Walking into the Orem 18th Ward, visitors are enveloped by the warmth of the Fijian culture. Ward members meet visitors in the hallway every Sunday, men and women ready to extend their hands and offer a heartfelt “Bula,” the Fijian greeting that means more than just hello.

The Orem 18th Ward, created earlier this year, is one of just two Fijian-speaking wards in the United States; the other is located in Sacramento, California, ccording to Paul Whippy, a recently released Area Seventy for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“Bula means welcome — you’re welcome to our home, you’re welcome to the ward, and that is the same spirit that the Savior wants to convey, which is to show love to everyone and welcome them to His church,” said Tom Waqa, first counselor in the ward’s bish

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