A History of the Church in

Fiji

Overview

Although Latter-day Saint missionaries traveling throughout the South Pacific occasionally stopped in Fiji, no attempts were made to establish the Church among the Fijian people until 1924. That year, Mele Vea Inoke Tidboald Ashley, a Tongan convert, moved to Suva. Mele Vea maintained her strong faith in isolation, with only occasional contact with the Church until about 1947, when Cecil and Amely Smith began holding weekly Church meetings in their home.

This small group’s efforts to share the gospel built a nucleus of Church members in Suva long before missionaries arrived. In 1958, just four years after missionaries were assigned to Fiji, Church President David O. McKay dedicated a meetinghouse in Suva, and a district was organized. When government quotas limited non-Fijian missionaries allowed in the country, local member missionaries traveled throughout the islands to preach. By 1971, branches were established on the three largest Fijian islands.

In the 1970s, Fijian Saints began translation of the Book of Mormon and other Church materials into Fijian, established a home study seminary program, and opened several Church-operated schools throughout Fiji. By 1980, the Church was a recognized part of Fijian society, with government officials attending meetings. In 1983, the Suva Fiji Stake was organized.

In 2000, during a coup arising from racial tensions in Fiji, the Fiji Suva Temple was dedicated by Church President Gordon B. Hinckley. In 2016, shortly after a devastating cyclone made landfall, the refurbished temple was rededicated. Despite occasional political upheaval and natural disasters, a diverse group of Saints in Fiji have rejoiced together, being “all one in Christ” (Galatians 3:28).

Quick Facts

Official Name: Republic of Fiji / Matanitu Tugalala o Viti / फ़िजी गणराज्य

Capital: Suva

Largest City: Suva

Official Languages: Fijian / English / Fiji Hindi

Land Area: 18,274 km² (7,056 mi²)

Church Area: Pacific

Missions: 1 (Suva)

Congregations: 52

Temples: 1 (Suva)