Trust in Jesus and Help Accelerate His Work, Elder Bednar Tells South Pacific Saints

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From the Pacific Newsroom

Members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the South Pacific united in faith as they listened to inspiring words and guidance from Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles during his May 2025 ministry assignment to the Pacific Area.

Elder Bednar, his wife, Susan, and members of the Pacific Area Presidency of the Church, along with their wives, visited Brisbane, Australia; Honiara, Solomon Islands; Port Vila, Vanuatu; and Suva, Fiji.

The leaders provided counsel to the Latter-day Saints in these countries and reminded them of the power Heavenly Father holds to bless and guide His children on the earth.

Australia

In Brisbane, Australia, Elder Bednar encouraged Church members to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and seek His guidance and power in their lives.

“We all have a responsibility to learn the doctrine of Christ, and, when required, be prepared to speak up,” he said. “The strengthening and enabling power of the Lord will enlarge your capacity.”

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After hearing Elder Bednar’s devotional address to young adult Latter-day Saints in Brisbane, attendee Hayley Vowels said, “The Spirit was present in the devotional and confirmed many of the things that were being shared. I know that I can do more with the power of the Lord and that I can learn more of His doctrine.”

Solomon Islands

The Church in Solomon Islands was established in 1996. More than 1,500 members of the Church currently meet in six congregations across the nation.

Elder Bednar encouraged members there to support their fellow Latter-day Saints in Church service. “You can help them succeed,” he said.

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He also invited Church members to “step away” from harmful traditions and “step up to live the gospel culture and follow the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Four hours before the start of the devotional, Latter-day Saints began arriving at Friendship Hall in the nation’s capital, Honiara.

Many walked to the venue; others traveled by bus, taxi or boat, excited to hear from an Apostle, a special witness of Jesus Christ.

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Elder Bednar likened Saints in Solomon Islands to early Church members in the United States and Europe, who, in the early to mid-1800s, were also new to living the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.

His address gave Velma Kenny of the White River Branch the strength to keep moving forward despite her struggles.

“It was like Elder Bednar was speaking to me. I started to cry because I face these challenges,” Kenny said. “I sometimes think, ‘Should I not go to church?’ because it's hard sometimes. But I felt I could keep going. I remembered that I’ve been to the temple. I have hope.”

Fiji

In Fiji, Elder Bednar met and addressed students at Church College Fiji, missionaries and other members and friends of the Church of Jesus Christ.

At a special stake conference attended by nearly 3,000 people on May 25, 2025, Elder Bednar stated that becoming a member of the Church will grant blessings and provide strength to overcome life’s challenges.

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“The time is now to lengthen our strides. The time is now to accelerate the work, to do more,” he said. “We have a responsibility to share with every soul the message of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

For Sister Dolavi of the Kadavu Branch, hearing from Elder Bednar in person was historic and a blessing that her family will always cherish.

“I am so encouraged that Elder Bednar said we need to move it,” she said. “We can’t stay comfortable. We have to move fast and share this beautiful gospel that even I have come to love, live and enjoy.”

Vanuatu

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Elder Bednar met with members and friends of the Church at a devotional in Port Vila, where he reminded attendees that becoming members of the Church means a willingness “to be changed” and “to be transformed.”

Elder Bednar compared the Church to a garden and the members to its seeds. “We are all growing and need to help and nurture each other,” he said. “We should be the most kind and welcoming people to everyone.”

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There are close to 13,000 Church members in 40 congregations in Vanuatu.

Devotional attendee Holore Elasinnen hoped Elder Bednar’s visit would bring peace to the people of Vanuatu after an earthquake in December 2024 damaged areas of Port Vila and brought hardship upon the people there.

“Members of the Church are gathering from all the Islands, and we are even giving space in our houses to help those from other Islands,” Elasinnen said. “They will go back with a great memory of what they heard, feel and see.”

During his visit to Port Vila, Elder Bednar also met with the Hon Jotham Napat, Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu, to discuss humanitarian needs such as clean water, education and emergency shelter.