POHNPEI, Micronesia — A group of Church members from Pohnpei crossed the North Pacific Ocean in July to attend the Manila Philippines Temple. The journey was the first temple trip for members from Pohnpei, part of the Micronesia Guam Mission.
During the trip, 35 Church members, including eight families, received temple ordinances.
There were many roadblocks, hurdles and challenges for those that were making plans to go to the temple. Each challenge, however, was overcome, said Elder Stratford Murdock and Sister Nita Murdock, senior missionaries serving in Pohnpei.
After the first day in the temple when living ordinances were performed, there was almost a frantic effort by the members to get as many of their ancestors' ordinance work done as possible. Leaving to return home was a hardship because many names had not been finished.
To come back again next year or as soon as possible is now a goal for everyone who went on the trip in spite of the exorbitant cost and the sacrifice necessary to make such a lengthy trip, which is more than 5,000 miles round trip, said Elder and Sister Murdock.
Plans are already under way for another temple trip in 2007.