The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Micronesia

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Micronesia refers to the church and its members within the islands of Micronesia. These islands are divided between six sovereign nations and territiories: Republic of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Kiribati, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and Nauru.

Map of Micronesia (Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Kiribati, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Marshall Islands, and Nauru)

Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and Palau are part of the Asia North Area of the Church.

Kiribati, Marshall Islands, and Nauru are part of the Pacific Area of the Church.

As of December 31, 2019, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reported 38,279 members in 6 stakes and 5 districts, 82 congregations (33 wards[1] and 49 branches[1]) and two missions. Two temples have been announced, with one currently under construction, in Micronesia.[2]

Caroline Islands

The Caroline Islands are a widely scattered archipelago that is politically divided between the Federated States of Micronesia in the eastern part of the group, and Palau at the extreme western end. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has congregations in every state in the Federal States of Micronesia as well as a congregation in Palau.

Federated States of Micronesia
Membership in the Federated States of Micronesia
YearMembership
1979 500
1983 764
1989* 1,900
1999 3,008
2009 3,841
2019 6,307
*Membership was published as a rounded number.
Source: Windall J. Ashton; Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac Country Information: Micronesia[3]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reported 6,307 members in 1 stake and 2 districts, 24 congregations (5 wards[1] and 19 branches[1]), in the Federated States of Micronesia, as of December 31, 2019.[3]

Phonpei

Missionary work on Pohnpei Island began on 23 October 1976, when Elders George L. Mortensen and Aldric Porter arrived. These missionaries were sent under request of Ohren R. Ohry who had joined the Church while at BYU-Hawaii. The first baptisms on the island were on March 5, 1977 when Ohry’s wife, Rihne, other family members, and Siesero Salomon were baptized in the village of Mand. Naped S. Elias and his family along with Perden Samson were baptized in Kolonia a week later on 12 March 1977. The Mand and Kolonia Pohnpei branches were created shortly thereafter. Origionally missionaries served as branch presidents, then with native leaders–Naped Elias as president of the Kolonia Branch and Johnny Bridge as president of the Mand Branch. The branches were initially in the Guam District. A third branch was created in Sapwalap in December 1977, and three meetinghouses were built between October 1980 and September 1981 in Sapwalap, Mand, and Kolonia. The Truk-Pohnpei District was created on 31 May 1981. On November 22, 1985 The district was divided and the Truk and Pohnpei districts were created.[4][5] In 1990, membership was 464. In late 1993, 18 young women in the Pohnpei District held their first camp on the island of Madolenihmn. The Panasang Pohnpei Stake was created on March 16, 2014.[6]

The Book of Mormon was translated into Pohnpeian in 1987 [7][8]

On April 18, 2012 the church donated 5 sewing machines, three fishing spears, goggles, fins, snorkels and underwater lights as a humanitarian donation to the Ohwa International Christian Academy in its efforts to teach self-reliance to its students. The fishing supplies were donated to augment a previous donation by the Church of a boat, outboard engine and fishing nets to the school that has helped provide fish for the students for several years.[9] On October 16, the Church donated 2,000 reusable face masks to the Sokehs Municipality Schools in Pohnpei which was distributed the following week to 1,000 students.[10]

Chuuk

The first missionaries in Chuuk (formerly Truk), Donald M. Baldwin and Torlik Tima, arrived on July 7, 1977. They baptized T. M. Conrad Mailo and his wife, Nisor Cerly David, on October 22, 1977. The Truk Branch (later Mwan Branch) was created on July 26, 1979. By 1980 ,membership reached 170, and on 31 May 1981 the Truk-Pohnpei District was created. on April 24, 1983, the first meetinghouse on Chuuk was dedicated. The Truk-Pohnpei District was divided in 1985 and the Truk (later renamed the Namonuito Chuuk District) and Pohnpei districts were created. [11]

In 2010, the chruch donated a desalination unit to the people of Chuuk that is capable of producing 26,000 gallons of water per day. [12][13]

