Seminary Graduation for Mesquite Nevada East and West Stakes was held on Sunday, May 21.
Twenty-eight seniors received diplomas for completing four years of study. Students from the Old Mill Ward were: Trey Hafen, Owen Rappleye, Addie Hillus, Ashlyn Shaner and Andrew Maxfield; Summer Crest Ward: Logan Cude, Alexis Rodriguez and Hailey Vellinga; Valley View Ward : Tyra Ludvigson; Vistas Ward : Jared Jensen, Dantzel Park, Sophie Tobler, Evia Toone, and Samuel Woods; Arrowhead Ward: Sadie Cowley; Bunkerville 1st Ward: Isabella Alejos, Talon Easton, Wyatt Leavitt, Stratton Waite; Bunkerville 2nd Ward: Neil Anderson, Arianne Gardner, Mathew Hughes, and Marian Leavitt; Heritage Ward: Nayeli Andrade, Destiny Mauia Moeai and Travis Terry; Virgin Valley Spanish Branch: Kiera Davis.
Three graduates spoke – Evia Toone, Hailey Vellinga and Dantzel Park. Evia compared her piano lesson to weak things becoming strong. Just as learning piano was hard and learning notes was holding her back for a while. “Weak things can become strong by overcoming the difficulties. Our testimony can grow over time just as my ability to play the piano became better. Faith and persistence will give us strength in Christ.”
Halily spoke about the example of Christ interacting with people – gentiles, Sarmatians, the bind, the sick, and Romans. He helped all and it didn’t matter who you were or your status.
Dantzel said we can choose for ourselves to let Jesus Christ be in our lives. She asked, what will lead us closer or father away from Him? Music, media, friends or entertainment? She admonished the seniors to seek for positive influences and go to institute classes, to church and serve a mission. The race is not to the swift or wise it is how can we find strength in Christ.”
Brother Nathan Porter, Seminary teacher, spoke about the state baseball championship game this past weekend. Virgin Valley’s team had had a winning season but lost in the championship. After their loss the players did not blame each other but spoke of the bonds of friendship they formed while being on the team. “Leave the disappointments on the field,” he said. He applied this lesson to events that will come into their lives now that they have graduated. “The results weren’t what you wanted at the game and the results of other efforts may not be what you thought you would receive. When you apply for a job and don’t get it, or you don’t get the raise you think you deserve – leave it behind! It is in the struggles that we will bond with Jesus Christ. There will be hurts and struggles and we may have a different ending than we wanted, but the gospel is there. The future is only as bright as your faith. I invite you to be on the Savior’s team; so, trust in Jesus Christ and turn your life over to Him.”
Pres. Jared Hollinghead, Mesquite Nevada West Stake, asked the graduates to” Look unto the Lord in every thought and doubt not. Be faithful.” He told a story about a football game that did not turn out with a winning score the team thought they could make. One player felt it was his fault and blamed himself even two weeks later. Pres. Hollinghead quoted D&C 6:32-35. “Go your way and perform you work and look unto Christ in every thought – doubt not and fear not. Fear not to do good and then you will reap the good! He asked them to ‘Go forth with Faith’ -with faith you can overcome your fears.”
Pres. David Anderson, of Mesquite Nevada East Stake, said that seminary plans for next year will have to be changed and there will be more early morning and after school classes and only seniors can attend released time seminary. Extra teachers will be called for these classes. Quoting Elder Ballard, he said, “We don’t have to ring our hands,” but we will find a new way to have seminary just as we found a new way 30 years ago when we overcame the porno store and picketed for 31 months. A beautiful thing came out of that picketing – it was a seminary building.”
He asked the incoming students to,” attend 100%, come prepared, read the Book of Mormon and anticipate great opportunities for learning. Those who prevail today will do no small thing to sacrifice a little next year to attend. He compared the small sacrifice to the sacrifice our ancestors made to pull handcarts across the plains to reach their goal of living in Zion.
The Book of Mormon teaches that we will have a bright recollection of our mistakes but more importantly we will have an even brighter recollection of the good things we did. Seek for experiences to say hello to someone, be good, be loving, Care for someone that needs you. Be slow to anger. Be quick to forgive – ‘for these are the tings that Jesus taught.’ You never know how one small act can be multiplied exponentially.” He also spoke about the parable of the sowers who scattered seeds on good ground and some came up 30 times and how the 2 loaves and small fishes were multiplied. “Do your best and the Lord will do the rest.” He stated.
