50 years in Fiji
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SUVA, Fiji — In a festive atmosphere that has penetrated the islands and villages here for the past several months, Latter-day Saints observed the Church's golden jubilee in Fiji with a three-day celebration of culture, service and spirituality.
"Come unto Christ" was the theme for the celebration held Dec. 10-12, events that attracted former missionaries and Fijian saints from all parts of the world.
The first missionaries, Elders Boyd L. Harris and Sheldon L. Abbott of the Apia Samoa Mission, arrived in Fiji on Sept. 3, 1954, soon after President David O. McKay approved missionary work. (In Elder John H. Groberg's story, "The Other Side of Heaven," Elder Groberg is detained in a customs shed on the Suva wharf. The missionaries who came to his aid were none other than Elders Abbott and Harris.)
An opening ceremony and day of culture at the Fiji National Outdoor Stadium began the celebration. Led by signs designating the five decades of missionary work in Fiji, returned missionaries and those presently serving in the Suva Fiji Mission marched onto the field singing the mission song, each carrying a mission flag with the national flag of Fiji at each corner of the procession. Mission President La Ron P. Woolley and Sister Elizabeth Woolley led the current contingent of elders, sisters and senior missionaries into stadium. The scene brought tears to the eyes of onlookers.
Elder Dennis E. Simmons of the Seventy, first counselor in the Pacific Islands Area Presidency, presided over the celebration and spoke at the opening and closing ceremonies. In his opening remarks, Elder Simmons recounted the early history of the Church in the South Pacific and his love for the Fijian saints. As he spoke, Elder Simmons read a letter from the First Presidency, which in part read:
"We are pleased to be included, by letter, in the 50th Anniversary of the organization of the Church in Fiji. Congratulations on this significant, historical event that brings the past and present together in a meaningful way. . . .
"We challenge you to strive to live up to the rich history that has preceded you and pray that the Lord will fortify your efforts to build His kingdom in your Church units, communities, and individual homes."
Not able to attend, the prime minister of Fiji, the Honorable Laisenia Qarase, wrote his congratulations in a letter that was read to the appreciation and cheers of those attending in the stadium
Elder Simmons' declaring the celebration officially open with the words, "Let's celebrate!" was punctuated by several hundred children running on to the field, each carrying a helium-filled balloon containing a testimony. They swarmed to the deep center of the playing field and stood before a large, gold painted number "50," and then, on signal, released their balloons into the cloudy sky as applause and cheers rose in synchronization to the departing balloons.
Following the balloon release, hundreds of dancers and singers representing the diversity of cultures in the Fiji and other Pacific islands took the stage.
That evening a grand ball was held at the Indoor National Stadium, with the march played by the Fiji Police Jazz Band.
On a rainy Saturday morning more than 500 youth, missionaries and leaders from the four stakes in Fiji came in cars, buses and by foot to the Nasinu Cemetery north of Suva to participate in a service project as part of the celebration. They cleaned, painted and demonstrated by their works their respect for the dead. In the pouring rain in the afternoon, the youth performed some of the island dances from the day before and engaged in fun games.
Sunday's Golden Jubilee Devotional and closing ceremony program brought nearly 3,000 people and a choir of 250 voices to the National Indoor Stadium. Speakers included early Church pioneers in Fiji; His Excellency, Ratu Josefa Iloilo, the President of the Republic of Fiji; and Elder Dennis E. Simmons. .All were encouraged to become modern pioneers by Elder Simmons when he said, "Now that we have honored the pioneers of the past, we must understand that we are the pioneers of the future, so that those who follow us will be blessed by what we do." He also took the occasion to wish President Iloilo a very happy 85th birthday, later this month.
His Excellency, President Iloilo, spoke at the devotional. Showing a familiarity with the Church, the president commented on its remarkable and rapid growth in Fiji. He expressed deep appreciation to the Church for its many humanitarian projects that have brought relief, improved the hospitals, clean water systems, and the schools of their country. He has observed missionaries working on the streets of Fiji and doing good in the communities they serve in. He expressed appreciation for the integrity of the members of the Church in obeying the Ten Commandments and then quoted the 11th and 12th Articles of Faith, saying that these principles are why he feels the Church prospers so well in Fiji.
"Your members are tolerant and are honorable citizens, they sustain the laws and government of our land."
An original musical composition, "The Fijian Jubilee Song," written and composed by Deana Lee in the United States, was performed by a double quartet. Sister Lee's parents, Elder Robert Wheeler and Sister Phyllis Wheeler, are serving a full-time Welfare Service mission in Fiji. Concluding the devotional, Elder Simmons read a letter from President Gordon B. Hinckley to the saints in Fiji. President Hinckley has visited Fiji on several occasions and in his letter recounted the personal sacrifice by many that made the Church a reality in Fiji. He recalled the days when the Church had no beautiful chapels in the country as it has today. For this he was grateful and commended the Church members for their stalwart faith to carry forward the work.
After the benediction the audience and choir stood and sang the Fiji farewell song, "Isa Isa Vulagi Lasa Dina," a fitting way to bring the three days of this historical celebration to a conclusion.
President Tipo Solomone of the Suva North Stake was chairman of the celebration.
Sister Evelyn Henriksen said that the celebration was a "masterpiece of history, talents, dance, music and, most of all, the spirit of love" the Fijians have for the gospel of Jesus Christ. She served with her husband, Richard, 1988-90, on the Fijian island of Vanua Levu, and is the sister of the late Marjorie Pay Hinckley.
