LIFELONG DREAM OF ATTENDING LDS GENERAL CONFERENCE FULFILLED FOR MORMON JOURNALIST FROM FIJI
Nemani Delaibatiki had been to Salt Lake City once before. In 1981, he was working as a reporter for the Fiji Sun and came to the United States as a guest under what was then the US Visitor Programme Service.
Last week, Mr Delaibatiki returned to Utah in what he describes as “a significant and historic trip” he’s still trying to digest. Not only did he have the chance to reconnect with old friends, but a lifelong dream came true as he attended the 188th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints live in the Conference Centre. “I always dreamed of attending the conference in Salt Lake City, so this is a dream come true for me,” he said. “I’ve just been blown away by my experience.”
Mr Delaibatiki, 65, and his wife were baptised in 1977 in Suva, Fiji. He said he was “the most difficult investigator” and took two years to accept the gospel after missionaries began teaching him. Throughout the years, he and his wife, who have 11 children and 28 grandchildren, have raised their family in the gospel. They have also helped lead their parents and siblings into the gospel and have been instrumental in bringing the church to their small village called Muanaira, Vutia, Rewa, near Suva, Fiji. “It’s been an amazing journey,” said Mr Delaibatiki, who was recently released as a group leader of a congregation of 70 that just applied to become a branch.
Mr Delaibatiki attended all five sessions of the general conference and said he felt blessed to be present during the historic announcements of the priesthood quorum restructuring, the ministering programme and the seven new temples.
His main takeaway: “less meetings and more work … the Savior’s return is pretty close so we need to hasten the work.”
“I felt the Spirit throughout the conference,” Mr Delaibatiki said. “Like I said, it was a dream, but it was true. I was sitting there and listening to the prophet and the apostles and general authorities.”
One of the highlights of the general conference for him was seeing an old friend, Elder Taniela B. Wakolo, who spoke during the Saturday afternoon session.
Mr Delaibatiki said he has known Elder Wakolo since Elder Wakolo was converted to the gospel.
Prior to his call as a General Authority Seventy, Elder Wakolo was the service centre manager at the church’s Fiji Service Centre, according to lds.org.
Last week, Mr Delaibatiki also toured the Welfare Square in Salt Lake City.
He said both members and nonmembers alike in Fiji have received help from LDS Charities and he enjoyed seeing firsthand “the massive operation” of everything from food processing to medical equipment. “I’ve often wondered how the church is able to do all this, but after I went through the tour I found out that the majority of people who make it happen are members who volunteer their services. That for me is a very touching experience,” he said.
Work did not stop for Mr Delaibatiki during his visit. While in Utah, Mr Delaibatiki wrote a piece for the
Fiji Sun about sustaining President Russell M. Nelson and an article featuring two Fijian players on the Utah Warriors Rugby team.
“It’s been an eye-opener for me,” he said of his time in Utah. “I’ve learned a lot of things. It not only reaffirms some of the things we are doing in Fiji, but it’s something we can build on when we go back.”
I’ve often wondered how the church is able to do all this, but after I went through the tour I found out that the majority of people who make it happen are members who volunteer their services. That for me is a very touching experience. Nemani Delaibatiki