Every Monday morning, in a conference room on the third floor of the One Stop Shop in Palau, The Honorable Surangel Whipps Jr., President of the Republic of Palau, hosts his weekly devotional.
On April 22, 2026, missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were invited to share a message during the gathering. Joining President Whipps were the Minister of Justice and Chief of Staff.
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Missionaries wait in the conference room for the arrival of President Whipps.2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.In preparation, missionaries serving on the island practiced selected hymns in Palauan. The devotional opened with the hymn “Ngsoak el Kmeed er Kau” (“Nearer, My God, to Thee”), followed by an opening prayer in Palauan offered by Elder Ethan Bellamy (Kaysville, Utah), who has served in Palau for nearly 18 months.
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Elder Estoy (seated on guitar), Sister Evangeline Andrew, Elder Bellamy, Elder Mangubat, Elder Myers, Sister Barker, and Sister Liutai sing "Nearer My God to Thee" in Palauan at the recent President's Devotional in Palau. 2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.After brief introductions of the eight missionaries in attendance, along with Koror Branch Relief Society President Evangeline Andrew, Elder Bellamy and Elder David Myers (Orem, Utah) performed a musical number, “Rubak el Dios” (“How Great Thou Art”). All musical selections were accompanied on guitar by Elder Gabriel Estoy of the Philippines.
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Elder Bellamy and Elder Myers sing "How Great Thou Art" in Palaun for the President of Palau at his recent devotional. 2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Elder J.D. Rottweiler (Sierra Vista, Arizona), an Area Communications and Public Affairs missionary for the Asia North Area, then delivered a message drawing on the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew chapter 5. He encouraged those in attendance to reflect on their roles as public servants, saying, “I bless you as you lead the citizens of Palau, that you will become the salt that enhances people’s lives, preserves Palau—its culture, traditions, and environment—and helps heal the challenges your country faces, and that you will do all things in the light so people can see and understand.”
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President Whipps later joined the missionaries in singing “Ngak a Ngelekel a Dios” (“I Am a Child of God”), adding to the spirit of unity and shared faith during the devotional.
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Elder Estoy (on guitar), Elder Bellamy, Elder Mangubat, Elder Myers, Sister Barker, and Sister Liutai Sing I Am A Child of God while President Whipps sings along while recording for his live Facebook feed. 2026 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Cullen Carlson, Technology Strategy Coordinator for the president and Elders Quorum president in the Koror Branch, offered the closing prayer and a blessing on the people of Palau.
Reflecting on the experience, Sister Sabrina Barker (Saratoga Springs, Utah) a recently arrived missionary, said, “Being able to sit with and talk with the president was such a neat experience. He was kind and respectful and even sang with us. I felt very welcomed and happy to share my love for the Savior through words and song. It was an opportunity I hope to have again.”
Following the closing prayer, the missionaries had the opportunity to greet President Whipps before departing.
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