GOVERNMENT OF SAMOA CONVEYS CONDOLENCES TO THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

[PRESS RELEASE]- Apia, Samoa, 11 October 2025] – The Government of Samoa yesterday met with representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Samoa to convey its heartfelt condolences following the passing of President Russell M. Nelson, who served as the global leader of the Church from 2018 to 2025.

The government delegation was led by Agafili Tomaimano Shem Leo, Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretary, who presented flowers and an official note of condolence in the form of a Diplomatic Note to be forwarded to the Church Headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Receiving the government’s condolences were Elder Faalogo of the Seventy, Fuimaono Tuugalei Lesa (Local Members Support Manager), Fuimaono Teo (Communications Council Member), and Faaofonuʻu Tumanuvao Evile Falefatu (Director of Communications for Samoa).

On behalf of the Church, Brother Falefatu expressed deep appreciation to the Government of Samoa for its kind gesture and thoughtful acknowledgment of President Nelson’s lifetime of service to the world and to the people of Samoa. Elder Faalogo formally accepted the Government’s gift on behalf of the Church.

President Nelson last visited Samoa in May 2019, a year after his ordination as the 17th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

ENDS

CAPTION

CEO Ministry of Prime Minister and Cabinet Agafili Tomaimano Shem Leo, officials and Elder Faalogo of the Seventy, Fuimaono Tuugalei Lesa.

[May 18, 2019]- During his Pacific Islands tour the late President Russell M. Nelson in Samoa, met le afioga ile Ao Mamalu o le malo, the Head Of State Afioga Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Sualauvi ll