Yap

In 1977, Charles Keliikipi (1907-1991), who was under contract to form a police department on the island, organized The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) in Yap. The first convert was baptized in March 1978. The first senior missionary couple arrived on Yap on August 2, 1979.[14][15] The first LDS meetinghouse was completed on January 13, 1981. The Yap Micronesia district was created on March 18, 1981. Yap has two branches, one in Colonia and another in Thol.[16] A 2000 census found that there were 121 members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Yap.[17]:166

The Yapese translation of the Book of Mormon was completed and published in 2004. [18] In 2018, the online edition was made available.[19][20]

The Church volunteers provided cleanup and relief during the aftermath of Typhoon Mitag and Typhoon Sudal.[21][22]

Kosrae

The first missionaries to arrive in Kosrae were Elders Matterson Ramon and Ioichey Diapulos, both natives of Pohnpei, on March 26, 1985. The first Kosraen to be baptized was Isidro Abraham on April 26, 1986. The Lelu Branch was organized on June 18 1986. A second branch was created in Utwe in 1988. The Kosrae Micronesia District was created on March 14, 1990.[11] The first seminary graduation took place on 1 August 1990. Ground had been broken for the Malem Church building on 21 December 1989, and the completed facility was dedicated 3 December 1992. The Lelu Church building was dedicated in January 1993.[3] There are 365 members between these two branches.

Since 2018, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has partnered with the Lelu Farmers Association on Kosrae to build family greenhouses and to provide grow bags and soil amendments to the recipients. In 2018, 10 greehouses were built and 10 more in 2019. In 2020 20 additional greenhouses were being built. On July 25, 2020 the Church donated an excavator to the Lelu Farmers Association. [23]

Palau
Membership in Palau
YearMembership
1981 59
1989 208
1999 370
2009 423
2019 509
Source: Windall J. Ashton; Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac Country Information: Palau[24]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reported 509 members in 1 branch[1] in Palau, as of December 31, 2019.[24] A church family history center is also located at the branch building.

History

Besides serviceman passing through by way of the islands during World War II, there was no record of Latter-day Saints visiting Palau prior to October 15, 1977 when Heber Butler, a counselor in the Honolulu Mission, visited Palau to investigate the potential for missionary work. The first known missionaries arrived on July 5, 1978. On April 1, 1980, the Palau Branch was formed. The Palau Branch was later renamed the Meyungs Branch. [24]

By 1989, there was 4 small branches and 208 members. A chapel was dedicated in Meyungs in May 1990. The population of these branches included several mainland Chinese workers. The chapel was later torn down after the branch was dissolved, as most of the branches were dissolved to give greater strength to the Koror Topside Branch after several members returned to China. The branch was renamed the Koror Branch in 2010, and the branch was assigned to the Barrigada Guam Stake in September 2018. [24]

Kiribati
Membership in Kiribati
YearMembership
1985 620
1989* 1,300
1999 7,964
2009 15,475
2019 20,946
*Membership was published as a rounded number.
Source: Windall J. Ashton; Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac Country Information: Kiribati[25]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reported 20,946 members in 2 stakes, 3 districts, and 37 congregations (11 wards[1] and 26 branches[1]). As of December 21, 2019, one temple was announced to be constructed in Kiribati.[25]

History

In 1972, teacher Waitea Abiuta encouraged his students to attend Liahona High School in Tonga. Fiji Mission President Ebbie L. Davis recommended 12 students to be enrolled on a trial basis. 12 more were enrolled each subsequent year. By 1976, 60 students had been enrolled in Liahona High School. All but a few of these were baptized and were the first known Kiribati members of the church. Six of these were called to the Fiji Suva Mission and assigned to their native Kiribati, arriving in Tarawa on October 19, 1975.[26]

Waieta Abiuta, and several of the staff at his school, were amongst those who were baptized by these 6 missionaries. On January 24, 1976, the Tarawa Branch was organized, with Wieta Abiuta as branch president. In 1977, the Church purchased the school and renamed it Moroni Community School. It later became known as Moroni High School.[27] The Gilbert Islands became the independent Republic of Kiribati in 1979.

