 61, and his wife Vonnie Bangerter McSwain succeed President Lon E. Henderson and his wife Sister Carrie J. Henderson in the Australia Brisbane Mission.  Brother McSwain is a former stake presidency counsellor, bishop, bishopric counsellor, high councillor, elders quorum president, gospel doctrine teacher, and missionary in the California Sacramento Mission. He worked for MC Oil and Gas and Foreland Refining Corporation. He was born in Salt Lake City to Harry Wallace McSwain and Josephine Davis McSwain.

Sister McSwain is a former stake Relief Society presidency counsellor, ward Relief Society and Young Women president, and ward Young Women and Primary presidency counsellor.  She was born in Salt Lake City to Ronald LaMar Bangerter and Jean Winegar Bangerter.

The McSwains have six children and are from Farmington, Utah, USA.

Vidmar - Australia Melbourne Mission

Peter Glen Vidmar, 54, and his wife Donna Marie Harris Vidmar succeed President Cory H. Maxwell and his wife Sister Karen Maxwell in the Australia Melbourne Mission. Brother Vidmar has served as a public affairs specialist and seminary teacher and is a former stake presidency counsellor, bishop, ward mission leader, stake public affairs director, and elders quorum president. He is an executive committee member for the US International Gymnastics Federation. He was born in Los Angeles, California to John Redd Vidmar and Doris Marilyn Neely Vidmar.

Sister Vidmar has served as a ward Relief Society teacher, and is a former ward Primary president, ward Relief Society presidency counsellor, ward Young Women secretary, and Primary pianist.  She was born in Long Beach, California to Russell Thomas Harris and Ethel Anne Harris.

The Vidmars have five children. They previously resided in Clemente, California, USA.

Larkin - Marshall Islands Majuro Mission

John Francis Larkin, 62, and his wife Robyn Lee Boyle Larkin succeed Thomas L. Weir and Sister Sheilah H. Weir in the Marshall Islands Majuro Mission. Brother Larkin is a former stake president, stake presidency counsellor, stake mission president, bishop, stake Young Men president, Scoutmaster and mission preparation adviser. He is a business development director. He was born in Melbourne, Australia to Herbert Larkin and Valarie Larkin.

Sister Larkin is a former stake Relief Society presidency counsellor, ward Relief Society president, Relief Society compassionate service leader, seminary teacher, gospel doctrine teacher and ward family history consultant. She was born in Sydney, Australia to John Boyle and Yvonne Boyle.

The Larkins have six children and come from Narre Warren, Melbourne, Australia.

Cummings - New Zealand Hamilton Mission

Jeffrey Donald Cummings, 60, and his wife Evelyn Margaret Hooper Cummings succeed President Charles A. Rudd and Sister Annette Rudd in the New Zealand Hamilton Mission. Brother Cummings serves as an Area Seventy and is a former mission presidency counsellor, stake president, bishop, high councillor, and missionary in the Canada Vancouver Mission. He is a self-employed land developer. He was born in Perth, Australia to Donald Wilfred Cummings and Margaret Amy Oliver Cummings.

Sister Cummings is a former ward Relief Society, Young Women and Primary presidency counsellor, temple preparation teacher and missionary in the Australia Sydney Mission. She was born in Adelaide, Australia to Thomas Frederick Hooper and Margaret Faunt Hooper.

The Cummings are parents of seven children. Their home is in Penrith, Australia.

Tuione - Tonga Nuku’alofa Mission

Sione Fifita Tuione, 43, and his wife Moala Fe’aomoe Lupe Sika Tuione succeed President Leitoni M. Tupou and Sister Lori V. Tupou in the Tonga Nuku’alofa Mission. Brother Tuione has served as a Primary teacher and is a former stake president, bishop, stake clerk, high councillor, elders quorum president, ward mission leader and missionary in the New Zealand Wellington Mission. He is a self-employed finance business owner. He was born in Nuku’alofa, Tonga to Sosaia Tuione and Otumotulalo Fonua Tuione.

Sister Tuione is a former stake Primary presidency counsellor, Relief Society teacher and nursery leader. She was born in Nuku’alofa, Tonga to Viliami Lafu Sika and Fusipala ‘ Pangai Sika.

The couple have five children and live in Auckland, New Zealand.

Fehoko - Papua New Guinea Lae Mission

Sitiveni Fe’Aomoehala Fehoko, 56, and his wife Kilisitina Tu’itamala Langi Fehoko succeed President Mark P. Peteru and Sister Ruta Peteru in the Papau New Guinea Lae Mission. Brother Feholo is a former mission presidency counsellor, stake president, bishop, branch president and regional welfare agent. He is an artist and owner of a family business. He was born in Ha’ano, Ha’alai, Tonga. He is the son of Tevita ‘Uluakivalu Fehoko and Melemosimani Fehoko.

Sister Fehoko is a former stake and ward Primary president and stake and ward Relief Society president. She was born in Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu, Tonga. She is the daughter of Mele Peti Langi and Sione Havea Hikule’o Langi.

President and Sister Fehoko are the parents of seven children. The couple's home is in Nuku’alofa, Tonga.

Hannemann - Samoa Apia Mission

Arthur Dole Hannemann, 60, and his wife Margaret Ann Miller Hannemann will succeed President Reed C. Tolman and Sister Debra Tolman in the Samoa Apia Mission. Brother Hannemann served as a branch Primary teacher and is a former stake president, bishop, high councillor, ward Young Men president, Scoutmaster and missionary in the Samoa Apia Mission. He is the owner of Kahuku Grill and Seven Brothers. He was born in Torrance, California, to Seiuli Young Hannemann and Irene Hannemann.

Sister Hannemann serves as a branch Primary president and is a former stake Relief Society president’s counsellor, ward Relief Society president and ward Young Women and Primary president’s counsellor. She was born in Portsmouth, Virginia. Her parents are Bernard Miller and Martha Ann Miller.

The Hannemann’s have seven children. They were in the Sunset Branch, Laie Hawaii North Stake, Hawaii.