From President Anderson: (Link included to view Stake Conference virtually) Dearest Brothers and Sisters, By now you might have heard that part of the business of our upcoming stake conference will be the calling of a new stake presidency. Because there is not enough time in the day and my love for you all and emotions will collide, I thought I might send this note to share some thoughts and feelings for you and also some ‘housekeeping’ business of the conference. MUSIC - During the general session on Sunday we are going to be blessed to have some special music from two nearly instant choirs: a primary choir and a young men/young women choir. In preparation for that experience I ask the following: All primary age children who desire to be part of this historic conference, be at the Stake Center by 9:30 am and find your way to the choir seats. The primary will sing the prelude music of well known primary songs for 15 minutes. After the welcome and prior to the to the opening prayer, the choir will sing as a special musical number - I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus. Following the prayer we ask that you quietly go and sit with your families. Young men and women - following the sustaining, as the new stake presidency makes their way to the pulpit, we ask that you all reverently make your way (with a hymn book) to the choir seats. You will be singing How Firm a Foundation (hymn #85) verses 1-4 and 7. This will be all on the melody only - no harmony parts to worry about. Following your hymn, we ask that you quietly go and sit with your families. If your schedule allows, we ask that you to come to the stake center for a short practice at 8:45 am Sunday morning. Now, concerning if you are going to be part of either choir, please consider this your invitation, if you have or have not been to any practice. Stake conference is particularly important for the instruction and edification of stake and ward leaders and all other members of the stake. I invite every member of our stake to prepare spiritually for the conference and to attend all appropriate sessions. To my beloved family, friends, teachers, stake and ward leaders, and associates: I feel intense gratitude and devotion beyond my power to express. I have had the blessing of watching behind the scenes all the work and selfless service that goes into the day-to-day operations of the stake. Elder Christofferson put it this way “We know that “when [we] are in the service of [our] fellow beings [we] are only in the service of [our] God.” And the Lord reminds us that such service is central to His life and character: “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” President Marion G. Romney wisely explained: “Service is not something we endure on this earth so we can earn the right to live in the celestial kingdom. Service is the very fiber of which an exalted life in the celestial kingdom is made.” This past year we have focused on preparing ourselves to be ready for the rededication and reopening of the St. George Temple. We have testified to one another of the miracles and spiritual growth that we have experienced as we progressed along the covenant path. I add my testimony to Elder Renlund when he said “As you walk the covenant path, from baptism to the temple and throughout life, I promise you power to go against the natural worldly flow. . . Going against the flow may be difficult. But when we yield “to the enticings of the Holy Spirit” and put off the selfish tendencies of the natural man or woman, we can receive the Savior’s transforming power in our lives, the power to do difficult things.” In his first message as President of the Church, President Nelson stated: “Your commitment to follow the Savior by making covenants with Him and then keeping these covenants will open the door to every spiritual blessing and privilege available to men, women, and children everywhere. “… The ordinances of the temple and the covenants you make there are key to strengthening your life, your marriage and family, and your ability to resist the attacks of the adversary. Your worship in the temple and your service there for your ancestors will bless you with increased personal revelation and peace and will fortify your commitment to stay on the covenant path.” I bear testimony of Jesus Christ, of His life, His message, His mercy and His atonement. I pray the Lord’s choicest blessings on you and your loved ones. I express special gratitude to the Lord Jesus Christ. I am thankful for His loving-kindness and for His open invitation to come unto Him. I look forward to seeing you this weekend. Your brother in the gospel. Our greatest desire is to worship with you face to face and feel of your spirit. If for some reason you are not able to attend in person please join us virtually at the following link. https://www.mesquitenevadastakes.org/mes-meetings Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the Mesquite East Stake Zoom link. (Sunday general session only).

Elder Francis and Sister Elspeth Kuta are serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They will serve in Vancouver BC Canada Mission for 23 months. Elder and Sister Kuta left for the MTC on January 2 and will report January 12 to Canada.

Our beloved Mother, Sister, Aunt and friend, passed away peacefully on November 25 Th, 2023with her son, Frederick and nieces by her side. She lived in Mesquite, Nevada. She had recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and spent the past, nearly 3 months, at Highland Manor Nursing Home.Millie was 83 years old at the time of her passing. She was born in Richfield, Utah on April 14,1940 to her parents Ellis Maycock “Red” Wade and Bernice Washburn Wade, of Monroe Utah.She loved her parents very much. She was the middle child of three children. She lived in their family home, in Monroe, until she left to pursue her degree in Science and Physical Education,from Utah State University.Millie taught school for many years in Las Vegas, Nevada. She also was a beautiful seamstress and did all of the alterations at ZCMI for many years.Millie had a beautiful singing voice and performed in many musicals and talent shows.She would often sit at her piano and sing or invite others to sing along with her.One of her very favorite memories was meeting John Wayne, on set, in Southern Utah. She thought he was absolutely perfect. She dedicated an entire room, in her home, to John Wayne.She married Fred Olford and together they had one son, Frederick. They later divorced.Millie met and married John Paul in the SLC on March 12 Th , 1977. John adopted Frederick andhe was sealed to them to be an eternal family.Millie hated snow, but loved the hot heat in Nevada. She wanted to be where she didn’t have to worry about snow covered roads to drive and walk on.Millie had one son, Frederick Ellis Paul. When Frederick was 9 years old he had a devastating accident that resulted in a traumatic brain injury. Millie devoted everything she possibly could to raise Frederick and teach him everything that he had to relearn after his accident. She was truly a wonderful mother.She is preceded in death by her husband, her father and mother, her grandparents as well Asher brother in law. She was also preceded in death by John Wayne, her secret true love!She is survived by her son Frederick, Her sister Priscilla Haslam and brother, Richard “Dick”Wade. She is also survived by 3 nieces and 6 nephews.There will be a family Graveside service in Monroe, Utah in the spring.A special thanks to the staff at Highland Manor as well as the Hospice team that took such wonderful care of her. We will love and appreciate you forever. Millie, you will be missed, but never forgotten.

