In March 2020, missionaries across the globe were sent home overnight.
But on a remote island in the Pacific, Pearce Nally and three other elders were left behind.

What followed was months of uncertainty, isolation, and a journey home few missionaries will ever experience.

#MarshallIslandsKiribatiMission #Kiribati #Tarawa #Kiritimati #Abaiang #Butaritari #Fanning #TheIslandsPodcast #theislands #PacificIslands #PacificIslanders #Micronesia #Covid

Episode 35: Pearce Nally - Kiribati - Kiritimati, Abaiang, Butaritari, Tarawa

She thought she was going to Guam.

Instead, she helped launch the Marshall Islands Majuro Mission — serving in Majuro as one of the first sisters in mission history.

Chelsea Murley Swain opens up about island culture, chiefs, corruption, faith, and what it’s like marrying into a Marshallese family. And yes — we talk about how she became the internet’s favorite “white girl speaking Marshallese" on the social media page “Family of Swain.” 

#MicronesiaGuamMission #MarshallIslandsMajuroMission #MarshallIslandsKiribatiMission #MarshallIslands #Guam #Majuro #TheIslandsPodcast #theislands #PacificIslands #PacificIslanders #Micronesia

Episode 34: Chelsea Murley Swain - Marshall Islands - Majuro, Guam

Chased by a man with an axe.

That’s not exactly how most missionary stories begin… but for Glen Monson, it was just another day on Onotoa — a remote outer island of Kiribati that had never been opened to LDS missionaries.

Cut off from the world, Glen bribed the island council just to borrow their WiFi long enough to send one unforgettable email to his mom: 

“I’m alive. You need to repent for your lack of faith… and please stop emailing the mission president before I get transferred off the island.”

#MarshallIslandsMajuroMission #MarshallIslandsKiribatiMission #Kiribati #Tarawa #Marakei #Onotoa #TheIslandsPodcast #theislands #PacificIslands #PacificIslanders #Micronesia

Episode 33: Glen Monson - Kiribati - Marakei, Tarawa, Onotoa

President John and Sister Robyn Larkin’s path to becoming Mission Leaders in the Pacific began with their own conversions to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That personal conversion fueled a three-year journey of sacrifice and "laser-focused" diplomacy across the tiny islands of the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, and Nauru.

#MarshallIslandsMajuroMission #MarshallIslandsKiribatiMission #MarshallIslands #Kiribati #Nauru #Majuro #Ebeye #Tarawa #Kiritmati #Ailinglaplap #Lae #Maiana #MissionPresident #TheIslandsPodcast #theislands #PacificIslands #PacificIslanders #Micronesia

Episode 32: President John Larkin - Mission President of the Marshall Islands/Kiribati Mission 2016 - 2019

Kade Price served in the Marshall Islands & Kiribati from 2013 - 2015. When Kade received his mission call to the Marshall Islands his parents were in disbelief... it was to his father's same mission. Kade's areas included two outer island stints; Ailinglaplap and then 6 months on one of the most remote outer islands in the Marshall Islands, Ujae. For Kade's last part of his mission he was called to be AP where he spent the majority of his time in Kiribati living on Tarawa and visiting a lot of Kiribati outer islands.

#MarshallIslandsMajuroMission #MarshallIslandsKiribatiMission #MarshallIslands #Kiribati #Ujae #Ailinglaplap #Majuro #Ebeye #Tarawa #Kiritmati #Nikunau #Beru #Tabiteuea #Tarawaeita #Abaiang #Maiana #Butaritari #Makin #Nonouti #Onotoa #TheIslandsPodcast #theislands #PacificIslands #PacificIslanders #Micronesia 

Episode 31: Kade Price - Marshall Islands & Kiribati - Ujae, Ailinglaplap, Majuro, Ebeye, Tarawa, Kiribati outies

Seth Ward was called to serve in Kiribati from 2013 - 2015. Upon arrival in the islands, Seth was sent directly to the outer island of Marakei for 6+ months and he would never meet his first mission president before he was released. Seth's mission transfers would take him from Marakei to Tarawa and then eventually out Kiritimati and Tabuaeran (Fanning Island). Amongst a mission full of miracles and adventures, Seth also managed to get in a citizens arrest while wearing the name badge... something most missionaries can't claim.

