At the fireside to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Laie, Elder Christofferson offered a brief history of the town and the building of the temple. He spoke about the importance of Laie within the church in the Pacific, and the struggles Laie has faced throughout time. “The last 150 years have been a story of economic struggle and survival, and of spiritual labor and sacrifice,” said Elder Christofferson. “Laie has grown from a plantation to a community of Saints. Kings and queens, a president of the United States, and apostles of the Lord have visited here and have praised the children, the families, the order, the beauty, and the spirit of Laie.” Elder Christofferson also spoke of the builders of Laie, saying they “reached out to others with the gospel of Jesus Christ. They endured disappointment and poverty and hardship. But they also enjoyed life with luaus and swimming and dancing and telling stories and laughing.” He added those who were called of God did their best to spiritually nourish the members, and people stayed strong in the faith. To show the effects that Laie has had on the world, Elder Christofferson said, “Thousands have qualified for salvation and eternal life and have gone on to their reward. Other millions are blessed by the influence of those who lived, studied, served and worshipped here, and are extending those blessings to others, especially in their own families in many parts of the world.” During his remarks at the rededication of the dormitories, Elder Christofferson spoke about the sacrifice that previous service missionaries and generations gave to make the campus possible. “I hope that, as you reflect upon this day and what was built here, that it will be a symbol to you of the sacrifice, the effort, and the manifestation of faith of those who have gone before and that we will similarly follow that same pattern of faith.”Uploaded Nov. 12, 2015
Writer: Camron Stockford
