Samoan Mormons remain resilient

Recently, Pacific Area President Tad R. Callister toured tsunami-weary Samoa, visiting the homes of several members who had been affected by the Sept. 29 disaster.

At each home he was welcomed by a Mormon bishop or stake president who was there providing spiritual and sometimes temporal support to the troubled families. For Elder Callister, such loving shepherding served as a reassuring symbol that needs were being cared for and that prayers were being answered. The physical and emotional scars left by the catastrophe will forever remain. There is much pain — but there is also hope and healing as people work and worship together.

The Samoan Mormons "have a remarkable faith in the Resurrection," said Elder Callister, of the Seventy. "They have a remarkable faith that God is good. They have a remarkable resiliency to bounce back.

"They have turned to God instead of away from God."

See the full story on ldschurchnews.com.

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This story is provided by the LDS Church News, an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is produced weekly by the Deseret News.