Conference brings spiritual relief to members in the Samoas after earthquake and tsunami
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Samoan Church members still reeling from a recent deadly tsunami are finding a few moments of spiritual relief by watching general conference.
The Saturday morning session of general conference was broadcast in stakes throughout Samoa, including American Samoa. Only members from the two stakes most dramatically impacted by the Sept. 29 earthquake/tsunami — the Upolu Samoa North Stake and the Upolu Samoa Saleilua Stake — were unable to watch the opening session of conference at their meetinghouse.
The proceedings were being recorded so those members can watch at a later date, said Samoa Apia Mission President O. Vincent Haleck Jr.
For those LDS Samoans able to listen to the counsel of the General Authorities and other leaders, general conference could not happen at a better time.
"It's been a respite from the events of the week," said President Haleck. All of the missionaries will have access to general conference throughout the conference weekend.
Meanwhile, the post-disaster situation in Samoa is improving "in the sense that aid is reaching those who have been affected," said President Haleck.
Teams from the Church Service Center in Samoa have been mobilized to impacted areas, working with local priesthood leadership to distribute food, water and clothing.
Much work is to be done. "But things are improving and stabilizing," said President Haleck.
