Mission guide
Papua New Guinea Lae Mission
The Papua New Guinea Lae Mission serves in a tropical country shaped by rich history, Christian service, and the growing Church.
- Tok Pisin
Papua New Guinea Lae Mission shirts
Every style made for this mission, printed when you order.
Papua New Guinea Lae Mission T-Shirt
$29.00
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Papua New Guinea Lae Mission Heart Map Shirt
$29.00
Choose size & color →I Glory in My Jesus, in the language of this mission
2 Nephi 33:6 as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.
Weak Things Become Strong, in the language of this mission
"I make weak things become strong" (Ether 12:27) as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.
More shirts in the language of this mission
Press Forward, in the language of this mission
"Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ" (2 Nephi 31:20) as it reads in the Book of Mormon for each language spoken here.
About the mission
Tok Pisin is the main local language highlighted for the mission. English is also used in Papua New Guinea, including in many formal settings.
At a glance
- Country
- Papua New Guinea
- Main city
- Lae
- Language
- Tok Pisin
- Time zone
- Papua New Guinea Time (UTC+10)
- Climate
- Tropical rainforest, with heavy rainfall throughout the year
- Church in Papua New Guinea
- 46,583 members, 96 congregations, 2 missions
A short history of the area
Lae was declared a town on March 31, 1931, occupied by Japan in 1942, and captured by Allied forces in 1943. It became a city in 1972 and is now Papua New Guinea's largest cargo port and an industrial hub.
The Church here
- 1961The first Latter-day Saint missionaries were sent to work in Port Moresby and Lae, but they were withdrawn later that year when the country closed to missionary work.
- 1980Sustained Latter-day Saint missionary work began in Papua New Guinea. A senior missionary couple began preaching in Port Moresby after the country became independent.
- January 4, 1981The Lae Branch was organized with Kelvin Horsford as president.
- 1981The Church received legal status in Papua New Guinea.
- August 29, 1982Robert Goisisi and Johnson Auda were set apart as the first Papuans to serve as full-time missionaries.
- 1995The first stake in Port Moresby was organized, with Vaiba Rome as president.
- 2011Papua New Guinea was the Church's fastest-growing area in the Pacific.
- October 2019President Russell M. Nelson announced a temple to be built in Port Moresby.
Temples nearby
Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Temple
Under construction · About 190 miles from Lae
Yigo Guam Temple
Dedicated May 22, 2022 · About 1405 miles from Lae
The Book of Mormon here
Missionaries in this mission share the Book of Mormon in these languages. Tap a cover to read it free.
Cover art is an illustration. Links open the free edition on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Before you go
Phrases to learn
- Gutpela moningGood morning
- Yu stap olsem wanem?How are you?
- TenkyuThank you
- PlisPlease
Foods to try
- Mumu (meat and vegetables cooked in an earth oven)
- Saksak (dumplings made from sago)
- Kau kau (sweet potato)
- Taro (a starchy root vegetable)
Fun facts
- Amelia Earhart was last seen flying out of Lae's airport in July 1937. She was never seen again.
- Lae is the starting point of the Highlands Highway, the main land route between the Highlands Region and the coast.
- Lae War Cemetery contains the remains of more than 2,800 soldiers and is the resting place of two Victoria Cross recipients.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.