Samoan Saints Join with Neighbours and Friends to Celebrate Nation’s Independence

Samoa celebrated its 61^st year of independence on 1^st June 2023. Public festivities, which were cancelled during the Covid-19 shutdowns, were joyfully resumed this year.

Elder Sapele Fa’alogo, an Area Seventy for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, addressed the government and the Samoan people in a service that opened the festivities.

Elder Fa’alogo noted the price paid for freedom, saying, “We rejoice in 61 years of independence. It did not come easy; trials and challenges encountered along the way were many. The price paid was high—the blood, sacrifice, and struggles of our forefathers and leaders, we celebrate their courage and vision. We pay homage to their love for God and country.”

He importuned all Samoans to remember God, as he continued: “When we celebrate these years of Independence, may we, as individuals, as a nation, as a people, lift our sights to loftier goals and show gratitude to our Eternal God for His unfailing, universal, and abiding love. The Saviour taught us to love one another, ‘By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.’ (John 13:35).”

To conclude, Elder Fa'alogo said, "In the many activities and in the busy celebrations that follow, may we not forget the love of God in all that we do. May we show that love by being steadfast and unwavering in keeping His commandments; and by sincere, selfless love for our fellow men."

Around 200 young people serving as missionaries with The Church of Jesus Christ’s Samoa mission, celebrated Independence Day just as Elder Sapele encouraged his compatriots to do, by lifting and loving others. President Merrill Fred Purcell, who serves as the Church’s mission leader, organised a morning of service.

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The 200 missionaries, most of whom are born and raised Samoans, were divided into groups. Each group chose where and what they would do to serve others in Samoa. Some of the service included tidying up school campuses, picking up rubbish along the sides of roads, and cleaning the downtown area of Apia after the parade.

Elder Shum was in a group that chose to do some yard work in the garden of the Samoan Prime Minister. Elder Shum, who is Samoan, said, “I loved serving the Prime Minister and showing support for our country. It was a surprise for the family, we felt good to develop a relationship with them. I felt very happy and grateful to be serving.”

Another group of young missionaries cleaned the Fagali’I Cemetery which dates back to 1891. Early missionaries from the Church are buried in this cemetery.

Sister Taimalelagi, from the village of Saipipi, was happy to have served. “During the activity, I felt really blessed to be able to do a service that includes serving the country and serving Heavenly Father at the same time. Although the weather wasn’t good during the service, it stopped raining for a bit, and I thought how blessed I am as a missionary to serve the Lord and help those in need. I loved serving my country by keeping it clean.”

The groups of missionaries worked for five hours on Independence Day, from 8:00am until 1:00pm after which they were served lunch. After the hard, yet satisfying day of work, President Purcell sent out a mission-wide text that gratefully shared, “Samoa is more beautiful tonight because of you!”