Pacific Stories: Edmund Saksak — A Life of Faith and Service

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More than 629,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints live across the Pacific, where faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ inspires individuals, families, and communities to serve, lead, and bless others. This profile is part of a Pacific Newsroom series highlighting the stories, testimonies, and experiences of Latter-day Saints throughout the Pacific.

Edmund Saksak

I was born and raised in Vanuatu, where faith, family, and community have always been an important part of life. Looking back, I can see the Lord's hand guiding me long before I fully understood His plan for me. Like many young people, I had dreams and questions about my future, but I have come to know that Heavenly Father sees much further than we do.

One of the greatest blessings of my life was serving as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My mission changed me forever. It taught me that true happiness comes from forgetting ourselves and serving others. As I shared the restored gospel, I discovered that I wasn't only helping others find Jesus Christ—I was finding Him more deeply myself.

My testimony became rooted in the knowledge that the Saviour lives, that He knows each of us personally, and that His restored Church is led by prophets today.

After returning home, I continued my education at Brigham Young University–Hawaii, where I earned a bachelor's degree in political science. Studying in such a diverse environment helped me appreciate the Lord's children from many cultures and backgrounds. I also gained knowledge in social work, criminal justice, anthropology, and good governance, but more importantly, I learned that education is a tool to bless lives and strengthen communities.

Since then, my career has taken me through law enforcement, investigations, hospitality management, and community leadership. Each experience has reinforced a simple truth: people matter. Whether helping someone through a difficult situation, mentoring young people, or working to make communities safer, I have tried to remember the Saviour's example of lifting the one.

Today I serve as a ward executive secretary. I have also been blessed to serve in young single adult leadership and as an elders quorum instructor. These callings have reminded me that the Lord qualifies those He calls. They have taught me to listen, to love, and to serve without expecting recognition.

Outside the Church, I am deeply involved in community development and public service. I work with local leaders to promote peace, strengthen families, encourage youth, and help build safer communities. I believe discipleship does not end on Sunday. Following Jesus Christ means carrying His light into our homes, workplaces, and neighbourhoods every day.

My journey has not been without challenges. There have been moments when doors closed, plans changed, and answers seemed delayed. Yet those experiences have become some of my greatest teachers. I have learned that God's timing is always perfect. Sometimes He does not remove the mountain before us—He gives us the strength to climb it. Through every trial, I have found that the Saviour has never left my side.

The restored gospel of Jesus Christ is the foundation of everything I do. It gives me hope when life is uncertain, peace when life is difficult, and purpose when I wonder what comes next. The gospel has taught me that my true identity is as a child of Heavenly Father and that every person I meet is my brother or sister. That understanding changes how I serve, how I lead, and how I love.

Although the Port Vila Vanuatu Temple is still under construction, it already holds a special place in my heart. In a busy and often noisy world, thoughts of the temple bring peace and clarity. It reminds me that my life is part of an eternal plan and that families can be together forever through Jesus Christ. Each time I visit the temple site, I leave with greater faith, renewed strength, and a deeper desire to become more like the Saviour.

If there is one message I hope my life reflects, it is this: Jesus Christ lives. He knows us personally. He walks beside us in our trials, rejoices in our victories, and patiently shapes us into who we can become. My story is not about personal achievement—it is about the grace of God. Everything good in my life has come because of His love, His mercy, and His willingness to keep leading me forward, one step at a time.

I know the restored gospel changes lives because it has changed mine. It has given me hope, direction, and an eternal perspective. My greatest desire is to spend my life serving the Lord by serving His children, wherever He may call me.

The Church in the Pacific

• 629,697 members
• 1,306 congregations
• 17 missions
• 22 temples (operating, under construction, or announced)
• 315 family history centres

The Church Worldwide

• More than 17.5 million members
• 31,000+ congregations
• 400+ missions
• 380+ temples operating, under construction, or announced
• Presence in 180+ countries and territories

This profile is part of a Pacific Newsroom series sharing the stories of Latter-day Saints whose faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ inspires them to serve their families, communities, and nations.