Local Pages
Sauniatu: A Sacred Place to Learn and Go Forth
For nearly 120 years, 800 acres in the beautiful Sauniatu valley in Samoa has been considered holy and set apart as a gathering place of refuge and safety.
The two-hundred young people who came to Sauniatu for a three-day youth conference in April continued the rich history of gathering and learning in that sacred place.
Alema Tamala, president of the Upolu Samoa Nuumau Stake felt very strongly about organising this conference. His intent was to focus the hearts of his stake’s youth on Jesus Christ.
President Tamala explained more about the purpose of this event: “We want [the youth] to know that they can do all things through Christ. We want them to focus on Christ. We want them to understand that they have a heritage of faith and that they need to prepare themselves to serve missions for the Lord. We really emphasised learning to become self-reliant . . . being able to contribute to their families, communities and Church.”
Holding the conference in Sauniatu reinforced their messages.
Many of Samoa’s early Saints were exiled, persecuted and even executed for their faith. In 1904, prophet and President of the Church, Joseph F. Smith (1838–1918), directed the purchase of 800 fertile acres up in the green hills of rural Upolu. This land would provide a refuge for members of the Church.
The people praised the Lord for His kindness and dedicated the 800 acres with a prayer that it might “become a choice land and a fit place for Saints to gather and become a choice people of the Lord.” They then voted to call this place: “Sauniatu,” which means “prepare to go forth.”
Starting over wasn’t easy but the early villagers moved forward in faith, planting crops, building homes and chapels, and founding a school for their children.
In May 1921, President David O. McKay (1873–1970), then of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, visited Sauniatu. He was so beloved that his departure brought great sorrow to the people, who wept and kissed his hands as they sang their farewells. The scene was so tender and heart-wrenching that Elder McKay dismounted his horse, hung his umbrella on a tree branch, and raised his hands to leave an apostolic blessing upon the land and the people of Sauniatu.
Today, a monument stands where that event took place. A portion of the apostolic blessing is shared on its plaque. President McKay blessed the people that their hands would be able to produce the necessities and comforts of life. He prayed that the plantations would be fruitful, and the leaders would be wise. He asked for a special blessing on the mothers, fathers, young men and women, and especially the little children. Above all, he prayed that they might have a ‘clear understanding of the truth’ and make rapid progress in gaining a knowledge of God and His work. ‘May thy peace abide here in the village of Sauniatu.’
The youth group from Nuumau felt the significance of Sauniatu. One of their leaders, Bishop Francis Leung Wo, believes they gained an appreciation for the challenges their ancestors faced and for the sacrifices they made. “Many kids . . . were grateful to be in this sacred place.”
The youth also took to heart a great lesson from the conference about self-reliance. “I gave the youth a worksheet to fill out and watched them wait for pens,” Bishop Leung Wo recounts. “I told them that they should have come prepared with their own pens—that is part of being responsible. They need to learn to take care of their own needs.”
Fifteen-year-old Faleapuna L. brought a pen but discovered that he couldn’t both share it with others and complete the worksheet himself. He said, “I brought a pen today, but it wasn’t enough. I learned that I need to have a pen for myself and a couple of spares to share with others.”
Brenda F., 17, was impressed with the feeling of friendship and love she felt during their conference. “I liked making new friends and being with our leaders.”
She added, “My favorite things were our discussions about being self-reliant. I want . . . to serve a mission and I learned that I must know how to take care of myself so that I can care for others. I also learned that I can do all things through Christ. I pray every day for His help.”
Visitors to the ethereal Sauniatu will notice a large statement spelled out in white stones on a lush hillside. It reads: “Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve.”
“This is a learning place for anyone who comes here,” says Bishop Wo. “You are expected to serve others when you leave, to build the kingdom of God. Our kids understand that.”
One hundred and twenty years on, Sauniatu continues to be a place to prepare to go forth.