All primary children are invited to sing prelude at the general session of stake conference on Sunday January 19th. There will be 1 practice Sunday January 12th, 7 pm in the West Stake Center chapel. On Sunday January 19th please arrive at the West Stake Center by 9:40 am. Please contact Jill Laub if you have any questions.

Young Single Adult Branch: President Brian Bingham, 9:00 am Whipple Building Old Mill Ward: Bishop John Zarate, 10:30 am Whipple Building Summer Crest Ward: Bishop Rusty Hughes, 12:00 pm Whipple Building Vistas Ward: Bishop Alex Blazzard, 1:30 pm Whipple Building Valley View Ward: Bishop Jaydel Wilson, 9:00 am Littlefield Building Littlefield Ward: Bishop Aaron Rappleye, 10:30 am Littlefield Building Scenic Ward: Bishop Charles Lee, 12:00 pm Littlefield Building

Dear Members of the West Stake, We hope you have had a wonderful Christmas Season celebrating the birth of our Saviour and are looking forward to many special experiences in the New Year.  One special experience we may have comes from the spiritual uplift we receive when sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with our friends and neighbors.  As a Stake Presidency and together with our High Council after seeking inspiration of the Holy Ghost, we have created a Stake Mission Plan for 2025 to assist us as we Love, Share and Invite. We have attached the Mesquite Nevada West Stake Mission Plan to this e-mail for your review and reference throughout the year.  Feel free to print it out and share with others.  We will send out a monthly Love, Share & Invite e-mail to discuss the activity scheduled for each month.  The most important aspect of this Plan is the opportunity to seek the Spirit to direct you to the "who" & "how" you will share the Gospel of our Saviour. Listen for the Holy Spirit first and together we will use the Plan to assist us in seeking out those ready to be invited to receive what has blessed our lives. For the month of January, our action item is  Fast for Missionary opportunities .  We hope you will use this coming Fast Sunday to pray and fast for opportunities of missionary experiences. Be prepared to act on these opportunities and follow the promptings when the Lord puts someone in your path. We love you members of the West Stake and pray for you often. We testify that Jesus is the Christ and the blessings we receive from Him are great when we strive to share his Gospel. With Love and Admiration, The Mesquite Nevada West Stake Presidency

Elder Cameron Perkins has returned from his mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in the Washington, Spokane Mission. He is the son of Maurie and Christy Perkins of the Heritage Ward, West Stake. Elder Perkins will speak in the Heritage Ward on Sunday, December 29, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. in the Mesquite Nevada West Stake Center. He will continue his studies at SUU in Cedar City, Utah starting in January. Welcome home Elder Perkins!

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ this Christmas season, we are reminded of the profound love that He offers to each of us. His birth, His life, and His ultimate sacrifice are a testimony to the boundless love of the Savior who came into the world to redeem us. In the quiet of that holy night, a child was born who would change the world forever. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to teach us how to love, forgive, and serve. Through His example, we learn that true joy is found in loving others as He has loved us. As we reflect on His life, let us be reminded that love is the greatest gift we can give and receive this season. May our hearts be filled with gratitude for the Savior's love, which is unconditional and eternal. Let His light guide us in spreading kindness and compassion, and may we seek to follow His example in all that we do. As we gather with loved ones and celebrate this special season, let us remember that Christmas is not just about the gifts we exchange, but about the greatest gift ever given—the life and love of Jesus Christ. May His peace fill our homes and hearts, and may we share His love with everyone we meet. Wishing you a Merry Christmas, filled with the light and love of our Savior, Jesus Christ. President Jared Hollingshead Mesquite West Stake

As we think about and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas, we follow His teachings and example of kindness and love a little more clearly and completely than at other times of the year. This added measure of love, compassion, and concern for others makes this the most wonderful time of the year.  His birth in Bethlehem, highlighted in the heavens with the star, helped draw those to the stable who looked forward to His promised mortal mission. Adoration, praise, and gifts were given to the new King.  He was, and still is, the light, the life, and the hope of the world!  His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come.  What gifts can we give at Christmas? Each gift of kindness to anyone becomes a gift of kindness to the Savior because He loves all of Heavenly Father’s children and wants us to have joy. Our gifts of caring, forgiveness, service, patience, and love for others, help bring joy to us, Him, and to His Father.  Wise men still seek, adore, emulate, and praise Him. There is no better time than Christmas for all of us to seek to emulate His teachings and example by rededicating ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus Christ: to love the Lord God with all our heart and love our neighbors as ourselves. May we follow the Son by gifting gifts of tenderness, mercy, and love to all at Christmas and throughout the year. We testify that he lives and loves. He wants us to live and love. He truly is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.   Mesquite NV East Stake, President Ryan Toone Travis Wakefield Darrell Garlick

