Nearing the end of a tour to South Pacific islands, President Gordon B. Hinckley of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke Wednesday afternoon to a gathering of about 10,000 people at National Stadium in the capital city of Suva.
President Hinckley and his wife, Marjorie, are traveling with Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve and Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone of the Quorums of the Seventy and president of the church's Pacific Area. Elisa Wirthlin and Merlene Featherstone are accompanying their husbands.President Hinckley began his visits to thousands of members of the LDS Church on Oct. 10, stopping en route in Hawaii, to speak at Laie in conjunction with events commemorating LDS "Pioneers, of the Pacific."
In the days since then, he has delivered 11 addresses to more than 42,000 people on six islands of the South Pacific: the islands of Upolu and Savaij in Western Samoa; American Samoa; the Tongan islands of Tongatapu and Vava'u; and Fiji. He is to conclude his tour with messages to LDS Church members in Tahiti on Thursday before returning to Salt Lake City on Friday.
The meeting in Suva, located on Fiji's most populous island of Viti Levu, was representative of those the church leader has addressed throughout his tour.
His messages have centered primarily on his expressions of love for the peoples of the South Pacific, pleas for members of the church to keep the Lord's commandments, and encouragement for parents to keep watchful and loving care over their children.
National government and local civic officials have been among those welcoming the church president to the islands, including Samoa's prime minister, and Tonga's king. An official proclamation was issued by American Samoa's governor to honor President Hinckley.
In Fiji, President Hinckley entered the National Stadium by walking on mats that had been placed across the playing field to a podium area decorated with flowers and fabric with an island motif. After he was seated on the stand, Akeas Ratu, a Fijian young woman placed around his neck a "salu salu," a traditional lei-type garland presented to dignitaries.
During his address, he held the attention of the large congregation through inspiring counsel and personable humor.
Members of the LDS Church came from throughout the main Island of Viti Levu as well as from other Fijian Islands. About 100 came from Vana Levu, after traveling over dusty roads by bus for four hours and on a boat for about 12 hours.
"This is the first time most of the members from Labasa have come to Suva," said branch President Tipo Ralifo. "They were very happy to see President Hinckley. We love him. When he walked into the stadium and we all stood up and sang `We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet,' I could not hold my tears. I know we will be very different from now on. We will be better people."