The Other Side of Heaven (2001) Movie Script
- [Voiceover] My name
is John H. Groberg.
I was born during
the Great Depression
in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
My middle name is Holbrook,
which was my
mother's maiden name.
Mom and Dad gave that
name to all seven boys
of which I am the oldest.
We were poor, but
we lived happily.
Large doses of homemade
bread and family music.
My dad was a real
estate appraiser
and a prominent
democrat, which is to say
he was about the only
democrat in Idaho Falls.
One year President Harry
Truman came to town,
campaigning for
reelection and my dad
was selected to greet him.
President Truman
did very well among
the Groberg clan that year.
I went to school at
a little place called
Eastside Elementary.
One morning our
principal, Ms. Bunker,
gathered all us kids out front.
She told us something
terrible had just happened
in a place called
Hiroshima, Japan,
and she asked us to observe
a moment of silence.
All I knew about the Japanese
was that we were
at war with them
and yet, standing there
in front of my school,
I felt something for them.
Later in my life I
would come to feel
even more deeply
about another people
in a land far away.
(inspiring music)
(choral singing)
(swing music)
Well it's Saturday
night and I just got paid
Fool with half a mind
he don't try to save
Heart says go go have a time
Saturday night
and baby I feel fine
I'm gonna rip it up
Yeah rock it up
I'm gonna shake it up
I'm gonna break it up
I'm gonna ball it up
At the ball tonight
Well along about
10 I'm feeling high
I walk on out
to the groovy sky
I don't care if
I spend my dough
'Cause I'm gonna
be one happy soul
Gonna rip it up
Yeah rock it up
I'm gonna shake
it up break it up
Ball it up crash it up
Rip it up
I'm gonna rock it up
At the ball tonight
Well I got me a baby
and I won't be late
I picked her up in my 88
Dragged on down
by the social hall
When the joint starts jumping
Gonna have me a ball
Gonna rip it up
Yeah rock it up
I'm gonna shake
it up break it up
Ball it up crash it up
Rip it up
I'm gonna rock it up
At the ball tonight
- Hey.
- Hey.
- 'Scuse me.
- Come on.
- Guys, what are you doing?
Hey, it's me, come on.
- Sorry.
- What are you doing?
Whoa, hey, hey.
(laughs)
- Go John!
- I'll take that.
Well it's Saturday
night and I just got paid
Fool with half a mind
he don't try to save
Heart says go go have a time
Saturday night
and baby I feel fine
I'm gonna rip it up
Yeah rock it up
- I can't believe
you John Groberg.
- Ah ah ah.
- What do you mean, ah ah ah?
He's my date!
- He was your date.
- So what, I'm supposed to
come to the dance by myself
just because you're
playing in the band, what?
- No, you can come
with whomever you want.
As long as you leave with me.
- Oh really?
- Really.
- Come on Jean, I wanna
show you something.
Come on, follow me!
- Oh wow.
Oh it's like heaven.
- Do you like it?
- Mm-hmm.
- It's all yours.
I had it made special.
Moon too.
Get in, I wanna
show you something.
- What?
- Yeah.
- Oh.
(laughs)
- Look in the water,
tell me what you see.
- I see the moon.
- Look again.
- I see me and the moon.
- Exactly.
You and the light of the moon.
You know how many miles
that light traveled
to shine on you?
- I guess I don't.
- 92 million, 300
thousand, give or take.
You know what else?
- What?
- I think you were
worth the trip.
(romantic music)
- Do you know what I think?
- What?
- I think you think too much.
- Maybe I do.
No matter where they send me,
we'll be underneath
the same moon.
- You're hereby called
to serve as a missionary
to the people of
the kingdom of--
- Tonga!
You're going to Tonga!
- Tonga.
- Wait a minute.
Where's Tonga?
- Hey John, over here!
- Speech!
- Yeah, let's hear
a speech, Delbert.
- Go ahead, Dad.
- I hadn't really
prepared for this.
Don't know how I could have.
All my life I've been taught
that God loved the world so much
he gave the world his son.
I used to think I
knew what that meant.
I didn't.
I don't know anyone
in Tonga well enough
to love them and
send them my son.
But I guess God does.
Keep that in mind during
the hard times, son.
How much God loves his children.
- Oh listen to you going
on like you know something.
(laughter)
- [Voiceover] All aboard!
- I love you Dad.
- I love you too, son.
- I love you Mom.
- Don't come home, son.
Don't come home early.
- [Voiceover] Three
cheers for John Groberg!
- [Crowd] Hip hip hooray!
Hip hip hooray!
Hip hip hooray!
Bye, bye, see ya, bye.
- [Voiceover] Dear Jean.
It's okay you couldn't make
it to the big farewell.
I wouldn't have wanted you
crying and making a fuss
and if you hadn't cried, well,
that would've been worse.
There were seven of us
missionaries on the boat.
But the others
were all continuing
to Australia or New Zealand.
I was supposed to
meet the president
of the Samoan
mission at the dock
and he was going to put me
on another boat to Tonga.
I guess he didn't
know I was coming
'cause he didn't show up.
After a couple weeks
I finally found him,
and he put me on a boat to Fiji,
where he said I could catch
another boat to Tonga.
He also told me there
would be two missionaries
waiting for me at the dock.
- Get off me boat, mate.
Your ticket ends here.
- Stop right there, you
are not on our list.
- Oh, piss on your bleedin'
list, the boy gets off.
- I will be arresting him.
- That's his problem.
- Ah, you crazy man.
- Just get off the plank mate,
or I'll have to push ya.
(boat horn sounding)
- You are under arrest.
(trumpet playing)
- Elder Louis Armstrong.
- [Voiceover] The
missionaries in Fiji
got me a job on a
freighter to Tonga.
I bunked with a guy named Swede
who promised me a
girl in every port
if I left my mission
and stayed on the boat.
I told him one girl
was enough for me.
You know, I think he lost
a lot of respect for me
when I said that.
When I finally got to Tonga,
it was business as usual.
Nobody knew I was coming.
I guess word got around
there was a kid from Idaho
sitting on the dock
because suddenly,
out of the clear blue.
- Groberg, Elder John Groberg?
- Yes sir.
- Where on earth have
you been, young man?
I prayed long and hard
about your assignment.
I think I have just
the place for you.
Niuatoputapu.
- New what?
- Oh it's a small island
about 800 miles from here.
There's no white people
and no one speaks
a lick of English.
- Sounds great.
- Well you have two assignments.
Learn the language.
Build a kingdom.
Any questions?
- No, I mean, yes.
Who will be my companion?
- Feki.
Feki, I want you to
meet your new companion,
Elder Groberg.
- Welcome Kolipoki.
I've been praying for you.
- [Voiceover] By far the
hardest part of my trip
was the eight day journey
to my assigned island.
The seas were rough
and the boat small.
I got seasick after
the first hour
and wished I were
dead the entire trip.
- Kolipoki.
Poki.
The island is here.
Journey is over, let's go.
Come, come.
- [Voiceover] They
call me Kolipoki
because they can't
pronounce Groberg down here.
Someday I'll probably
find out it actually means
white guy with weak stomach.
- Do you think there'll be
someone there to greet us?
(children laughing)
Elder John Groberg,
thank you so much
for coming to greet me.
- (speaking Tongan)
- What is it with them?
- (speaking Tongan)
(laughing)
- What are they saying?
- They are saying you
are white and soft.
I think they are right.
Come.
- What about our greeting party?
The branch president?
- Okay, you wait here,
I'll go and find them.
(shouting and chanting)
(drumming)
(speaking Tongan)
- That is really good.
My tongue, I can't
feel my tongue.
- It's alright.
- (speaking Tongan)
- Tonight we
celebrate the arrival.
- (speaking Tongan)
- Of our white brother Kolipoki.
- (speaking Tongan)
- Who comes as God's
messenger to our tiny island.
- (speaking Tongan)
- He wants to know if you
have any words for them.
- Nuh-uh.
I have to go to the bathroom.
- I guess they all
have to go also now.
- Hate to see what happens
when I take a bath.
(children laughing)
- Feki, Feki!
- [Voiceover] Dear Jean, I
hope all is well with you
back in the United States.
Things are okay here in Tonga.
The island is beautiful,
but quite small.
Everyone is related
to each other,
and the few who
might listen to us
already belong to
another church.
Their minister has warned
them not to listen to me
which is kind of
pathetic since I can't
speak their language anyway.
My mission president told
me to learn the language
and build up the church.
So far I'm not doing
very well at either.
