Video Interview on "Battlefields to Temple Grounds: Latter-day Saints in Guam and Micronesia"

Video interview with Rosalind Meno Ram, associate academic vice president at Brigham Young University–Hawaii and an editor of Battlefields to Temple Grounds: Latter-day Saints in Guam and Micronesia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_YBvapNOss

Battlefields to Temple Grounds: Latter-day Saints in Guam and Micronesia

Available March 2023! Battlefields to Temple Grounds: Latter-day Saints in Guam and Micronesia, edited by R. Devan Jensen and Rosalind Meno Ram (Religious Studies Center, Nāpela Center, and Deseret Book, 2023). This is the first comprehensive history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Guam and Micronesia. Just as currents mingle while they make their way across the Pacific, powerful waves of colonial and Christian culture have intermingled with indigenous culture in Micronesia. European, Asian, and American nations have variously claimed or colonized the islands of Micronesia, exerting influence in politics, education, and the economy, treating the islands as strategic bases or resources. The indigenous people have reacted to each wave of colonial influence and adapted, intermingling cultures. After Japan's bombings of Hawai'i, Guam, and Wake Island, Latter-day Saint military personnel arrived in Micronesia. Waves of missionaries began teaching the military personnel and islanders, leading to creation of the Micronesia Guam Mission and the Marshall Islands Majuro Mission, which includes Kiribati. Some of these Pacific battlefields have become peaceful temple grounds.

Sapwalap Branch, 1987-1990

Baptism day for Alicia and Roxie Helgenberger (front, left to right), with Rose (mother) in pink dress, Albert (father and branch president), with Mark Henry (right), Sapwalap, Madolenihmw, Pohnpei, 29 August 1986. Photo by Devan Jensen (missionary).

In August 1987 the Sapwalap Branch had only three active priesthood holders. One was Albert Helgenberger, who served as branch president and seminary teacher. His wife, Rose, served as Primary president. The Helgenbergers invited the missionaries to prepare nine-year-old daughter Alicia and eight-year-old daughter Roxie for baptism. The girls understood the commandments of God and chose to be baptized on 29 August 1986. President and Sister Helgenberger were very loving and kind to the members and missionaries. Following is an excerpt from the 1990 branch history.

Sapwalap History, 1990

In years past when the missionary couples helped run the branch, the wives of the branch presidents helped teach the women. One thing the sisters liked learning was how to make doughnuts. As Relief Society president, Sister Mario Nasson continued teaching the women how to do that.

Some of the women who have served in the branch were:

Dorkas Simon Ringlen: Relief Society president under Elders Grover and Bagley, Primary president under Elder Bagley

Elsida Henry: Relief Society president under President Mark Henry

Mario Nasson: Relief Society president under Presidents Albert Helgenberger and Samuel William

Rose Helgenberger: Primary president under President Helgenberger

Vasko William: Primary president under President William and Elder Bushman

Nelsiana Simon Kalio: Relief Society president under Elder Bushman

Seminary teachers:      Samuel William

Albert Helgenberger

Hewalt Alati

Sunday School teachers: Moses Simon, Albert Helgenberger

There has been one elder, Henry Henry, and one sister, Nelsiana Simon, who have served full-time missions for the church from Sapwalap.

Some of the events the members enjoy remembering were a Pioneer Day Celebration, a picnic to an outer island, and a young adult picnic that was held at Mand. All of the Branches combined for these activities and they really had a good time. These were held during the time when D. Willard Paxman was district president in 1985.

Two men were ordained elders 18 Feb. 1990: Etibel Ringlen and John Innowe. Brother Ringlen was set apart by district president Walder Simram and Brother Innowe was set apart by Branch President Bushman. President Simram called former branch president Samuel William to become a district counselor on that day also.

Micronesia's Coming of Age

"Micronesia's Coming of Age: The Mormon Role in Returning Micronesia to Self-Rule" tells the story of four U.S. administrators and several indigenous leaders who, after World War II, gradually transitioned Pohnpei, Chuuk, Yap, and Kosrae into the self-governing Federated States of Micronesia. The Mormon administrators were Elbert D. Thomas, John A. Carver Jr., Stewart L. Udall, and Morris K. Udall. The indigenous leaders included Dwight Heine of the Marshall Islands, Lazarus Salii of Palau, and Hans Williander of Chuuk (later a Mormon district president). After the conversion of Pohnpeian Ohren Ohry, missionaries successively went to Pohnpei, the Marshalls, Chuuk, Yap, Palau, and Kosrae. This article was published by the University of Guam's Pacific Asia Inquiry, vol. 7, no. 1 (Fall 2016). Feel free to share with friends interested in Pacific or Mormon studies!

