Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A historical marker was unveiled and dedicated in Aunu’u, American Samoa on Saturday, June 10, 2023, among a gathering of community and government leaders, friends, and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The marker commemorates the 1863 arrival of the first missionaries, Samuela Manoa and Kimo Pelio, to Aunu’u.

Elder K. Brett Nattress, president of the Church’s Pacific Area, dedicated the marker in a special event held in the Aunu’u church meetinghouse.

Elder Nattress was accompanied by his wife, Shawna Nattress; Elder Faapito Auapaau, Area Seventy; and President M. Fred Purcell and Sister Kylene Purcell of the Church’s Samoa Apia Mission.

Elder Nattress acknowledged the early Samoan Latter-day Saints for their willingness to “give so much and endure so much” to live by their faith in Jesus Christ and His Church, despite hardship and persecution.

Elder Auapaau spoke about missionaries making sacrifices to go where God needs them and “leaving their families [for a time] because of their love for God,” and “their willingness to face challenges because of their love for the people.”

“One of the lessons we learn from the early missionaries is to always progress forward and never look backwards,” said Elder Auapaau.

He encouraged people to “offer whatever strength you have to the Lord,” and promised “that it will be enough.”

Elder Nattress offered a dedicatory prayer for the historical marker, giving thanks to God “for the strength and perseverance of those first two missionaries.”

He dedicated the historical marker that it “may be protected and preserved; that all who come to learn, will reflect on the blessings that thou hast given them, that they will feel thy love and have a greater desire to serve thee and to be faithful to thy will.”

He prayed for God’s “protective blessing for our families and especially for our children, the rising generation. May they be true and steadfast in their testimonies of thy Son, Jesus Christ, that they too, will recognize miracles in their lives.”

Among the invited guests were local village chiefs and American Samoan government officials as well as Congresswoman Aumua Amata and Titiali'i Kitara Vaiau. In addition, leaders from other churches including the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa and Assembly of God were present.

Also attending the event were Dr Melanie Riwai-Couch, Church History Manager for the Pacific Area; Elder O. Vincent Haleck, Emeritus General Authority Seventy, and his wife, Sister Peggy Haleck.

A choir made up of Church members of the Aunu’u ward sang during the event.

Following the historical marker unveiling, families of the Malaeimi ward presented a cultural presentation of the story of the first missionaries.