The mail boat comes
just once a month
and the only thing
I'm looking forward to
more than your letters
is the mosquito net
my mission president
promised to send.
They have a disease here
the mosquitoes spread
called elephantitis.
Would you still love
me if I came home
looking like an elephant?
Enough about poor old me.
Tell me about you.
What are you doing
for Christmas?
How did your finals go?
Has Edward asked you
to marry him yet?
If so, please keep in
mind the Tongan missionary
who is trying hard
not to come home
looking like an elephant.
I love you, you know.
Write to me.
John.
(yelling)
(mosquito buzzing)
- The branch president wants you
to speak to the
members this Tuesday.
- How can I speak if I
don't know the language?
- He says we will pray
for you very hard.
- We will now hear
from Elder Kolipoki.
It will be a great talk.
(laughing)
(laughing)
(laughing)
- What did I say?
- Elder Outhouse!
(laughing)
- Did I say that?
(bell ringing)
- A boat is coming, Koli.
There will be mail.
Kolipoki?
Mele?
Kolipoki?
Kolipoki.
- In the beginning God created
the heaven and the earth.
(speaking Tongan)
And God said let there be
light and there was light.
(speaking Tongan)
And God saw the light
and it was good.
(speaking Tongan)
And God divided the
light from the darkness.
(speaking Tongan)
- [Voiceover] Dear John.
This is the fourth
letter I've sent
without hearing once from you.
I hope I'll get a whole
batch someday soon.
I also hope and pray
all is well with you.
You remember Edward?
Well, he proposed
to me last week.
I told him I'd have
to think about it,
that you and I have a deal.
The funny thing is, I don't
know what that deal is.
I went out to our swing
to think about it.
The moon was shining and
I remembered you saying
no matter where we are, it
will shine down on both of us.
I felt close to you
for just a moment
as if the heavens connected us.
I miss you, you know.
Across the sky, I miss you.
- Kolipoki, wake up.
Kolipoki, you scared me.
Come, let's go to work.
- [Voiceover] Dear Jean.
I've made progress
with the language
and the work is
going much better.
We're teaching a
young man named Finau
who is very excited
about the gospel.
He would already be baptized
but his parents won't allow it.
He and several villagers
helped us build our own house.
It was a lot of work
but the hardest part
was evicting the
previous occupants.
(pigs grunting)
(chicken squawking)
- Here we go, we got 'em.
Huh, how 'bout that?
(laughing)
Home sweet home.
(voices crying)
- It's the cry of death.
Someone has died.
They mourn his passing
with their cries.
(crying)
- Of all God's
creations, his children
are his greatest glory.
(crying)
- Get off.
- Is the pudding ready?
- A professional mourner?
- Yes.
- How does she get paid?
- Place to stay, food to eat.
You know the best
gift you can bring
to a Tongan funeral
is a sack of flour
or a fat pig.
- So Feki why are you so,
why do you have
such faith in me?
- Why shouldn't I?
You traveled so far to teach us,
what you say must be true.
- Yeah but what
if I lied to you?
- You wouldn't lie, Kolipoki.
- But what if I did?
- Then you come a long
way just to tell a lie.
When I was a boy, my
father was a drinking man.
He used to beat my mother.
I wasn't strong enough
to keep him off her.
The missionaries, they came
and they showed him the truth.
Only the truth
was strong enough.
One day I went to thank
them for their sacrifice
and they just shook
their heads and told me
of other missionaries
who sacrificed much more.
They were sick to
death with the fever.
As they left their
families behind
and crossed the sea
to preach God's word,
they stood up in their
wagons and they shouted,
"Hurrah for Israel!"
Every time I see my
father after that,
every time he wasn't drinking,
I think the same thing.
Hurrah for Israel.
I think the same thing
every time I hear you teach.
- Hurrah.
- Hurrah!
- Hurrah for Israel!
- Hurrah for Israel!
- Hurrah!
- Hurrah!
(laughing)
- Kolipoki!
Kolipoki!
Kolipoki!
He fell from a mango tree
and hit his head on the roots.
Take him.
Bless him.
Bring him back to me.
- He's dead.
(crying)
- Whether he is dead
or not I do not know.
What I know is I
want him well again
and you have the power to do it.
(pensive music)
- Out goes the bad
air, in comes the good.
Out goes the bad air,
in comes the good.
Out goes the bad air,
in comes the good.
(vomiting)
Out goes the bad air,
in comes the good.
Out goes the bad air,
in comes the good.
Out goes the bad air,
in comes the good.
Out goes the bad air,
in comes the good.
Out with the bad air,
in with the good.
Out with the bad air,
in with the good.
(singing)
The day is past and gone
The shadows of
the evening fall
The night is coming on
We feel my heart
a welcome place
We feel my home abide
Oh savior stay
this night with me
Hold us even tight
Oh savior stay
this night with me
Hold us even tight
- Where am I?
- Here is your son.
He's alright.
- Thank you, Kolipoki.
I knew you would do it.
- I didn't do it.
- Papa.
- My son.
- [Voiceover] Dear Jean.
Much has happened on
our little island.
Feki and I helped
God heal a little boy
and the whole island
seems to be aware of it.
I have a feeling we're going
to be more accepted now.
We're teaching a
beautiful new family
and are still
working with Finau.
Our last lesson was on
the meaning of faith.
- Like the oyster, things
which are not seen,
but which are true.
- [Voiceover] I gave him a
pearl as part of the lesson.
- I understand.
- [Voiceover] Besides the
language you'll be happy to know
I am working very
hard on my burping.
It's good manners here to belch
after someone feeds you a meal.
To think that all those years
I thought I was being rude.
So, Edward proposed to you.
Surprise, surprise.
Thanks for telling
him we have a deal.
As far as I'm
concerned that deal is
you will be madly
in love with me
two and a half years
from now when I return
from my mission,
we will be married
and live happily ever after.
Seriously Jean, I think
this island is the most
beautiful place on earth.
And the only thing that
could make it lovelier
would be your presence here.
Someday I hope we can
walk these sands together.
Until then, I love you, John.
- Ah.
- What is it?
- My feet.
- Did you sleep with
your feet uncovered?
- I don't remember.
It was hot!
- I told you never to sleep
with your feet uncovered!
The rats, they come and
eat the soles of your feet.
- What?
- Sit down.
Wait here.
- Oh sure, I'll
just wait right here
and bleed to death!
What?
- Your feet will
have to be seared.
We can use a hot
knife or the sun.
Over here, where the
sun is the strongest.
- [Voiceover] Dear John.
I am glad to hear
all is well with you.
Thank you for sharing your
version of our deal with me.
As for my version
of our deal, well,
I'm not sure I see things
as clearly as you do.
But I did tell Edward no.
He was pretty upset and
he came back a week later
and proposed to me again.
I told him I'd have to
think about it again.
It's hard to have
so much faith in us
when you're so far away.
What if I catch elephantitis
when you're gone?
- Ah, oh!
(laughing)
(trumpet playing)
- [Voiceover] Or
what if I say no
to every suitor that comes
my way and you come home
in love with a Tongan princess?
Anyway, you shouldn't be
thinking of me right now.
You should be thinking
of the people of Tonga.
You should be serving them
with all of your heart
and reserving only the
tiniest corner of it for me.
I think I love you.
I think I'll tell Edward no.
If not, I'll definitely
invite you to the wedding.
Love, Jean.
- Asi?
- Yes, Kolipoki?
- Your daughter, Mele.
Why is she so quiet?
- She is not my daughter.
Her mother was a bad woman
that ran around with my husband
before he was baptized.
I've taken her as my own
and tried to love her.
But an island is a small place
to escape one's heritage.
She punishes herself for
the sins of her father.
Kolipoki.
The minister has told his people
your feet are God's punishment
for preaching the
false doctrine.
You must show your faith
now, pray for your feet.
In three days' time we
will prove them wrong.
- [Voiceover] Dear Jean.
I think I've finally
found the way
to keep Edward from
being so hot to trot.
Please send him on the
next boat to Tonga.
I've got just the
treatment for him.
(crowd chattering)
(gasping)
(triumphant music)
(cheering)
- Today we would
like to teach you
about God's plan of happiness.
What?
What's wrong?
- Our minister told us to
stop taking your lessons.
- I see.
- But it is okay if
we keep feeding you.
- Shouldn't we bless it first?
Okay if I say it?
Dear father in heaven,
we thank thee this day
for this wonderful family.
We thank thee for all our
blessings, especially for
thy marvelous plan of
happiness for thy children.
