[4] On May 11, 1843, Addison Pratt, Noah Rogers, Knowlton F. Hanks, and Benjamin F. Grouard were called as missionaries[6] to the South Pacific by Joseph Smith.

They were set apart by Heber C. Kimball, Brigham Young, Orson Hyde, and Parley P. Pratt on May 23,[7] and left Nauvoo, Illinois, on May 23.

[7] They set sail to the Society Islands on October 9, 1843, after being unable to find a ship to their mission area.

Eventually he baptized enough people to establish a small congregation, known in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as a branch,[9] in 1844.

[10] Pratt's early success may have been due to the fact that he knew some Hawaiian and was, therefore, able to recognize some cognate words between the two languages, allowing him to gain favor with natives.

[6] The missionaries not only taught principles of church teachings and doctrines, but emphasized the export of cash crops and economic autonomy.

Grouard visited Tuamotus, but did not find that it would be fruitful for missionary work; he went to the island of Anaa instead and landed May 1, 1945.

his wife Louisa Barnes Pratt taught classes to the women of the church and conducted school.

[8]: 15–17  Missionary success did not last for long, however, since France placed restrictions on religious freedom in French Polynesia that resulted in the mission closing in May 1852.

In 1867, general religious toleration was established in Polynesia which eventually led to the return of missionaries in the territory.

Upon his arrival to the islands, he discovered that there were some members who had remained faithful but that many had joined the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

After Damron served as president, Daniel T. Miller was called and was instrumental in translating church materials into Tahitian.

[6] During this time period missionaries faced difficulties like the depression, World War II, a limited population, and sprawled islands.

Much of their time was spent in transportation between islands and, therefore, they did not visit the people from house-to-house as is typical of Mormon missionary work.

Instead, they sold mission newspapers, directed plays, held conferences, performed service, and supervised local members.

Later that same year, the church purchased a two-masted schooner that was used to aid in transporting missionaries and members from the various islands in French Polynesia.

The church was accused of taking too much contribution money from the islands, and the French government did not want the American influence of foreign missionaries.

[16] When the presidency of French Polynesia held its inauguration in 2000, a choir of 400 member of the church sang at the ceremony.

After attacks on 9/11, a memorial service was held in Papeete in which missionaries who were from the U.S. were invited to sing the national anthem.

[6] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reported 28,965 members in eleven stakes, two districts, 97 congregations, one mission, and one temple in French Polynesia.

[6][9] Five percent of the population of French Polynesia is recorded as being members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.