The Prime Minister of Tonga, Dr ʻAisake Valu Eke, has ordered all national flags across the Kingdom to be flown at half-mast on Wednesday, 8 October 2025.
This is to honour the late Russell M. Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), who passed away on 29 September in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 101.
Dr Nelson, revered globally as a prophet and spiritual leader, was the oldest serving head of the LDS Church and credited with leading transformative policy changes during the final decade of his life.
His passing marks the end of an era for the church, which has seen significant growth in Tonga and among the Tongan diaspora.
Tonga: The World’s Most Mormon Country
Tonga holds the distinction of being the world’s most Mormon country per capita.
According to the Tonga Department of Statistics, the 2011 census recorded 18,554 Mormons (18%), surpassing 15,441 Catholics (15%), making Mormonism the second-largest Christian denomination in the Kingdom after Methodism.
This marks a notable shift from the 1996 census, where Catholics outnumbered Mormons.
The island of Vavaʻu has the highest concentration of Mormons at 18.5%, while Niuafoʻou and Niuatoputapu have the lowest, with only 4% identifying as LDS.
The village of Matahau in Tongatapu stands out, with 400 of its 628 residents identifying as Mormon.
The LDS Church also maintains a strong presence among Tongans living abroad, particularly in the United States.
A Legacy Remembered
Dallin H. Oaks, widely expected to succeed Dr Nelson as the next president of the LDS Church, described him as a man of “extraordinary modesty for someone with such great accomplishments.”
The Prime Minister’s decree reflects the deep cultural and spiritual ties between Tonga and the LDS Church, and acknowledges the profound impact Dr Nelson had on the lives of many Tongans.
