Mission guide
Samoa Apia East Mission
The Samoa Apia East Mission serves in a tropical island setting centered around Apia, Samoa.
- Samoan
Samoa Apia East Mission shirts
Every style made for this mission, printed when you order.
Samoa Apia East Mission T-Shirt
$29.00
Choose size & color →
Samoa Apia East Mission Heart Map Shirt
$29.00
Choose size & color →
Samoa Apia East Mission Flag 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.
About the mission
Samoan is the main local language. Missionaries may also encounter English in schools, businesses, and travel settings.
At a glance
- Country
- Samoa
- Main city
- Apia (35,974 people, 2021 census)
- Language
- Samoan
- Time zone
- Samoa Time (UTC+13)
- Climate
- Tropical rainforest, with an average annual temperature of 26 °C and about 3,000 millimetres of rain
- Church in American Samoa
- 17,646 members, 5 stakes, 44 congregations
A short history of the area
Apia has experienced important events in Samoan history, including the 1889 naval disaster in its harbor and the 1929 Mau gathering known as Black Saturday. Samoa became independent in 1962 after a period of New Zealand governance.
The Church here
- 1863Kimo Pelio and Samuela Manoa, missionaries sent from Hawai‘i, brought the restored gospel to the Samoan Islands.
- 1863When additional missionaries did not arrive because of disruptions in the Church in Hawai‘i, Pelio and Manoa chose to remain in the islands.
- 1888Joseph and Florence Dean arrived, and the mission was formally opened.
- 1900Samoa was divided into a western, German-governed territory and an eastern, American-governed territory. More than 1,000 Latter-day Saints lived on the islands.
- Early 1900sThe Church organized schools and helped establish Sauniatu as a gathering center.
- 1969The first stake in American Samoa was organized.
- 1977President Spencer W. Kimball announced plans to build a temple in Pago Pago. The location was later changed to Apia.
- 1983The Apia Samoa Temple was dedicated, with contributions from American Samoan Saints.
- 2019President Russell M. Nelson announced new plans for a temple in Pago Pago.
Temples nearby
Apia Samoa Temple
Dedicated August 5, 1983 · Near Apia
Savai'i Samoa Temple
Announced · About 55 miles from Apia
Pago Pago American Samoa Temple
Opening soon · About 70 miles from Apia
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
- TalofaHello
- Fa'afetaiThank you
- TōfāGoodbye
- Manuia le asoHave a good day
Foods to try
- Palusami (taro leaves baked with coconut cream)
- Oka (raw fish marinated with coconut cream, lime, and vegetables)
- Fa'apapa (sweet coconut bread)
- Taro (a starchy root vegetable often served with meals)
Fun facts
- During the 1889 typhoon in Apia Harbour, the British cruiser Calliope escaped while traveling at only one mile per hour.
- Writer Robert Louis Stevenson, known in Samoa as Tusitala, is buried on Mount Vaea above Apia.
- Samoa has driven on the left-hand side of the road since 7 September 2009.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.