A Nod from Heaven

We said good-bye to another group of missionaries. They leave with the love of Samoa in their hearts, increased faith and greater love for the Savior. They have touched lives and boldly shared the good news. We will miss them, but are confident that they will continue to influence others for good. The Lord loves them. We love them and miss them already.

Tofa Soifua

We also received our first big group of new missionaries. They come from all over the United States. We also have one from New Zealand and one from here in Samoa. It was energizing to be with them and feel of the spirit they brought from the Missionary Training Center. Every one of them was positive and anxious to get to work. We kept them for a couple of days in the mission home to allow them to rest and recover from their travel. As we interviewed each one, we heard stories of faith and devotion to the Savior. We are thrilled to have them; they will be a powerful force to move the work of miracles forward in Samoa.  Be sure to check the Life with Missionaries page for more pictures!

Talofa Lava!

Our new missionaries and trainers

One of the sweetest doctrines of the gospel is the doctrine of personal revelation. We are told in scripture:

"If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you." 1 Nephi 15:11

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26

We have seen over and over again how mindful God is of His missionaries. We had such a moment this week. When we consider transfers and placing new missionaries we diligently seek His help.  These new missionaries are unknown to us, but what is very apparent is that they are very much known by Him.  President Tolman assigned one of the new missionaries, Elder Anderson, to serve in American Samoa in an area that covers the small island of Aunu'u. Aunu'u is significant in the history of the mission because it is the landing place of the first mission president, Joseph Dean. (See the Mission page) Aunu'u is remembered as the place where the church had its beginnings. What we did not know until two days before the new missionaries arrived is that Elder Anderson is the great-great grandson of Joseph Dean!

As we labor to makes sure each missionary has faith-filled experiences we strive to listen and be mindful of His will. Sometimes things are very clear; sometimes we wonder if we have heard correctly. And then every once in a while we receive a little nod from the Heavens that He is there in every detail.

Elder Anderson and the monument honoring his great-great grandfather