Pacific Islands Area Authority Seventy

Elder Eugene E. F. W. Reid, who was named to the Third Quorum of the Seventy on 5 April 1997, was first introduced to the Church when he began dating Ruthdelene Tuputausi, a young woman who invited him to attend Mutual in Pago Pago, American Samoa. He enjoyed the meetings with other youth, and later, when he left to attend school in New Zealand, he decided to contact the missionaries.

“I didn’t know how to find them,” he says. “The only place I could think of to go to find out was the local police station. There, the officer told me, ‘Don’t you know that Mormons are not Christian?’ I laughed and responded, ‘I didn’t come for a lecture.’” Eugene was given the address of the branch president and went to his home. The president assured him the missionaries would stop by the next day.

He was baptized in June 1966. “After my baptism, my friends were curious to find out why I’d joined,” recalls Elder Reid. “I told them, ‘My life has changed, and I feel happy.’” The next year he married his sweetheart, Ruthdelene.

Elder Reid was born on 17 December 1943. He graduated from St. Paul’s College in Auckland and attended Otago University, then went into business for himself. His business interests have included fast foods, a grocery store, and a dry cleaning and laundromat business.

The Reids, who were sealed in the New Zealand Temple, have 13 children—8 boys and 5 girls. Six have already served missions, a seventh is currently serving in the Honolulu Hawaii Mission, and the eighth has just received a call to the Panama Panama City Mission. “As a father I give my children blessings before the beginning of every school year. After each semester we discuss their report cards and set goals together for the coming semester. We hold family home evening and gather for scripture reading and family prayer. I love my children and enjoy being with them.”

Both Elder and Sister Reid have enjoyed a variety of sports over the years, including basketball, tennis, golf, and racquetball. Their children share their enthusiasm for sports and play on school teams. “As busy as we are in our business and Church assignments,” he says, “we always make a point to be with our children when they play sports.” One of their sons, Spencer, plays professional football in the United States.

Elder Reid has served as a branch president, stake president, and regional representative. “The Church has helped me to become closer to Heavenly Father and to my family,” he says. “It has given me the strength to spread this blessing to friends and relatives.”

Elder Eugene E. F. W. Reid and his wife, Ruthdelene. Above: Elder Reid, back row center, and Ruthdelene, seated in center, and their 13 children at a recent family reunion.