Lessons on the Temple
Lesson No. Thirty-Five

Lessons from the Life of Vianga Kinikini with Emphasis on the Temple

Vainga Kinikini 1952 - 2022

Via Kinikini passed away in the Jordan River Temple about 9:30 pm on 25 August 2022 – He had served three sealing shifts and had been in the temple for 12 hours, which was not unusual for him.  He then helped at the end of an endowment session, and as he dressed to go home, he had a fatal heart attack.  I believe the circumstances of Via’s passing is a sweet indication that the Lord was pleased with his life.

“Via’s most cherished calling was as a Temple Sealer. He spent his final 16 years of church service in binding families eternally in the Jordan River Temple. He would always advise couples that the 3 sentences to get through any marital challenges were humbly saying, ‘I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I love you’.  Any free time he had; he was in the temple” (Obituary, Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Home).

“Via always spoke of L-O-V-E being spelled as T-I-M-E. He valued his time, and only engaged in activities that fed his soul; time with family, meeting new people, serving community/church, reading good books, but especially, regular attendance in his favorite place... the Temple.”  Via’s wife Rosemary was the “Love of my life and my ticket to the Celestial Kingdom” (Obituary, Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Home). Via loved the Lord, and long before he died Via instructed that the written program for his funeral service be prepared with a picture of the Lord Jesus on the front and his picture on the back.  This was done.    

Via was a latter-day captain Moroni – My friendship and love for Via began when I began serving as a sealer in the Jordan River Temple.  We bonded quickly through our common experience in the temple and as military veterans.  When the contents of Via’s locker were returned to sister Kinikini there was a small purse containing his temple recommend, the key to his temple locker, and a military coin describing the flag of the United States as “Our Title of Liberty” and containing the words, “In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives and our children” (Alma 46:12). Like Moroni Via loved his country. (Please notice the flag of the United States on Via’s lapel in the above picture)

What Mormon said about captain Moroni in Alma 48:11-13, 17-18 also applies to Via Kinikini:

  • Via “was a strong and mighty man" (11).  Via endured considerable pain from many medically life-threating situations even to the end of his life, but he was always positive and did not complain. 

  • Via “was a man of perfect understanding" (Vs 11).  He had an eternal perspective.

  • Via’s “heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God” (Vs 12) for his blessings great and small. 

  • Via was "a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people" (Vs 12).  In the temple Via labored tirelessly for people on both sides of the veil. 

  • Via “was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ" (Vs 13).  Regarding his life long history of medical challenges “he never forgot that the miracles of answered prayers and fasting required a dedication of his life in the service of our Savior Jesus Christ” (Obituary, Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Home).

  • "Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto [Via Kinikini], behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men" (Vs 17).

  • "Behold, Moroni (and Via Kinikini) was a man like unto Ammon, the son of Mosiah, yea, and even the other sons of Mosiah, yea, and also Alma and his sons, for they were all men of God" (Vs 18).

“Via’s character was defined by integrity, generosity, and a great sense of humor. His kind, approachable and loving nature, made ALL feel important. He absolutely adored his wife, children, grandchildren, nieces/nephews, cousins, and many friends, making sure they absolutely knew it. His faith, dedication and LOVE of our Savior Jesus Christ, above ALL, is his greatest legacy” (Obituary).

Testimony – Via was a spiritually powerful yet humble man who supported his family through military service, as a meter reader for the city of Riverton, and as a school bus driver.  Knowing and loving Via Kinikini has made me a better husband and father, and a more committed temple worker, sealer, and patron.  Knowing Via has reaffirmed my desire to be a man of God and a true disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I look forward to the day when Via and I can once again salute and embrace.