In 1984, the student body of Moroni Community School reached 240. Many of its teachers were graduates of BYU-Hawaii. In 1994, Teatao Teannaki, president of the Republic of Kiribati, was the main speaker at the graduation ceremonies at Moroni High School. In 1999, President Teburoro Tito also visited Moroni High School and spoke to students.[26]


In 1981, Baitika Toum became the first of several Church members to be elected to parliament. He went on to serve as a cabinet minister for 13 years.[27];The Tarawa Branch meetinghouse was completed in 1981, but meetings were not held in the meetinghouse until February 1982. In October 1985, the Tarawa District was organized and included the Alieu, Abaiang, and Eita branches. Elder L. Tom Perry organized the Tarawa Kiribati Stake, with Atunibeia Mote sustained as president. [26]

Seminary began on Kiribati in March 1997. On May 23, 1999, the Kiritimati Island Branch was created. On 26 January 2000, Church President Gordon B. Hinckley, on a tour of Pacific Rim countries, visited members at Tarawa. On, June 19, 2003 President Gordon B. Hinckley visited members on Kiritimati Island. On June 20, 2014, the Kiritimati Island Kiribati District was organized, with Naitinua Teitikai Tokinteiti as president, and included branches on Kiritimati and Tabuaeran.[27] In January 2020 Elder Ian S. Ardern, Pacific Area President of the Church, met with His Excellency Taneti Maamau, President of the Republic of Kiribati. President Maamau accepted an invitation from Elder Ardern to attend the Tarawa East Stake conference the next Sunday where 1,200 were in attendance. [28]

Selections of the Book of Mormon were translated into Gilbertese (Kirbati) in 1988.[29] On September 28, 2017, the Church announced the publication of the Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price in the Kiribati language.[30]

In October 2014, Church members in Tarawa Kiribati volunteered to help construct a seawall to protect the community from flooding.[31] On February 7, 2018, a memorial service was held at Moroni High School to honor victims of the sinking of the MV Butiraoi. The service was attended by government officials, Church leaders, and the victims’ family members.[27]

Mariana Islands
Membership In Guam
YearMembership
1940* 100
1950 271
1960* 300
1970 469
1983 764
1991* 1,000
1999 1,476
2009 1,874
2019 2,550
*Membership was published as an estimated or rounded number.
Source: Windall J. Ashton; Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac Country Information: Guam[32]

The Mariana Islands consist of two jurisdictions of the United States: the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and, at the southern end of the chain, the territory of Guam. As of December 31, 2019, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reported 2,550 members in one stake, five congregations (four wards[1] and one branch[1]), one mission, and one temple under construction in Guam.[32] There are 865 members in a ward in the Northern Mariana Islands.[33] There are two family history centers, one in Guam and one at the Saipan Ward building in the Northern Mariana Islands.

Guam

The first known members on Guam was during World War II. From 1944-1945, servicemen's groups numbering 50-300 existed on Guam. In 1946, families were allowed to accompany servicemen and all servicemen's groups on the island were consolidated to one. The Guam Branch became part of the Honolulu Stake in 1959. On March 3, 1970, the Guam Branch became a Ward in the Honolulu Stake.[34][35]

Regular, full-time missionary work began in July 1970 when two missionaries arrived from the Hawaiian Mission. On November 21, 1971, the Honolulu Stake was divided due to size and the ward became part of the newly created Kaneohe Stake. The first Chamorro couple to join the church was baptized on May 21, 1977.[36] In 1989, portions of the Book of Mormon were translated into Chamorro. Also in 1989, Herbert J. Leddy became the first member to become District President. On January 31, 2000, President Gordon B. Hinckley visited Guam. He was welcomed by then-Governor Carl Gutierrez and 684 church members. On December 12, 2010, the Barigada Guam Stake was formed. As of January 2021, this stake has five wards, one branch on Guam, one ward in the Northern Mariana Islands, two branches in Yap and one branch in Micronesia.[37][32]

