An estimated 1,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints performed in a cultural celebration at the Church's Liahona College last night.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church, watched the performances with his wife, Sister Harriett Uchtdorf, and their daughter, Sister Antje Evans. Elder Tad R. Callister and Elder Sione Fineanganofo, of the Seventy, also accompanied President Uchtdorf to the event.
The celebration was held in conjunction with President Uchtdorf's visit to Tonga. It took place on the rugby fields of the Liahona College campus, close to the Nuku’alofa Tonga Temple.
Including the performers, around 2,000 enjoyed the evening. Members of the Church were joined by leaders from government, other churches and the community.
13-year-old Seini Vamanrav, from the village of Ngele'ia, said she felt blessed to have the opportunity to perform in front of President Uchtdorf as well as Church members and guests at the celebration.
Aloha Dillon Mahe, 15, from the neighbouring village of Halaleva, agreed. "I feel very blessed to have this opportunity," he said.
Seini, Aloha and around 100 others from their stake (similar to a diocese in other faiths) performed a dance called "Laka Laka." Their performance depicted certain events from the life of Joseph Smith, the first president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Silongo Samani, a Latter-day Saint bishop (lay minister of a congregation), said the Tongan members of the Church were performing "to show their joyful hearts and appreciation."
Representatives from national media organizations covered the event.
On Thursday evening (12 November), President Uchtdorf met with members of the Church and guests at the Tonga Central Stake Centre. He urged those attending the meeting, beamed by satellite to 16 other stake centres throughout the Kingdom, to let their children and grandchildren know how much they loved them.
“Your children are a gift to you from Heaven,” he said. “They will have their own lives, but your families will be blessed now and forever, as you stay faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
President Uchtdorf encouraged the Tongan saints to read the scriptures as families. “Use the scriptures to bless the lives of your children,” he said.
“The Old Testament, New Testament, and Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, all fit together like the constellations in the sky. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a true and valid navigation system to lead us back to our Heavenly Father.”
President Ucthdorf will travel next to French Polynesia to meet with Church members there, before returning to the United States.
