Five members of a New Zealand family were recently ordained in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Members of the family, from Otaua in New Zealand’s Northland, participated in the ordinations on 1 December at the Church’s twice yearly Kaikohe Stake Conference. A stake is a cluster of Mormon congregations in the same area.
Latter-day Saints believe priesthood is the power and authority of God delegated to man on earth. Worthy Latter-day Saint males are ordained to the priesthood by the laying on of hands and thereafter said to "hold" the priesthood. The priesthood is divided into two levels or orders ― the Aaronic Priesthood and the Melchizedek Priesthood.
The lay leader of the Latter-day Saints’ Otaua Branch (congregation), James Nephi Harris, worked with his father, Panoko Harris, to reach out to other members of their family, inviting them to prepare to be ordained.
James’ son, Dean, and Dean’s son, Tamanui, were both ordained at the conference. So too were James’ nephew, Anton Tonga, and his son-in-law Tamati Astle. Rameka Wharerau, a recent convert to the Church and another relative, was also ordained the same day.
“I am thankful for the Lord’s help in bringing the blessings of the priesthood to our family,” James said.
Kaikohe New Zealand Stake President, Trevor Beatson, said, “The efforts of President Harris and his branch have been miraculous. They seek the spirit, and go and do.”
As ordained members of the Church, these men will minister to other members of their congregation and provide other service in the community.