Comments about ‘Vai's View: Vai Sikahema: Polynesian culture offers barriers, blessings, Part II’

Thank you Vai, for who you are and what you teach us. Great article as all of your blogs have been.

Beautifully written and beautiful people! Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us.

Thanks Vai you always have great articles. I am grateful for all the amazing Polynesian members of our church. I am also grateful and blessed that some are my closest friends.

This is the kind of story that needs to be told, how may cultures are in the LDS faith. This is opposite to the ugly and divisive attitude that those in the LDS CHurch who are against the Compact need to pay attention to. Yes, the same Compact the first presidency, the Prophet endorses. The LDS CHurch is losing converts to 7th Day adventists and Jehovah's witnesses due to this ugly anti immigrant attitude in Utah.

Vai,
Outstanding background. We all have our family legacies that our parents (grandparents...) left us. No story, but Christ's, is anymore important than another's. Thank you for sharing!

You have a lot to live up to young man, (But don't we all?)

Best regards,

It was another descendant of Sione and Salote Wolfgramm that was fulfilling the athletic prophecy at BYU that helped me appreciate the need to serve a mission- imagine that- a white kid from Utah needing a little help from so far away- so I lend my thanks as well and certainly hope Vai will keep sharing

Thanks for the inspired Brillant Article!

Vai, do they celebrate christmas in tonga?

Keep blogging, Vai. Don't stop. You are doing a world of good.

Excellent article Vai. Can anyone recommend a good book about the LDS Church history of any of the Polynesian islands / cultures.

Great article, Vai!

To TJ: A great book about the history of the LDS Church in French Polynesia (Tahitian Islands) is "Seasons of Faith and Courage".

Vai, that was a very touching series, both parts. You hit the nail on the head, not just for Polynesians, but for all of us. We all need to make the Gospel the top priority in our lives, and sometimes that means leaving parts of our cultural, family, and even personal traditions and habits behind. I love the positive way you speak of history and the positive way you challenge all to move forward. I was an LDS missionary in Tahiti years ago, and I say "Amen" to you closing remarks that those "upon the isles of the sea" are a favored people. Keep your columns coming! I love your sports stuff, but I have to say that this piece takes the cake.

I had the distinct privilege of serving a mission in Tahiti. My mission experience was a lot like that of Elder Groberg in the Other Side of Heaven. I have a deep love and respect for the Polynesian people and their culture. I am troubled by the problems that seem to plague many of the Polynesians who are trying to assimilate into our culture. There seems to be a huge disconnect on the part of many of the youth between what they have been taught and what they are willing to do in their spare time. I was told recently by a very wise Polynesian woman that she believes that the 2nd generation of Islanders don't fully appreciate the sacrifices that were made so that they could be here and theoretically have a better life. It takes a lot of guts to point out some of the problems/traditions that need to change. These principles apply to all of us regardless of our ethnic background. I tend to always want to talk football when I am around my Polynesian friends. From now on I am going to ask, 'how is school', before I ask, 'how is football?'

Wonderful article Vai. I had the privilege of working with many of the Polynesian missionaries at the MTC for several years. I strongly believe that Polynesians are naturally close to the Spirit and have a deeply rooted belief in God that is unlike any culture I have been exposed to.

No, the point is the COmpact supports sensible legislation. Not supporting our Prophet and the First Presidency in this is losing us coverts in the latino community. You would go against President Monson on this? Are you saying he and the First presidency are wrong in supporting the Compact?

Read his blog again - he is endoresing the Compact, saying those who do not support it are the cause of the church losing converts to the JW's and SDA's.

What does this article have to do with the compact? If people act on the truth they will join the true church. Compact has zero effect on church growth. People accepting the truth enter the Waters of Baptism.

Lds people also beleive in sustaining laws of the land too. And for the past century people have been counseled to stay in there own lands. Those that immigrate are counseled to obey appliccable laws too. Read the CHOI for that information.

Bro Sikahema - another terrific article and thank you for the "lesson".

Thanks so much for taking the time to write your stories. I think I've read all of them, and loved them all. This one really struck a cord. I hope you keep it up.

Amen! I have a deep love, admiration and respect for the faith of our original Tongan ancestors and saints. I love who I am (Tongan), but the gospel will always be #1 in my life - thanks to the examples of my parents and grand-parents who always put the Gospel first - without question and above all else!