NZ PM meets LDS missionaries [1]
Saturday, August 28, 2010 - 05:14. Updated on Saturday, May 17, 2014 - 18:24.
PRIME Minister John Key met several young missionaries from Pacific Island nations yesterday (August 20), when he visited the new Mormon Missionary Training Centre in South Auckland. Missionaries from Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati and New Zealand joined with others from the United States and other countries in welcoming the Prime Minister to the training centre.
After being greeted by the missionaries, who sang the New Zealand national anthem in Maori and English, the Prime Minister met with Elder Tad R. Callister, Pacific Area President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and other Church officials.
When asked about the opportunity to meet the Prime Minister, Sister Fakaanaua Ki Waikato Mafi, a missionary from the village of Hofoa, Nuku'alofa, Tongatapu, said that "it feels good to be on a mission and then have an opportunity to meet the Prime Minister of the Country where I'm serving the Lord. I am proud to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I want to encourage everyone to go on a mission and want to send my love to the people of my Village. I pray for them and my island, Tongatapu, every day.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a long tradition of missionary service in New Zealand dating back to 1854. The new facility will be home for young Mormons from New Zealand and the Pacific for the three weeks of their missionary service.
"Mormon missionaries have been visiting, teaching and helping people in New Zealand for a century and a half," said Church official, Elder Michael Roberts.
"Moreover there is an equally rich tradition of young New Zealanders being called to serve in the international Church in places such as Japan, Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, South America, Africa, the United States, Canada, Europe and United Kingdom. They're part of the wide, rich history of Christian service in New Zealand, and globally."
"Missionaries come from homes around New Zealand and overseas to give up to two years of unpaid, self-funded religious and community service," he added. "The missionary training centre will help them prepare to live in a different culture to their own. It will also prepare them to live as a selfless minister of Christ during their mission. That's a tall order for many 19 year-olds, but they do a great job."
After they leave the training centre they begin their missionary service in earnest. Some missionaries are assigned to do their work in cities and towns throughout New Zealand but some serve overseas.
Those going to places where they need a second language start learning at the training centre. Tongan, Samoan and French are taught at this M.T.C., which is one of 15 such facilities worldwide. The largest missionary training centre is in Utah in the United States, where 51 languages are taught.
In addition to teaching individuals and families about Mormon beliefs, missionaries also give weekly community service by volunteering at blood banks, thrift stores, hospitals and other places where extra helping hands are welcomed.
Senior couples also serve missions for the Church, many focusing on humanitarian relief, education, medical service, family history research, and assisting addicts in their recovery.
A missionary choir sang the New Zealand national anthem to Mr. Key upon his arrival. At the end of his visit the missionaries showed the Prime Minister the latest model bicycle many of them use to get around. LDS, 20/08/10.