October 29, 2025, 8:00 AM MDT
Fifty years after the restored gospel of Jesus Christ first reached the Pacific island nation of Kiribati, thousands of Latter-day Saints from across the country gathered to celebrate milestones in faith, education and growth, the Church’s Pacific Newsroom reported.
The nine-day commemoration in October 2025 included vibrant cultural celebrations and national devotions. The commemorative weekend also marked the establishment of the Tarawa Kiribati North Stake, the nation’s fourth stake, symbolizing continued spiritual and organizational growth in one of the most heavily populated regions of the world.
Currently, approximately 20% of the residents are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Festival of culture and faith
The celebrations began on October 18 with a cultural program at Moroni High School, a church-run school that has long been a pioneer in education and discipleship in Kiribati. Approximately 1,000 dancers from the Tarawa Betio, Tarawa West, and Tarawa East stakes and the Tarawa North district participated in 12 traditional performances celebrating local traditions and gospel values.
Among the dignitaries in attendance were Kiribati President Taneti Maamau and several government ministers. Mr Maamau praised the event and recognized the church’s contribution to education and leadership development in the country.
Elder Jeremy R. Jagi, a General Authority Seventy and second counselor in the Church’s Pacific Area Presidency, presided over the weekend’s events with Elder Iotua Tune, an Area Seventy and one of the Church’s early missionaries to Kiribati in 1979.
A new stake is organized
On Sunday, October 19, Elder Jagi organized the Tarawa Kiribati North Stake. The stake consists of five wards, including two newly established wards, and four branches.
The creation of the stake required the calling of five bishops, reflecting the rapid local growth and leadership development that has defined the Church’s presence in Kiribati.
During the meeting, Elder Thune reminded members that “the Lord will bless us now as we work together to build up the people of Zion with one heart and one mind in preparation for the temple.”
Kiribati’s first temple, Tarawa Kiribati Temple, which was announced to be constructed in 2021, is currently under construction.
Nationwide service activities
On the same day, Saints from all over Kiribati took part in a national devotional festival commemorating the church’s 50th anniversary. A children’s choir sang “Ana Tataro Te Tei” (“Children’s Prayer”), and Moroni High School’s youth choir provided additional music.
Elder Tune reflected on the early days of the Church in Kiribati and recounted how the Lord prepared youth to lead God’s work through education and missionary work. “There were many people chosen by our Heavenly Father to lead the church in Kiribati,” he said. “Many nationals went to Tonga to prepare.”
Among those who returned for the celebration was Saiosi George Moreni, a former missionary from Tonga who served at Moroni High School from 1977 to 1979. He spoke of his joy on returning to see the people of Kiribati “rejoicing and loving their church and their island.”
Mr. Marmau also addressed those gathered and thanked the church for the education and leadership development it fosters. He celebrated the contributions of Latter-day Saints to the nation, including many who currently serve in government and community leadership.
Elder Jagi also spoke at a devotional and honored the pioneers of the church in Kiribati, sharing photos and stories of important historical moments. He encouraged young people to serve in the ministry, continue their education and “make every day a joyful day.” Jesus gave a final invitation to everyone to strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ and prepare for the blessings of the temple.
Half a century of growth
According to the World History of the Church, the Church’s history in Kiribati began in 1972, when Waitea Abiuta, principal of Auriaria Kokoi Ataria School in Tarawa, contacted the Church-owned Liahona High School in Tonga for educational opportunities for his students. In 1973, 12 Kiribati students studying in the Liahona were baptized. Two years later, the first missionaries arrived in Tarawa, and within weeks 20 converts were baptized.
In 1977, the church acquired Auriaria Cocoi Atalia School and renamed it Moroni Community School (now Moroni High School), making it a center for both education and conversion. Over the next several decades, the Church’s influence expanded across the islands through faith, education, and service.
By 1985, 63 of Moroni High School’s first batch of 65 students were serving full-time missions, and several of them were the first Kiribati to serve abroad. In 1996 Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles proclaimed an apostolic blessing to the Islands of Kiribati and organized the first stake in Kiribati.
