Steven and LuAnn Peterson Say Farewell to the Pacific Area

For the last two and half years, Steven Peterson has served as the Director for Temporal Affairs for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Pacific Area.

He oversaw the Church’s humanitarian, self-reliance and welfare projects, disaster relief efforts, construction and maintenance of Church buildings, finance and other temporal affairs work.

Steve and his wife LuAnn are now headed to Utah in the United States for him to take up a new position in the Church, that of the global Managing Director of the Materials Management Department. In this role he will oversee the Church’s worldwide printing, distribution, travel, fleet and other materials management services and systems.

On Friday 12 February, a special farewell devotional was held at the Church’s Pacific Administration Offices in Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand.

Elder Ian S. Ardern, Pacific Area President of the Church, described the Petersons as “thoughtful, compassionate and tender” in their approach to engaging with others.

“I have never heard Steve speak ill of another person,” Elder Ardern said. “Thank you, Steve, for protecting our names and making us look and feel better than we probably deserve.”

Elder Ardern continued: “He’s a reminder that the only place we will find ‘success’ before ‘work’ is in the dictionary. Steve came to the Pacific, rolled up his sleeves, went to work, and we are better for it.”

“Steve and LuAnn have been a marvellous team, a dynamic duo. They leave with our aroha.”

“You are treasured friends for all of us,” Elder Ardern said.

Elder K. Brett Nattress, First Counsellor of the Pacific Area Presidency, said, “The Petersons are incredible in every way. They are constantly and consistently looking for ways to serve others. If there is anything virtuous, lovely or of good report or praiseworthy, it is the Petersons.”

Second Counsellor in the Area Presidency, Elder Kazuhiko Yamashita, said, “You have raised us up with your Christ-like attributes.”

In her remarks, LuAnn Peterson said, “This has been one of the greatest experiences in our lives. We have cried a lot over the last few days.”

Steven Peterson said, “As beautiful and marvellous as this country and the Pacific Area are, it is the people and the friendships that we will always treasure.”

“We will be separated by miles but we will meet again in another field of labour, because the Lord’s work is eternal.”

After the devotional, one of Brother Peterson's colleagues, Mark Allen, described the outgoing Director for Temporal Affairs as “absolutely without guile, infinitely patient, kind and loving. He is extremely hard-working, and devoted to serving others.”