A plea for family unity in the gospel made by Mateo Fuimaono in 1940 to his children continues to be heard by his family 70 years later.

Mateo Fuimaono was born in 1888 in Salani, Upolu, Western Samoa. His wife, Pei'uafealetaua (Peiu) Seiuli was born in 1899 in Sapapali'i, Savai'i, Western Samoa. They were married in 1913 in Upolu.

In 1923, the Fuimaonos moved to American Samoa in the village of Mapusaga. Through the missionary efforts of Alisa and Kuka Toelupe, their neighbors, they were baptized as members of the Church in 1925.

They were blessed with 16 children, but only 10 lived – three boys and seven girls.

As Brother and Sister Fuimaono progressed in the gospel of Jesus Christ, they yearned for their posterity to receive the same blessings.

In 1940, in the village of Malaeimi, Brother Fuimaono gathered his family together and offered up a prayer of thanksgiving to God for their membership in the true Church of Jesus Christ.

That first gathering began with 21 family members: Brother and Sister Fuimaono, their 10 children (three with spouses) and six grandchildren.

At the gathering, Brother Fuimaono declared to his family, "Let this unity continue until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ."

To maintain that unity, he set goals for his family. One primary goal was to continue the family unity once a year.

As the years have passed, those goals have been realized.

Beginning in 1955, through much fasting, prayer and hard work, the family started their journey to America, group by group. By 1962, the entire family had left American Samoa and now lived in Hawaii, mostly in Laie.

In 1959, Brother Fuimaono was overwhelmed with great joy as he was sealed to his sweetheart, along with six deceased and four living children, for time and all eternity in the Laie Hawaii Temple.

In 1962, the family moved again, this time to California. Two daughters (Suitumua and Maletina) and their families remained in Laie, Hawaii.

In November 1966, Sister Fuimaono passed away, followed by Brother Fuimaono's passing in July 1969, both in California.

Some in the family wondered if the reunions would continue after the death of their patriarch.

In 1970, the oldest son, Lene Fuimaono, reminded his siblings of their father's goals. With much pondering and prayer, the decision was made to continue the reunions and move again, this time to Independence, Mo.

All three sons (Lene, Atonio and Toli) and one daughter (Laine), along with their families, moved Independence, while four of Mateo's daughters (Maselina, Lesina, Leau and Ma'iomalo) and their families remained in California.

At present, there are over 800 family members, 97 percent of which are still active in the Church.

Since the passing of Mateo, each of the families of his 10 children takes a turn hosting the annual reunion. To accommodate the 250-300 attendees each year, camping is the best way to house everyone.

The six-day event is filled with many spiritual and fun activities. It includes a night of Family Home Evening, a day at the temple, a day for spiritual and cultural workshops, a day at an amusement park, many sports activities, a night of dancing and a time for talks and testimonies.

At the present time, four of Mateo and Pieu's 10 children are still living. The oldest living daughter, Maselina de Guzman, is the current matriarch of the Fuimaono Family.

This legacy of family unity exists today because of the Fuimaonos' testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is truly a blessing for them to know that families are forever.

They hope and pray the legacy will continue to the end.