Seth Syndergaard received his Arrow of Light Award at a court of Honor in a Webelos pack sponsored by the Mesquite 6th Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was presented an arrow by Kelton Chamberlain, representing Akela. Seth now goes from Webelos Scouts to 11-year old scout troop. The Arrow of Light is the only award a cub scout can receive that can be worn on his boy scout shirt. Seth is the son of Blake and Michelle Syndergaard.

Leroy Toombs, received his Eagle Scout Award at a ceremony at the LDS Seminary Building on March 9, 2016. He is a member of Venture Crew 2082 sponsored by the Mesquite 2nd Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His Eagle Project was to put the caps on the chain link fences at the Mesquite city baseball fields. Leroy earned 43 merit badges; only 21 merit badges are require for the Eagle Rank. He is eligible to receive a bronze palm. His favorite merit badges were auto repair and farm equipment. He is a senior at Virgin Valley High School and plans on attending college in Wyoming and participating on college rodeo team. He is the grandson of Ray and Rose Toombs. Cliff Hughes gave Leroy the Eagle Charge saying, "The Boy Scouts constitute one of the most wholesome and significant movements and you Leroy have been counted worthy of this highest rank that is one of honor and responsibility. I charge you to take this solemn obligation to God and your fellow scouts and to your country and live up to these obligations to bring honor to yourself and your fellow scouts." I charge you to be a leader but lead only toward the best and live and serve so others will be led to the finest living. Dedicate your skills to common good, unselfish citizenship and reverence for God. Leave behind a record of clean living and honest work." Leroy presented his mentor pin to Jody Burnside, Troop Committee Chairman, for his help with his Eagle project. Leroy presented pins to his grandfather and grandmother for their help on the trail to Eagle. Mark Tichenor, Virgin River Valley District Chairman, presented Leroy with a pocketknife engraved with the words "Eagle Scout" to remind him of his achievements in scouting. Brent Hughes, one of his scoutmasters, presented him with a handmade flint knife with a polished deer horn handle. Brent taught Leroy the art of chipping at the Mountain Man Rendezvous when he was a cub scout. Congratulations and welcome to the Eagle Nest.

The opportunity to learn how to research your family’s history or advance your skill in preserving those records is going to be presented at the next Genealogy Jamboree Saturday, March 12th. Classes will start at 9 am and go until 1 pm followed by a free lunch. A nursery for children under 12 years will be provided. The Genealogy Jamboree is sponsored by the Mesquite Nevada Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and will be held at the Stake Center. A variety of classes will be offered for various skill levels and interests. Beginners can start their first search here or veteran genealogists can learn about new technologies that are becoming available to help them. You can learn about methods to use Google searches, helps to understand the history and conditions of your ancestor’s towns and countries, enhancing records with photographs, and help to plan virtual family reunions. You can play detective when you learn the 5 steps in identifying photographs that have you stumped or find how records from Great Britain can yield more information when you learn what to look for. more information can be found at www.genealogyjamboreenv.com. There are classes for everyone including youth who are interested in genealogy. The event is free and open to all of the public.

LOST WORDS Heavens to Murgatroyd! Would you believe the email spell checker did not recognize the word murgatroyd? Lost Words from our childhood: Words gone as fast as the buggy whip! Sad really! The other day a not so elderly (65) lady said something to her son about driving a Jalopy and he looked at her quizzically and said what the heck is a Jalopy? OMG {Oh My Goodness} a new phrase! He never heard of the word jalopy!! She knew she was old but not that old. Well, I hope you are Hunky Dory after you read this and chuckle. About a month ago, I illuminated some old expressions that have become obsolete because of the inexorable march of technology. These phrases included "Don't touch that dial," "Carbon copy," "You sound like a broken record" and "Hung out to dry." Back in the olden days we had a lot of moxie. We'd put on our best bib and tucker to straighten up and fly right. Heavens to Betsy! Gee whillikers! Jumping Jehoshaphat! Holy moley! We were in like Flynn and living the life of Riley, and even a regular guy couldn't accuse us of being a knucklehead, a nincompoop or a pill. Not for all the tea in China ! Back in the olden days, life used to be swell, but when's the last time anything was swell? Swell has gone the way of beehives, pageboys and the D.A.; of spats, knickers, fedoras, poodle skirts, saddle shoes and pedal pushers. Oh, my aching back. Kilroy was here, but he isn't anymore. We wake up from what surely has been just a short nap, and before we can say, well I'll be a monkey's uncle! or, This is a fine kettle of fish! We discover that the words we grew up with, the words that seemed omnipresent, as oxygen, have vanished with scarcely a notice from our tongues and our pens and our keyboards. Poof, go the words of our youth, the words we've left behind. We blink, and they're gone. Where have all those phrases gone? Long gone: Pshaw, The milkman did it. Hey! It's your nickel. Don't forget to pull the chain. Knee high to a grasshopper. Well, Fiddlesticks! Going like sixty. I'll see you in the funny papers. Don't take any wooden nickels. It turns out there are more of these lost words and expressions than Carter has liver pills. This can be disturbing stuff ! We of a certain age have been blessed to live in changing times. For a child each new word is like a shiny toy, a toy that has no age. We at the other end of the chronological arc have the advantage of remembering there are words that once did not exist and there were words that once strutted their hour upon the earthly stage and now are heard no more, except in our collective memory. It's one of the greatest advantages of aging. See ya later, alligator! Thanks to Georgia Johnson

