Auckland man, Awanui Morris, returned home from his two-year mission with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in December 2021.
Getting back into studies, work and other pursuits this year, life was getting back to normal for him.
DOWNLOADWhen he checked his mailbox earlier this month, he wasn’t expecting to see himself on the cover of an international youth magazine.
He found a copy of the most recent issue of the Church’s magazine For the Strength of Youth, featuring a picture of himself on the cover with the story of his mission inside.
Awanui grew up in Auckland, New Zealand. In his late teens he was studying law at university, and had his sights set on becoming a professional rugby player.
He joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at age 19, and three years later was called to serve as a missionary in the Philippines in 2019.
When COVID hit, he was reassigned to the Wellington New Zealand Mission where he stayed until he finished his two-year assignment in December.
While a missionary, he and his companion visited Awanui’s grandmother. She listened to the missionary discussions and ultimately asked Awanui to baptise her.
David Dickson, a writer in the Church’s magazine department, heard about Elder Morris and presented his story to the editors.
“I was so impressed with this young man and I felt it would be inspirational to other young people who are considering missionary service.”
- February-2022-issue-of-'For-the-Strength-of-Youth'-magazine-article-features-Awa-Morris,-a-recently-returned-missionary-from-the-Wellington-New-Zealand-Mission,-now-living-in-Auckland.-In-the-article,-Awa-talks-about-how-his-mission-helped-him-learn-to-keep-covenants-with-God.
- Awa-Morris-looks-at-his-new-copy-of-the-February-2022-issue-of-'For-the-Strength-of-Youth'-magazine-that-includes-an-article-about-his-recent-mission-experiences-in-the-Philippines,-the-USA-and-in-New-Zealand.-the-article,-Awa-talks-about-how-his-mission-helped-him-learn-to-keep-covenants-with-God.
- Awanui-Morris-embraces-his-grandmother-while-he-was-serving-as-a-missionary-in-the-Wellington-New-Zealand-Mission.-The-photo-was-featured-in-the-February-issue-of-For-the-Strength-of-Youth-magazine-from-the-church.-February-2022.
- Cover-of-February-2022-issue-of-'For-the-Strength-of-Youth'-magazine-features-Awa-Morris,-a-recently-returned-missionary-from-the-Wellington-New-Zealand-Mission,-now-living-in-Auckland.-In-the-article,-Awa-talks-about-how-his-mission-helped-him-learn-to-keep-covenants-with-God.
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For the Strength of Youth is an international Church magazine especially created for young people ages 12 to 18 and is produced in 48 languages.
With the go ahead from his editors, Dickson made arrangements to get the story several months ago. He asked Awanui’s mission president if he could interview him and allow him to travel to his grandmother’s home to get some photos that are included in the article.
Awa is very happy about the story, as he feels it will reach young men and women and help them prepare for missions.
“When people ask me for advice about serving a mission, I always say ‘You'll receive the answer in three seconds.’ Then I count to three and say: ‘You should serve a mission!’”
“I say that because that's the answer that I've gotten so many times from the spirit. It was the best two years of my life so far, and I know it because, there is nothing better than serving the Lord.”
"I'm grateful for this story in the magazine. I hope it inspires people and inspires youth to be disciples of Jesus Christ, whether they serve a mission or not. But I know that it's the Lord's work and He will help us to reach out to people who need us."
The entire article can be viewed here. Magazine subscription information can be found here.