The two most senior leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in French Polynesia took part in the annual Autonomy Day recently.
Elder Benjamin T. Sinjoux and Elder Frédéric T. Riemer were invited by the President of French Polynesia, Édouard Fritch, to attend the celebrations.
June 29 was the 37th anniversary of Autonomy Day, which marks the beginning of Tahitian and French Polynesian self-rule.
- The-General-Secretary-of-France,-Elder-Benjamin-T.-Sanjoux,-Vice-President-of-French-Polynesia-Tearii-Alpha,-and-Elder-Frederic-T.-Riemer-at-the-Autonomy-Day-Celebration.--June-2021
- French-Polynesia's-Autonomy-Day-celebration-began-with-a-speech-from-Vice-President-Tearii-Alpha.--June-2021
- Elder-Benjamin-Sinjoux,-with-Jean-Christophe-Bouisson,-the-Minister-of-Housing-and-Government-spokesperson.-and-Elder-Frederic-Riemer-on-Autonomy-Day-in-French-Polynesia.--June-2021
- Mrs.-Isabelle-Sachet,-the-Minister-of-Solidarity-and-the-Family,-with-Elder-Benjamin-Sinjoux,-Jenny-Riemer-and-Elder-Frederic-Riemer-at-the-2021-Autonomy-Day-celebration-in-French-Polynesia.-
- Elder-Benjamin-Sinjoux-and-Elder-Frederic-Riemer,-leaders-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints-in-French-Polynesia-attend-the-Autonomy-Day-celebrations.--June-2021
| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
Vice-President of French Polynesia, Tearii Alpha, presided over the event and said to the two men, “Thank you for your presence. We cannot thank the Church enough for all you do for our people in French Polynesia."
They responded by saying that the Church encourages its members to show respect for government authorities and the country, in accordance with the Church’s 12th Article of Faith: “We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law.”
After the opening ceremony and a message by the Vice-President, Elder Sinjoux and Elder Riemer reconnected with members of the government as they took part in the official procession during the inauguration of the art and craft village and the Tahiti A ti'a Mai Festival (dance festival).
Vice-President Alpha paid tribute to the pioneers of the constitution, Francis Sanford, John Teariki and Pouvanaa a Oopa, who “worked with determination so that we could govern our territory according to our own laws.”
He said: “Even if everything is not perfect and I do not know of a country where perfection reigns, it seems fair to us to pay tribute to all our former presidents…and today President Édouard Fritch. Each of them in their own way has contributed to building the French Polynesia of today.
He concluded: “The control of our destiny is in our hands. Let's roll up our sleeves and together build the autonomous French Polynesia of tomorrow. "
,-surrounded-by-members-of-the-government,-The-Mayor-of-the-Capital-City-Papeete,-the-representative-of-the-French-Republic-and-Miss-Tahiti.jpg)
The-Autonomy-Day-ceremony-was-led-by-Vice-President-Tearii-Alpha-(second-man-from-the-right),-surrounded-by-members-of-the-government,-The-Mayor-of-the-Capital-City-Papeete,-the-representative-of-the-French-Republic-and-Miss-Tahiti-(in-white).-French-Polynesia,-June-2021
The Autonomy Day ceremony was led by Vice-President Tearii Alpha (second man from the right), surrounded by members of the government, The Mayor of the Capital City Papeete, the representative of the French Republic and Miss Tahiti (in white). French Polynesia, June 20212021 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.The Church encourages its members to be involved in their local community.
President Dallin H. Oaks, in April 2021 General Conference, said: “Our belief in divine inspiration gives Latter-day Saints a unique responsibility to uphold and defend the principles of constitutionalism wherever we live.”
“We must pray for the Lord to guide and bless all nations and their leaders. This is part of our article of faith. It does require that we exercise our influence civilly and peacefully within the framework of our constitutions and applicable laws. On contested issues, we should seek to moderate and unify.
“We should be knowledgeable citizens who are active in making our influence felt in civic affairs.”
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