Latter-day Saints Participate in Coronation Celebration of Tonga’s King and Queen

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LDS Leaders, King of Tonga
Elder O. Vincent Haleck and Elder Aisake Tukuafu, greet His Majesty King Tupou VI during a Coronation event in Tonga, July 2015.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints celebrated and participated in a week-long Coronation event in honor of Their Majesties King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau’u. 

According to Mormon Newsroom, Elder O. Vincent Haleck, of the Pacific Area Presidency of the Church, and Elder Aisake Tukuafu, Pacific Area Seventy, led the Latter-day Saint delegations at various events throughout the week of celebration. 

Prince Ata, who was recently baptized a member of the Church, offered a gift to his parents on behalf of the Church. The royal couple were presented with a piece of art that depict the first King of Tonga, Tupou I. The first Mormon missionaries entered Tonga in 1891 and immediately met with King Tupou I to request permission to teach the gospel in his country, to which he obliged.

Currently, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who live in Tonga worship in 166 different congregations.

Kylie is a writer at LDS.net and graduate of BYU with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. She grew up in a Chicago suburb where she gained a passion for the Chicago Cubs. She enjoys writing and live event video production.