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.