The Fulfillment of the Maori Prophecy

In 1881, William Michael Bromley was called to preside over the Australasian Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His tenure coincided with a remarkable period of divine preparation among the indigenous Maori people of New Zealand. In March 1881, just months before Bromley's arrival, a respected Maori chief and prophet named Paora Te Potangaroa convened a large gathering at Te Ore Ore. When his people asked him which of the various Christian denominations they should join, Potangaroa requested three days to fast and pray. Following his supplication, he prophesied that the true church for the Maori people had not yet arrived but would soon come from the east. He specifically described the future messengers as missionaries who would travel in pairs, pray with upraised hands, and bring a faith that would deeply bless the Maori nation. Later that same year, President William M. Bromley arrived in New Zealand. Although previous missionary efforts had focused almost exclusively on European settlers, Bromley felt a strong, inspired impression to redirect the mission's proselytizing efforts toward the native Maori population. When Bromley and his fellow missionaries began teaching the Maori, the indigenous people quickly recognized them as the fulfillment of Potangaroa's prophecy. The Latter-day Saint elders had come from the east (the United States), they traveled in companionships, and they practiced praying with their arms raised to the square. This miraculous foreknowledge and divine preparation opened the doors for the gospel, leading to the spiritual conversion and baptism of thousands of Maori people and establishing a lasting legacy of faith in New Zealand.

Fuller account of this event (as retold in Archaeological and Historical Evidence - Pāora Te Potangaroa's Prophecy):

In March 1881, a convention of representative natives from the Ngatikahungunu tribe of the Maori people of New Zeland was called to discuss political, social, and religious problems. It was evident that not more than one of the churches could be the recipient of divine inspiration nor be recognized as the church of Christ. After lengthy debate, they decided to present their problem to Pāora Te Potangaroa, the wisest chief and the most learned sage among them. He was aware that the true answer would not come without prayerful meditation and without invoking divine aid. After three days he returned to the convention and addressed his people. A scribe, Ranginui Kingi, wrote the words of Pāora Te Potangaroa's prophecy or the Covenant. Freely translated, these were his words: "My friends, the church for the Maori people has not yet come among us. You will recognize it when it comes. Its missionaries will travel in pairs. They will come from the rising sun. They will visit with us in our homes. They will learn our language and teach us the gospel in our own tongue. When they pray they will raise their right hands."