The fifth stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) was created in American Samoa this past weekend [25-26 August 2012] at a special conference of the Church in Pago Pago. A Latter-day Saint stake is a group of congregations in a designated geographical location.
Elder James J. Hamula, Pacific Area President of the Church presided at the conference and made the announcement of the new stake. The new stake is called the Pago Pago Malaemimi Stake.
In order to organize this new stake, the Pago Pago Samoa, Pago Pago Samoa Central and Pago Pago Samoa Mapusaga stakes were re-organized with some changes in boundaries.
“This change is a result of many American Samoans joining the Church, and other formerly less-involved Latter-day Saints coming back to fellowship with us,” said Elder Hamula.
“We welcome all to come unto Christ, to worship with us, and to work with us to strengthen individuals and families through faith in Christ, and by obedience to the commandments of God.”
Elder Mike Roberts, an Area Seventy in the Church, travelled from New Zealand with Elder Hamula to assist with the stake creation.
Both Church leaders delivered sermons to conference attendees, focussing on the teachings of Jesus Christ.