The event in the Tabernacle on Temple Square July 28 could have been called "Polynesia in Salt Lake City," but it had a simpler, more direct title: "Tongan Centennial Fireside."

The Sunday evening fireside, which was addressed by President Thomas S. Monson of the First Presidency, was one of a series of events commemorating the anniversary of the arrival on July 16, 1891, of the first LDS missionaries to Tonga. (See Church News July 13 and July 27 for reports about events in Hawaii and California. Further centennial festivities and conferences will be held throughout the Tongan islands Aug. 15-26.)Commemorative events in Salt Lake City included a day of traditional island singing and dancing at the Utah State Fairgrounds on July 27.

The fireside took on a South Pacific atmosphere as exotic flowers banked the Tabernacle podium. Garlands of blossoms entwined banister rails of the loft where a 150-voice choir sang in English and Tongan.

The tropical flavor extended to the Tabernacle's main floor and balcony where many of the estimated 4,500 in the congregation, most of them Tongans, were dressed in festive island attire.

President Monson was joined in addressing the gathering by two other General Authorities: Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Council of the Twelve, and Elder John H. Groberg of the Seventy.

Pres. David A. Christensen of the Salt Lake Jordan Stake conducted the fireside. Testimonies were given by Pres. Pita M. Kinikini, a counselor in the Salt Lake Jordan Stake presidency; Pres. Rodney M. Fakatou, a counselor in the Salt Lake Liberty Stake presidency; Rosemary Vea, a graduate of Ricks College who plans to leave for a mission at the end of the year; and Simi Tuai, a returned missionary and student at the University of Utah.

The choir was directed by Sione T. Kinikini and was accompanied by Tabernacle organist Richard Elliott.

President Monson spoke of some of the gifts bestowed on the peoples of the islands: the gift of song, the gift of faith, the gift of love, the gift of obedience, the gift of gratitude.

- The gift of song. Turning toward the choir comprised of Tongan members of the Jordan 2nd and 8th wards in the Salt Lake Jordan Stake, President Monson asked, "As we listen to this magnificent choir, who could doubt the gift of song, which has come to the people of Tonga?"

- The gift of faith. "Faith is so characteristic of the Tongan people," President Monson observed. He related several examples that indicate such faith. He told of a mission president who, through the gift of tongues, was able to teach the Tongan people in their own language; of a blind missionary sister whose sight was restored after she received a priesthood blessing; and of a woman who was more than 100 years old, who carried cinder blocks to help construct a chapel. Her hands bled from the rough blocks, and she was provided gloves that she might wear. The little lady said the Savior's hands bled for her and that she was not ashamed to have her hands bleed for His work. The stories are recorded in Tongan Saints: Legacy of Faith, by Eric B. Shumway."

- The gift of love. "Love is part of Tonga, and always will be," President Monson noted. He gave examples of that love, including Tongan members' dedication to doing family history research so they could perform temple ordinances for their ancestors, and combining their faith and prayers to ask for healing blessings.

- The gift of obedience. President Monson recited a lesson he heard taught at the Church school in Tonga by one of the teachers, Tonga Toutai Paletua. The teacher held a homemade device, called a maka feke, on a piece of rope. It was an octopus trap. The teacher demonstrated how the octopus, thinking the device was a crab, would wrap its tentacles around it and wouldn't let go. Fishermen then simply lifted the octopus into the boat.

President Monson said Brother Paletua told the students, "Satan uses maka fekes to lure his sons and daughters away from the truth." The teacher spoke of the make fekes of alcohol, tobacco, illicit sex and drugs, and cautioned the students to not be deceived and grab what they think is desirable only to find it is highly undesirable. "It was a great lesson," said President Monson, "and I urge that lesson on us today."

- The gift of gratitude. "God has given you the gift of gratitude," President Monson told the congregation. "You love the Lord. You want to keep His commandments and you do. You are faithful. . . . "

"I urge you to live true to these four points: 1. Remember your roots. 2. Honor your heritage. 3. Be true to yourself. 4. Keep the commandments of God."

Elder Wirthlin spoke of two visits he and Sister Wirthlin made to Tonga. "Each time," he said, "we came back with our testimonies increased of the divinity of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the fact that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, does head this Church."

He said he heard of many islanders who sacrificed a great deal in order to go to the temple in New Zealand before a temple was built in Tonga.

He recounted some of the island's history, noting that Tonga escaped colonization while other Polynesian islands "succumbed to the greed and power of other foreign powers." In 1831, he said, one of the chiefs was baptized a Christian. In 1845, that chief became King George Tupou I, king of all Tonga. "This king freed all the Tongans from the rule of the chiefs and bondage that they were under," Elder Wirthlin related. "He freed the Tongans from bondage about the same time Abraham Lincoln freed the blacks in the United States.

"In 1875, the Tongan Constitution was written. The king gave Tonga to the Lord. I've often thought this was the reason there is so much faith and love of God in Tonga. The symbol of the flag is the cross showing Christianity, and red for the blood of Jesus and for His protection to the people. The motto of Tonga is `God and Tonga is my inheritance.' "

Elder Wirthlin said about 30 percent of all inhabitants of Tonga are members of the Church, one of the highest percentages of any land in the world that is LDS.

"Today we honor you not only because of your progenitors and your loyalty and love of the Church, but we honor you because of your faith," Elder Wirthlin declared. He said he had read many stories of miracles and of those who have been severely ill and were blessed by the priesthood and were healed through their faith.