We thank thee for thy son,
Jesus Christ, who lived and died
that someday we might return
to live with thee again.
We thank thee for the knowledge
that through thy
plan of happiness,
our families can live
together forever.
(giggling)
We are grateful for thy
wonderful plan of happiness
and for this wonderful family
who prepared us
this wonderful meal.
In the name of
Jesus Christ, amen.
- [All] Amen.
- Please pass the octopus.
- That was a lovely
prayer, Kolipoki.
- Next time I'll say it.
- Thank you for dinner.
(burping)
- At least I know one
of you enjoyed it.
(burping)
- Very good, Kolipoki.
- [John] Better late
than never, huh?
(ominous music)
- Leave the Mormons to me!
- Hey Tomasi.
Why did you help us?
- Many years ago I was an
orphan on the big island.
Missionaries like
you took care of me
and put me in school.
They were kind to me.
Then I moved here, there
were no missionaries,
so I forgot about the church.
Until tonight, when
the minister asked us
to rough-up the Mormons,
I remember something.
I am one!
To Tomasi, the Mormon.
(laughing)
(soft music)
- Ready?
- Set, go!
Come on, slow poke!
- [All] Hey!
- Hey, let's go
on a picnic, huh?
- To the back side.
(laughing and chattering)
- Hey Noli.
- Help me, Elder!
I hurt my ankle.
- Oh boy.
This would never
happen in Idaho!
- Come with me.
- Nia, Lavania we
cannot do this.
- But I thought you like me.
- I do like you.
- Then how can you reject me?
Am I not pretty enough?
- Oh, you're plenty pretty.
- Then come, let's make love.
- Come with me to the beach.
And we can talk of love,
a kind that never ends.
- We will talk of love?
- Yeah, true love.
More than this.
- Oh, wait, wait for me.
(children laughing and shouting)
- [Voiceover] Dear John.
I went on a picnic
yesterday with Edward.
He tried to get all mushy, ugh.
You're so lucky you
don't have to worry
about stuff like that.
- Hey Tomasi.
Tomasi, we're here to
take you to church.
- The Mormons.
You come to baptize me?
(laughing)
- Yeah, sort of.
(calm music)
- The pudding is all gone.
- Yes, I noticed.
- Well then.
- What's wrong, Noli?
What's bothering you?
- You say you love us and
are trying to help us,
but you think you're too
good for my daughter?
Isn't she pretty enough for you?
- Your daughter
is very beautiful.
- My husband offer you hundred
of acres of our best land.
We offer you our daughter.
And still you turn
up your nose at us.
What do you want anyway?
- Well, I guess--
- I'll make you a better offer.
You do not even have
to marry our daughter
or live on our island.
Just give us a half-white baby.
And we will not say any more.
Surely you cannot be so selfish
as to not do that for us.
- Well, it's not
really a matter of--
- What is it then?
Our brown skin?
- I love your brown skin.
- Are you too rich
to share your seed
with poor people like us?
- My seed?
It's not that simple.
- It is not that
complicated either.
- I cannot share my
seed until I am married,
and I cannot be married until
I'm no longer a missionary.
- Take a day off then.
There is not a man on this
island who would not sell
all he owns to spend one
hour with my daughter.
- Yes, yes and for
that precise reason,
she should save herself.
That most beautiful
part of herself
for the man who will
love her forever.
Here, look at this.
This is a picture
of my true love.
We want to be married for
eternity when I return.
So we promised that we would
save that part of ourselves
for each other.
See how beautiful she is?
- She is very beautiful.
- She is keeping
her promise to me.
Do you think that I should
break my promise to her?
(crying)
- Kolipoki, you must
keep your promise.
Go now, thank you
for telling me.
I will not bother you anymore.
- Hey!
- Fish for breakfast!
Just like I promised you, eh?
(clapping)
(cries out)
- Finau!
- We're coming!
(moaning)
- Get your hands off him!
(bell ringing)
- [Voiceover] A
beautiful white boat!
- [Voiceover] From New Zealand!
- There's a boat.
(ominous music)
- We only got room for three.
- Please, these men
have nothing you need.
(crying)
Please no more, these
men will take all
and give nothing in return.
(crying)
Dear God in heaven.
- Mele.
Mele!
Please, don't do
this thing, Mele.
I've been where you're going,
it's a place of darkness.
Please, Mele, no!
Mele please, forgive me my sins.
Live a better life than me!
(punches)
Mele!
("Amazing Grace")
Amazing Grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch
Like me
I once was lost
But now am found
Was blind but now
I see
Twas grace that taught
My heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did
That grace appear
The hour I first believed
- Lavania, having been
commissioned of Jesus Christ,
I baptize you in the
name of the Father
and of the Son and of
the Holy Ghost, amen.
- Amen.
Through many dangers
Toils and snares
I have already come
Grace has brought
me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home
- The missionaries,
my son, they are here.
It's what you wanted.
- He has lockjaw.
We can give him a blessing.
- There will be none of your
blessings in this house.
- The boy is dying,
it can only help.
(muttering)
A light, you see a light?
Go to it, Finau,
greet the light.
- He comes to me.
(crying)
(dramatic music)
(crying out)
- We must go now.
- We just got here.
- The air grows heavy.
- It's always heavy.
- Not like this.
We must find a place to hide.
- Hide?
- We must go now.
(thunder rumbling)
(crashing)
- My girl, I couldn't
find my girl!
(calling out)
- Look out!
(intense music)
- [Both] Lita, where are you?
- There she is!
(crying)
- Lita, let's go!
(screaming)
(crashing)
- Run Feki, let's go!
- Look out!
- Lita!
- Papa!
- Mele.
- We have been
through this before,
and we can make it again.
Harvest all the fruits
from the fallen trees,
and get all the fruit grubs
from out of the ground.
- What about the telegraph?
- Broken in the storm.
But a boat should be
along in two weeks.
If we ration our food for
four, we will be alright.
Minister, could you
please lead us in prayer?
- Certainly.
Dear Father, our
father in heaven.
We come before you
on our little island
and pray that you
will show us mercy.
We are small, but we are
strong and we love you.
We are thankful so many
of us have survived
this great storm.
Father, we know that this
storm rages on elsewhere
and we pray for
those in its path,
particularly those
who might be tossed
on the waves of the sea.
Please, care for them as
you have cared for us.
Amen.
- [All] Amen.
(choral singing)
- You must come, quickly!
- Mele.
Dear God, Mele.
(choral singing)
- Amen.
I cut, you choose.
Come on, you took
the smaller half.
- I am the smaller person.
- You want some?
- No thanks.
- You really think the
boat'll be here in two weeks?
- I don't know, Kolipoki.
I don't know.
Still no boat in sight
and no fish either.
The water in the
lagoon is still bad.
Ready for lunch?
- Sure.
- Better to have little
than to have none.
- [Voiceover] Dear John.
It's been six weeks
since your last letter,
and as much as I
hate to admit it,
You've got me worried.
After all you've told
me about Feki though,
I know you're in good hands.
I hope he's taking
good care of you.
(mosquito buzzing)
- [Voiceover] Dear Jean.
I don't know if I'll be alive
when you receive this letter.
My strength is all but gone
and I frequently find myself
in a setting other than
the one in which we live.
It's beautiful there,
and my visits reassure me
that whether I live or die,
it doesn't matter much.
Funny as it may sound, my
only regret is not having
you here with me.
I would die with
your hand in mine
clasped tightly to make it clear
we will not be separated.
Assuming, of course, you
haven't married Edward already.
Jean?
I've learned things
in the last few weeks
that are difficult to express.
There is a connection
between heaven and earth.
Finding that connection
makes everything meaningful,
including death.
Missing it makes everything
meaningless, including life.
Please do all you can
to comfort Mom and Dad.
I am only now
beginning to understand
the love of a
parent for a child.
- [Voiceover] Dear John.
It's been three months
since your parents or I
have heard from you.
Are you alright?
- [Finau] What do you see?
- I see, I see a light.
- Go to it John.
Greet the light.
- It comes to me.
- Kolipoki?
I want you to have this.
I am old and must soon die.
This storm has hurt me.
But you are young and
can yet do much good.
Please, eat my jam and live.
And please forgive me my
trespasses against you.
I didn't know you.
I was afraid.
Of all God's creations, his
children are his greatest glory
and you serve God's children
with all your heart.
(bell ringing)
- Kolipoki, Kolipoki,
there is a boat.
We are saved.
Let's go.
- You go ahead.
I'll stay here.
- I will go and
bring you back food.
