My grandmother, Wetekia Ruruku Elkington, could trace her lineage back to Hoturoa, the Commander in Chief of the original Tainui Waka that arrived hundreds of years ago in Aotearoa—New Zealand.
My father, James Rongotoa Elkington,was born on Tiinui Island of the D’Urville Island group in the French Pass of New Zealand. My mother was Elsie Wolfgram Elkington. My parents and grandparents accepted Joseph Smith as the prophet of the last dispensation, and so do I! They were pioneers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the islands of the Pacific.
I have been to the beautiful city of Nauvoo and visited the temple there—“Joseph’s Temple.” I have visited Carthage Jail, where our prophet, Joseph Smith, and his brother Hyrum were martyred. I walked down to the banks of the great Mississippi River to the place where thousands of saints crossed to make the grueling trek west to Utah, where I now reside with my family.
West! Closer to the mighty Pacific Ocean, so that the early missionaries of the Church could take the Book of Mormon to my grandmother, Wetekia.
The Book of Mormon that was translated by the Prophet Joseph Smith.
The Book of Mormon, a genealogy of my ancestors, the house of Israel, who lived on this the American Continent. The Book of Mormon, a testament of the mission of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and a clear course back to Him.
I do believe that our ancestors would want us to be diligent in following this course.
Though my Maori language skills may be imperfect, I have a great love and respect for my Maori heritage and for the people of Aotearoa and I hope that all who read this testimony will feel that compassion, that "aroha."
