Latter-day Saints helped celebrate the National Council of Christian Churches' 50th year last week in Apia.
“It was a happy occasion for us,” said Vaiao Tia F. Tinielu, who is on the organization’s Executive Council and is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one of five founding members of the council which was formed in 1966.
“While at the celebration it was a good feeling to look at the leaders or members representing various churches in Samoa coming together, binding themselves and us, as brothers and sisters in Christ.”
Council leaders welcomed as special guests the Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, and the Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, who offered the keynote address.
According to Maauga Motu, General Secretary of the council, the event was a good time to remember the “duty and the goal of the council.”
“Its goal is to provide spiritual advice and spiritual assistance to the government,” he said.
Reflecting further on the celebration, Motu offered his view of the contributions to the council made by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“I am lacking in words to thank them for their humanity and good work done for the council.”
He said the Church asked, “What can the Mormon Church do for the council?”
“We told them we needed to renovate our building and we needed a new car, and they responded. They are providing a lot of financial assistance to the council.
“So I want to thank The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for its contribution to the upgrading and improvement of the headquarters, and especially for their advice and thoughts on the issues faced by the council.
“I would like to thank especially Area Seventy Elder Meliula M. Fata, who is the one leading the members of the Church in the Executive Council.”