There are over 110,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Zealand who worship in around 220 congregations. Kiwi Mormons are plumbers, teachers, politicians, stay-at-home parents, artists, accountants, athletes—among many other occupations.
- Dunedin New Zealand Stake Conference 17 April 2016
- Missionaries MHH Opotiki Feb 2014
- Tupou - Paralympian
- YSA New Zealand Parliament 2012
- Catholic and Latter-day Saint young adults pack health kits for Compass Health Porirua New Zealand 31 August 2016
- Jenafor Rollins
- Church Leaders Wellington Stake Conference August 2012
- Mormon Helping Hands volunteers Henderson Valley Auckland August 2016
- Quilts for Refugees Auckland 27 July 2016
- Auckland City Mission 25 July 2016
- Auckland HH Pres. Broederlow
- Auckland Helping Hands
- LDS and Catholic young adults from Auckland sing "This Little Light of Mine." Porirua 31 August 2016.
- Manukau Stake Conference Guests 26 June 2016
- Opotiki MHH 1
- MHH Opotiki Cleaning
- Auckland HH chain gang
- Auckland HH YSA
| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
There have been Latter-day Saints in New Zealand since the 1850's. The first missionaries to serve in New Zealand were William Cooke and Thomas Holder.
From time to time, news media and others not familiar with the faith ask questions along these lines: “What do Mormons in New Zealand believe?” “What do they stand for?”
The following is a summary of some of the basic beliefs and practices of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Basic Beliefs
Latter-day Saints believe in God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. They believe that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the restored Church of Jesus Christ, practicing New Testament Christianity.
Latter-day Saints believe in modern-day prophets and apostles, and in ongoing revelation from God to the world, and to individuals who seek such divine guidance in their lives.
Church members believe in The Bible, as well as other scripture, including The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.
Latter-day Saints believe that gender is a characteristic given by God to His children, and that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God. They also believe that families are a central part of God’s plan, and that family relationships can endure beyond the grave.
Church members believe that individuals can overcome sin and death through the teachings, Atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
To read about other Latter-day Saint beliefs and practices, go to Mormon.org.
Citizenship
Members of the Church believe in being subject to governments, and in being honest, law-abiding citizens.
They are passionate about religious freedom, or the right for all people to choose if and how they worship God. Mormons seek to vote for political candidates who will safeguard the rights of persons of faith and of churches to organise and carry out their charitable and ministering works in society.
They also respect that others can choose to believe (or not believe) as they are motivated by their own beliefs, values and consciences. Latter-day Saints work with others to ensure that all people can live according to their own core beliefs, and that laws and social norms protect the fundamental rights of all people to live out their lives in harmony with others. When opinions differ, Latter-day Saints strive to be civil and respectful in word and deed.
Mormons love to roll up their sleeves and work with others to recover from natural disasters; help refugees and other vulnerable groups; protect and beautify the environment; and serve communities in other ways.
Diversity
Step into a Latter-day Saint meetinghouse on any given Sunday and you will meet members of the Church from a large variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Mormons embrace people of all cultures and languages, recognising the great good that diverse experiences and walks of life bring to our congregations and communities. Whilst respecting and benefiting from diversity, Latter-day Saints also seek to unite people through respect, love, faith and service to one another.
Faith in Society
Latter-day Saints strive to follow the teachings and example of Jesus Christ in all that they do. While they are not perfect, they have beliefs, values and standards that they seek to live up to. In every New Zealand town and suburb where you will find Mormons, you will see individuals and families striving to be good fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, students, employers, employees, neighbours and citizens.
Reporters and members of the public who wish to learn more about Latter-day Saints are welcome to attend a Sunday worship service in any of the faith’s meetinghouses dotted across the country; speak to a Mormon missionary, relative, friend, work associate or neighbour; or go to Mormon.org.