(choral singing)
(trumpet playing)
- Hey we have a new
mission president.
- Yes?
- Yeah, he wants me to
be district president.
He wants us to start a school
and to start preaching
in the outer islands.
Wants me to call two counselors.
And for you.
- To go back to construction?
(children laughing and playing)
- It's hard to leave, brother.
- Yes, very hard.
I have a gift for you.
- Finau's pearl.
You must keep it
to remember him by.
- You must keep
it to remember me.
- No, it is enough I remember
you offered it to me.
I must go now Kolipoki.
I will build all your chapels,
and you will fill
them, Kolipoki.
(dramatic music)
Hurrah for Israel!
- Hurrah for Israel!
- For Israel!
- Hurrah!
- So, why do I keep hearing
about stolen coconuts?
And girls, immorality?
You are my counselors,
counsel with me.
- They are the privileges
of the upper class.
- Privileges, what privileges?
- Your neighbor's coconuts.
- Your neighbor's wife.
- Not within the church.
- It is the way
things are done here.
I am a copper farmer.
In order to feed my
family, I need my copper
to be given the highest prices.
To ensure this is so,
I take my daughter
to visit the
governor once a week.
That is before I met
you and repented.
- Now he gives him a
bottle of fine liquor.
- [John] You give him liquor?
- Every Friday, for the weekend.
- Tomasi, you know that
is against our religion.
- Drinking liquor is
against our religion.
Giving it is an act of charity.
- Yeah?
Well I forbid you
from doing it again.
- You what?
- I said I forbid you
from giving alcohol again.
You're my counselor!
I need you to set
a better example.
Tomasi, where are you going?
We have a trip tomorrow!
- You just don't
understand, Kolipoki.
- I must set a better example.
(laughing)
- Yeah, yeah!
- I have been thinking.
You prayed for a tailwind.
Perhaps there are others at
sea praying for a headwind.
We should make it possible
for God to bless both
by praying only for good wind.
- We'll each say our own.
- Get in.
To make it by sundown
we must go now.
- Make it where?
- There is a family that
wants to hear the gospel.
We have an errand from the Lord.
Get in.
- Stay the night there.
We will have wind
by the morning.
Take this with you.
- Why are you doing this?
- I didn't decide
to serve the Lord
until I was old and tired.
Tired from all the sin.
You, you are young and
already give your life to him.
I cannot be young again,
but today I can be
the Lord's wind.
- [Children] Papa, Papa,
they came like they promised!
- [Voiceover] Dear John.
The islands, the people
there sound wondrous.
You sound wondrous too.
I can almost feel
you stretching.
It's hard to imagine how
I could possibly keep up.
- [Voiceover] You
don't need to keep up,
you just need to be you.
- [Voiceover] I'm getting
ready to graduate.
I'll probably end up
teaching school somewhere.
- [Voiceover] I wish you
could teach school here.
Can you hear them, Jean?
Can you hear the
children singing?
- [Voiceover] All
my love to you.
- Kolipoki, your
president is here.
- Oh, hello.
You must be the new president.
I didn't expect you.
- I'm on my way to Vava'u.
Our boat stops
here for the night.
- Oh, so pleased to meet you.
Will you be staying here?
- No, I have a room
down in the village.
I haven't heard much
from you, I was hoping
you could give me a
report on your activities.
- Oh certainly, certainly.
Well, I believe we're
doing what you asked.
The school is growing, we're
traveling to the outer islands
preaching and baptizing.
- Who have you baptized?
- Well, we baptized
Vika, Hale, Pita.
- I have no records of them.
Nor do I have any reports
of your work here.
- There's been lots of
work, I didn't know--
- When you baptize someone,
you are supposed to fill out
a baptismal record.
You are also supposed
to send weekly reports
telling me what you've done.
For all I know you could
have been vacationing here
for the last two years.
- Well no one ever asked
me about any reports.
Except for the branch
president in Filimea.
- We don't have a
branch in Filimea.
- Oh yes, we have a good
strong branch of 32 members.
And a nice chapel too.
- Who authorized you to
build a branch in Filimea?
Who authorized you
to build a chapel?
- Well it's just that
we've been baptizing
so many people.
- Where did you get the money?
Whose land is it built on?
- I don't know whose
property it's built on,
but everyone in Filimea knows.
- Everyone in Filimea,
but no one in my office.
Elder Groberg.
The house of the Lord
is a house of order.
There are forms
for these things.
- Forms.
President!
President Stone!
These are the baptisms,
the priest ordinations,
the branches we organized,
and the chapels we built.
I'm really sorry that I
didn't know about the forms.
- Elder Groberg, I've
been up all night
worrying about what
I said yesterday.
It looks like you have been too.
I've never seen a
happier bunch of saints
anywhere on earth.
You just keep doing
what you're doing.
Oh, and another thing.
I'd like to extend your
mission six months.
- Sounds great.
- I'll be putting two new
chapels in your district.
Seeing as they're going
to be made of concrete,
you probably should
purchase the land.
- Okay.
- Kuli, we have a visitor!
- It is wrong to stow away.
- Yes.
(splash)
- Now swim home, and
hurry up about it.
- Okay.
- You know my parents left
me once at a gas station.
We're just driving
around the block, right?
- How will he
learn if I give in?
- Kuli, what about sharks?
Leg cramps?
- He is my son.
He will be alright.
(thunder rumbling)
- Cut the sail,
cut the sail now!
- I got it!
- Help me pull it!
(crying out)
- Get the sail, Tomasi!
- Kuli!
(lightning striking)
(intense music)
- Kuli!
Tomasi!
- [Voiceover] Dear John.
I am thrilled to hear
about your new assignment,
although I am sure it is
sometimes overwhelming.
I felt that way when
I finished school
and took my first job
down here in Anaheim.
My friends were
all back in Utah,
my family in North Hollywood.
Here I have only my students,
and lots of time
to think of you.
Are you well, John?
Are you safe?
Do you have time to think of me,
or are you completely
lost in the Lord's work?
The scriptures say you find
your life by losing it,
and as much as I miss you,
I encourage you
on in that quest.
Lose yourself, John.
Every last bit of yourself.
Then, when you come home,
I'll know I'm in love
with the version of
you God intended.
- He's over there!
- Kuli!
- Kolipoki!
Over here, over here!
Swim Kolipoki!
Kolipoki!
- Some time God calm the storm,
sometime he calm the sailor.
- And sometimes he
just leads us to him.
(dramatic music)
- I'm so sorry, Kolipoki.
(crying)
- Something for me.
You wanna tell me what it says?
- I don't know,
it's confidential.
- [Voiceover] Dear
Elder Groberg, stop.
Request for extension
denied by Salt Lake, stop.
Boat to New Zealand, airplane
to Los Angeles next week,
stop.
Leave island as soon
as possible, stop.
(Tongan singing)
- Thank you for the
school, Kolipoki.
- You're welcome.
Thank you for behaving.
- Yes.
- We have a gift
for you, Kolipoki.
- Burial clothes?
- From Salt Lake.
- They asked us to keep
them with you at all times
but not tell you.
- We are happy we did
not need to use them.
- Thank you, so am I.
- We have another surprise
for you, Kolipoki.
(lightbulbs bursting)
(laughing)
(swing music)
(applause and cheering)
(gunshots)
- [Voiceover] A fiery horse
with the speed of light
a cloud of dust and a
hearty hi ho silver!
The Lone Ranger!
Return with us now to those
thrilling days of yesteryear.
(soft singing and
guitar playing)
- [Voiceover] Dear John.
I wish--
- [Voiceover] You
could see what I see.
- [Voiceover] I see.
(waves crashing)
- Tomasi.
- You took care of me.
God be with you
'til we meet again
By his councils
guide uphold you
With his sheep
securely fold you
God be with you
'til we meet again
- Your body may leave
us, but your spirit
will always remain
on our island.
(choral singing)
(speaking Tongan)
- Goodbye, Kolipoki.
- How beautiful upon the
mountains are the feet.
- Remember true love.
- Eternal love.
- That's right.
- [Voiceover] Dear Jean.
It finally happened.
I am coming home.
- President Stone.
- Elder Groberg.
- [Voiceover] Funny
though, feels more like
I'm leaving home.
For the past three years
I've lived among a people
who possess nothing,
yet possess everything.
- John!
- [Voiceover] In this
life they sail the oceans,
in the next they
will sail the skies.
I wish to be more like them.
Boatmen among the stars.
And I wish to have you with me.
Your softness at my side.
Oh, Jean.
Jean, Jean.
