Elder Peter F. Meurs, Pacific Area President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, met with Honourable Hu’akavemeiliku Siaosi Sovaleni, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga, in Nuku’alofa on 4 July 2024.
Elder Meurs was accompanied by his wife, Sister Maxine Meurs, and Elder Sione Tuione, Area Seventy.
This week, the people of the Kingdom of Tonga are celebrating the birthday of His Majesty King Tupou VI. The group watched the King's Birthday Parade from the Prime Minister's office.
Elder Meurs shared with the Prime Minister that the Church of Jesus Christ’s 12th Article of Faith states that Latter-day Saints “believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.”
“This means,” Elder Meurs said, “that we strive to be good citizens, loving and supporting one another, and obeying the law of the land.”
During their meeting, the leaders also spoke about ways the Government and the Church are helping young Tongans to grow into successful adults and good citizens by getting a solid education, working towards a career, raising a righteous family, and being guided and strengthened by faith in Jesus Christ throughout their lives.
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The Honourable Hu’akavemeiliku Siaosi Sovaleni, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga (centre), meets with Elder Peter F. Meurs, Pacific Area President of The Church of Jesus Christ and others in Nuku’alofa on 4 July 2024.© 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Speaking after the meeting, Elder Meurs said, “It was a very warm, friendly, and open meeting. We discussed our joint support for breakfasts at primary schools and the need for hospital upgrades, as well as internet connectivity challenges.”
Elder Meurs said that the leaders also discussed the need for Starlink particularly on outer islands to improve communication, education, and career opportunities.
The Church offers BYU Pathway Worldwide and English Connect online classes for those wishing to further their educations and careers.
Elder Meurs said that online jobs have potential to help many Tongans so they can work for a good salary and stay in Tonga close to family and friends. “But online jobs must have reliable Internet and bandwidth,” he said.
Elder Meurs and Prime Minister Hu’akavemeiliku discussed the shared values and beliefs of many in the Kingdom of Tonga, with respect to love of God, following the teachings of Jesus Christ, and raising righteous families.
Elder Meurs, Sister Meurs, and Elder Tuione presented the Prime Minister with a copy of The Family: A Proclamation to the World, which outlines some of the teachings of modern-day prophets and apostles regarding marriage and family.
Elder Peter F. Meurs presents the Prime Minister of Tonga with a copy of The Family: A Proclamation to the World. 4 July 2024.
Elder Peter F. Meurs presents The Honourable Hu’akavemeiliku Siaosi Sovaleni, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga, with a copy of "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" on 4 July 2024 in Nuku'alofa, Kingdom of Tonga. © 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.An excerpt of the Proclamation states: “The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.”