The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Fiji

As of 6 April 2013, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reported 16,951 members in four stakes, one district, 48 congregations (27 wards[1] and 21 branches[1]), one mission, and one temple in Fiji.[2][3]

History

A brief history can be found at LDS Newsroom (Fiji) or Deseret News 2010 Church Almanac (Country Information: Fiji)

In the South Pacific, the church avoided missionary work among the people of Fiji because they resembled black Africans.[4] The first missionaries arrived in Fiji in 1954.[5] They only taught Europeans and Polynesians and avoided teaching native Fijians.[6] In 1955, the church issued a study and determined that Fijians were related to other Polynesian groups.[4] After visiting the island in 1955, church president David O. McKay, gave permission to teach native Fijians and ordained the men to the priesthood.

Missions

Suva Fiji Temple

On June 18, 2000 the Suva Fiji Temple was dedicated by President Gordon B. Hinckley.

 91. Suva Fiji Temple

Location:
Announced:
Dedicated:
Rededicated:
 Size:
Style:

Suva, Fiji
7 May 1998
18 June 2000 by Gordon B. Hinckley
21 February 2016[7] by Henry B. Eyring
10,700 sq ft (990 m2) and 71 ft (22 m) high on a 4.7 acre (1.9 ha) site
Classic modern, single-spire design - designed by Conway Beg

See also

References

  1. 1 2 LDS Meetinghouse Locator.Nearby Congregations (Wards and Branches).
  2. ↑ "Facts and Statistics: Statistics by Country: Fiji", Newsroom, LDS Church, 31 December 2011, retrieved 2012-10-18
  3. ↑ "Country information: Fiji", Church News Online Almanac, Deseret News, February 1, 2010, retrieved 2012-10-18
  4. 1 2 Gregory A. Prince, William Robert Wright. David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. p. 80.
  5. ↑ Douglas, Norman (June 1974). "The Sons of Lehi and the Seed of Cain: Racial Myths in Mormon Scripture and their Relevance to the Pacific Islands". Journal of Religious History.
  6. ↑ Manfred Ernst (1974). Winds of Change: Rapidly Growing Religious Groups in the Pacific Islands. p. 37.
  7. ↑ "President Eyring Rededicates Suva Fiji Temple: Major cyclone doesn't discourage Latter-day Saints' participation", Newsroom, LDS Church, 2016-02-21


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