Sierra Jane Nilsen Winkel, 64, passed away peacefully November 12, 2024, at her home in Mesquite, Nevada with her loving husband Von at her side. She was born August 16, 1960, in Salt Lake City, Utah to Frank Louis Nilsen and Olive Tingey Nilsen. Sierra Jane was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and loyal friend. She kept the two great commandments; she loved her Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ and loved ALL people. She was a dear friend to many and due to the extreme hardships she endured throughout her life, had empathy for all who suffered. Sierra Jane spent her childhood with her four siblings at 2200 Scenic Drive in Salt Lake City, Utah. She attended Beacon Heights Elementary School, Hillside Jr. High School where she served as Student Body Secretary, and Highland High School where she excelled as a cheerleader. Sierra Jane married Matthew Thomas in 1981, and they resided in Bountiful, Utah. They divorced in 1998. Sierra Jane pursued higher education at the University of Utah where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Family and Child Development in 1984. She gave birth to her dear son Bridger in 1984. He is still the “Love of my life.”  She designed and built her dream home high in the foothills above Bountiful Utah with a breathtaking view of the Great Salt Lake. Sierra Jane married Von Kenneth Winkel in 2007. Von and Sierra Jane love each other deeply. That love was forged in the furnace of the affliction of Sierra Jane’s many health issues. For fifteen years they spent countless days in hospitals, and travelling to and from medical clinics. Von never left her side and Sierra Jane was always grateful and gracious for any care she received. Common sayings included, “Thank-you, I really, really appreciate it” or “How will I ever repay you?” She was always a favorite patient at hospitals and doctor’s offices because she endured her pain and illnesses with such grace. Full of complements, she was often heard to say as she was receiving care or being transported to yet another painful treatment by a nurse or aide, “Your hair looks so beautiful today,” or “I love you. Thanks for helping me today.” She truly found joy in life even during her suffering and shared that joy with everyone. Sierra Jane was passionate about making and wearing jewelry, decorating her home, wearing beautiful clothes, painting with watercolors, Christmas, grandchildren and pampering her dogs. She filled her home with style and color that was reflected in beautiful furniture, pictures and other wall hangings, floral arrangements, and reminders of her great faith in her Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. She cherished her membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and honored her covenants. She loved the temple, sacred music, and serving in the church in various callings. She was sensitive to the Spirit and had many sacred experiences that strengthened her faith and those to whom she shared them.  She loved to have fun and was often the center of attention. She had a natural, charming personality, but what attracted most people to her was her genuine love and interest in everyone! She is survived by her husband Von; son, Bridger Thomas; stepsons, Ryan, Matthew, Sean, Jordan and Logan Winkel; and two stepdaughters, Jamee Flores and Rebekah Winkel; 14 grandchildren; one brother, Robert (Bob) Nilsen; and three sisters, Dianne (Mrs. Kenton B. Knorr), Frankie Lyn Nilsen, and Carolyn (Mrs. Thomas Crawford). She was preceded in death by her parents. A viewing will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at 10:00 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel, 355 Virgin St, Bunkerville, Nevada. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM that same day in the same location. Interment will be at the Washington City, Utah Cemetery. We invite family and friends to leave condolences or memories at www.starmortuary.com . The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the many, many dedicated doctors, nurses, aides and other health care professionals who cared for Sierra Jane during her long battle with multiple illnesses.

Cancelled till December... Saturday, November 30 from 8- 10 am will be a work day at the Historic Relief Society House on Willow Street. Tools and materials are provided, just wear your work clothes and come and help. Pictures: Geraldine Zarate, Pres. of the Virgin Valley Historical Society and Terry Butterfield, project manager in front of the house Pres. Ryan Toone and Sandy Otting who look like they were dusted in snow after they cleaned the old sparkly textured ceiling.