Will you love me across the sky?
(laughing)
is John H. Groberg.
I was born during
the Great Depression
in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
My middle name is Holbrook,
which was my
mother's maiden name.
Mom and Dad gave that
name to all seven boys
of which I am the oldest.
We were poor, but
we lived happily.
Large doses of homemade
bread and family music.
My dad was a real
estate appraiser
and a prominent
democrat, which is to say
he was about the only
democrat in Idaho Falls.
One year President Harry
Truman came to town,
campaigning for
reelection and my dad
was selected to greet him.
President Truman
did very well among
the Groberg clan that year.
I went to school at
a little place called
Eastside Elementary.
One morning our
principal, Ms. Bunker,
gathered all us kids out front.
She told us something
terrible had just happened
in a place called
Hiroshima, Japan,
and she asked us to observe
a moment of silence.
All I knew about the Japanese
was that we were
at war with them
and yet, standing there
in front of my school,
I felt something for them.
Later in my life I
would come to feel
even more deeply
about another people
in a land far away.
(inspiring music)
(choral singing)
(swing music)
Well it's Saturday
night and I just got paid
Fool with half a mind
he don't try to save
Heart says go go have a time
Saturday night
and baby I feel fine
I'm gonna rip it up
Yeah rock it up
I'm gonna shake it up
I'm gonna break it up
I'm gonna ball it up
At the ball tonight
Well along about
10 I'm feeling high
I walk on out
to the groovy sky
I don't care if
I spend my dough
'Cause I'm gonna
be one happy soul
Gonna rip it up
Yeah rock it up
I'm gonna shake
it up break it up
Ball it up crash it up
Rip it up
I'm gonna rock it up
At the ball tonight
Well I got me a baby
and I won't be late
I picked her up in my 88
Dragged on down
by the social hall
When the joint starts jumping
Gonna have me a ball
Gonna rip it up
Yeah rock it up
I'm gonna shake
it up break it up
Ball it up crash it up
Rip it up
I'm gonna rock it up
At the ball tonight
- Hey.
- Hey.
- 'Scuse me.
- Come on.
- Guys, what are you doing?
Hey, it's me, come on.
- Sorry.
- What are you doing?
Whoa, hey, hey.
(laughs)
- Go John!
- I'll take that.
Well it's Saturday
night and I just got paid
Fool with half a mind
he don't try to save
Heart says go go have a time
Saturday night
and baby I feel fine
I'm gonna rip it up
Yeah rock it up
- I can't believe
you John Groberg.
- Ah ah ah.
- What do you mean, ah ah ah?
He's my date!
- He was your date.
- So what, I'm supposed to
come to the dance by myself
just because you're
playing in the band, what?
- No, you can come
with whomever you want.
As long as you leave with me.
- Oh really?
- Really.
- Come on Jean, I wanna
show you something.
Come on, follow me!
- Oh wow.
Oh it's like heaven.
- Do you like it?
- Mm-hmm.
- It's all yours.
I had it made special.
Moon too.
Get in, I wanna
show you something.
- What?
- Yeah.
- Oh.
(laughs)
- Look in the water,
tell me what you see.
- I see the moon.
- Look again.
- I see me and the moon.
- Exactly.
You and the light of the moon.
You know how many miles
that light traveled
to shine on you?
- I guess I don't.
- 92 million, 300
thousand, give or take.
You know what else?
- What?
- I think you were
worth the trip.
(romantic music)
- Do you know what I think?
- What?
- I think you think too much.
- Maybe I do.
No matter where they send me,
we'll be underneath
the same moon.
- You're hereby called
to serve as a missionary
to the people of
the kingdom of--
- Tonga!
You're going to Tonga!
- Tonga.
- Wait a minute.
Where's Tonga?
- Hey John, over here!
- Speech!
- Yeah, let's hear
a speech, Delbert.
- Go ahead, Dad.
- I hadn't really
prepared for this.
Don't know how I could have.
All my life I've been taught
that God loved the world so much
he gave the world his son.
I used to think I
knew what that meant.
I didn't.
I don't know anyone
in Tonga well enough
to love them and
send them my son.
But I guess God does.
Keep that in mind during
the hard times, son.
How much God loves his children.
- Oh listen to you going
on like you know something.
(laughter)
- [Voiceover] All aboard!
- I love you Dad.
- I love you too, son.
- I love you Mom.
- Don't come home, son.
Don't come home early.
- [Voiceover] Three
cheers for John Groberg!
- [Crowd] Hip hip hooray!
Hip hip hooray!
Hip hip hooray!
Bye, bye, see ya, bye.
- [Voiceover] Dear Jean.
It's okay you couldn't make
it to the big farewell.
I wouldn't have wanted you
crying and making a fuss
and if you hadn't cried, well,
that would've been worse.
There were seven of us
missionaries on the boat.
But the others
were all continuing
to Australia or New Zealand.
I was supposed to
meet the president
of the Samoan
mission at the dock
and he was going to put me
on another boat to Tonga.
I guess he didn't
know I was coming
'cause he didn't show up.
After a couple weeks
I finally found him,
and he put me on a boat to Fiji,
where he said I could catch
another boat to Tonga.
He also told me there
would be two missionaries
waiting for me at the dock.
- Get off me boat, mate.
Your ticket ends here.
- Stop right there, you
are not on our list.
- Oh, piss on your bleedin'
list, the boy gets off.
- I will be arresting him.
- That's his problem.
- Ah, you crazy man.
- Just get off the plank mate,
or I'll have to push ya.
(boat horn sounding)
- You are under arrest.
(trumpet playing)
- Elder Louis Armstrong.
- [Voiceover] The
missionaries in Fiji
got me a job on a
freighter to Tonga.
I bunked with a guy named Swede
who promised me a
girl in every port
if I left my mission
and stayed on the boat.
I told him one girl
was enough for me.
You know, I think he lost
a lot of respect for me
when I said that.
When I finally got to Tonga,
it was business as usual.
Nobody knew I was coming.
I guess word got around
there was a kid from Idaho
sitting on the dock
because suddenly,
out of the clear blue.
- Groberg, Elder John Groberg?
- Yes sir.
- Where on earth have
you been, young man?
I prayed long and hard
about your assignment.
I think I have just
the place for you.
Niuatoputapu.
- New what?
- Oh it's a small island
about 800 miles from here.
There's no white people
and no one speaks
a lick of English.
- Sounds great.
- Well you have two assignments.
Learn the language.
Build a kingdom.
Any questions?
- No, I mean, yes.
Who will be my companion?
- Feki.
Feki, I want you to
meet your new companion,
Elder Groberg.
- Welcome Kolipoki.
I've been praying for you.
- [Voiceover] By far the
hardest part of my trip
was the eight day journey
to my assigned island.
The seas were rough
and the boat small.
I got seasick after
the first hour
and wished I were
dead the entire trip.
- Kolipoki.
Poki.
The island is here.
Journey is over, let's go.
Come, come.
- [Voiceover] They
call me Kolipoki
because they can't
pronounce Groberg down here.
Someday I'll probably
find out it actually means
white guy with weak stomach.
- Do you think there'll be
someone there to greet us?
(children laughing)
Elder John Groberg,
thank you so much
for coming to greet me.
- (speaking Tongan)
- What is it with them?
- (speaking Tongan)
(laughing)
- What are they saying?
- They are saying you
are white and soft.
I think they are right.
Come.
- What about our greeting party?
The branch president?
- Okay, you wait here,
I'll go and find them.
(shouting and chanting)
(drumming)
(speaking Tongan)
- That is really good.
My tongue, I can't
feel my tongue.
- It's alright.
- (speaking Tongan)
- Tonight we
celebrate the arrival.
- (speaking Tongan)
- Of our white brother Kolipoki.
- (speaking Tongan)
- Who comes as God's
messenger to our tiny island.
- (speaking Tongan)
- He wants to know if you
have any words for them.
- Nuh-uh.
I have to go to the bathroom.
- I guess they all
have to go also now.
- Hate to see what happens
when I take a bath.
(children laughing)
- Feki, Feki!
- [Voiceover] Dear Jean, I
hope all is well with you
back in the United States.
Things are okay here in Tonga.
The island is beautiful,
but quite small.
Everyone is related
to each other,
and the few who
might listen to us
already belong to
another church.
Their minister has warned
them not to listen to me
which is kind of
pathetic since I can't
speak their language anyway.
My mission president told
me to learn the language
and build up the church.
So far I'm not doing
very well at either.