#MarshallIslandsMajuroMission #MarshallIslandsKiribatiMission #Kiribati #Tarawa #Kiritimati #Tabuaeran #TheIslandsPodcast #theislands #PacificIslands #PacificIslanders #Micronesia 

Episode 30: Seth Ward - Kiribati - Marakei, Tarawa, Kiritimati, Tabuaeran

Winston Farley served in Kiribati from 2013 - 2015 and continued on his involvement in the mission by teaching Kiribati in the MTC after his mission. Winston served on 4 outer islands in Kiribati - Abaiang, Onotoa, Nikunau, and Beru. Towards the back half of his mission, Winston was asked to go open the outer island of Nikunau. With no plan for housing and no connections on the island, Winston and his companion flew to Nikunau for the wild ride of establishing Zion on a remote outer island. 

#MarshallIslandsMajuroMission #MarshallIslandsKiribatiMission #Kiribati #Tarawa #Abaiang #Onotoa #Nikunau #Beru #TheIslandsPodcast #theislands #PacificIslands #PacificIslanders #Micronesia

Episode 29: Winston Farley - Kiribati - Tarawa, Abaiang, Onotoa, Nikunau, Beru

Josh Sherman served in the Marshall Islands Majuro Mission from 2012 - 2014 and primarily served in the Marshall Islands side of the mission until he was called to serve his last 6.5 transfers as the AP to President Weir. Josh grew a deep love for the Marshallese people and was diligent in his efforts to master their language during his time as a missionary. Although Josh never served full-time on an outer island he was blessed to visit a handful of outer islands in Kiribati, along with Ebeye, Kiritimati, and Tarawa multiple times.


#MarshallIslandsMajuroMission #MarshallIslandsKiribatiMission #MarshallIslands #Kiribati #Majuro #Ebeye #Tarawa #Kiritmati #Abaiang #Maiana #Butaritari #Makin #Nonouti #Onotoa #TheIslandsPodcast #theislands #PacificIslands #PacificIslanders #Micronesia

Episode 28: Josh Sherman - Marshall Islands & Kiribati - Majuro, Ebeye, Tarawa, Kiritimati, & Kiribati outies

FIRST SENIOR COUPLE ON THE PODCAST!!! Joanne and Jared Williams served for two years as a senior couple in the Marshall Islands / Kiribati Mission from 2023 -2025. Post Covid lockdowns, the Marshall Islands side of the mission did not reopen until March of 2023, and the Williams were the first senior couple to arrive in the Marshall Islands just a few months later. Joanne and Jared saw miracle after miracle as they raced to get the mission ready for a large wave of missionaries as the mission was reopening, with one of those miracles involving an Amazon loophole. Hear their story of dedication, including their efforts to visit and support the Saints on the outer islands across both sides of the mission.

If you know anyone that's willing, able, and healthy to serve in the Marshall Islands / Kiribati Mission we need more senior couples!

#MarshallIslandsKiribatiMission #MarshallIslands #Kiribati #Majuro #Ebeye #Tarawa #Marakei #Lae #Mili #Wotje #TheIslandsPodcast #theislands #PacificIslands #PacificIslanders #Micronesia #SeniorCouples

Episode 27: Joanne & Jared Williams - Marshall Islands & Kiribati - Majuro, Ebeye, Tarawa, Marakei, Lae, Mili, Wotje

Will Arnett served in the Marshall Islands side of the Marshall Islands / Kiribati Mission from 2023 - 2025. Will was part of the first big intake back in the Marshall Islands post covid, which meant he had 6 weeks of training from an older missionary and that was it. Will's mission did not only include preaching the good word of God, but also judging the swim competitions at the Micronesian Olympic Games.


#MarshallIslandsKiribatiMission #MarshallIslands #Majuro #Ebeye #Lae #TheIslandsPodcast #theislands #PacificIslands #PacificIslanders #Micronesia

Episode 26: Will Arnett - Marshall Islands - Majuro, Ebeye, jambo to Lae

Iakwe & Mauri! I, Darin Tingey, served a two year religious mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Marshall Islands and Kiribati which are two islands countries in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. These are two of the most remote countries on earth and boast beautiful oceans and rich cultures. In this show I sit down with other former missionaries like myself that served in the Marshall Islands / Kiribati mission and we discuss the islands, missionary life, food, culture shocks, conversion stories, living in huts on the beach and much more. Welcome to The Islands!

Darin Tingey

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