In this pocket of Polynesian islands in the South Pacific, the celebration of a century has just concluded. Bands have played, dancers have moved in rhythmic unison, and songs with harmony and volume unique to this part of the world have been sung.

The 100th anniversary celebrations of the beginning of authorized LDS missionary work have ended, but the spirit of this commemoration will continue for months and years to come.President Thomas S. Monson of the First Presidency presided over the concluding centennial events. Elder James E. Faust of the Council of the Twelve and Elder John H. Sonnenberg of the First Quorum of the Seventy and president of the Pacific Area, directed earlier events. (See July 2 Church News, also page 6 of today's issue for other articles about the centennial.)

"These past days [June 13-26] have made a positive statement about the future," said Elder Lueli Te'o, regional representative of the Samoa West Region and chairman of centennial events that included parades, devotionals, firesides, testimony meetings and other happenings on three islands. "It has been well and good for us to look back at our rich history, to reminisce about the old days, and to remember the sacrifices made by early missionaries and members, but we are in a forward movement.

"The future of the Church is bright in Samoa. I think we have been celebrating our future as much as we have been celebrating our past. A celebration of this kind reminds us that the sooner we can live the commandments of the Lord, the faster the Church can grow."

The festivities not only marked the centennial of the Church but also showed the unity and cooperation that exists among Church members upon these isles of the sea. Western Samoans journeyed to American Samoa to join in festivities on the island of Tutuila; American Samoans, likewise, traveled to the islands of Savai'i and Upolu in Western Samoa. Individuals and groups, many of Samoan ancestry, came from Hawaii, New Zealand, the U.S. mainland and other areas.

"We have felt a closeness among our people as we have worked together on this celebration," said Elder Te'o. "The members have worked hand in hand, with a spirit of oneness, to do something that seemed almost impossible to do."

Elder Eugene Reid, regional representative of the Samoa East Region, was coordinator for a regional conference held in conjunction with the anniversary. "This centennial celebration has made me proud to be a member of the Church," he said. "Everything was well prepared and well received by the people. This will be helpful to the missionary program in Samoa.

"We have had very positive comments from government leaders in American Samoa and Western Samoa," he concluded.

An example was remarks offered by American Samoa Gov. A.P. Lutali, who addressed a devotional service June 20. In his message he said that his grandfather was a village chief who waded onto the reef to welcome Elder Joseph Dean when he first arrived in the islands. The governor said many of his forefathers joined the Church.

"I am as proud of this day as are the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," said the governor of the anniversary celebration. "I am proud in the realization that our forefathers made important decisions [to allow the missionaries to work among the Samoan people]. From that time until today, the Mormon Church has contributed to the religious, social and moral growth of Samoa."

He commended the Church for its active role in guiding young people and for the "classic example of good citizenship" set by its members. "The government and people of American Samoa greatly appreciate the presence of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints here in this territory," he said.

American Samoa's Speaker of the House, Tuana'itau F. Tuia, a Church member, read a proclamation issued by the Legislature to recognize the Church's presence and its growth in Samoa.

In a testimony meeting, American Samoa's Lt. Gov. Eni F. Hunkin Jr., who is also a Church member, referred to the peoples of Polynesia as descendants of Lehi through Hagoth. (Alma 63:5-8.) He related how a Hawaiian, Samuela Manoa, had come to Samoa in 1862, and how, largely through Manoa's petitions to the First Presidency, missionaries were sent to the islands in 1888. "Of all the descendants of Lehi, the Polynesians are most blessed," said Hunkin. "Just look at the number of temples we have in the islands of the Pacific - in Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti, New Zealand and Hawaii, as well as Australia."

In Western Samoa, His Highness the Head of State Susuga Malieota Tanumafili II, delivered an address to a Church gathering in Apia Park on June 24. He recalled "two other important occasions at Pesega, one in February 1976 during the Samoa Area Conference, the other in February 1981 for the Samoa Temple groundbreaking ceremony."

"During those two events," said the head of state, "I made a friend who was a prophet of the Lord, the late President Spencer W. Kimball. He was a great and humble servant of the Lord.

"Our country has been blessed by the productive work that your Church and your people are doing for the betterment of the people of Samoa in the fields of education, health, citizenship and spiritual living. We are pleased by the involvement of your members in community and civic affairs. Your contribution to music has been demonstrated today in this great choir, and I always enjoy the Church College of Western Samoa Band.

"Also, in our general election this year for our political leaders, we saw the greatest number ever of members of your Church elected into parliament. We expect the same high standard of performance from them as they carry out their parlimentary duties.

"It was 100 years ago on this day at Aunu'u that your first missionary from America, Elder Joseph H. Dean, held his first meeting in Samoa with a handful of people. Now, 100 years later, your Church has progressed well and grown to a membership of about 40,000 people [in Western Samoa] at present. It is one of the fastest growing churches in membership in our country.

"We wish you well on your centennial celebration, but also we should take time on this occasion to pay tribute to your pioneer missionaries from overseas and also to our own Samoan missionaries and others who have served well in this part of the Lord's vineyard.

He continued, saying, "May the Lord bless them and welcome them in His kingdom with these words from the holy scripture: `Well done, thou good and faithful servant. . . ." (Matt. 25:21.)

Western Samoa's Prime Minister Tofilau Eti Alesana hosted an informal dinner party for President Monson, Elder Faust, Elder Sonnenberg, and several local priesthood leaders and their wives. President Monson presented a copy of the standard works to the prime minister.

At the dinner, the prime minister said, "One hundred years ago . . . Joseph and Florence Dean disembarked at the beach of Aunu'u in the mission of our Lord: `Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.' (Mark 16:15.)

"Today, we pay special tribute to the Deans and to Samuela Manoa and his wife, Faasopo, who were specially privileged by the Divine to receive the Deans in His mission.

"No doubt, the past 100 years have been trying times. As was true in the mission of our Lord, societies were not readily prepared to be receptive of a new teaching. But as God is our guide in His service, and as the Apostle Paul said in his letter to the Romans: `If God be for us, who can be against us?'" (Rom. 8:31.)

The prime minister further said, "I wish to acknowledge the marked contribution by the Mormon community to our society. . . . May I hope for the Church on behalf of our government and the people of Western Samoa, endurance and God's grace."