Kiribati: Chronology

Waitea Abiuta, principal of Auriaria Kokoi Ataria School (AKAS), wrote letters to Church-owned Liahona High School in Tonga, inquiring about opportunities for his students to further their education there. As a result, 12 students were selected as the first of several groups from AKAS to attend Liahona High School.

The 12 I-Kiribati students attending Liahona were baptized as members of the Church.

Shortly after the first six Latter-day Saint missionaries arrived in Kiribati, Kenneth M. Palmer, president of the Fiji Suva Mission, dedicated Kiribati for the preaching of the gospel. Within six weeks, the missionaries had baptized 20 people.

The first I-Kiribati branch was organized, with Waitea Abiuta as president.

AKAS was acquired by the Church and renamed Moroni Community School.

The Church received official government recognition.

The Gilbert Islands became the independent Republic of Kiribati.

Baitika Toum became the first of many Church members elected to parliament. He went on to serve as a cabinet minister for 13 years.

Of the 65 students in the first graduating class of Moroni High School, 63 served missions. Four of them became the first I-Kiribati to serve foreign missions.

Twenty-eight Saints from Kiribati participated in their first organized temple trip.

Church members viewed recorded sessions of general conference for the first time in Kiribati.

Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles rededicated Kiribati for the preaching of the gospel.

Elder L. Tom Perry organized the Tarawa Kiribati Stake, with Atunibeia Mote sustained as president.

Church President Gordon B. Hinckley visited the Saints on Tarawa during a tour of the Pacific.

The Book of Mormon was published in the Kiribati language.

President Gordon B. Hinckley visited the Saints on Kiritimati Island.

The Kiritimati Island Kiribati District was organized, with Naitinua Teitikai Tokinteiti as president, and included branches on Kiritimati and Tabuaeran.

Church members volunteered to help construct a seawall to protect the community from flooding.

The Church announced the publication of the triple combination of the scriptures in the Kiribati language.

A memorial service was held at Moroni High School to honor victims of the sinking of the MS Butiraoi. The service was attended by government officials, Church leaders, and the victims’ family members.