Mission guide
Tonga Nukualofa Mission
The Tonga Nuku'alofa Mission serves a Pacific island nation with a long history of Tongan Church growth.
- Tongan
Tonga Nukualofa Mission shirts
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Tonga Nukualofa Mission Heart Map Shirt
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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
Tongan is the mission's local language. Missionaries and families will encounter Tongan in daily life, worship, and community settings.
At a glance
- Country
- Tonga
- Main city
- Nuku'alofa (27,600 people, 2022)
- Time zone
- Tonga Time (UTC+13)
- Climate
- Tropical rainforest climate with warm temperatures, trade winds, and more than 1,700 mm of annual rainfall
- Church in Tonga
- 68,609 members, 21 stakes, 175 congregations
- Mission and temples
- 1 mission, 1 temple
A short history of the area
Nuku'alofa became a major center of Christianity in Tonga during the 19th century. King George Taufa'ahau Tupou I formally established it as Tonga's capital when he issued the Constitution of Tonga there on November 4, 1875.
The Church here
- 1891Brigham Smoot and Alva Butler arrived in Nuku'alofa on July 15. The next day, King George Tupou I gave them permission to preach.
- 1892Alipate, the first convert, was baptized on July 15.
- 1897The mission closed in April after fewer than 15 baptisms in six years.
- 1907Missionary work resumed under William O. Facer and Heber J. McKay, directed by the Samoan Mission.
- 1911Missionary work opened on Tongatapu on March 17.
- 1912By December, a meetinghouse had been completed in Mu'a.
- 1916The Nuku'alofa Tonga Mission was officially organized on July 8.
- TodayMore than half of Tonga's population are members of the Church, and seven Church schools continue to operate.
Temples nearby
Nuku'alofa Tonga Temple
Dedicated August 9, 1983 · Near Nuku'alofa
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
- Mālō e leleiHello
- Fēfē hake?How are you?
- MālōThank you
- KātakiPlease
Foods to try
- 'Ota ika (raw fish prepared with coconut milk and seasonings)
- Lu pulu (beef wrapped in taro leaves and cooked with coconut milk)
- Faikakai (Tongan dumplings served with coconut sauce)
- Feke (grilled or stewed octopus)
Fun facts
- Nuku'alofa has the only deep-water harbor on Tongatapu, which helped determine its selection as the capital.
- A former narrow-gauge railway from the lagoon to the wharf gave its name to Railway Road.
- Nuku'alofa is only about 3 meters above sea level, with a highest listed elevation of 6 meters.
Just got the call?
Turn the opening into a game: family and friends guess where the missionary is going before the reveal.