The mail boat comes
just once a month
and the only thing
I'm looking forward to
more than your letters
is the mosquito net
my mission president
promised to send.
They have a disease here
the mosquitoes spread
called elephantitis.
Would you still love
me if I came home
looking like an elephant?
Enough about poor old me.
Tell me about you.
What are you doing
for Christmas?
How did your finals go?
Has Edward asked you
to marry him yet?
If so, please keep in
mind the Tongan missionary
who is trying hard
not to come home
looking like an elephant.
I love you, you know.
Write to me.
John.
(yelling)
(mosquito buzzing)
- The branch president wants you
to speak to the
members this Tuesday.
- How can I speak if I
don't know the language?
- He says we will pray
for you very hard.
- We will now hear
from Elder Kolipoki.
It will be a great talk.
(laughing)
(laughing)
(laughing)
- What did I say?
- Elder Outhouse!
(laughing)
- Did I say that?
(bell ringing)
- A boat is coming, Koli.
There will be mail.
Kolipoki?
Mele?
Kolipoki?
Kolipoki.
- In the beginning God created
the heaven and the earth.
(speaking Tongan)
And God said let there be
light and there was light.
(speaking Tongan)
And God saw the light
and it was good.
(speaking Tongan)
And God divided the
light from the darkness.
(speaking Tongan)
- [Voiceover] Dear John.
This is the fourth
letter I've sent
without hearing once from you.
I hope I'll get a whole
batch someday soon.
I also hope and pray
all is well with you.
You remember Edward?
Well, he proposed
to me last week.
I told him I'd have
to think about it,
that you and I have a deal.
The funny thing is, I don't
know what that deal is.
I went out to our swing
to think about it.
The moon was shining and
I remembered you saying
no matter where we are, it
will shine down on both of us.
I felt close to you
for just a moment
as if the heavens connected us.
I miss you, you know.
Across the sky, I miss you.
- Kolipoki, wake up.
Kolipoki, you scared me.
Come, let's go to work.
- [Voiceover] Dear Jean.
I've made progress
with the language
and the work is
going much better.
We're teaching a
young man named Finau
who is very excited
about the gospel.
He would already be baptized
but his parents won't allow it.
He and several villagers
helped us build our own house.
It was a lot of work
but the hardest part
was evicting the
previous occupants.
(pigs grunting)
(chicken squawking)
- Here we go, we got 'em.
Huh, how 'bout that?
(laughing)
Home sweet home.
(voices crying)
- It's the cry of death.
Someone has died.
They mourn his passing
with their cries.
(crying)
- Of all God's
creations, his children
are his greatest glory.
(crying)
- Get off.
- Is the pudding ready?
- A professional mourner?
- Yes.
- How does she get paid?
- Place to stay, food to eat.
You know the best
gift you can bring
to a Tongan funeral
is a sack of flour
or a fat pig.
- So Feki why are you so,
why do you have
such faith in me?
- Why shouldn't I?
You traveled so far to teach us,
what you say must be true.
- Yeah but what
if I lied to you?
- You wouldn't lie, Kolipoki.
- But what if I did?
- Then you come a long
way just to tell a lie.
When I was a boy, my
father was a drinking man.
He used to beat my mother.
I wasn't strong enough
to keep him off her.
The missionaries, they came
and they showed him the truth.
Only the truth
was strong enough.
One day I went to thank
them for their sacrifice
and they just shook
their heads and told me
of other missionaries
who sacrificed much more.
They were sick to
death with the fever.
As they left their
families behind
and crossed the sea
to preach God's word,
they stood up in their
wagons and they shouted,
"Hurrah for Israel!"
Every time I see my
father after that,
every time he wasn't drinking,
I think the same thing.
Hurrah for Israel.
I think the same thing
every time I hear you teach.
- Hurrah.
- Hurrah!
- Hurrah for Israel!
- Hurrah for Israel!
- Hurrah!
- Hurrah!
(laughing)
- Kolipoki!
Kolipoki!
Kolipoki!
He fell from a mango tree
and hit his head on the roots.
Take him.
Bless him.
Bring him back to me.
- He's dead.
(crying)
- Whether he is dead
or not I do not know.
What I know is I
want him well again
and you have the power to do it.
(pensive music)
- Out goes the bad
air, in comes the good.
Out goes the bad air,
in comes the good.
Out goes the bad air,
in comes the good.
(vomiting)
Out goes the bad air,
in comes the good.
Out goes the bad air,
in comes the good.
Out goes the bad air,
in comes the good.
Out goes the bad air,
in comes the good.
Out with the bad air,
in with the good.
Out with the bad air,
in with the good.
(singing)
The day is past and gone
The shadows of
the evening fall
The night is coming on
We feel my heart
a welcome place
We feel my home abide
Oh savior stay
this night with me
Hold us even tight
Oh savior stay
this night with me
Hold us even tight
- Where am I?
- Here is your son.
He's alright.
- Thank you, Kolipoki.
I knew you would do it.
- I didn't do it.
- Papa.
- My son.
- [Voiceover] Dear Jean.
Much has happened on
our little island.
Feki and I helped
God heal a little boy
and the whole island
seems to be aware of it.
I have a feeling we're going
to be more accepted now.
We're teaching a
beautiful new family
and are still
working with Finau.
Our last lesson was on
the meaning of faith.
- Like the oyster, things
which are not seen,
but which are true.
- [Voiceover] I gave him a
pearl as part of the lesson.
- I understand.
- [Voiceover] Besides the
language you'll be happy to know
I am working very
hard on my burping.
It's good manners here to belch
after someone feeds you a meal.
To think that all those years
I thought I was being rude.
So, Edward proposed to you.
Surprise, surprise.
Thanks for telling
him we have a deal.
As far as I'm
concerned that deal is
you will be madly
in love with me
two and a half years
from now when I return
from my mission,
we will be married
and live happily ever after.
Seriously Jean, I think
this island is the most
beautiful place on earth.
And the only thing that
could make it lovelier
would be your presence here.
Someday I hope we can
walk these sands together.
Until then, I love you, John.
- Ah.
- What is it?
- My feet.
- Did you sleep with
your feet uncovered?
- I don't remember.
It was hot!
- I told you never to sleep
with your feet uncovered!
The rats, they come and
eat the soles of your feet.
- What?
- Sit down.
Wait here.
- Oh sure, I'll
just wait right here
and bleed to death!
What?
- Your feet will
have to be seared.
We can use a hot
knife or the sun.
Over here, where the
sun is the strongest.
- [Voiceover] Dear John.
I am glad to hear
all is well with you.
Thank you for sharing your
version of our deal with me.
As for my version
of our deal, well,
I'm not sure I see things
as clearly as you do.
But I did tell Edward no.
He was pretty upset and
he came back a week later
and proposed to me again.
I told him I'd have to
think about it again.
It's hard to have
so much faith in us
when you're so far away.
What if I catch elephantitis
when you're gone?
- Ah, oh!
(laughing)
(trumpet playing)
- [Voiceover] Or
what if I say no
to every suitor that comes
my way and you come home
in love with a Tongan princess?
Anyway, you shouldn't be
thinking of me right now.
You should be thinking
of the people of Tonga.
You should be serving them
with all of your heart
and reserving only the
tiniest corner of it for me.
I think I love you.
I think I'll tell Edward no.
If not, I'll definitely
invite you to the wedding.
Love, Jean.
- Asi?
- Yes, Kolipoki?
- Your daughter, Mele.
Why is she so quiet?
- She is not my daughter.
Her mother was a bad woman
that ran around with my husband
before he was baptized.
I've taken her as my own
and tried to love her.
But an island is a small place
to escape one's heritage.
She punishes herself for
the sins of her father.
Kolipoki.
The minister has told his people
your feet are God's punishment
for preaching the
false doctrine.
You must show your faith
now, pray for your feet.
In three days' time we
will prove them wrong.
- [Voiceover] Dear Jean.
I think I've finally
found the way
to keep Edward from
being so hot to trot.
Please send him on the
next boat to Tonga.
I've got just the
treatment for him.
(crowd chattering)
(gasping)
(triumphant music)
(cheering)
- Today we would
like to teach you
about God's plan of happiness.
What?
What's wrong?
- Our minister told us to
stop taking your lessons.
- I see.
- But it is okay if
we keep feeding you.
- Shouldn't we bless it first?
Okay if I say it?
Dear father in heaven,
we thank thee this day
for this wonderful family.
We thank thee for all our
blessings, especially for
thy marvelous plan of
happiness for thy children.
We thank thee for thy son,
Jesus Christ, who lived and died
that someday we might return
to live with thee again.
