Leaders from several Christian denominations in Tonga shared a meal together this week.
The dinner—organised by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—brought together leaders of different Tongan faiths to express— their united gratitude and love for the resurrected Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
DOWNLOADOn Tuesday, 26 March 2024, Elder Sione F. Tuione, Area Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, hosted a special dinner in Nuku’alofa focused on the Easter season, and the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Elder Tuione was accompanied by his wife, Sister Lupe Tuione.
The theme of the evening was: “Rejoice in Jesus Christ.”
Guests included: Reverend and Mrs. 'Unaloto Moala, Seventh-day Adventist Church in Tonga; Archdeacon Kensington and Mele'ana Fifita, Anglican Church of Tonga; and Reverend Mosese Ueleni, Executive Secretary, Church of Tonga.
Also in attendance was Reverend Tavake Havili, Church of Tonga; Reverend Laki Pifeleti, Executive Secretary, Free Church of Tonga; Reverend Simote and Valeti Vea, Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga; and President Richard and Sister Ofa Kaufusi, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Tonga Nuku’alofa Mission.
Elder and Sister Tuione thanked everyone for attending, noting that it was a very special evening and a rare opportunity for these church leaders to share their common love for Jesus Christ.
Elder Tuione presents portrait
Elder Sione F. Tui'one, Area Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, presented guests with a framed artist's depiction of the resurrected Savior at the garden tomb speaking to Mary.© 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Elder Tuione said there was “a warm family feeling” during the dinner, as people shared their faith, beliefs and stories with each other.
“We became friends instantly through the Saviour Jesus Christ, as He was the reason and the highlight of our dinner,” Elder Tuione said.
He also noted the common bond that brought these leaders of Tonga’s various faiths together.
“The shared theme expressed in this gathering was the desire to remember Him, to honour Him and to praise Him, and remember that because of Him everything is possible,” said Elder Tuione.
Reverend Pifeleti added, “Jesus Christ did not die for Free Wesleyan Church alone, nor the Church of Tonga, but He died for each and everyone.”
Mele’ana Fifita expressed her gratitude for Jesus Christ, and said of the dinner, “What a blessing to be surrounded by the servants of the Lord.”
Rev. Simote Vea said: “I came to this meeting under the direction of our Executive Secretary, not knowing the reason. Now that I am here and making the connections with family members here and Elder Tuione, I realise how Jesus Christ has brought us together tonight.”
He added, “Because of Him, ‘Koe ‘Uhi Ko IA.’”
On behalf of the Church of Jesus Christ, Elder Tuione presented a framed artist’s depiction of the Resurrected Lord to all who came to this historic event.
He shared a statement by Jesus, found in Luke 10:27: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.”
“When we think of Jesus Christ, we try to learn more of Him,” Elder Tuione said. “And when we know of Jesus Christ and His invitations to us, we will become better followers of Jesus Christ—become better people.”
