Pacific Area President Peter F. Meurs Speaks Directly to Papua New Guinea in a National Radio Broadcast

On Friday, 29 November 2024, radio listeners across all of Papua New Guinea heard something they’d never heard before:  A General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints speaking to them directly about the love of the Saviour, the blessings of being part of His Church, and the future impact of a dedicated temple in this Pacific nation.

Pacific Area President of the Church of Jesus Christ and General Authority Seventy, Elder Peter F. Meurs, was visiting Papua New Guinea when the country’s National Broadcasting Company invited him to be interviewed live on the national radio network that covers the entire nation.   

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In a cordial and free-ranging conversation, Elder Meurs expressed his appreciation for working alongside the other Christian churches and organizations doing such wonderful work in the country. 

Elder Meurs spoke of the Church’s humanitarian support of projects that provide disaster relief, along with clean water and medical projects that improve health and wellbeing in both rural and urban areas.   

“It is wonderful to be a part of the great work of Christ being done here in Papua New Guinea.

He also spoke of the spiritual blessings that will come with the dedication of the Church’s first temple in Papua New Guinea, where special ordinances will be performed to strengthen individuals and seal families together for eternity. 

“Before that dedication,” he said, “everyone, whether they are members of the Church or not, will have the opportunity to walk through the temple and feel its power to bless their lives. And for Papua New Guinea to have a temple is very, very significant.” 

Elder Meurs also spoke about the power of righteous families in the Lord’s Church. 

“The Church is entirely motivated by blessing people’s lives.  And what we see as our young missionaries go and invite people to join with us, it brings great joy to them and their families. We see whole families coming into the Church together…and we believe that families can not only be together on earth, but that they can be together forever.”

Towards the end of the discussion, Elder Meurs was asked if there was anything he would like to say to the people of Papua New Guinea. 

“The main thing I’d like to say,” he responded, “is that we have a loving Heavenly Father. We are His children. We’re all brothers and sisters. He loves us more than we can imagine, and He wants us to return to Him again. 

"And his Son, Jesus Christ, is our Saviour and Redeemer. He makes it possible for us to change and become who we need to be. He not only paid the price for our sins, but He knows how to bless us and help us with all of our struggles and challenges. And I testify of Them—a loving Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.”

Following the live national broadcast, Elder Meurs was thanked by NBC producer and presenter, Enos Kalo, for his message. Kalo invited Elder Meurs to return to NBC during his next visit to Papua New Guinea. 

For the network’s many listeners across the country, it was an opportunity to hear an ordained representative of Jesus Christ bear testimony of the Saviour’s love for all His children, wherever they may live in their beautiful homeland.