For Sister Tamara Runia, First Counsellor in the Young Women General Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a recent ministry tour in Australia was an opportunity to return to her ‘second home.’
From 2018 to 2021, Sister Runia and her husband, R. Scott Runia, served as mission leaders of the Australia Sydney Mission.
“It feels so good to be back in Australia — a place that became our home for three years,” Sister Runia said. “As mission leaders, we didn’t just serve here — we lived here, we prayed here, we laughed and cried here, and we grew to love the people with our whole hearts.”
The visit to Australia was part of a broader ministry tour throughout the Pacific Area with Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson.
During their visit, President Johnson and Sister Runia held several meetings and devotionals aimed at strengthening members and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Australia.
- Sister-Tamara-W.-Runia,-First-Counsellor-in-the-Young-Women-General-Presidency-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints,-meets-with-youth-and-young-single-adults-in-Sydney-as-part-of-her-Pacific-ministry.
- Sister-Tamara-W.-Runia,-First-Counsellor-in-the-Young-Women-General-Presidency-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints,-addresses-missionaries-from-the-Australia-Sydney-Mission-as-part-of-her-Pacific-ministry.
- President-Camille-N.-Johnson,-Relief-Society-General-President,-and-Sister-Tamara-W.-Runia,-First-Counsellor-in-the-Young-Women-General-Presidency-in-Sydney,-Australia.
- President-Camille-N.-Johnson,-Relief-Society-General-President,-and-Sister-Tamara-W.-Runia,-First-Counsellor-in-the-Young-Women-General-Presidency,-with-their-husbands-in-Sydney,-Australia.
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Their tour began with a particularly special meeting for Sister Runia: a mission conference with the Australia Sydney Mission.
“Scott and I love the missionaries we served with so much and hope they can feel it across the miles,” said Sister Runia.
At a leadership meeting for local Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary leaders, Sister Runia encouraged the sisters to become life-long disciples of Jesus Christ and emphasised that they were not simply called to serve, but to serve Him.
Sister Runia’s time in Sydney culminated with a devotional for youth and young single adults, where she assured those present that their Heavenly Father’s love was there for them whether they knew it or not.
Tahliya Latu-Silk, a young woman from northern Sydney, was particularly touched to have Sister Runia back in Australia. “I'm very blessed that she cares about us so much to do that. It’s an amazing blessing,” she said.
After an emotional farewell in Sydney, the Runias travelled across the continent to meet with the Saints in Western Australia.
Speaking to an audience of youth and young single adults in Perth, Sister Runia explained that hearing the Spirit is personal and counselled them to be patient in knowing God’s plan for each of them.
The following day she met with women from Perth and neighbouring areas, where she likened their mortal experiences to a patchwork quilt and urged them to weave the random events of their lives into a work of ultimate beauty.
The Runias concluded their time in Australia with a conference of the Australia Perth Mission. Reflecting on her own ministry in the Young Women General Presidency, Sister Runia implored the missionaries to embark on their own personal ministries centred on doing good.
For Sister Runia, coming back to Australia was like returning to a home filled with family. “These streets, these chapels, the faces, and smiles — they hold memories that will never leave us,” she said. “We are forever grateful to the beautiful Saints here in Australia. Their kindness, faith, and love have changed us forever."