News Release

Latter-day Saints Join In Waikato Interfaith Devotional

Representatives of ten religions, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, shared aspects of their faith recently at the Waikato Interfaith Council’s annual devotional.

The event focused on respect and reflection.

“A starting place for exemplifying respect is choosing to see those around us for who they truly are—children of God,” said Vicki Lee Wihongi of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Reflections on respect and unity included a presentation by Sylvie Rabinovitch-Bolstad, representing the Jewish faith, who spoke on the importance of brothers and sisters of all faiths dwelling together in unity. 

Her presentation concluded with members of the Hebrew community singing together in a demonstration of unity.

Another example of unity and respect at the devotional was the performance of the Interfaith Choir, led by Mylene Rakena from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

The pleasure the diverse group derived from performing together was obvious to those in attendance, reinforcing the theme of the event through song.

Wihongi summed up the spirit of the evening by a statement she attributed to writer Terrance D. Olsen: “Respect is an expression of our sense of universal brotherhood or sisterhood—a testimony of our membership in the human family.”

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