Area Leadership Message
Jesus Christ: Our Eternal and Sacred Puatalefusi
Heavenly Father loves all His children. From ancient times to the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in this dispensation, He has guided the faithful across deep waters toward lands of promise, fulfilling His covenants.
In the Book of Mormon, the Jaredites built barges under the Lord’s direction and sailed upon the great deep, trusting in His power. Despite storms and trials, they were preserved and brought to the promised land. (See Ether 2; 6.) Likewise, Nephi was commanded to build a ship. With his family and Ishmael’s household, they journeyed across the ocean, trusting in God and led by the Spirit to their promised inheritance. (See 1 Nephi 17–18.)
In the early days of the restored Church, faithful Saints in Europe heard the gospel through devoted missionaries. Their hearts were touched and their lives forever changed. With unwavering faith, they left their homes, boarded ships, and sailed toward Zion, seeking spiritual refuge and covenant blessings.
These faithful disciples walked in obedience, their lives marked by exactness in keeping the commandments—the true measure of discipleship.
They responded to divine instruction with humility and faith. Whether building barges, crossing oceans, or leaving homelands, they trusted in the Lord with full purpose of heart. Their stories are testimonies, living witnesses of conversion unto Christ. Their courage has strengthened my testimony and invited me to follow the Saviour with greater humility.
Through these examples, we witness that in every generation, the Lord calls His children to trust Him and move forward in faith toward the blessings He has prepared. Whether across oceans or through personal trials, He leads us to our spiritual promised lands.
A Safe Harbour
I remember growing up on the remote island of Vava‘u in Tonga. One thing stood out as I grew older: the pride and reverence my parents, grandparents, neighbours, and fellow citizens held for the name of our harbour—Puatalefusi.
I often wondered why this name carried such weight in their hearts, so I began asking questions. Though there were no written records, the responses were consistent and heartfelt. One truth echoed in every answer: the people of Vava‘u were known for their warm hospitality. In Tongan culture, this spirit is captured in the phrase “Fatafata Mafana”—a heart that is warm, compassionate, and loving. Eager to learn more, I found written history on the internet.
According to The Journal of Pacific History, in 1780 the Spanish captain Francisco Antonio Mourelle set sail aboard La Princesa from the Philippines to Mexico. The voyage across the Pacific Ocean was perilous—the crew suffered severe food and water shortages, and the ship desperately needed repairs as they battled infestations and deteriorating equipment.
In March 1781, “they first sighted Fonualei and after finding it barren called it Amargura (bitterness). They proceeded to Late but were unable to locate anchorage, so they sailed on to Vava‘u and anchored near the present village of Longomapu on 1 March 1781. Captain Mourelle called the harbor Puerto del Refugio—Port of Refuge—because of their desperate state and the warm hospitality they were shown. During their three weeks stay the Spaniards were able to reprovision and to repair their ship. They left Vava‘u on the 19 March 1781 . . . sailing to San Blas to complete their mission.”
This name, Port of Refuge, was lovingly adopted and transformed by the Tongan people into Puatalefusi—a name that now carries deep spiritual and cultural significance. It symbolises a physical harbour and a sacred place of warmth, compassion, and refuge, reflecting the Tongan spirit of Fatafata Mafana.
Our Port of Refuge
There are moments in our mortal journey when our souls feel weary and our hearts feel like Fonualei—bitter, scorched by trials, and distant from peace. We fall short, we stumble, and we feel unworthy because of sin. In these moments, our spirits thirst for healing, for grace, for refuge.
But the Saviour, in His infinite love, offers us Puatalefusi—a spiritual port of refuge—each week through the ordinance of the sacrament. The Saviour taught: “I say unto you, that it mattereth not what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink when ye partake of the sacrament, if it so be that ye do it with an eye single to my glory—remembering unto the Father my body which was laid down for you, and my blood which was shed for the remission of your sins” (Doctrine and Covenants 27:2).
The sacrament is a sacred space for covenant renewal, infinite compassion, and divine repair. Through His Atonement, we are invited to come unto Him, to be nourished by the bread and water of the covenant, and to be made whole. It is where broken vessels are mended, where we repent, refocus on our covenants, and where our weary souls find peace and joy in Him.
Let us walk in humility, invite friends to attend sacrament meeting, and trust in His word. He who led the Jaredites, Nephi, and the pioneers of the Restoration will also lead us to our heavenly home. Remember: no matter how far we’ve drifted, His love is constant, and His arms are always open.
I know that Jesus Christ is our Saviour and Redeemer. Heavenly Father loves each one of us.