Sister Calla Haviland has been called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She will be serving in the Philippines Iloilo mission and will be learning the Hiligaynon language. Calla will fly out on September 18th and report to the Manilla MTC on September 20th. Calla is the daughter of Brian and Joy Haviland of the Bunkerville 1st Ward. Sister Calla Haviland will be speaking tomorrow, August 27th, in the Bunkerville Chapel at 9 am. Sister Haviland's testimony: I know that Jesus Christ is my savior and I know that he loves me and he died for me. I know he wants me to return and live with him and his father forever. I know that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon and that Russell M. Nelson is our living prophet today and God speaks through him. I believe that through small and simple great things our faith will grow and we can learn to be more like him. Even though we don’t see God, he is there and I know he is there through all the miracles and blessings he has sent to me. I know that we are all children of God and that God loves everyone, and because he loves us he made it possible for us to live with him again. I know that as we make mistakes in our life, we will all be able to repent and be forgiven of all of our sins. I know that through hard times in life, God will be there to help and guide us through those trials. I know that the power of prayer is real and that if we pray for an answer he will give us an answer, it just might not be the one that we want. I know that true happiness comes only by following in Gods plan. I know that all of these things are true and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

This is the song the Primary children will be singing. Please help them to learn it. If they haven't made it to a practice, this should help them to be able to jump right in. Thank you https://youtu.be/D9M0KsynhQM

The Arrowhead Ward turned a ward party into a pine wood derby. They ate breakfast and then enjoyed the races. There were 3 categories: activity days boys, activity days girls & family. (This was anyone who wasn't in activity days.) The winners: Boys 1st- Declan M. 2nd_ Collin A. 3rd- Dayvion M. Girls 1st- Jessa K. 2nd- Blakelee S. 3rd- Cora K. Family 1st- Molly e. 2nd- Max K. 3rd- Reese A. Overall winners 1st- Jessa K. 2nd- Blakeless S. 3rd- Mollye

Our Area Presidency has stated, “To help more Saints in the Utah Area improve their spiritual and temporal self-reliance, we want to help members enroll in institutions of higher learning, where they can receive degrees, certificates, and/or upskilling that will bless their lives.” Who Can Benefit from More Education? Individuals without higher education plans, especially those who are struggling spiritually and financially • High school seniors • Young single adults • Those needing to gain new job skills to improve their employment situation • Adults who have some college, but no degree For more information, please contact: GlenHorlacher@gmail.com 702-300-9948 Kellee Horlacher@gmail.com 702-300-9950

Elder Bridger Toone returned in June after serving his mission for the Church of Latter-day Saints. He served in the Mission Mexico Chalco. Bridger is the son of Kena and Ryan Toone of the East Stake. Welcome home! Elder Toone Testimony; I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, my personal savior, and the Savior of the world. He died for us and affirmed to us that gospel which he left, can lead us to salvation. This gospel was restored by the prophet Joseph Smith, and I know that we can live with our Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ again.

A back to school party is planned for the youth of the West Stake. The Stake Youth Council hosts a Back2School party at Pioneer Park on AUGUST 9TH at 6pm. There would be a BBQ and a water slide.

Self-Reliance classes are planned to begin on Sunday, September 10th at 5:30 P.M. We are planning on having an Emotional Resilience and a Personal Finance class. We will meet at the stake offices at 5:30 P.M. and have a brief orientation followed by participants breaking out into their desired class for the first lesson. Please remember that non-members and youth are more than welcome to attend these classes. If you have any questions, please contact Brother and Sister Brinkerhoff at (702) 240-2441 or Brother Griffiths at (702) 340-3096.

JoAnne Hughes McConnell, born September 7th, 1961 passed away peacefully at home on July 28th, 2023 in the early morning. She loved all kinds of music, reading, watching sports, especially her favorite football, movies and spending time with her family. She was the second mascot for Virgin Valley High School from 1977 to 1978. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and was sealed to Dwaine on March 5th, 1982 in the Saint George, Utah Temple. She loved children and ran a small nursery/daycare for a few years before her and Dwaine were married. Many of the children she looked after, she kept in touch with as they grew up and had children of their own. And though she and Dwaine only had one child, they have unofficially adopted many others over the years, which allowed her to live her dream of having many children. She is survived by her husband; Dwaine, daughter; Catya, her older brother; Howard, younger sister; Kayleen, her puppy; boy Fynn Lee, her grand kitty; Ahsoka Blue and her kitty niece; M’e Lu, as well as many cousins, other family, and friends. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Max and Verna Hughes, her elder brother; Erwin, her in-laws; Dwaine Sr. and Diane McConnell, and Marjorie Faught, and aunts, uncles , other family, and friends. The family invites you to leave a message or memory at starmortuary.com

A new display is at the Virgin Valley Heritage Museum regarding the longest running non-union picket line that was maned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 2 ½ years. The residents in Virgin Valley were determined to not have a porno store in their community along with all the secondary effects it would bring. It has been almost 30 years since the picketing began on September 20, 1993 and continued through March 28, 1996. The citizens and Chamber of Commerce came together to form HOME – Help Our Moral Environment – organization. People came to make signs, make schedules for sign up times, and raise funds to defray the costs of the shade structures and fuel for the orchard heater. Those on the picket line wrote down the license plate numbers and state to intimidate customers. When the citizens in Washington county were informed that most of the cars frequenting the business were from Utah, they volunteered to help man the picket line also. These mothers, fathers, teachers, business owners, grandparents, farmers, contractors, doctors, students and church leaders from the several churches walked the sidewalk. In the summer they continued even when there was 117-degree heat that lasted a week, they sat in front of ‘Ol Smoky Joe” the orchard heater when it was cold but they never gave up. In fact, there were some memorable experiences: a 90th birthday party was celebrated, wedding anniversaries, Christmas caroling, a Mother’s Day breakfast, along with Dutch Oven dinners in the winter and ice cream socials in the summer and Friday night pizza from 5 Buck Pizza. The City of Mesquite tried to shut the store down when it was found that they had misrepresented their business license as office space. When they opened as Pure Pleasure Book Store instead, the city revoked their business license. The owners then sued the City of Mesquite, and the judge granted an injunction to stay open. The City with legal help, made new zoning laws. The court battle for this new Ordinance #103 was finally ruled on by District Court Judge Philip Pro in Las Vegas Federal Court on March 27, 1996. The store was shut down the next day by Chief Mike Murphy, Mesquite Police Chief, Mayor Ken Carter, city councilmen and city building inspectors. A large crowd gathered to celebrate the victory. In retrospect, Murphy explained, “This was a time when people gathered for something bigger than self.” “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that has.” Margaret Mead. You are invited to come see the display of pictures, original picket signs, letters from the Governor of Utah and others and learn about White Ribbons Across America Campaign to educate about the secondary effects of pornography. Some of the memories on the picket line have been put in a book that can be viewed, along with a timeline that has been created and copied for visitors to take. There is a metal plaque on the sidewalk on Eldorado Drive in Mesquite to commemorate the citizens’ tireless efforts and their victory. The Museum is open 10- 4:00 Tuesday -Saturday and is located at 35 W. Mesquite Boulevard. The display will run for about 3 months. By Cheryl Jensen