A group of government leaders from Samoa visited the global headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Thursday, November 7. The group of seven members of parliament toured Welfare Square and the Humanitarian Center along with their wives and Samoans who now live in Utah.
Samoan Government Delegates Salt Lake City 7 November 2024
Members of a Samoan Government delegation visit the Humanitarian Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City on 7 November 2024.© 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.The Members of Parliament in the group included:
- Susuga Laʻaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, former Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Samoan Parliament
- Papaliʻi Liʻo Oloipola Taeu Masipau, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Samoa
- Leatinuu Faumuina Sooialo Wayne Fong, Minister of Commerce, Labour and Industry
- Masinalupe Makesi Masinalupe, Parliamentary representative for Lefaga and Faleaseela constituencies and Associate Minister of Customs
- Fepuleai Fa'asavalu Faimata Su'a, Member of the Samoan Parliament
- Laga'aia Tiaituau Tufuga, Associate Minister of Public Enterprises
- Niuava Eti Malolo, Associate Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure
During their visit, the group learned how the Church of Jesus Christ works with other faith groups and community organization to take care of those in need.
The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Papaliʻi Liʻo Oloipola Taeu Masipau, described the group’s visit as “amazing.”
“This visit has encouraged us,” Speaker Masipaul said. “If we love Jesus, we love others. That’s such a good message for us to take home.”
Susuga Laʻaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, said the group learned a lot.
“It is quite significant for us to be able to see deeply how The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has developed your humanitarian structure. It is inspiring for our denomination to do the same so that no one is left behind,” he said.
Minister Schmidt said that Samoa is grateful for the assistance provided by the Church.
“We are a very resilient country, but we face so many difficulties due to climate change, so we do need assistance from time to time. We have storms, we have hurricanes, we have tsunamis, we have diseases, and we have pandemics happening,” he said. “We are very grateful that your church is very well set up in terms of providing assistance.”
Minister Schmidt says he sees many more opportunities for the Church and the government of Samoa to collaborate in the future.
Following their visit to the Church’s welfare sites, the group met with Utah state officials and Samoans living in Utah and visited a charter school. They also enjoyed a rehearsal of the world-famous Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.
During their visit to the United States, the group is also going to Los Angeles, Seattle, Missouri and Alaska to visit Samoan communities.