Walking into the Orem 18th Ward, visitors are enveloped by the warmth of the Fijian culture. Ward members meet visitors in the hallway every Sunday, men and women ready to extend their hands and offer a heartfelt “Bula,” the Fijian greeting that means more than just hello.
The Orem 18th Ward, created earlier this year, is one of just two Fijian-speaking wards in the United States; the other is located in Sacramento, California, according to Paul Whippy, a recently released Area Seventy for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“Bula means welcome — you’re welcome to our home, you’re welcome to the ward, and that is the same spirit that the Savior wants to convey, which is to show love to everyone and welcome them to His church,” said Tom Waqa, first counselor in the ward’s bishopric.
Beauty emanates from the bright smiles of ward members, an unspoken invitation that sets the tone for the congregation.
“That in itself will catch you the most,” said Micaela Ravia, first counselor in the young women presidency.
Their voices, proud yet reverent, resonate through the building as they sing in Fijian — melding together in unity.
Several members make it a point to approach visitors, not only to greet or introduce themselves — but to truly celebrate them. Ravia recalled stepping inside a ward conference meeting and being welcomed by an outpouring of cheerful “Bulas” from men lined along the wall. As she reached the end of the hallway, women stopped her to ask heartfelt questions, eager to know how she had been doing.
“You’re going to feel celebrated as an individual,” she said, reflecting on the experience she described as unforgettable.
Tradition meets transition
Many members in the ward have moved from Fiji to America and are learning to acclimate to a different lifestyle — one that often feels far from familiar.
“Adjusting is very difficult,” said Whippy.
Such adjustments, Whippy noted, involve more than language — they include various cultural rhythms, even in simple moments like returning home after church. In Fiji, where cars are less common, members stay and mingle after services before walking home together — a natural occurrence of connection. For those that have moved to America, where it is typical to drive home after church ends, similar experiences of connection can be elusive.
Though Whippy acknowledged the importance for members to adjust to American culture, he also emphasized the importance of sociality, and its integral role in the gospel.
Even though members are adapting to American ways of life, Whippy shared that the ward restores that sense of community for its members— creating a place of worship where culture and faith intertwine.
“Now that they worship together, their righteous desires have come to fruition,” Whippy said.
The ward through their eyes
Waqa received his calling when the ward was established last February. He shared that the ward has had a personal impact on him — worshiping alongside his family, including his cousins, has deepened his hope.
Waqa said that the creation of the ward has also strengthened efforts in family history and temple work.
Since its establishment, the ward has called individuals as temple and family history consultants. Some of these consultants, better known as grandparents to many in the ward, are retired and dedicate their time to assist others in family history work.
For Waqa, the ward has provided opportunities for him to perform ordinances in the temple for his ancestors, which he says “brings a different feeling.” Speaking about his great-great-great grandfather he did temple work for, Waqa said, “If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here,”
The ward’s impact has left a lasting impression on individuals who have seen its growth firsthand — among them is the ward’s Relief Society president, Bale Damuni.
Damuni said that while many feel the ward embraces their cultural identity, she has also witnessed visitors from various backgrounds — not just Fijian Saints — attend and feel welcomed.
“It just excited me because we have more common things that pull us together, but the base and foundation we stand on is Jesus Christ,” Damuni said.
After experiencing the joy in the Tongan and Samoan wards she had previously attended, Damuni, with tears welling in her eyes, expressed her gratitude for the ward’s ability to foster the rich culture unique to her people. She testified that through the ward, she has felt Heavenly Father’s profound love for his Fijian children.
“Once they’re here and they feel valued, and they feel the same love that Heavenly Father has for other units, then they can go out and do what they need to do,” Damuni said.
A long history
Although the ward is less than a year old, discussions about its creation began nearly two decades ago, when the Provo Utah Wasatch Stake was organized in 2006.
The idea for a Fijian ward first took root when Semisi Makai, the stake’s first president, noticed an increase in Fijian members. A proposal was submitted to the First Presidency but was ultimately not approved.
Still, members in the stake remained steadfast in their faith.
As the stake underwent several reorganizations over the years, talks of a Fijian ward resurfaced. In 2024, Mote Siufanua, Stake President of the Orem Utah Second Stake, drafted a proposal with the support of fellow stake presidents Francis Mateaki and Richard Paongo.
The proposal was approved by the First Presidency in January 2025, and a few weeks later, on February 9, 2025, the Fijian ward was officially organized.
Siufanua said its been “a long time coming” for the members who remained in the stake.
“I think its the Lord’s time preparing the people,” said Siufanua. “Being a part of that is amazing,”