Sister Amanda Dawn Burrows returns from her mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Friday, February 26, 2016. Amanda served in the the Arkansas Bentonville Mission. She left from the Sierra Highlands Ward in the Reno Nevada North Stake on August 13, 2014 to serve in the Oklahoma Tulsa Mission. The mission home was relocated to Arkansas in July 2015. Sister Burrows has especially enjoyed serving over several transfers in a Branch comprised of members from the Marshall Islands. She has learned some of the Marshallese language, as well as their culture and customs. Amanda is the daughter of Kathryn and John Burrows of the Mesquite 1st Ward. Sister Burrows will speak Sunday, February 28, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. in the Stake Center, 100 N. Arrowhead.

Elder Colby Clem returned after serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served for 2 years in the Oregon Salem Mission. Colby is the son of Charles and Gayla Clem of the Mesquite 1st Ward. Elder Colby Clem will speak on Sunday, February 21, 2016 at 1 pm in the Stake Center.

Mesquite Stake President, David Anderson, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, wanted to share the news that five students from Virgin Valley High School have been accepted to attend BYU. They are left to right: Joshua Ponce, Mern Hafen, Savannah Browning, Jaden Hollingshead and Kai Mitchell. Congratulations!

What a great looking group of scouts and leaders! It's not too often where you get everyone in uniform! Great job Beth King! You are an awesome Cubmaster!

Elder Quentin Kaleb Smith has been called by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to serve in the Washington Kennewick Mission. Quentin will leave for the Missionary Training Center on Feb 10 and then will go to WA to serve a 24 month mission. Nicole Eskelsen is his mother and his sister is Nikita Eskelsen. Elder Smith will be speaking on Sunday, January 31, 2016 at 9:00 am in the Mesquite 3rd Ward located in the Whipple Building.

Women's Conference The Relief Society of the Mesquite Nevada Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held its annual Women’s Conference January 30th, 2016 The theme of “Becoming More” gave the attendees an opportunity to meet and learn of ways they could enhance their efforts to follow the Savior more closely and become more like Him. Throughout the day classes were offered for the women to choose from as they wished. The subjects ranged from spiritual subjects like becoming true Disciples of Christ and fulfilling their sacred responsibilities as divine women to practical subjects such as keeping our families safe from pornography and raising teenagers in today’s world. The well attended classes also included topics such as anxiety and depression, health and relaxation tips, and improving marriages. The day started with Lauri Hughes, Stake Relief Society president, explaining the theme and introducing the keynote speaker, Stake President David Anderson who gave an inspiring talk about how we all could “Become More”. A break in the classes at noon brought everyone together for a wonderful lunch catered by Debra Baker. Entertainment was provided by the delightful duo The Laughing Moms.

The annual Scout Leader Recognition Dinner for all Leaders in Virgin River Valley BSA was held on Thurs., January 28, 2016 . Leaders from the following units attended the dinner and recognition: 11 units sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Troop 2060 sponsored by the Elks Lodge and Pack 8 sponsored by the Mesquite Resort Association. Second Miler Awards were presented to Trent Reber, Scoutmaster of Troop2042, Chole Lee, Webelos leader of den 2060, Charles Burton, 11 year old scout leader of Troop 2493, and Craig Empey, assistant scoutmaster of Troop 2041. They were presented with wood plaques to recognize them for going the second mile in helping the boys in their units earn their advancements, skill awards and plan activities and camp-outs. Robyn Schaefermeyer presented the second miler awards and Scott Brotherson presented the award of Merit. Both serve on the scout committee. Brian Haviland and Jon Meierhoff were presented with Award of Merit plaques for their many years of service to scouting in Virgin Valley. Jon is 11 year old leader in Troop 2488 and has been the coordinator of 11 year old camp outs for the Virgin Valley BSA, a Round Table Commissioner, coordinated the Camporee, and coordinated the 50 mile hike to the Unitas for the Varsity and Venture Scouts. Brian has been a unit leader in Troop 2341, a camp director at Camp Kolob summer camp and is the LDS liaison with the Virgin River Valley scout troops. Stephen Waite was the guest speaker. “There is great power in scouting. Boys need a helping hand to build their life on. Scouting teaches industry, the power of being prepared. It teaches boys to do better and to obey the law. The scouting program offers disciplined adults who give the boys the opportunity to learn skills that will help them build their lives on a rock solid foundation of good character. Brent Hughes, scoutmaster Troop 493, presented Stephen with a handcrafted knife; the handle was made of a polished deer horn and a blade of hand-chiseled flint.