When Gerard Vaetua was called as president of the small branch on Maupiti in June 1990, he set missionary work, reactivation and temple attendance as branch goals.

That he has succeeded in all three was in evidence recently when a group of members from Maupiti traveled July 25 to the temple in Papeete, Tahiti.Pres. Vaetua has faced many challenges on Maupiti, a tiny island in the Society Island group of French Polynesia, about 160 miles northwest of Tahiti. It was on this island where Church members faced a terrible setback nearly 30 years ago. In the worst-recorded sea disaster for Latter-day Saints in the South Pacific, 15 members of the Maupiti Branch lost their lives when the ill-fated ship Manuia cracked up on the Maupiti reef in the dark hours of the morning of May 23, 1963.

The Manuia (which, ironically, means "good luck" in Tahitian) with 47 passengers aboard, mostly Maupiti branch members, was returning from the nearby island of Huahine where a new meetinghouse had been dedicated. The narrow pass through the coral reef surrounding Maupiti is considered the most dangerous in French Polynesia. While the Manuia attempted to maneuver through the strong currents of the pass, a violent wave whipped the stern, tossing the ship upon the reef where subsequent waves rolled it over several times.

Among the fatalities were numbered all but two of the Maupiti Branch's Relief Society sisters. Many other passengers were seriously injured and some waited as long as nine hours to be rescued from the grasping clutches of the sea. The following years proved to be difficult for Latter-day Saints on the island, and the branch went through a long period of struggles and difficulty.

Pres. Vaetua accepted the challenge to strengthen the membership, and with enthusiasm set about his task. During the past year, attendance at Church meetings has increased from 58 percent to 72 percent, and there have been several new convert baptisms. In addition, Pres. Vaetua has been able to prepare several families to attend the Papeete Tahiti Temple for endowment and sealing ordinances.

Of the seven adult members of the Maupiti Branch attending the temple for the first time recently, most were advanced in age and were long-time members of the Church. But until Pres. Vaetua began working with them, they had not been properly prepared or motivated to make the trip to attend the temple in Tahiti, which has been in operation since 1983.

Most of the temple group had relatives who perished in the Manuia tragedy. Turai Mauahiti, an elderly widow making her first trip to the temple, was aboard the ship that fateful morning.

One of the couples, Tepouveretutanetaaroa and Heimaturia Tavae, presented a special set of challenges, besides the length of Brother Tavae's first name. Both are in their 80s, both have physical handicaps and both are in poor health. Brother Tavae, who has diabetes, had both legs amputated; for years he has gotten around scooting along on his hands. His wife is a paraplegic and is confined to a wheelchair.

When first approached by Pres. Vaetua about attending the temple, they were reluctant because of their poor health, advanced age, hearing difficulties and limited finances. After testifying about the importance of temple covenants, Pres. Vaetua promised them and other branch members that if they would put their trust in the Lord and commit to making the trip, the way would be opened for them to attend.

Because of the hazards still present in navigating through the infamous Maupiti pass, passenger travel to and from the island is now almost exclusively by air. However, the round trip air fare of $200 per person is just about prohibitive for most members who make modest livings by fishing and growing melons. But with careful budgeting and planning on their part, this obstacle and others were overcome.

After the Maupiti saints arrived in Tahiti, they went to the office of Tahiti Papeete Mission Pres. Yves R. Perrin for their temple recommend interviews. It proved to be a moving experience for Pres. Perrin, who was impressed by their simple faith and humble circumstances.

"When Brother Tavae came in for his interview, he scooted into my office on his hands and sat there on the floor, so I got up from the chair behind my desk and came around and sat down next to him," said Pres. Perrin. "It was one of the most touching interviews I've ever conducted. I was strongly reminded of the blessings the Lord has given me, as well as the great love He has for all His children. I only had to look into the beaming eyes and radiant face of Brother Tavae to know how happy he was."

It was also a highlight for Pres. Perrin and Leeward Islands District Pres. Eric Graffe to present a new wheelchair to Brother Tavae.

The temple workers involved with the Maupiti saints also felt the special nature of this group. Temple Pres. Ralph Richards said he was impressed by the outpouring of love the temple workers displayed toward the temple patrons from Maupiti. "The Maupiti saints displayed faithful diligence in their temple work, attending every available session during the week they were here. This is particularly remarkable when you consider the age and physical condition of several of the members."

Pres. Vaetua was thrilled about the success of this trip to the temple and is planning on bringing an even larger group of first-time temple patrons next year. "My wife and I have personally visited every family in our branch to talk to them about preparing to go to the temple. We have many more families back in Maupiti who are preparing spiritually and financially to make the trip with us next year. This has been such a marvelous experience, I want our other branch members to experience this same joy that making eternal covenants with our Heavenly Father brings."

Pres. Vaetua set the right goals for his branch in Maupiti. From his enthusiasm and dedication, the members of the Church on this tiny island have caught a glimpse of an even-greater paradise waiting for them beyond the veil of this sometimes difficult earthly existence.