Chile's Easter Island is reputed to be the most isolated inhabited land mass in the world. Located thousands of miles west of the Chilean mainland and an almost equal distance east of Tahiti, the 64-square mile stretch of volcanic rock could just as easily be dubbed "Lonely Island."

Photo by Keith Atkinson

Branch members gather with Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and his wife, Sister Patricia Holland, standing at right of sign. Standing far left are Chile Santiago North Mission President Lawrence E. Corbridge and his wife, Sister Jacquelyn Gayle Corbridge.

Photo by Keith Atkinson

Silhouetted in dusk, a stone moai carved by a previous civilization is one of many restored by archaeologists in recent years on enigmatic and remote Easter Island, located in the South Pacific more than 2,000 miles from any center of population.

Yet despite their geographical remoteness, LDS residents of Easter Island can enjoy the rich blessings and companionship of the worldwide gospel community. That's the message Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve shared with members of the Easter Island Branch during his recent mission tour of the Chilean possession.

The Church leader was pleased with the gospel devotion he found in the small branch there, saying "the active Easter Island members are wonderfully faithful for a group who are so far from other contacts with the Church." Elder Holland also reported that several members were reactivated and one baptism was performed during the weekend on the island.

Elder Holland's visit is believed to be the first by an apostle to the Pacific island. While there he met with civic leaders and conducted a "Family Home Evening" open to the whole community in addition to holding Church services and offering direction and counsel to members of the Easter Island Branch.

Elder Holland — who presides over the Chile Area of the Church — visited Easter Island as part of a tour of the Chile Santiago North Mission, to which Easter Island belongs. He was accompanied by his wife, Sister Patricia Holland, and Chile Santiago North Mission President Lawrence E. Corbridge and his wife, Sister Jacquelyn Gayle Corbridge.

While presiding over the Feb. 22 Easter Island Branch Conference, Elder Holland was moved by the spirituality of those in attendance.

"Their small sacrament service was as sweet as any I could have attended," he said. "The spirit in our worship services is the same wherever we may go in the world."

Elder Holland encouraged the Easter Island members to be a light of goodness to all others on the island. The members, he said, can enjoy the fullness of the gospel and its programs in spite of their isolation. Getting their endowments at the temple in Santiago should be everyone's goal, he added.

Elder Holland also challenged the branch youth to serve missions and prepare for temple marriages. He left the Easter Island members with his apostolic blessing.

"All the people were crying during the sacrament meeting," said one visitor. "It was hard to restrain the tears."

Elder Holland also participated in a public reception at the Hongaroa Hotel hosted by the mayor of the city and the governor of the province for local civic, cultural and business leaders as well as members of the branch. He told his new friends that the Church operates on Easter Island to bless and serve the entire population of that community.

Don Petero Edmunds, mayor of Hanga Roa, said of Elder Holland's visit, "These people come with an important message about helping to strengthen individuals, the family, and the community. We need to let them come." He expressed concern about the breakdown of the traditional family and other challenges facing the youth of the island. During the reception, President Corbridge and the full-time missionaries were introduced to the whole gathering and a brief audio-visual presentation was given on the breadth of programs available to bless the individual and the family.

Don Petero Edmunds, mayor of Hanga Roa, on several occasions, when asked about the Church having a presence on the islands and the visit of an apostle, said, "These people come with an important message about helping to strengthen the family and we need to let them come.

"And any other church that has a similar message we also need to allow to come on the island."

He expressed concern about the breakdown of the traditional family, the increase of drug and alcohol use on the island, and the breaking down of respect for authority, and for tribal leaders, and respect for tribal traditions, especially respect for the traditional family.

E-mail to: jswensen@desnews.com