Micronesians to Prepare for Future Temples

The Asia North Area Presidency, led by Elder Scott D. Whiting, invited Church members to study the new translations of the Book of Mormon, learn leadership skills, increase the number of convert baptisms, increase tithing and fast offering faithfulness, increase sacrament meeting attendance, increase the number of endowed members with a temple recommend, and prepare for future temples in Micronesia! To further these goals, the Area Presidency released a streamlined plan in January 2016.

Elder Scott D. Whiting, President of the Asia North Area Presidency.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeGyuigBBCw

Asia North Area Plan

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Asia North Area, we are a diverse group of Saints residing in the most technologically advanced countries in the world and on the beautiful, unspoiled isles of the Pacific. While some of our members are part of an emerging Church, others are well established in generational strength. As we look to the future, we see many opportunities for the Church and its members. By uniting together with clarity of vision and determination, we can prepare ourselves and the rising generation for these opportunities and blessings.

Vision
Because we want to live with Heavenly Father again, we
Love
Elevate
Simplify (or Learn)
Strive
Strengthen
Invite
And, Find Joy in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

See the full document here.

Sapwalap History, 1985-1990

In years past when the missionary couples helped run the branch, the wives of the branch presidents helped teach the women. One thing the sisters liked learning was how to make doughnuts. As Relief Society president, Sister Mario Nasson continued teaching the women how to do that.

Some of the women who have served in the branch were:

1. Dorkas Simon Ringlen: Relief Society president under Elders Grover and Bagley, Primary president under Elder Bagley
2. Elsida Henry: Relief Society president under President Mark Henry
3. Mario Nasson: Relief Society president under Presidents Albert Helgenberger and Samuel William
4. Rose Helgenberger: Primary president under President Helgenberger
5. Vasko William: Primary president under President William and Elder Bushman
6. Nelsiana Simon Kalio: Relief Society president under Elder Bushman

Sunday School teachers: Moses Simon, Albert Helgenberger

 
Seminary teachers:      Samuel William

Albert Helgenberger

Hewalt Alati

District Pioneer Day celebration, Sapwalap Branch, November 1987. Photo by Devan Jensen.

Alati and Helgenberger and Simon families and many others. Photo by Devan Jensen.

Sarina Saickul family and friends from Mand Branch at Pioneer Day celebration, Sapwalap Branch. Photo by Devan Jensen.

Playing games at the district celebration, Sapwalap, November 1987.

There has been one elder, Henry Henry, and one sister, Nelsiana Simon, who have served full-time missions for the church from Sapwalap.

Some of the events the members enjoy remembering were a Pioneer Day Celebration, a picnic to an outer island, and a young adult picnic that was held at Mand. All of the branches combined for these activities and they really had a good time. These were held during the time when D. Willard Paxman was district president in 1985 to 1986.

Two men were ordained elders 18 Feb. 1990: Etibel Ringlen and John Innowe. Brother Ringlen was set apart by district president Walder Simram and Brother Innowe was set apart by Branch President Bushman. President Simram called former branch president Samuel William to become a district counselor on that day also.

Naped Elias Tribute

First baptisms in Kolonia: Randy, Srue, Kate, Patsy, Alice, Naped Elias, Perden Samson (back), and Peterson Samson.  Photo by Chris Harrison.

From the missionary journal of Chris Harrison:

Our first contact with Naped Elias was the first week of February 1977. Elder Aldric Porter and myself were riding bikes through Sokehs Powe and from off the side of the road we saw a man waving us down with the Book of Mormon and several tracts in his hand. He introduced himself as Naped Elias. He said he had received the Book of Mormon from elders at BYU Hawaii as he went to school there in the summer of 1975. He said he wanted to pay us $.50 for the book of Mormon because the elders that gave it to him asked him to pay for it 1 1/2 years earlier. At this point we set a time to come back and meet with his family. On the second visit, it was a payday and he was very drunk. He begged forgiveness and asked that we pray for him. That was the last time in his life he drank alcohol!

On March 12, 1977, he, his wife Srue and his children, Patsy, Alice and Randy were among the first baptized near Palikar, Ponape. May 14, 1977, was Kate's eighth birthday. On this day his children Kate, Dusty, and a close friend, Asher Lucas, were baptized.

On August 14, 1977, Naped received the Melchizedek Priesthood and was set apart as Kolonia Ponape Branch President. On June 18, 1978, Naped and Srue traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii, and became the first Pohnpeians to be sealed in the temple.

In many ways he was like the first father of the church on Pohnpei. He led with conviction and by example. His family was so supportive. Nohno Srue was his angel that loved and supported in so many ways. She and the other early women of the church fed the missionaries so well and made many handicrafts to take home.

I remember when Naped built his outrigger canoe. He felt like it was one thing he had to do to prove he was a complete man to all the village. He and Perden Samson and Ehlen Edward along with others provided a solid foundation for the church to thrive in Pohnpei.

Kalangan, Naped. You are my eternal brother and friend.