Kiribati: Chronology

1972 • Eita, Tarawa, Gilbert IslandsWaitea Abiuta, principal of Auriaria Kokoi Ataria School (AKAS), wrote letters to Church-owned Liahona High School in Tonga, inquiring about opportunities for his students to further their education there. As a result, 12 students were selected as the first of several groups from AKAS to attend Liahona High School.

April 6, 1973 • Nuku‘alofa, TongaThe 12 I-Kiribati students attending Liahona were baptized as members of the Church.

October 20, 1975 • TarawaShortly after the first six Latter-day Saint missionaries arrived in Kiribati, Kenneth M. Palmer, president of the Fiji Suva Mission, dedicated Kiribati for the preaching of the gospel. Within six weeks, the missionaries had baptized 20 people.

1976 • EitaThe first I-Kiribati branch was organized, with Waitea Abiuta as president.

1977 • EitaAKAS was acquired by the Church and renamed Moroni Community School.

June 29, 1977 • Gilbert IslandsThe Church received official government recognition.

July 12, 1979 • Gilbert IslandsThe Gilbert Islands became the independent Republic of Kiribati.

1981 • KiribatiBaitika Toum became the first of many Church members elected to parliament. He went on to serve as a cabinet minister for 13 years.

1985 • EitaOf the 65 students in the first graduating class of Moroni High School, 63 served missions. Four of them became the first I-Kiribati to serve foreign missions.

January 30, 1988 • Apia, SamoaTwenty-eight Saints from Kiribati participated in their first organized temple trip.

May 1, 1988 • EitaChurch members viewed recorded sessions of general conference for the first time in Kiribati.

August 10, 1996 • Betio, KiribatiElder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles rededicated Kiribati for the preaching of the gospel.

August 11, 1996 • TarawaElder L. Tom Perry organized the Tarawa Kiribati Stake, with Atunibeia Mote sustained as president.

May 23, 1999 • Kiritimati Island, Kiribati

The Kiritimati Island Branch was organized.

January 26, 2000 • TarawaChurch President Gordon B. Hinckley visited the Saints on Tarawa during a tour of the Pacific.

2002 • Salt Lake City, UtahThe Book of Mormon was published in the Kiribati language.

June 19, 2003 • Kiritimati IslandPresident Gordon B. Hinckley visited the Saints on Kiritimati Island.

June 20, 2014 • London, Kiritimati IslandThe Kiritimati Island Kiribati District was organized, with Naitinua Teitikai Tokinteiti as president, and included branches on Kiritimati and Tabuaeran.

October 2014 • TarawaChurch members volunteered to help construct a seawall to protect the community from flooding.

September 28, 2017 • Salt Lake CityThe Church announced the publication of the triple combination of the scriptures in the Kiribati language.

February 7, 2018 • EitaA memorial service was held at Moroni High School to honor victims of the sinking of the MS Butiraoi. The service was attended by government officials, Church leaders, and the victims’ family members.