Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles discussed education with Prime Minister of Samoa Fiame Naomi Mata'afa during a meeting in Apia, Samoa's capital, on Friday, March 22, 2024.
“We discussed opportunities for churches to implement the BYU Pathway. [Worldwide] And she was very excited about the prospect,” Elder Rasband said.
| Temple Square is always beautiful in the spring. The gardeners are preparing for general conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
Download photos
The Prime Minister said he expressed concern that many young people were leaving Samoa in search of work.
“We will now work with her and local church leaders to improve the education, especially at the university level, of returned missionaries, young adults and young single adults so that they have a desire to remain here in Samoa.” We will continue to focus on that,” said a senior church leader.
The apostle is on a 10-day mission in four countries in the South Pacific, including Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji.
Elder Rasband was joined at the government meeting by Elder Paul V. Johnson, a General Authority Seventy, and his wife, Jill. Elder Jeremy R. Jaggi, General Authority Seventy, Second Counselor in the Pacific Area Presidency, and his wife Amy. and Elder Sapele Faalogo Jr. of the Area Seventy.
“I think she was excited and responded positively to the opportunity to be with The Church of Jesus Christ,” Elder Faalogo added.
“She had a lot of respect for the church and the people of the church and said they were very good citizens,” Elder Rasband said.
Approximately 88,000 Latter-day Saints live in Samoa. One in four residents is a member of a church.
Elder Rasband said he recalled the prime minister's visit to the church's headquarters in Utah last September.
BYU Pathway Worldwide is supported by the Church. This program offers a spiritually-based degree online.
Elder Rasband will conclude his mission in Fiji on Monday, where he will meet with the island nation's prime minister.
