More than 95 percent of the buildings on the island of Maupiti were destroyed by a cyclone Nov. 25 - leaving the 180 Church members here without homes.

No members or missionaries were injured or killed during the disaster.Maupiti, a small island near Tahiti and part of the Society Islands, has a population of about 2,000.

The cyclone, which also whipped through Bora Bora, hit the island with such force that it destroyed all but three or four homes. It also destroyed virtually all of the palm trees and other food-producing trees on the island, leaving the people without a food supply until they can replant, reported Michel Doucet, president of the Raromatai Tahiti Stake. He visited the members on Maupiti Island, which is part of his stake, immediately following the disaster.

Because the only air strip on the island was damaged by the strom, Pres. Doucet traveled four hours each way by boat, through high, choppy waves to be with the members of the Maupiti Ward, assess their needs, and express the concern of the Church.

Pres. Doucet reported that many members were blessed to have food storage.

One of the only buildings not destroyed on the island was the LDS meetinghouse, said Elder Bruce C. Hafen of the Seventy and first counselor in the Pacific Area presidency. However, there is minor damage to the building.

The members have been using the chapel as a place of refuge since the storm, he said.

"The leaders of other churches on the island have approached Pres. Doucet to ask if they might use the LDS meetinghouse for their church services until they can reconstruct their own facilities," explained Elder Hafen. "The Area Presidency has granted this request, so long as Church standards are observed and the regular meeting times of our own members are not disrupted. We are grateful that our building can assist the island community and other churches in this time of severe need."

Upon his return home, Pres. Doucet at a multi-stake meeting reported on his trip to Maupiti to other stake presidents and the Tahiti mission president. The other stakes pledged to fast and pray for the members on Maupiti.

The Tahiti Public Affairs leaders and other priesthood leaders met, soon after the disaster, with Jean Aribaud, the new High Commissioner from France, who has chief governmental oversight for French Polynesia. Mr. Aribaud said the French government is already providing food and will begin rebuilding the island with the help of army troops.

The Pacific Area presidency has pledged the support of the members from throughout French Polynesia to assist as needed and has indicated their willingness to request financial assistance from the Church Humanitarian Fund. Mr. Aribaud expressed his deep gratitude for these commitments and said he would advise Church leaders as soon as possible concerning the way the Church can help most with the clean-up and rebuilding effort.