We thank thee for the knowledge
that through thy
plan of happiness,
our families can live
together forever.
(giggling)
We are grateful for thy
wonderful plan of happiness
and for this wonderful family
who prepared us
this wonderful meal.
In the name of
Jesus Christ, amen.
- [All] Amen.
- Please pass the octopus.
- That was a lovely
prayer, Kolipoki.
- Next time I'll say it.
- Thank you for dinner.
(burping)
- At least I know one
of you enjoyed it.
(burping)
- Very good, Kolipoki.
- [John] Better late
than never, huh?
(ominous music)
- Leave the Mormons to me!
- Hey Tomasi.
Why did you help us?
- Many years ago I was an
orphan on the big island.
Missionaries like
you took care of me
and put me in school.
They were kind to me.
Then I moved here, there
were no missionaries,
so I forgot about the church.
Until tonight, when
the minister asked us
to rough-up the Mormons,
I remember something.
I am one!
To Tomasi, the Mormon.
(laughing)
(soft music)
- Ready?
- Set, go!
Come on, slow poke!
- [All] Hey!
- Hey, let's go
on a picnic, huh?
- To the back side.
(laughing and chattering)
- Hey Noli.
- Help me, Elder!
I hurt my ankle.
- Oh boy.
This would never
happen in Idaho!
- Come with me.
- Nia, Lavania we
cannot do this.
- But I thought you like me.
- I do like you.
- Then how can you reject me?
Am I not pretty enough?
- Oh, you're plenty pretty.
- Then come, let's make love.
- Come with me to the beach.
And we can talk of love,
a kind that never ends.
- We will talk of love?
- Yeah, true love.
More than this.
- Oh, wait, wait for me.
(children laughing and shouting)
- [Voiceover] Dear John.
I went on a picnic
yesterday with Edward.
He tried to get all mushy, ugh.
You're so lucky you
don't have to worry
about stuff like that.
- Hey Tomasi.
Tomasi, we're here to
take you to church.
- The Mormons.
You come to baptize me?
(laughing)
- Yeah, sort of.
(calm music)
- The pudding is all gone.
- Yes, I noticed.
- Well then.
- What's wrong, Noli?
What's bothering you?
- You say you love us and
are trying to help us,
but you think you're too
good for my daughter?
Isn't she pretty enough for you?
- Your daughter
is very beautiful.
- My husband offer you hundred
of acres of our best land.
We offer you our daughter.
And still you turn
up your nose at us.
What do you want anyway?
- Well, I guess--
- I'll make you a better offer.
You do not even have
to marry our daughter
or live on our island.
Just give us a half-white baby.
And we will not say any more.
Surely you cannot be so selfish
as to not do that for us.
- Well, it's not
really a matter of--
- What is it then?
Our brown skin?
- I love your brown skin.
- Are you too rich
to share your seed
with poor people like us?
- My seed?
It's not that simple.
- It is not that
complicated either.
- I cannot share my
seed until I am married,
and I cannot be married until
I'm no longer a missionary.
- Take a day off then.
There is not a man on this
island who would not sell
all he owns to spend one
hour with my daughter.
- Yes, yes and for
that precise reason,
she should save herself.
That most beautiful
part of herself
for the man who will
love her forever.
Here, look at this.
This is a picture
of my true love.
We want to be married for
eternity when I return.
So we promised that we would
save that part of ourselves
for each other.
See how beautiful she is?
- She is very beautiful.
- She is keeping
her promise to me.
Do you think that I should
break my promise to her?
(crying)
- Kolipoki, you must
keep your promise.
Go now, thank you
for telling me.
I will not bother you anymore.
- Hey!
- Fish for breakfast!
Just like I promised you, eh?
(clapping)
(cries out)
- Finau!
- We're coming!
(moaning)
- Get your hands off him!
(bell ringing)
- [Voiceover] A
beautiful white boat!
- [Voiceover] From New Zealand!
- There's a boat.
(ominous music)
- We only got room for three.
- Please, these men
have nothing you need.
(crying)
Please no more, these
men will take all
and give nothing in return.
(crying)
Dear God in heaven.
- Mele.
Mele!
Please, don't do
this thing, Mele.
I've been where you're going,
it's a place of darkness.
Please, Mele, no!
Mele please, forgive me my sins.
Live a better life than me!
(punches)
Mele!
("Amazing Grace")
Amazing Grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch
Like me
I once was lost
But now am found
Was blind but now
I see
Twas grace that taught
My heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did
That grace appear
The hour I first believed
- Lavania, having been
commissioned of Jesus Christ,
I baptize you in the
name of the Father
and of the Son and of
the Holy Ghost, amen.
- Amen.
Through many dangers
Toils and snares
I have already come
Grace has brought
me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home
- The missionaries,
my son, they are here.
It's what you wanted.
- He has lockjaw.
We can give him a blessing.
- There will be none of your
blessings in this house.
- The boy is dying,
it can only help.
(muttering)
A light, you see a light?
Go to it, Finau,
greet the light.
- He comes to me.
(crying)
(dramatic music)
(crying out)
- We must go now.
- We just got here.
- The air grows heavy.
- It's always heavy.
- Not like this.
We must find a place to hide.
- Hide?
- We must go now.
(thunder rumbling)
(crashing)
- My girl, I couldn't
find my girl!
(calling out)
- Look out!
(intense music)
- [Both] Lita, where are you?
- There she is!
(crying)
- Lita, let's go!
(screaming)
(crashing)
- Run Feki, let's go!
- Look out!
- Lita!
- Papa!
- Mele.
- We have been
through this before,
and we can make it again.
Harvest all the fruits
from the fallen trees,
and get all the fruit grubs
from out of the ground.
- What about the telegraph?
- Broken in the storm.
But a boat should be
along in two weeks.
If we ration our food for
four, we will be alright.
Minister, could you
please lead us in prayer?
- Certainly.
Dear Father, our
father in heaven.
We come before you
on our little island
and pray that you
will show us mercy.
We are small, but we are
strong and we love you.
We are thankful so many
of us have survived
this great storm.
Father, we know that this
storm rages on elsewhere
and we pray for
those in its path,
particularly those
who might be tossed
on the waves of the sea.
Please, care for them as
you have cared for us.
Amen.
- [All] Amen.
(choral singing)
- You must come, quickly!
- Mele.
Dear God, Mele.
(choral singing)
- Amen.
I cut, you choose.
Come on, you took
the smaller half.
- I am the smaller person.
- You want some?
- No thanks.
- You really think the
boat'll be here in two weeks?
- I don't know, Kolipoki.
I don't know.
Still no boat in sight
and no fish either.
The water in the
lagoon is still bad.
Ready for lunch?
- Sure.
- Better to have little
than to have none.
- [Voiceover] Dear John.
It's been six weeks
since your last letter,
and as much as I
hate to admit it,
You've got me worried.
After all you've told
me about Feki though,
I know you're in good hands.
I hope he's taking
good care of you.
(mosquito buzzing)
- [Voiceover] Dear Jean.
I don't know if I'll be alive
when you receive this letter.
My strength is all but gone
and I frequently find myself
in a setting other than
the one in which we live.
It's beautiful there,
and my visits reassure me
that whether I live or die,
it doesn't matter much.
Funny as it may sound, my
only regret is not having
you here with me.
I would die with
your hand in mine
clasped tightly to make it clear
we will not be separated.
Assuming, of course, you
haven't married Edward already.
Jean?
I've learned things
in the last few weeks
that are difficult to express.
There is a connection
between heaven and earth.
Finding that connection
makes everything meaningful,
including death.
Missing it makes everything
meaningless, including life.
Please do all you can
to comfort Mom and Dad.
I am only now
beginning to understand
the love of a
parent for a child.
- [Voiceover] Dear John.
It's been three months
since your parents or I
have heard from you.
Are you alright?
- [Finau] What do you see?
- I see, I see a light.
- Go to it John.
Greet the light.
- It comes to me.
- Kolipoki?
I want you to have this.
I am old and must soon die.
This storm has hurt me.
But you are young and
can yet do much good.
Please, eat my jam and live.
And please forgive me my
trespasses against you.
I didn't know you.
I was afraid.
Of all God's creations, his
children are his greatest glory
and you serve God's children
with all your heart.
(bell ringing)
- Kolipoki, Kolipoki,
there is a boat.
We are saved.
Let's go.
- You go ahead.
I'll stay here.
- I will go and
bring you back food.
(choral singing)
(trumpet playing)
- Hey we have a new
mission president.
