Battlefields to Temple Grounds: Latter-day Saints in Guam and Micronesia

by R. Devan Jensen (Editor), Rosalind Meno Ram (Editor)

This is the first comprehensive history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Guam and Micronesia. Just as currents mingle while they make their way across the Pacific, powerful waves of colonial and Christian culture have intermingled with indigenous culture in Micronesia. European, Asian, and American nations have variously claimed or colonized the islands of Micronesia, exerting influence in politics, education, and the economy, treating the islands as strategic bases or resources. The indigenous people have reacted to each wave of colonial influence and adapted, intermingling cultures. After Japan's bombings of Hawai'i, Guam, and Wake Island, Latter-day Saint military personnel arrived in Micronesia. Waves of missionaries began teaching the military personnel and islanders, leading to creation of the Micronesia Guam Mission and the Marshall Islands Majuro Mission, which includes Kiribati. Some of these Pacific battlefields have become peaceful temple grounds.

498 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 27, 2023

Reviews

[Jared Dann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite an undertaking to summarise several hundred years worth of colonial and religious impact across many unique island cultures. Not only factual and educational but personal in terms of the experiences gathered by members of the Church of a Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In islands where oral tradition was the cultural norm, it is great to have a written record of the progress of the LDS church across Guam, NMI, Palau, Micronesia, Kiribati, and Marshall Islands.

[Bruce Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Temple grounds

Each chapter is written by a different author familiar with the island chain or country they are writing about. I was surprised that for most of the islands in Micronisa no real missionary work began until the 1970's. I enjoyed the conversion stories of locals and how they helped the LDS grow in their own countries. Very good book.