French Polynesia
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29,397
Total Church Membership
11
Stakes
97
Congregations
29
FamilySearch Centers
1
Temples
1
Missions |
History
In 1843, the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles called four missionaries to take the gospel “unto the islands of the sea” in the Pacific (Doctrine and Covenants 133:8). On Tubuai, Addison Pratt became the first Latter-day Saint missionary to preach in a language other than English. Benjamin Grouard established the Church in the Tuamotus; early native converts Haametua and Hamoe laid the foundation for Church growth in Tahiti. Telii, one of the earliest members baptized by Pratt, taught Tahitian converts to sing Latter-day Saint hymns, which they adapted to Polynesian singing styles.
In 1852, amidst religious conflicts between the French and the English, Latter-day Saint missionaries were expelled from the islands. For the next 40 years, Saints in French Polynesia maintained the faith in the face of persecution. Saints in Anaa, for example, were attacked, and five were executed after an altercation with a police officer. Despite limited contact with Church headquarters, local leaders endured imprisonment, spread the gospel, and organized a Relief Society.
After missionaries returned in 1892, Church programs were more fully established, and publishing efforts began. Saints built meetinghouses, gathered for conferences, and organized singing groups. In 1963, a group of Saints made the trip to New Zealand for the first Tahitian-language temple sessions. In 1983, President Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated the Papeete Tahiti Temple. Today, French Polynesian Saints honor their deep roots in the Church while reaching out in service to their community.
For Journalist Use Only
Richard Hunter
New Zealand
Phone: 64(9)488-5572
Mobile: 64-21-240-7804
Africa
Total Church Membership
791,837
Members
2,559
Congregations
Missions
40Missions
FamilySearch Centers
Temples
6Temples
Asia
Total Church Membership
1,281,560
Members
2,103
Congregations
Missions
45Missions
FamilySearch Centers
Temples
8Temples
Europe
Total Church Membership
503,692
Members
1,318
Congregations
Missions
36Missions
FamilySearch Centers
Temples
14Temples
North America
Total Church Membership
9,551,107
Members
18,426
Congregations
Missions
175Missions
FamilySearch Centers
Temples
113Temples
Oceania (Pacific)
Total Church Membership
591,950
Members
1,308
Congregations
Missions
18Missions
FamilySearch Centers
Temples
11Temples
South America
Total Church Membership
4,269,273
Members
5,616
Congregations