In 2020, during the COVID-19 outbreak, the Church made multiple donations to Guam. Beginning in May, missionaries from the Micronesia Guam Mission and LDS Humanitarian Services donated a large amount of food to the Catholic Agana Archdiocese Ministry to the Homeless. On July 24, Guam Mission President Eric Hicks and seven missionaries from the Mission helped the Ministry reorganize the cafeteria back from a supply room to a serving area. Also in May, The church made food donations for the Salvation Army Guam Corps. Starting in May, Micronesia Guam missionaries began volunteering weekly at The Salvation Army to organize the donations. LDS Humanitarian Services has made two donations to a local organization called Kadu Care-Givers.[38]

Saipan
Membership in the Northern Mariana Islands
YearMembership
1980 85
1989* 200
2009 870
2009 757
2019 865
*Membership was published as an estimated or rounded number.
Source: Windall J. Ashton; Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac Country Information: Northern Mariana Islands[33]

American servicemen's groups were set up to serve members in Saipan during World War II (1944 and 1945). One of these servicemen was Elder L. Tom Perry.[39] After World War II, military presence remained on the island and servicemen's groups existed off and on until full-time missionaries arrived on the island in 1975.[40][36]

The first convert in Saipan was Juanita Augustine, from Palau, who was baptized on July 16, 1975.[36] Later that year, a dependent branch was formed on the island. This became an independent branch on January 24, 1976. In 1980, the Saipan branch had 85 members. The branch became part of the Guam District on April 18, 1982.[33]

Rota

Missionaries assigned to Rota arrived on September 5 1986. Since then, missionaries have made infrequent trips to Rota and members attend church in Saipan. [41]

Tinian

A few members moved to the island and in March 1990, the San Jose branch was formed as part of the Guam District. Full-time missionaries arrived on August 14, 1992. The branch was discontinued in 1997. Since then, missionaries have made infrequent trips to Rota and members attend church in Saipan.[33] The Church donated more than $1,000 to the Red Cross and volunteers during the aftermath of Typhoon Yutu which made landfall on October 25, 2018. [42]

Marshall Islands
Main article: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Marshall Islands
Membership in Nauru
YearMembership
1984 16
1989 40
1999 96
2009 108
2019 126
Source: Windall J. Ashton; Jim M. Wall, Deseret News, various years, Church Almanac Country Information: Nauru[43]

Nauru

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reported 126 members in one branch[1] in Nauru, as of December 31, 2019.[43]

History

Church members began moving to Nauru in the early 1980s for employment. Church meetings were initially conducted in their homes. In April of 1984, Micronesia Guam Mission President Joseph B. Keeler visited Nauru, in which a branch was organized with 16 members. This branch became part of the Suva Fiji Mission on July 1, 1986.[44]

Church membership increases and declines with the demand of the phosphate rock, the island's chief export. Because of restrictions on proselytizing, church representatives are only allowed temporary visits to the island. [45] The first couple to make periodic visits was Raymond and Lorraine Schmedes beginning in 1998. They assisted in establishing a Relief Society, Primary, and a seminary program. In February of 1999, the branch became part of the Tarawa Gilbert Islands district.[44]

Stakes & Districts

Federated States of Micronesia
  • Kosrae Micronesia District
  • Namoneas Chuuk District
  • Panasang Pohnpei Stake

Guam
  • Barrigada Guam Stake (Includes Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Yap, and Palau)
Tarawa
Temples in Micronesia
Red = Operating
Yellow = Announced
Blue = Under Construction
Black = Closed for Renovations

Kiribati
  • Kiritimati Island Kiribati District
  • Southern Kiribati District
  • Tarawa Kiribati East Stake
  • Tarawa Kiribati North District
  • Tarawa Kiribati West Stake

Marshall Islands
  • Kwajalein Marshall Islands Stake
  • Majuro Marshall Islands Stake

Missions

Temples
Main articles: Yigo Guam Temple and Tarawa Kiribati Temple

Groundbreaking for the Yigo Guam Temple was on September 1, 2019 by church Elder David A. Bednar.

