SOLOMON STAR ARTICLE SIX

The following is our article that ran in the Solomon Star November 30, 2011. 


LDS church members celebrate historic event



Elder Vinson, Sister Hamula, Elder Hamula, Sister Fata, Pres. Fata, Pres. Rome

Church members performing a native dance during Saturday's celebration

Three hundred members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered in Honiara this past weekend to celebrate the historic organization of the Honiara Solomon Islands District of the Church.   The celebration began Saturday morning at the sea side Eke A-Oval at Ranandi with music provided by the Waiwasiwasiniiau band pipe group from Malaita.  Members sang the Solomon Islands national anthem and presented flags and leis to each of the visiting authorities of the Church.  As the celebration continued, groups of children, youth and adults from each congregation of the Church preformed native Solomon Island dances and music.  Saturday’s gathering concluded with a feast of traditional food prepared by the women of the Church.  The celebration was enjoyed by all who attended.

Presiding at the Conference was Elder James J. Hamula, President of the Pacific Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints.  He was accompanied by his wife Joyce.  Elder Terence Vinson of the Seventy and Meliula Fata, President of the Papua New Guinea Port Morseby Mission, his wife, Ponaivao, and Vaiba Rome, a counselor in the Mission Presidency also participated in the meetings and festivities this weekend.

Elder Hamula noted the historic significance of the creation of the first District (equivalent to a small diocese) in the Solomon Islands.  He encouraged the members to be faithful in living the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He promised a bright future for the growth of the Church in this nation. 

Elder Vinson praised the members for their patriotism for the Solomon Islands.  He encouraged the members to continue to be good citizens and to live and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

The first Sacrament Meeting of the Church was held in Honiara in 1995.  The Honiara Branch of the Church was formally organized on February 4^th 1996.  The Church continues to grow and bless the lives of the people of the Solomon Islands.  “The creation of a district is an important milestone in the history of the Church here,” said Elder Hamula.  “We look forward to the day that the Church is firmly established throughout the Solomon Islands.”