Planting Seeds of Faith and Work in French Polynesia

Laman Manarani, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, considers himself a blessed man.  Laman reflects, "My journey has not been easy, but thanks to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and putting Him at the centre of our lives, our family has been blessed."

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A fisherman by trade, Laman Manarani began farming when he and his family moved to Tahaa Island in French Polynesia.

Laman grows lettuce by using a farming system called aquaponics, which is a combination of two food production systems, hydroponics and aquaculture. Laman can produce a head of lettuce in four weeks using aquaponics farming.

Laman did a market study in Tahaa and noticed there was a lack of salad and fresh vegetables on the island. To help fill the void of fresh produce, he decided to grow Batavia lettuce.

Laman sold lettuce by going door to door. Laman recounts, "I learned to go door to door on my mission for the Church. The mission trained me to go to the people." Now Laman delivers lettuce one to three times a week to the local market and is planning on expanding his farm and growing other food.

Laman attributes his success to trusting in God, participating in a self-reliance course provided by the Church, and working hard. 

He says, "When we were first married, my wife Laetitia and I lived in Tahaa. While in Tahaa my wife lost her job as a teacher. We fasted and prayed to the Lord to know what to do, and the answer was to go back to Tahiti. We trusted the Lord and moved back to Tahiti."

After their return to Tahiti, Laman and Laetitia saw doors open and blessings pour out on them. Laman recounts, "My wife passed her teacher's exam. I was able to take the self-reliance course, 'Starting and Growing My Business'. After my course was completed, I developed a fish shop and fish trailer business in Arue."

Unfortunately, COVID, arrived and Laman's businesses suffered. Laman continues, "My wife and I prayed to the Lord again for direction. We felt deep down that the Lord wanted us to go back to Tahaa. Even if it was difficult to let go of our businesses in Tahiti, the Lord was trusted again."

Laman and Laetitia had the goal to be self-reliant in everything they did. Laman continued, "Before returning to Tahaa we took classes with a member of our church on aquaponics. I also did a lot of personal research on the internet. Thanks to the course on self-reliance, I developed a habit of learning and have sought to deepen my knowledge in my field."

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Laman went on to say, "I continued to do a lot of research to solve daily problems that I encountered. I built everything from scratch with resources on the island. There have been obstacles at every stage, but the Lord has always been trusted."

Laman also discovered that the Lord needed his family to return to Tahaa to strengthen the Church in Haamene, Tahaa. Laman now serves in the Bora Bora church leadership. Laman is serving and helping others. 

When Laman looks at the growth of his farm he marvels at how everything he plants produces. He comments, "I see God's hand in all these blessings. I pay my tithing and I see the windows of heaven pouring out on my family."

Elder Peter F. Meurs, a member of the Pacific Area Presidency of the Church, and his wife, Sister Maxine Meurs, visited Laman and his family and were inspired by Laman's ability to produce high quality produce, and his desire to serve others.

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Elder Meurs commented, "Laman took a self-reliance course and followed through with what the course teaches students to do, which is to look for what is needed. In Tahaa, Laman saw a need for fresh produce, especially lettuce. Laman now provides lettuce to his community and supermarkets in other areas. Everyone is blessed."

Elder Meurs continued, "As an area presidency we are concerned about employment, self-reliance and careers for church members. The Lord blessed us by allowing my wife and I to meet Laman and see what he has accomplished with his aquaponics farm. It teaches us that this kind of thinking is possible. We could have many people producing food in different ways that would benefit the community and help families sustain themselves."

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Sister Meurs added, "Laman is such a hard worker and is raising his family with vision and example with his very supportive wife. It is inspiring."

"I love God, I love my family and I love my country," Laman pronounces. "God's love is priceless. He is ready to help. Everything depends on our ability to listen, act, and trust Him. When you serve the Lord, He will do his part."