Pacific Latter-day Saints Gather to Listen to Prophet Speak

Members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had the opportunity to take part in the faith's 190th Semiannual General Conference the first two weekends of October. The meetings included inspiring messages from Church leaders and uplifting music.

All five sessions of the conference were broadcast on television and/or radio in Australia, New Zealand, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and Tonga. Members in those locations could watch or listen to conference in their homes or, where permitted, they gathered in Church buildings to watch together. In these and other locations the sessions were available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org and the Church’s YouTube channel.

One particularly exciting event was the announcement of new temples in Kiribati and in Vanuatu, where members reacted to the news with celebration. Each link leads to an article containing photos, videos and quotes from people in those locations.

"When I heard the news about the temple coming to Vanuatu, I couldn't stop crying and feeling joy in my heart that whole day. It was a feeling of gratitude and humility.” Veronica Basil, Port Vila, Vanuatu

A young couple living in Brisbane, Australia wanted to watch general conference live, which meant at 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. in their area. As a recent convert, this was the husband's first experience with conference. 

His wife noted, "We wrote down questions, asked for guidance in areas we needed help with, we organised our outfits, snacks, drinks and even purchased fresh notebooks, pens & highlighters to ensure maximum preparedness. As we listened to the words of our prophet Russell M. Nelson and his apostles, we received increased feelings of love, faith, hope and peace. By the end of conference we were given a clear road map of who we are, what we needed to do, where we needed to go and how to get there including warnings and cautions. Every question we had was answered and every worry we had, had vanished." Manuera and Caccia Urlich, Brisbane, Australia

“We have become a more loving, trusting and faithful family. We adore the prophet, President Russell M. Nelson.  We sustain him and always look forward to hearing him speak.” Janet Dickson-Shore, Victoria, Australia 

"Watching the Women's session of conference with some of my favourite women in the world is such a precious experience. Young women, sisters, young mothers, older mothers, aunties and grandmothers ─ all united in our effort to hear what our Saviour would have us do individually, and collectively, as women of faith." Vicki Wihongi, Hamilton, New Zealand

“After watching President Eyring’s message, I wanted to invite all my sisters to keep gripping the iron rod and be prepared for His Second coming. And for those who are not yet ready, it is never too late to come and follow Jesus Christ if we have our eyes fixed on Him in our preparation." Tumataio Temaiana, Ward Relief Society President, Tahiti

“The messages were uplifting and they reminded me of the covenants I made with God.” Tamahere Pahape, Deacon’s Quorum President, Tahiti

"Before the pandemic, we, like other families, try to watch general conference live on Sunday and Monday, enjoying the Lord's messages through His prophet, apostles and general authorities. We write down notes of our thoughts and feelings from each talk and how it relates to each of us. We note how to apply these inspiring message in the next six months. Since the pandemic, as a couple, we felt the messages were more personal, as if they [the speakers] are in our room, encouraging and counselling us with Christ-like love and support." Brother and Sister Matautia, Logan Australia Stake

Here are five ways to watch conference.

To view, download, or stream the October 2020 general conference in Pacific languages online, click here.

Church members in French Polynesia share their feelings about general conference in this short video: