Samoan Sa

There is a tradition in Samoa called Sa'a (meaning sacred). Everyday just before sunset someone in each village rings a bell for everyone to go inside for family prayer. For thirty minutes everyone must stop what they are doing and pray, read scriptures, and sing hymns. Anyone walking along the road is to go to the side and wait.

My first experience with Sa'a was on the island of Savii in the small village of Satupaitea on the island of Savaii. We were scattered, all doing different activities such as learning how to remove the hull off a coconut to gazing at the ocean, only feet away. Some where preparing the evening meal.

When the Sa'a bell rang we all went inside and sat on the floor in a large circle of about 25 people. A prayer was said in English for our benefit, and then we started to sing. We sang primary songs and hymns. Songs were sung both in English and in Samoan. It was beautiful. As we sang,  I looked into the eyes of women my age and the Spirit of The Lord bore witness to me that they were my sisters. It was as if we were no longer part of time, but just eternity. I saw into heaven. I saw into their souls. We were the same.

The next memorable sa'a I enjoyed was while we were with my brother-in-law's family walking along the beach. We were trying to get back home before Sa'a, but it caught us as we were about to get into our cars. So all 14 of us stood by the roadside under coconut trees with the sun setting on the ocean, and sang. We sang hymns and primary songs that taught the plan of salvation. I was filled with gratitude for the knowledge that I have and an overwhelming desire to share it.

This is a tradition I want to bring home to my family. To have a time set in stone for us to turn our hearts to God. Even if we are not together in body, we would be in spirit. Here we fight with the world for any time together as a family. That moment is often found at 10:30 at night to read our scriptures. It isn't the peaceful sunset moment we found in Samoa, but we are working on that.