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!