Church leader visits areas affected by Samoa cyclone

SALT LAKE CITY — Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reached out to victims of a cyclone in Samoa this holiday season.

Mormon Newsroom reports Elder F. Michael Watson of the First Quorum of the Seventy and Pacific Area Presidency and his wife, Jolene, spent three days before Christmas offering words of love and hope to victims of Cyclone Evan, which hit Samoa Dec. 13. It was one of the most powerful storms to hit Samoa and American Samoa in 20 years.

While touring the area, the Watsons found many people had lost homes, property, crops and livelihoods due to the cyclone. They praised local church leaders for assessing the needs of members and assisting through the church's welfare efforts.

In the Magiagi area of Apia, they found the church's meetinghouse still housed 300 people who had lost their homes in the storm. Local leaders said two-thirds of those people were members of other faiths.

"My heart is heavy as I witness the destruction here," Elder Watson told a group of Latter-day Saints, "but I am greatly encouraged by your faith and spirit."

"Look around you," he continued. "You have each other. You may not have much of a Christmas this year, but you have your family."

He assured them that God knows of their circumstances and their faith.

The Watsons heard stories of courage as they toured devastated areas. "These brave souls are greatly concerned for their families," Elder Watson said.

The church's Apia Samoa Temple received minor water damage through a window seal during the cyclone. Several trees on the temple grounds and at other church facilities were uprooted or damaged. At least one meetinghouse was damaged.

Read more, including how missionaries helped the effort, at the Pacific Area Mormon Newsroom.