- Yes?
- Yeah, he wants me to
be district president.
He wants us to start a school
and to start preaching
in the outer islands.
Wants me to call two counselors.
And for you.
- To go back to construction?
(children laughing and playing)
- It's hard to leave, brother.
- Yes, very hard.
I have a gift for you.
- Finau's pearl.
You must keep it
to remember him by.
- You must keep
it to remember me.
- No, it is enough I remember
you offered it to me.
I must go now Kolipoki.
I will build all your chapels,
and you will fill
them, Kolipoki.
(dramatic music)
Hurrah for Israel!
- Hurrah for Israel!
- For Israel!
- Hurrah!
- So, why do I keep hearing
about stolen coconuts?
And girls, immorality?
You are my counselors,
counsel with me.
- They are the privileges
of the upper class.
- Privileges, what privileges?
- Your neighbor's coconuts.
- Your neighbor's wife.
- Not within the church.
- It is the way
things are done here.
I am a copper farmer.
In order to feed my
family, I need my copper
to be given the highest prices.
To ensure this is so,
I take my daughter
to visit the
governor once a week.
That is before I met
you and repented.
- Now he gives him a
bottle of fine liquor.
- [John] You give him liquor?
- Every Friday, for the weekend.
- Tomasi, you know that
is against our religion.
- Drinking liquor is
against our religion.
Giving it is an act of charity.
- Yeah?
Well I forbid you
from doing it again.
- You what?
- I said I forbid you
from giving alcohol again.
You're my counselor!
I need you to set
a better example.
Tomasi, where are you going?
We have a trip tomorrow!
- You just don't
understand, Kolipoki.
- I must set a better example.
(laughing)
- Yeah, yeah!
- I have been thinking.
You prayed for a tailwind.
Perhaps there are others at
sea praying for a headwind.
We should make it possible
for God to bless both
by praying only for good wind.
- We'll each say our own.
- Get in.
To make it by sundown
we must go now.
- Make it where?
- There is a family that
wants to hear the gospel.
We have an errand from the Lord.
Get in.
- Stay the night there.
We will have wind
by the morning.
Take this with you.
- Why are you doing this?
- I didn't decide
to serve the Lord
until I was old and tired.
Tired from all the sin.
You, you are young and
already give your life to him.
I cannot be young again,
but today I can be
the Lord's wind.
- [Children] Papa, Papa,
they came like they promised!
- [Voiceover] Dear John.
The islands, the people
there sound wondrous.
You sound wondrous too.
I can almost feel
you stretching.
It's hard to imagine how
I could possibly keep up.
- [Voiceover] You
don't need to keep up,
you just need to be you.
- [Voiceover] I'm getting
ready to graduate.
I'll probably end up
teaching school somewhere.
- [Voiceover] I wish you
could teach school here.
Can you hear them, Jean?
Can you hear the
children singing?
- [Voiceover] All
my love to you.
- Kolipoki, your
president is here.
- Oh, hello.
You must be the new president.
I didn't expect you.
- I'm on my way to Vava'u.
Our boat stops
here for the night.
- Oh, so pleased to meet you.
Will you be staying here?
- No, I have a room
down in the village.
I haven't heard much
from you, I was hoping
you could give me a
report on your activities.
- Oh certainly, certainly.
Well, I believe we're
doing what you asked.
The school is growing, we're
traveling to the outer islands
preaching and baptizing.
- Who have you baptized?
- Well, we baptized
Vika, Hale, Pita.
- I have no records of them.
Nor do I have any reports
of your work here.
- There's been lots of
work, I didn't know--
- When you baptize someone,
you are supposed to fill out
a baptismal record.
You are also supposed
to send weekly reports
telling me what you've done.
For all I know you could
have been vacationing here
for the last two years.
- Well no one ever asked
me about any reports.
Except for the branch
president in Filimea.
- We don't have a
branch in Filimea.
- Oh yes, we have a good
strong branch of 32 members.
And a nice chapel too.
- Who authorized you to
build a branch in Filimea?
Who authorized you
to build a chapel?
- Well it's just that
we've been baptizing
so many people.
- Where did you get the money?
Whose land is it built on?
- I don't know whose
property it's built on,
but everyone in Filimea knows.
- Everyone in Filimea,
but no one in my office.
Elder Groberg.
The house of the Lord
is a house of order.
There are forms
for these things.
- Forms.
President!
President Stone!
These are the baptisms,
the priest ordinations,
the branches we organized,
and the chapels we built.
I'm really sorry that I
didn't know about the forms.
- Elder Groberg, I've
been up all night
worrying about what
I said yesterday.
It looks like you have been too.
I've never seen a
happier bunch of saints
anywhere on earth.
You just keep doing
what you're doing.
Oh, and another thing.
I'd like to extend your
mission six months.
- Sounds great.
- I'll be putting two new
chapels in your district.
Seeing as they're going
to be made of concrete,
you probably should
purchase the land.
- Okay.
- Kuli, we have a visitor!
- It is wrong to stow away.
- Yes.
(splash)
- Now swim home, and
hurry up about it.
- Okay.
- You know my parents left
me once at a gas station.
We're just driving
around the block, right?
- How will he
learn if I give in?
- Kuli, what about sharks?
Leg cramps?
- He is my son.
He will be alright.
(thunder rumbling)
- Cut the sail,
cut the sail now!
- I got it!
- Help me pull it!
(crying out)
- Get the sail, Tomasi!
- Kuli!
(lightning striking)
(intense music)
- Kuli!
Tomasi!
- [Voiceover] Dear John.
I am thrilled to hear
about your new assignment,
although I am sure it is
sometimes overwhelming.
I felt that way when
I finished school
and took my first job
down here in Anaheim.
My friends were
all back in Utah,
my family in North Hollywood.
Here I have only my students,
and lots of time
to think of you.
Are you well, John?
Are you safe?
Do you have time to think of me,
or are you completely
lost in the Lord's work?
The scriptures say you find
your life by losing it,
and as much as I miss you,
I encourage you
on in that quest.
Lose yourself, John.
Every last bit of yourself.
Then, when you come home,
I'll know I'm in love
with the version of
you God intended.
- He's over there!
- Kuli!
- Kolipoki!
Over here, over here!
Swim Kolipoki!
Kolipoki!
- Some time God calm the storm,
sometime he calm the sailor.
- And sometimes he
just leads us to him.
(dramatic music)
- I'm so sorry, Kolipoki.
(crying)
- Something for me.
You wanna tell me what it says?
- I don't know,
it's confidential.
- [Voiceover] Dear
Elder Groberg, stop.
Request for extension
denied by Salt Lake, stop.
Boat to New Zealand, airplane
to Los Angeles next week,
stop.
Leave island as soon
as possible, stop.
(Tongan singing)
- Thank you for the
school, Kolipoki.
- You're welcome.
Thank you for behaving.
- Yes.
- We have a gift
for you, Kolipoki.
- Burial clothes?
- From Salt Lake.
- They asked us to keep
them with you at all times
but not tell you.
- We are happy we did
not need to use them.
- Thank you, so am I.
- We have another surprise
for you, Kolipoki.
(lightbulbs bursting)
(laughing)
(swing music)
(applause and cheering)
(gunshots)
- [Voiceover] A fiery horse
with the speed of light
a cloud of dust and a
hearty hi ho silver!
The Lone Ranger!
Return with us now to those
thrilling days of yesteryear.
(soft singing and
guitar playing)
- [Voiceover] Dear John.
I wish--
- [Voiceover] You
could see what I see.
- [Voiceover] I see.
(waves crashing)
- Tomasi.
- You took care of me.
God be with you
'til we meet again
By his councils
guide uphold you
With his sheep
securely fold you
God be with you
'til we meet again
- Your body may leave
us, but your spirit
will always remain
on our island.
(choral singing)
(speaking Tongan)
- Goodbye, Kolipoki.
- How beautiful upon the
mountains are the feet.
- Remember true love.
- Eternal love.
- That's right.
- [Voiceover] Dear Jean.
It finally happened.
I am coming home.
- President Stone.
- Elder Groberg.
- [Voiceover] Funny
though, feels more like
I'm leaving home.
For the past three years
I've lived among a people
who possess nothing,
yet possess everything.
- John!
- [Voiceover] In this
life they sail the oceans,
in the next they
will sail the skies.
I wish to be more like them.
Boatmen among the stars.
And I wish to have you with me.
Your softness at my side.
Oh, Jean.
Jean, Jean.
Will you love me across the sky?
(laughing)