The Church in Vanuatu

In the 1950s a few Tongan Latter-day Saints settled in Port Vila, New Hebrides. Ten years later, Tongan missionaries began sharing the gospel. After Vanuatu gained its independence in 1980, the government imposed a restriction on foreign missionaries, which lasted until 1991. In 2020 a temple was announced in Port Vila.

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History of the Church in Vanuatu

Latter-day Saints laid the foundations of the restored gospel in Vanuatu through years of dedicated labor. From 1981 to 1991, foreign missionaries and mission leaders were not allowed to reside in the country, and local Latter-day Saints, such as Saikem Jackson and Jack Hokau Taso in Port Vila, shouldered the responsibility for strengthening each other and sharing the gospel. Eventually, through a shift in political winds and the efforts of Saints like Edwin R. Basil, they were able to reestablish connections with the full program of the international Church.

The isolated nature of Vanuatu’s many islands has created strong local congregations that go to great lengths to gather together at the regional level. In 2003, Church President Gordon B. Hinckley visited Vanuatu. More than 2,000 Latter-day Saints from far-flung islands made great sacrifices and pooled resources to travel to hear him speak.

In 2005, the Book of Mormon was translated in Bislama under the direction of Mariella Kaun. Also under her supervision, Bislama interpretation of general conference broadcasts became available.

Vanuatu Latter-day Saints have weathered many storms, including Super Cyclone Pam in 2015, which destroyed many homes. As always, they have relied on each other to rebuild and press on.

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