Thousands of Latter-day Saints are helping the nation of Samoa prepare to host United Nations officials and Pacific Islands leaders at a UN Conference scheduled to start in the coming days.
Over the last three months Mormon volunteers in several different locations have swept roads and paths, picked up rubbish, pulled weeds and made other preparations to beautify the island nation.
| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
According to the Small Island Developing States website, “The Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States will be held from 1-4 September 2014 in Apia, Samoa, to be preceded by activities related to the conference from 28 to 30 August 2014, also in Apia, Samoa.”
Speaking on his weekly radio broadcasts over the last few weeks, Prime Minister Hon. Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi thanked all the volunteers who have helped, including Latter-day Saints, Catholics, Methodists, members of the Church of the Nazarene, and others.
Church leader, Elder Meliula Fata, explains why members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints place such a strong emphasis on serving in our communities.
“As Latter-day Saints we try to follow Jesus Christ’s teachings and example in our personal lives, in our homes and families, and in our villages and towns,” he said.
“When Jesus Christ lived upon the earth, he was always helping others. In our own ways, we try to do the same.”