A Family of Faith

For many years, brother Fepuleai moved his family to wherever he was needed. As a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Samoa this faithful father of 12 raised his children in the gospel and forged for them a legacy of selfless service that the children continue to follow today.

President Henry B. Eyring, Second Counsellor in the First Presidency said:

“You will find some of your greatest joys in your efforts to make your home a place of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and a place that is permeated with love, the pure love of Christ. The Restoration of the gospel started with a humble question pondered in a humble home, and it can continue in each of our homes as we continue to establish and practice gospel principles there. This has been my hope and my deepest desire since I was a little boy. You have all had glimpses of such homes. Many of you have, with the Lord’s help, created them.”¹

Bishop Faagasa Fepuleai, one of those 12 children said, “today, all of our brothers and sisters and families are active in the Church and are faithfully serving in various ways . . . our parents (were) such a great example of faith, sacrifice and obedience.”

In fact, three of brother Fepuleai’s sons and one of his nephews are serving as bishops and branch presidents and all happened to be called around the same time.

Fitimalo Fepuleai serves as the bishop of the Campbelltown 3rd Ward in the Macarthur Australia stake. Bishop Faagasa Fepuleai serves in the Pesega 4th Ward of the Samoa Apia Stake. Bishop Adele Fepuleai serves in the Ingleburn 2nd Ward of the Liverpool Australia stake and their cousin, Shute Konrad Fepuleai serves as a branch president in Shepparton, Victoria.

There is a wonderful feeling of support and help in the Fepuleai family. As each family member strives to serve as they saw their father and uncle do so faithfully for many years, they reach out to each other for counsel and support to fulfil their responsibilities. The culture fostered by this great extended family is to love the Lord first and foremost and to serve Him with all their strength.

Speaking on behalf of the family members, Bishop Faagasa, said humbly, “We believe we are all in this work together. It matters not where we serve but how we serve.”