Rain in Honiara, Solomon Islands dampened some of the events scheduled for an outdoor Christmas Devotional Friday evening, but it didn’t dampen the spirits of the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their invited friends who attended.
When the devotional moved indoors, a crowd of over 200 people filled every seat in the chapel in Honiara and spilled out through open doorways into the covered courtyard.
The devotional was important to the Church members in Honiara who desired to follow Jesus Christ’s biblical declaration "Ye are the light of the world" by sharing the true meaning and spirit of Christmas with each other and their friends.
“Even though the Church’s name says it, some here don’t understand we worship Jesus Christ,” explained Dickson Koke, one of the local Church leaders.
“The resurrected Saviour is at the head of this Church and we want to let His light shine though us,” he said.
The evening was filled with Christmas messages and music sung by the congregation, a missionary choir, and via a video link to the world-wide Church’s website: Mormon.org.
President Matthew Sauseru, the senior local leader of the Church n Honiara shared a Christmas message, telling those in attendance, “Jesus is the Living Christ and is the light of the world and the way to happiness in this life."
Sauseru added, "All good things come through Jesus Christ, and that at Christmas time all should remember to be grateful to Heavenly Father for the gift of His Son."
One ‘good thing’ that comes through Jesus Christ which Sasueru emphasized was peace.
“Like Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer, we can be peacemakers here in Honiara. Especially peacemakers in our homes," he said.
“Let us be His servants and try to be like him in bringing peace to family and others through forgiveness and service.”
Other speakers expressed their love for Jesus and the Christmas season.
Viigi Fuimaono, who along with his wife Lupeautino Fuimaono, are volunteer missionaries from Samoa helping lead and guide Church members in Solomon Islands asked, “What gift can we give on Christmas?”
He then answered, “Christmas is the time to commit to give your life to the Lord and follow him wholeheartedly.
| 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 |
“If we do that, we will want to give to others what Father in Heaven gave to us, the gift of His Son.
“His Son and his gospel are not just for you and me, but for everyone, so we must share it,” he said.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Pacific are joining with Church members everywhere to encourage all to “Light the World” through acts of Christian service this December as a way of showing love to Jesus Christ.
To learn more about #LIGHTtheWORLD.