Young people from Pago Pago in American Samoa participated in a four-day youth conference recently.
They are from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Mesepa International Ward (MIW), which is an English-speaking congregation in the city of Pago Pago.
- Young-people-from-the-English-speaking-Mesepa-International-Ward-in-Pago-Pago-attend-youth-conference.-American-Samoa,-July-2021.
- Young-people-from-the-English-speaking-Mesepa-International-Ward-in-Pago-Pago-attend-youth-conference.-American-Samoa,-July-2021.
- Young-people-from-the-English-speaking-Mesepa-International-Ward-in-Pago-Pago-attend-youth-conference.-American-Samoa,-July-2021.
- Young-people-from-the-English-speaking-Mesepa-International-Ward-in-Pago-Pago-attend-youth-conference.-American-Samoa,-July-2021.
- Young-people-from-the-English-speaking-Mesepa-International-Ward-in-Pago-Pago-attend-youth-conference.-American-Samoa,-July-2021.
- Young-people-from-the-English-speaking-Mesepa-International-Ward-in-Pago-Pago-attend-youth-conference.-American-Samoa,-July-2021.
- Young-people-from-the-English-speaking-Mesepa-International-Ward-in-Pago-Pago-attend-youth-conference.-American-Samoa,-July-2021.
- Young-people-traveled-by-boat-to-the-island-of-Aunu'u-to-visit-the-youth-there.-American-Samoa,-July-2021
- Young-people-traveled-by-boat-to-the-island-of-Aunu'u-to-visit-the-youth-there.-American-Samoa,-July-2021
- Young-people-traveled-by-boat-to-the-island-of-Aunu'u-to-visit-the-youth-there.-American-Samoa,-July-2021
- Young-people-traveled-by-boat-to-Aunu'u-and-discovered-the-only-fresh-water-well-on-the-island.-American-Samoa,-July-2021
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The Samoan language is spoken in many other congregations.
The youth took part in several activities each day.
Each morning the campers awoke at 5.00am. After personal prayer and scripture study, they joined together for a camp devotional.
The highlight of the week was planned to be a trip by boat across three kilometres of deep blue ocean to the island of Aunu’u located near the Southeastern coast of American Samoa. It is a very small volcanic island, with a population of only 480 people.
The entire week before the trip to the island, the weather was very stormy, with heavy rain and high winds, high tides and very rough waves. The youth and their leaders were not sure if they would be able to go.
One youth leader, Alomoana Fidow, said the campers had “great faith and prayed for good weather.”
“On that day,” she recalls, “we witnessed our dear Lord's love for these young people. The ocean was so calm and there was no rain. Those answered prayers followed them on their way to Aunu’u and back.”
The MIW youth had a chance to learn about life on the neighboring island, including discovering the well where residents of the village get their fresh water.
They also had the opportunity to meet other young people from the newly organised Latter-day Saint congregation on Aunu’u.
David Tuinei, bishop of the MIW ward, wanted to help the youth of his ward to reach out to all the youth on the island during their visit.
“This was a great opportunity for our youth to explore the island, and also to share the spirit of our Heavenly Father's love for all His children.”
The president of the Pago Pago West stake, Adney Reid, also attended the event, and was impressed by what he saw.
“It was wonderful to see our young people learn the value of starting the day with spiritual activities and then seeing how it empowered them throughout the day. It really motivated them to bring Jesus Christ into their everyday life, not just on Sundays.”