Elder James J. Hamula, Pacific Area President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, told an audience of around 400 people in the Church's Redoubt Road Manukau meetinghouse last night that strong families lead to strong societies.
| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
"All people want happiness, peace and prosperity; and strong families lead to these things and many more benefits to individuals and societies," he said. "We encourage civic, faith and other community leaders to do all they can to assist families to do very well, because the success of our societies is grounded in the success of our families."
Members of the Church and guests from local government and faith groups came from across Auckland to attend the meeting.
Elder Hamula presented Mike Bailey (member of the Manurewa Local Board and representing Mayor Brown last night) with a Family Values Award from the Church. The award recognises the public and private efforts of Mayor Brown to strengthen families.
Speakers noted the contributions Mayor Brown has made in assisting families to be successful. He was also described as "a good family man" himself.
Due to budget meetings the Mayor was unable to attend the meeting last night, asking Mike Bailey to receive the Church's Family Values Award on his behalf.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints honours civic, faith and other community leaders around the world with Family Values Awards.
These recognitions are given to individuals who strive to live by and publicly promote family values such as marital fidelity, respect, kindness, love, service and faith.
Read 'The Family: A Proclamation to the World' here.