The LDS Church in Tonga

The LDS Church, (Siasi ʻo Sīsū Kalaisi ʻo e Kau Māʻoniʻoni ʻi he Ngaahi ʻAho Kimui Ní) was established in Tonga in 1891 and has a higher per-capita number of LDS than any other country in the world.  Missionaries will say it seems like Little Salt Lake City in relation to the ratio of membership.

1891-the first LDS missionaries arrived in Nuku’alofa and opened the Tonga district of the Samoa Mission.  
 
With only 6 converts and after just 6 years, the newly established mission was ordered to close. The missionaries then returned to Samoa in 1897.  “As Tamar Gordon commented there was ‘little popular incentive to join the new church which remained poor and unproven by Tongan standards.

Missionaries returned in 1907 and it was that return that the LDS Church grew continually and the Tonga mission became one of the most successful worldwide.
 
1916 – an independent Tongan Mission was established.
 
1920 – the church was well established in Vava’u, Ha’apai and Tongatapu with converts  of about 1000 believers.
 
The Mission’s activities in the following year, besides proselytising were concentrated on establishing schools.

Except for the president, all the American Missionaries left in 1940 because of the war. This allowed the local people to take over full leadership.

1946 was the year in which the first translation of the Book of Mormon was published, followed by copies of the Tongan translation of “Doctrines and Covenants” and “Pearl of great Price” in the year 1960.

Construction Missionaries became a workforce unheard of and churches and schools were built.  Liahona School Complex’s building started in 1949. Since then, it has always been among the biggest and best educational institutions in the kingdom of Tonga. 

One of its special attractions is its ability to send students on to BYU in Hawaii. This became significant since the 1960s when the education attraction was fully developed and made clear that the government of Tonga could not provide all the young people of the Kingdom Secondary education. The LDS Church then has experienced high annual growth rates with a peak of 2,261 convert baptized in 1984.

The current membership of the church is 60,680, which represents 57% of the population of Tonga.
As of year-end 2007, the LDS Church reported 54,281 members, 16 stakes, 125 wards, 39 branches, and one temple in Tonga.

 As quoted by "Tonga NET"

Across the street from Liahona campus is the Navu Chapel.  Like in the U.S. this building houses a stake office and three wards, following the same 9,11, &1 schedule.  See pictures below.

 

We visited the Mapelu Ward on August 3, our first Testimony Meeting, and yes it was all in Tongan and it actually was a treat to observe no wait time at the pulpit.  It appeared more wanted to testify and give witness than there was going to be time for.  The singing is incredible, the entire congregation sounds like a choir.  The saints are very good at harmonizing and singing with spirit and enjoyment.  The three hour block was a very rewarding experience, even in Tongan.

Since this visit we have been asked by the Mission President to attend the Nuku'alofa 10th Ward, an English speaking ward in the capital city 12 miles from Liahona, not because we don't speak Tongan, but because the ward is like an international ward and they really could use our experience and strength in the gospel; and we said "Yes, that is why we are missionaries, to serve."

Liahona Students and Faculty

The studentbody numbers 1100 with 66 faculty and 12 support staff.  This is a four year high school with a full fledged course offering.  All classes are taught in English.  The goal is to teach students business computers, math, science, Tongan studies, social studies, seminary, and vocational all in English so the students will be conversant in the universal language of the church and internationally.  

The teachers must be temple recommend holders and often these people are hired as teachers and then they work on their teaching certificate.  The quality of teachers, and thus the quality of teaching, is improving each year due to the International Teacher Education Program (ITEP), which is what our calling is all about.  Each year ITEP helps teachers earn their teaching certificate through BYU-Hawaii.  There are two senior missionary couples at Liahona High.  One couple from Rexburg is focused on the vocational programs, which is very critical for the school and the students, and we are focused on all the other areas.  The church has high expectations of the teachers and with consistent coaching from the high caliber of administration and the missionaries, The Church Education System in Tonga (And all of the Pacific - Somoa, Fiji, Kirabati) is above the level of the neighboring government high schools and other church (Catholic, Wesleyan, Methodist, and Adventist) schools.  We are really proud to be associated with Liahona, which is the flagship church school in the Pacific.

Students at Liahona High

We find the students at Liahona High to be much the same as you find at all high schools, they are teenagers.  Because this is a private church school the spiritual atmosphere is very desirable and there are high expectations placed on the students.  We are enjoying the students and variety of experiences we are having with them.

 

Uniforms are the norm

 

 

Girls Net Ball Team

Assembly

X-Factor Winners

Tongan History Class weaving coconut leaves 

Hospitality Class serving dinner

Boys performing a warrior dance

Students who presented Sherrie with a lei

Liahona High School

Liahona High is a beautiful campus and the church maintains this location at a high level of visual appeal and cleanliness.  The school campus was built in the 1940's by "construction missionaries" and the many buildings and housing here surely took many years to complete and many missionaries to do the work.  All the buildings are constructed with block, made of coral and poured concrete.  From all appearances, the workmanship has lasted very well and will continue to stand for many years.  Below are pictures of this beautiful campus and facilities.  I hope you may appreciate what you see, as this campus is a dream compared to the other schools on the island.

 

Front Entrance to the school

 



The school marque and tower

 

Elder Matthew Cowley was a significant church leader in Tonga





 

Our Humble Abode

We live in a duplex.  Another set of missionaries from Boise, who are self reliance and perpetual education missionaries live in the other side.  There are 36 homes for missionaries and church employees.  See below for more.

 

It looks like paradise doesn't it?  And it feels that way. 

We live on the campus of Liahona High School.


 

The Kingdom of Tonga

 

 Upon our arrival to Tonga we stepped down off the plane onto the ground.  We heard a big cheer and looked up and there on the airport balcony was a host of senior missionaries cheering us and welcoming us to Tonga.  That was so cool.  Upon clearing customs we were given flower leis and given hugs and handshakes.

 

 

 

 

President Leitoni Tupou and Sister Laurie Tupou 

 

 

 

 

The Tonga Temple

 

There is an English Session every Thursday at 7:00 PM

Many Tongans attend this session with the Senior Missionaries.