Teenagers Across Pacific Watch Online Global Music Festival

Teenagers across the South Pacific watched an online youth music festival today originating in Salt Lake City, United States (29 July).

Mihinoa Chongaud, 14, from Faaa, Tahiti, got dressed in her best Sunday dress, and watched the festival on her phone on a little mat by a river. She invited her cousin out of the water to watch the festival with her.

"I really liked the messages and the songs shared, especially the second song, 'Good Day,' because it was cheerful and uplifting," she said.

"I also enjoyed the prayer in Japanese because it is not often that we hear a prayer in Japanese. I invited my cousin to watch the festival with me and he said he liked the vocals. I know that God lives, that He loves us and that if we persevere in keeping His commandments, He will bless us.”

Linahei Dauphin, 14, watched the music festival at home with her best friend Aimée Haipairai-Teura.

"I really liked this festival because I could see that even though the young people were in lockdown, they were able to sing and film themselves at home, to praise the Lord," she said.

"I noticed that we don't need profane music to have fun and dance. And I appreciated the testimony of these young people, how they sang to bring the Spirit and how much they loved music and our Lord Jesus Christ."

“This music festival was wonderful because the young people were really happy to sing and dance, expressing their love and gratitude towards God," said Kiivai Ah Sha, 14. "I particularly like the song 'Strong'."

Mihiau Jean, 14, from Puurai, French Polynesia, watched at home with her grandparents.

“It was inspiring and moving to hear songs about my Saviour performed by young people from different countries. I was moved by their strength, faith and testimony, even though some of them live in difficult conditions. Thank you to Elder Ulisses Soares, and his wife, for supervising such a beautiful online event!"

16-year-old Lilikoi’e Diridollou said: “Despite the bad wifi connection in the Tuamotu Island, I was able to follow the festival and I was touched by the testimonies of the young people. I could feel the love of our Heavenly Father, thanks to their magnificent voices and beautiful songs.”

Kuhio Maraetefau, 14, said the event was a “great festival. These young people made me dream. I also want to become one of the best guitarists.”

Teaveura Parker, 12, watched at home with his parents. “Everything was so good, " he said. "The songs, the dances and the young people expressed their faith in Christ. I learned that Jesus can love us anywhere, anytime."

Tagaroa from the island of Takaroa, said, "I loved this festival the Prophet created for us. I loved the young people, their service, their testimonies, their beautiful songs. I also liked the example of the disabled young people who played sports."

"I was able to feel the Holy Spirit through the messages," Ariitai Orbeck said.

"Usually we have speeches and here we have young people singing their testimonies. I like the change and I felt their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ."

A group of young Latter-day Saints in the Cook Islands watched the music festival together in a Church meetinghouse.

Watch a video clip from Fiji, and another from Vanuatu and from another group in Fiji. .

Read more and watch a recording of the music festival here.