New Zealand Latter-day Saints Roll Up Their Sleeves

Many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are responding to the COVID-19 challenge by being vaccinated.

Hare Pitama, from Christchurch, said, “I got vaccinated to support and protect my whānau (family).” He is pictured receiving his vaccination by nurse Cassandra Staps.

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13-year-old Nevaeh Laban, from Manukau in South Auckland, said, "I want to protect myself, my family and others. I also want to have a little more freedom and get out of lockdown.”

JoAnna Hogue, from the Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe, said, "I went to get vaccinated with my sweetheart and my daughter, because we wanted to be safe from Covid. Although I was kind of afraid of possible side effects, I prayed about it, and I felt peace. I knew it was the right decision to make. We had no problems at all, after our first and second shots."

Taulia Tafiti, from Manukau, said, “We chose to be vaccinated as it was important to do all we can to limit the spread of the virus and ensure that our family and our community are protected. My wife and I were confident in the medical professionals' recommendations to get vaccinated, and seeing our Prophet receive his vaccination was the final confirmation we needed."

Amos Watene, from Auckland, also had several concerns about being vaccinated, so he prayed about it. "When I started to think about my family and the effects it would have on them if I did catch COVID without the vaccination, it would be burdensome, with my current health I’m pretty high risk." Watene had his first dose two days ago, and is booked in to have his second in a few weeks.   

Janice Beazley, 66, from Manukau, said, “One of my motivations for getting vaccinated was my understanding around the power of large numbers of people being immunised. It still respects the right for some people not to be vaccinated (for their many reasons like fear of needles or being controlled by something they don't fully trust), but means that there will be fewer chances of spreading the virus.It keeps me and others more safe from the disease.”

Tessa Dewsbury, from Taupo, said, "In spite of having an extreme fear of needles, I always choose to be vaccinated as part of my witness to God that I truly do love my neighbour as myself."

Michael Ramirez, from Auckland, said, “My Dad passed away from COVID in January 2021, and it was heart-breaking to see him die alone in his hospital bed. My Mom couldn’t be with him, hold him, or even say goodbye. I do not ever want my family to experience the same heartache I felt that day. Getting the vaccine will at least give me a chance to fight back.”

Trevor Beatson, from Ahipara in New Zealand's Far North, said, “Forward-facing, I got vaccinated so I could return to international travel, and be ready for missionary service when the time comes. For the here and now, I got vaccinated for whānau, for my hapu, iwi, and hapori.”

Elder Ian S. Ardern, Pacific Area President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said, “We are so grateful for members of the Church who are prayerfully, carefully, and courageously doing all they can to protect themselves, their families, and their communities by following the urging of our Church leaders to be vaccinated.”

Worldwide leaders of the Church are urging people to be vaccinated as well. President Russell M. Nelson, and other senior leaders received their vaccinations earlier this year. In a letter to members of the Church globally on 12 August, the First Presidency of the Church wrote:

“We find ourselves fighting a war against the ravages of COVID-19 and its variants, an unrelenting pandemic. We want to do all we can to limit the spread of these viruses. We know that protection from the diseases they cause can only be achieved by immunizing a very high percentage of the population.

To limit exposure to these viruses, we urge the use of face masks in public meetings whenever social distancing is not possible. To provide personal protection from such severe infections, we urge individuals to be vaccinated. Available vaccines have proven to be both safe and effective.

We can win this war if everyone will follow the wise and thoughtful recommendations of medical experts and government leaders. Please know of our sincere love and great concern for all of God’s children.”

Aiga Wesche, from Porirua, just north of Wellington, said, “I am so grateful for President Nelson’s teaching and example. I was really worried about getting the vaccine, but I did it because I know it’s important so me and my family can be well for a long time.”

“President Nelson’s counsel was definitely important to me in deciding to be vaccinated, " said 20-year-old Christchurch returned missionay, Lehman Taleni. "I wanted to do so for the health of me and my family. I’d encourage everyone to get the vaccine because of the counsel given by President Nelson and to help our country get to 90% so life can begin to return to a sense of normality for us all as well.”

Congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across New Zealand are getting behind community vaccinations, including so called “pop-up vaccination centres” and drive-throughs. This Friday 8 October and Saturday, 9 October, the Church will host vaccination drive-through services, in cooperation with New Zealand government and health officials, in Henderson and Massey, Auckland.

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Church congregations in Christchurch are planning a vaccination clinic in October also. It will be held at the Church's Christchurch Stake Centre, 25 Fendalton Road, on Friday, 15 October, 3pm -5.30pm. To book, call 0800 MIHI 4U (0800 644 448) or email mihi@otago.ac.nz. All 12 years and older welcome.

Past community vaccinations have been supported by the Church in Mangere, Porirua, and other locations.