Young members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Michael Hunter and Paige Rogers, recently attended the annual Interfaith Information Evening at St. Margaret’s residential college at the University of Otago.
“It gave us an opportunity to share with others what we believe in and what The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches," Hunter said.
Suzanne-Gillies---Dunedin-Interfaith-Council,-Paige-Rogers,-Michael-Hunter,-and-Sriram-Sundaresan---Dunedin-Hindu-Temple-Society-at-the-Interfaith-Information-Evening-at-St-Margaret's-College.--Photographer-Suzanne-Gillies.
(Left to Right) Suzanne Gillies - Dunedin Interfaith Council, Paige Rogers and Michael Hunter - Latter-day Saints, Sriram Sundaresan - Dunedin Hindu Temple Society at the Interfaith Information Evening held at St. Margaret's College in May 2021. Photo Credit: Suzanne Gillies© 2021 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.As former missionaries with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Hunter and Rogers have had many experiences sharing their faith in Jesus Christ, and their beliefs.
Hunter, from the Dunedin suburb of Waikouaiti, recently returned home from his mission. He split his two years of volunteer service between Hong Kong and Auckland, coming back to New Zealand due to COVID-19.
Rogers, from Awarua, Northland, served as a missionary for 18-months in Thailand.
The event opened with a welcome address by Dr Charles Tustin, Master of the College; and was warmly facilitated by Rev. Dr Selwyn Yeoman, the college's lay chaplain.
Faith representatives presented information about their beliefs and where students could attend meetings. A question-and-answer session followed.
- Young-people-get-acquainted-at-the-annual-Interfaith-Information-Evening-held-at-St.-Margaret's-College,-Dunedin-in-May-2021.--Photo-Credit-Suzanne-Gillies
- Latter-day-Saints,-Paige-Rogers-and-Michael-Hunter-connect-with-Siram-Sundaresan-from-the-Dunedin-Hindu-Temple-Society-at-the-annual-Interfaith-Information-Evening-held-at-St-Margaret's-College.
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Rogers says she felt nervous about how her beliefs might be received.
"I don’t know why I was so nervous," she said. "People spoke freely and honestly and focused on similarities rather than differences, on the importance of love and serving others and on building our knowledge rather than tearing other people down.”
Hunter added, "It was great to feel the love from being around people who have… a common belief in a God."
According to Rogers, knowing the Latter-day Saints' eleventh Article of Faith helped her have a respectful approach.
It states: "We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.”
She said, “I think this is so important and we sometimes overlook it. The interfaith evening was a great opportunity to learn more about other faiths and support each other while also keeping our own beliefs.”
Latter-day-Saint,-Paige-Rogers-(left)-talks-with-Charlotte-Pratt-(centre)---Baha'i-faith-and-Izzati-Effindi-(right)---Muslim-faith-at-the-annual-Interfaith-Information-Evening-held-at-St-Margaret's-College-in-May-2021.-Photographer-Suzanne-Gillies
Paige Rogers (left) - Latter-day Saint talks with Charlotte Pratt (centre) - Baha'i faith and Izzati Effindi (right) - Muslim faith at the annual Interfaith Information Evening held at St. Margaret's College in May 2021. Photo Credit: Suzanne Gillies.© 2021 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Hunter learned that "faith communities bring with them a community of people who care for others' well-being.”
He said, “My favourite moment of the event was where everyone was given a time to give a prayer in their hearts in their own different ways. There was a calm spirit as people of different cultures and faiths gathered together in prayer.”
“We have so many similarities,” Rogers says. “Hindu, Muslim, Presbyterian, Baha’i and Anglican are all focused on unity, service and love towards our fellow men. They are good people willing to sacrifice for their beliefs, just like us.”