A History of the Church in
Cook Islands
Overview
Beginning in the 1940s, groups of Latter-day Saints began forming in the Cook Islands, with the first branch formed in Rarotonga on October 6, 1946. A flurry of activity ensued as the Saints worked hard to build Zion, from the publication of Te Reo Tika (The True Word), a Latter-day Saint periodical, to the establishment of Primaries in Avarua, Murienua, Black Rock, Nikao, and Tutakimoa. Manu Cummings and Temauiarii James Vahua Ezekiela labored for decades on the project of translating Latter-day Saint scriptures, including the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price, into Cook Islands Māori.
Latter-day Saints worked to be contributing members of their local societies, holding joint activities with community groups such as the Akaroa Youth Club of Arorangi. They also gathered with each other to work on common projects, such as the work of the Aitutaki Branch to maintain the branch boat and raising funds for a branch trip to the temple in Hamilton, New Zealand. Branch members in Rarotonga regularly hosted groups of members from other islands who were en route to the temple in New Zealand.
Latter-day Saints have continued to serve in their communities, helping those living in poverty, assisting with disaster recovery, and protecting the natural environment. They have embodied the prophet Nephi’s exhortation to “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all [humankind]” (2 Nephi 31:20).