An Apostle from the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints (LDS), Elder Dale G. Renlund, visited Tonga from the US over the weekend accompanied by two other high ranking members of the LDS church, Elder Donald L. Hallstrom and Bishop Gerald Causse. 

The delegation attended various meetings including a meeting with Queen Nanasipau’u and other members of the Royal Family. 

At a special conference in Nuku'alofa on Sunday, Elder Renlund spoke of his meeting with the Queen and encouraged Tongans to support the Royal Family.

“Her Majesty was very gracious, and very welcoming and respectful to the Church. She is an impressive woman who cares deeply for the people of Tonga. Her Majesty expressed that His Majesty the King would very much have wanted to be there but he left that morning for one of the outer islands to really better understand what is happening among the people.”

“That is what impressed us—that both the King and Queen are very concerned about the people. They want to know what the real conditions are and how they might be better able to help them.”

Elder Renlund urged Tongans to support their fellow citizens and to be loyal to the royal family.

“We believe in being subject to rulers and kings...Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints should be the best citizens of Tonga.” 

“Governments frequently try to change people from the top down. We can help this remarkable Royal Family by changing people from the bottom up; by changing them one heart at a time.”

“If we want to help the Royal family, and we should, we change our hearts and follow Jesus Christ, and everything we do will be for the benefit of the people of this remarkable kingdom.”

Elder Renlund is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the second-highest governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the highest being the president of the church). 

According to the LDS church, there are 168 Latter-day Saint congregations in Tonga.

HRH Prince Ata, the youngest son of King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u, was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 2015.