‘French Polynesian Latter-day Saints Leading the Way,’ Bishop Gérald Caussé Says

Following a day of visits with local media, members and friends of the Church at the Fariipiti Self-Reliance Centre last Saturday (25 February), Bishop Caussé, and his wife, Valérie, spoke at a regional devotional in Papeete.

The Caussés were accompanied by Brent Buckner, director for temporal affairs for the South Pacific, and his wife, Debbie, Elder Benjamin T. Sinjoux and his wife, Tarita, and President Pierre Bize, of the Papeete Tahiti Mission, and his wife, Brigitte.

During the devotional, held at the Fariipiti Stake Centre, Bishop Caussé expressed his love for the people of French Polynesia, noting that they have led the way for the Francophone members of the Church.

“The first branch was created here in 1844, the first foreign speaking branch, the first in the Pacific. The first temple. The first stake. You have been the model for French members everywhere. We look to you as a good model of what the Church can become.”

In his remarks, Elder Sinjoux, an Area Seventy for the South Pacific, reminded members that “true self-reliance is to be dependent upon our Heavenly Father.”

Following the meeting, Church members celebrated the historic visit with a colourful display of traditional dance and song performed by the young men and women from several local stakes.