The Tarawa Kiribati Temple was announced by church President Russell M. Nelson

175. Yigo Guam (Under Construction)

Location:
Announced:
Groundbreaking:
 Notes:

Yigo, Guam
7 October 2018
4 May 2019 by Yoon Hwan Choi
Announced by Russell M. Nelson on October 7, 2018[46][47] Bold text

226. Tarawa Kiribati (Announced)

Location:
Announced:
 Notes:

Tarawa, Kiribati
4 October 2020
Announced by Russell M. Nelson on October 4, 2020[48]

See also

References
  1. LDS Meetinghouse Locator.Nearby Congregations (Wards and Branches).
  2. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Membership Statistics
  3. "Facts and Statistics: Statistics by Country: Micronesia", Newsroom, LDS Church, retrieved 2021-01-15
  4. R. Devan Jensen (2008), Thirty Years of Pioneers on Pohnpei, Micronesia, Brigham Young University Religious Studies Center, retrieved 2021-01-24
  5. Deseret News 2012 Chruch Almanac. Jim M. Wall. p. 522-523. ISBN 978-1-60907-002-1.
  6. New stake presidents, Deseret News, April 28, 2014, retrieved 2021-01-24
  7. Book of Mormon Now in 80 Languages, March 1988, retrieved 2021-01-24
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  10. "Church Provides Facemasks to Students on Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia". Mormon Newsroom. November 9, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  11. Deseret News 2012 Chruch Almanac. Jim M. Wall. p. 523. ISBN 978-1-60907-002-1.
  12. Chuuk Desalination Donation from LDS Church (2010) Check |url= value (help), Nov 24, 2010, retrieved 2021-01-24
  13. Pacific Island community thankful for desalination unit donated by LDS Church, Deseret News, October 26, 2010, retrieved 2021-01-24
  14. "Micronesia". Global Mormonism Project. Brigham Young University. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  15. "Micronesia — Facts and Statistics". Mormon Newsroom. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
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  17. Yap State Census Report: 2000 FSM Census of Population and Housing (PDF). Government of the Federated States of Micronesia. December 2002. pp. 53–55.
  18. Hinckley, David (16 March 2004), "Yapese Book of Mormon complete", The Daily Universe, retrieved 2021-01-15
  19. Updated Edition of the Book of Mormon in Yapese, LDS365, retrieved 2021-01-23
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  21. Cyclone hits Yap Islands, Deseret News, Mar 16, 2002, retrieved 2021-01-23
  22. Typhoon strikes Yap Islands, Deseret News, Apr 17, 2004, retrieved 2021-01-23
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  33. "Facts and Statistics: Statistics by Country: Northern Mariana Islands", Newsroom, LDS Church, retrieved 2021-01-15
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  41. Deseret News 2012 Chruch Almanac. Jim M. Wall. p. 586. ISBN 978-1-60907-002-1.
  42. Press Release (February 1, 2019), LDS Charities donates over $1M to Red Cross, Saipan Tribune, retrieved 2021-01-15
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  45. International Religious Freedom Report 2008: Nauru, US Department of State, retrieved 2021-01-22
  46. "Twelve Temples Announced as October 2018 General Conference Closes: Number of temples operating, announced or under construction now above 200", Newsroom, LDS Church, 7 October 2018
  47. LDS Church announces plans to build 12 new temples worldwide, pioneer generation temples will be renovated, KSTU Fox 13, 7 October 2018
  48. "Prophet Announces Six New Temples at October 2020 General Conference", Newsroom, LDS Church, 4 October 2020
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