Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Vanuatu have been setting goals for the year, encouraged by the Church’s 2016 Pacific Area Plan.
Goals focus on strengthening families and individuals by increasing faith and trust in Heavenly Father and in Jesus Christ and His Atonement. Specific objectives relate to Sabbath day observance, increasing self-reliance, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with others, and uniting families through temple worship.
One Ni-Vanuatu Latter-day Saint, Eunice James, said, "I like goals. We need them."
Thomas Xourel notes that this year the goals are available on small wallet-sized cards, enabling people to record and work on their own personalised goals. “Everyone is involved. Fathers, mothers and children,” he said.
Sera Hillman added, “I like the fact that my family is directly part of the Area goals. It has helped me and my family to look at the importance of being self-reliant.”
There are eight Mormon congregations in the Pacific island nation, and approximately 7,500 Church members.
Last year the Port Vila Vanuatu Stake was created. A stake is a collection of Mormon congregations—called “wards”—in a geographical area.