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Maoris are the native peoples of New Zealand. Mormons are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a Restorationist Christian movement begun in the 1830's in the United States.

Mormonism is a very popular religion among Maoris. Mormon missionaries began proselyting among the Maoris in 1881, and within 20 years (by 1901) had gained over 4,000 Maori converts and begun 80 Maori congregations in New Zealand. Mormonism continues to be overwhelmingly popular among the Maori people. The popularity of Mormonism among the Maori people has been attributed to several traditional prophesies given by Maori elders:

Arama Toiroa prophesied in 1830 that the true religion would come from the east across the sea and be introduced by a white man who raised his arms in blessing (fulfilled by Elder William Stewart in 1884).

In 1845 Toaroa Pakahea also prophesied of the true church coming from the east.

In 1877 Apiata Kuikainga prophesied that when the true church arrived they would teach of salvation for deceased ancestors. (Fulfilled by Elders George Taylor and Edward Newby in 1885)

In 1879 King Tawhiao predicted that white men would soon come across the sea from the east to bring the true church, whose ministers traveled two by two and were not paid with money. These ministers would not go to the white men but would live among the Maori. In 1881 many Maoris told one of the first missionaries, John Ferris, that they believed the church was a fulfillment of this prophesy.

In 1881, Chief Paroa Potangaroa predicted that soon the true church would come from the direction of the rising sun, be taught by white ministers traveling in pairs and speaking the Maori language, and that these ministers would raise their right hands when they prayed. There would also be a sacred church with a great wall surrounding it (believed to refer to the Salt Lake Temple.)

In addition to the prophesies, Mormonism had some elements that were familiar to Maoris, many of whom were familiar with both traditional Polynesian religion and Christianity. Maoris were attracted to doctrines about contemporary prophets, blessing and healing rituals, personal revelation, connections between heaven and earth, focus on ancestors and families, God as an immortal man, Jesus Christ and God the Father being separate individuals, and degrees or levels of heaven. Rather than reject many of these traditional Maori beliefs as the Catholics and Anglicans had, Mormons confirmed that these were true doctrines and not only allowed but encouraged and actively preached these things.

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