Apostle and Other Leaders Share Christ’s Love with Samoan Saints

Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared a message of love, faith and encouragement with members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Samoa and American Samoa on Sunday 13 December. Due to restrictions on travel due to the pandemic, Elder Soares and other speakers joined the conference by technology.

Elder Soares expressed love and appreciation to the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Samoa and American Samoa.

Speaking of the challenges of 2020, he said, “Ancient and modern prophets have predicted difficulties on the earth in the latter days. COVID-19 is part of this. We are learning new lessons through this pandemic and we are being blessed in many ways.”

“We are seeing people forgetting themselves to support others who are in despair due to the pandemic. We are seeing and learning different and new ways that we can let God prevail in our lives.”

Elder Soares said, “Our Heavenly Father is a God of love. Through His prophets we receive God’s teachings and promises. These promises are real and available to all of God’s children.”

“Our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ have a perfect love for us, and They are trying everything possible to have us return to Their presence, and live with them eternally. If we let God prevail in our lives we will receive all the blessings They have in store for us.”

Quoting President Russell M. Nelson, Elder Soares urged all to “keep on the covenant path.”

He continued: “Your commitment to follow the Saviour by making covenants with Him and then keeping those covenants, will open the door to every spiritual privilege and blessing available to women, men, and children everywhere.”

"Temples are places of instruction where we receive the power of Godliness through priesthood ordinances that enable us to confront and overcome the spiritual storms we face in our day," Elder Soares said. "Entering the temple and participating in its ordinances is a sacred privilege." 

Other speakers at the conference included Elder K. Brett Nattress, First Counselor in the Pacific Area Presidency of the Church; Elder Faapito Auapaau, Area Seventy; Elder Sapele Fa’alogo, Jr., Area Seventy; Sister Becky Craven, Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency; and Sister Shawna Nattress.

In his remarks, Elder Nattress asked those participating in the conference: “What will be your gift to the Saviour this Christmas season?

He invited the Church members of the Samoan Islands to “ponder this question and then write down what you will do for the Saviour.”

Elder Nattress shared teachings and examples of Latter-day Saints ministering to others who were in need, encouraging all in attendance to minister to those around them, as Jesus Christ taught and showed.

He spoke of an elderly sister from his home town who lived in a nearby retirement home. On one particular Sunday, she asked Elder Nattress, who was then her bishop, if someone could come to her home to administer the sacrament to her. Bishop Nattress invited the young men from the priests’ quorum, and they gladly went with him.

When they arrived, Elder Nattress recounted, they learnt that this sister was in a critical condition. She had expressed just one request to her caregiver, “to partake of the sacrament.”

Elder Nattress said that these young men participated in a “sacred event,” as they administered the emblems of the Sacrament to this sister. They were truly “on the Lord’s errand.”

He invited all in attendance at the conference to have a fervent desire to “always remember Him” through partaking of the sacrament each week. And for all to have a similar desire as the young men in the story, to minister to others.

Sister Becky Craven, Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency of the Church, said "Faith in the Saviour and His Atonement is necessary for our salvation."

She continued: "The Saviour prepared the way for us, though His Atonement, to repent and receive a remission of our sins. As we cherish the daily gift of repentance, and live our covenats to our fullest ability, we may receive eternal life thorugh the Lord’s grace and mercy."

Elder Sapele Fa’alogo, Jr., Area Seventy, said that it was a blessing to gather together during the Christmas season. He bore testimony of Jesus Christ, and said, “Our beloved prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, has extended an invitation to us all, to ‘Hear Him.’”

Elder Faapito Auapaau, Area Seventy, spoke about the faith, sacrifice and blessings associated with temple worship.

In her remarks, Sister Shawna Nattress said that she had a great love for the "beautiful people and beautiful islands of Samoa."

Because her grandfather served as a missionary in Samoa from 1926 to 1929 she grew up hearing stories of faith, kindness and love, from her grandfather, about his experiences on his mission.

A choral item, Silent Night, was shared by the Tauiliili family.

Sister Ponaivao Fata, Matron, Apia Samoa Temple, offered the invocation at the conference; and the benediction was offered by President Francis Ho Ching, President, Samoa Apia Mission.

A man who is not a member of the Church, Semi Samau, watched the conference with his family, some of whom are Latter-day Saints. After the meeting he posted this message online: "Spiritually uplifting. Wonderful feeling. Thoroughly enjoyed the messages shared by all the speakers. The personal stories and testimonies. Sacrifices by the faithful, the lessons of true giving and appreciation. The importance of sacrament and the priesthood's mission. Oh how blessed are they and their calling. That is the prayer for my young son Dante to partake some day. The Christmas slogans: Must have! You are worth it! You deserve it! Our Saviour Jesus Christ completes this in us. Thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship. Thank you so much for the blessings and words of wisdom today."

Other comments shared by some of those who participated in the conference follow:

President Solovi Tuitasi, Savaii Samoa Stake

Thank you so much for the service today, thank you for inspired messager from you our leaders and from Elder Ulisses Soares, an Apostle of the Lord. ​Some photos including an 80 year old mother and her family who are focusing on watching the proceedings of the conference. The importance of belonging to a family, a gift from the Saviour, partake of the sacrament, entering into covenants (baptism/temple) and to endure and endure it, being in possession of a current temple recommend and to remain true on the covenant path are the important matters that will focus on, a source of happiness on being blessed by our leaders, members of the Seventies and by the Apostle of the Lord, Elder Ulisses Soares.

Asomaliu Laulu, Savaai

We are members of the Neiafu Ward, Savaii West Stake. We are humbled to share our experiences and feelings as we watched this special conference live from our home. We’ve felt the Spirit of the Lord touched our hearts as we listened to the inspiring talks from this wonderful conference. The musics were amazing. We couldn’t hold our emotions as we think of how merciful our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are. They have reached to us at this complex time through various ways specifically through conferences and messages from the leaders directly delivered to us virtually. We have felt their love, care and compassion while watching this special conference. As reminded by Elder K. Brett. Nattress, “At this complex world where distractions come so easily, let us never forget the small and simple things that bring power and authority and eternal life. Let us remember 1). Pray everyday 2) Let us read his words and teachings from the BOM everyday 3) Let us find someone to serve each day 4) Let us renew our covenants by partaking the sacrament”. We are foreve grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives. Again, we have been reminded of the basic things we do to continue being followers of Christ. I am grateful for the gift of technologies that enabled us to hear from our leaders and be directed by our living prophet Russell M. Nelson. I testified that Heavenly Father lives. Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. The Holy Ghost whispers the good messages from our Father and his only begotten son Jesus Christ. I also testify that there is no difference in hearing our leaders speak to us in person and on social media. Today’s conference is definitely one for the record. Like Elder Nattress said, that was good.

Sikotilani family, Saipipi

​In Elder Faalogo's talk, I want to mention an important thing that came to our souls, that "Walk in the Light, if we walk in the light of Christ, no one shall enter into darkness. He also stated that the true spirit of Christmas is to give just as Father in Heaven gave us His Only Begotten Son to die for us. I know and am sure that if we also remain true to the covenants we made with the Father in Holy Temples especially baptism, we will receive for ourselves blessings especially our families. We are to take upon ourselves His name and always remember Him and keep His commandments and remain true, endure to the end. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.