Photos by Linny Folau

Rain has not dampened celebrations in Nuku'alofa from August 8-14 to commemorate the Centennial of the establishment of the Tonga Nuku’alofa Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, attended by thousands of church members from Tonga and abroad.

Church leader and former Tonga Nuku’alofa Mission President (2010-13) Elder ‘Aisake Tukuafu, said they were grateful to reach this significant milestone since the establishment of the Tonga Mission in 1916.

"As Tongan Latter-day Saints we love our country, our Royal Family, our friends in other faiths and fellow church members. Our goal is to love, serve and strengthen individuals, families and communities by doing what Jesus Christ has shown and taught,” he said.

The celebration is also attended by 10 former Presidents of the Tonga Nuku’alofa Mission from all over the world including President Eric B Shumway, President Melvin Butler, President Pita Hopoate and others.

Events

On Monday 8, August King Tupou VI unveiled a monument marking the landing of the first Latter-day Saint missionaries at Hilatali in Tatakamotonga. It was the first meeting place established when the first LDS missionaries, Americans Elder Smoot and Elder Butler came to Tongatapu under the Samoan Mission in July 1891. They were given the permission to preach by King George Tupou I, and in August 1892, the place was named Hilatali.

On Tuesday, 9 August the church made a cultural presentation to the King at the Royal Palace.

Today, 10 August a colourful Youth Cultural Event of dancing that celebrated the history of the church arriving in different countries in the Pacific, including Tonga, was held at Teufaiva Stadium. Despite the rain and the muddy grounds, the enthustiastic young dancers happily performed the dances. The King and Queen attended and the stadium was packed with enthusiastic church members.

A Centennial Royal Luncheon will be held at the Liahona High School compound tomorrow, Thursday, 11 August attended by the King and Queen. This will be followed by a Centennial Ball on Friday night 12 August. The celebration ends with a centennial devotion on Sunday, 14 August at Havelu.

Tonga Mission

The Tonga mission officially started in Tongatapu in 1916, although the missionaries first came in 1891 but they were still under the Samoan Mission.

There are currently around 60,600 members of the church, about 57% of Tonga's population 

Tonga is also the world’s "most Mormon country", having a higher proportion of Mormons per capita than any other nation.