Raymond Lynn Peterson, age 82, passed away in the evening of December 27, 2023. His health declined unexpectedly during a brief stay that day at Mesa View Regional Hospital. Raymond was born in Redding, California on June 2, 1941. He was the first born to parents John Chester Peterson “tennis shoe Pete” and Elaine Ballard. Raymond’s family moved to Boulder City, Nevada when he was an infant. Their subsequent move to Henderson, Nevada resulted in his growing years in that city where he graduated from Basic High School in 1959. Raymond and Marilyn Watkins were married in Henderson, Nevada on August 14, 1962. After his marriage, he and Marilyn settled in Las Vegas where they worked and supported their family of five. Raymond was in the apprenticeship program with the Plumbers and Pipefitters, becoming a journeyman in Local 525 for 35 years. When he retired from that Union, he was working with Honeywell, Inc. Lastly, he was employed with Clark County School District where he retired in 2004. Raymond was a talented man and succeeded quite well in sports: Golf, Bowling, Remote Control Airplanes, Skiing, Drag Racing, and Motorcycle Racing. But, most of all, he loved camping. That’s where he enjoyed hunting and fishing with his children. In his more grownup years, after retiring to St. George, Utah, he could be seen on his Honda Goldwing 3-wheel trike driving the highways with Marilyn onboard. Raymond believed in the principles and standards of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was a faithful saint and served his Heavenly Father as a Bishop and High Council member for many years in Las Vegas. Although he experienced health problems, he knew he was brought to this earthly existence to live the plan of salvation. He accepted these challenges and now is with his eternal ancestors. Raymond is survived by his wife of 62 years, Marilyn Watkins Peterson Sons: Ricky Peterson (Kimberly) of Cedar City, Utah Gregg Peterson (Michele Whittenburg) of Las Vegas, Nevada Daughters: Deborah Becker of Henderson, Nevada Leah Troike of Richfield, Utah Breanne Wiest (Charles Wiest) of Bigfork, Montana Grandchildren total 19 and Great Grandchildren total 16 Brothers: David Peterson (Judy McIntyre) of Lehi, Utah Marc Peterson (Vickie Hannig) of Reno, Nevada Friday, January 5, 2024 Star Mortuary Viewing 10:00 - 12:00 300 Riverside Rd, Mesquite, NV Hardy Way Cemetery Graveside Service 12:00 1362 Hardy Way, Mesquite, NV

Dirk Marshall,2nd Counselor, Bishop Maurice Perkins, Brian Le Cheminant, 1st Counselor

Alex Brotherson 1st Counselor, Bishop John Zarate, Kent Jones, 2nd Counselor

Elder Scott Sperry has honorably served his mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in the Uruguay Montevideo Mission. Janette Sperry and Scott G. Sperry are his parents. Elder Scott Sperry will speak on December 31st at 1:30 pm in the Summer Crest Ward, East Stake, in the Whipple Chapel. It is located in Mesquite at 121 Whipple Way. Welcome home Elder! Elder Sperry Testimony I know that this is the true Church of Jesus Christ. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that he restored the Church. I testify that the Book of Mormon is true and that it was translated by the gift and power of God. I testify that Jesus Christ is our Savior. He atoned for our sins. I know He is the Son of God. I know that Heavenly Father loves each of us and that He sent His Son to us. I know that Jesus Christ lives.

The Christmas Season is a special time of year.  Christmas is not only a time for happy gatherings with family, neighbors and friends but also the perfect time to reflect on the central figure of the Christmas Story even Jesus Christ. Christmas exists because of the birth, life, ministry and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer of mankind.  We commemorate his birth with a deep sense of gratitude and reverence for all that he has done for us.  We never tire of telling the story of the humble nativity scene. We gather together to sing and speak of his birth because of the life He lived.   A life that changed the world.  All this wonder leaves us to ponder the meaning of his coming. In the movie It’s a Wonderful Life, George Bailey is given a gift.  The gift he was given was to see what a difference his life had meant to so many of his family and friends and community.  He realized all the good that he had done and that he truly did have a wonderful life.  And to some George Bailey made all the difference in their life. God our Heavenly Father has given us a gift.  And that gift was his beloved son Jesus Christ who was born in a humble manger.  Jesus Christ came and he changed the world for all of us.  He makes all the difference in all our lives if we will but come unto him, believe him and follow him.  Jesus Christ lives! May we all go about doing good even as the Savior did this Christmas Season!  Let us reach out in love to those in need.  May we fill our Christmas season with acts of kindness.  And may we have room for him in our personal “inns”.  God be thanked for His matchless gift of His beloved Son.  I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas season filled with the Love of the Savior Jesus Christ. Jared Hollingshead Stake President Mesquite NV West Stake Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Good Tidings of Great Joy Luke 2 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. We are reminded as we read the scriptures that we should be of good cheer. We are taught that the birth of Jesus Christ is a message of GREAT JOY. In the scriptures, the word ‘joy’ typically means much more than passing moments of contentment or even feelings of happiness. Joy in this context is a godly attribute, found in its fulness when we return to dwell in the presence of God. And in these days, being of good cheer is part of being valiant in the testimony of Jesus. The gospel message is a message of hope, of ‘good tidings of great joy,’ and the means whereby all can experience peace and occasions of joy in this life and receive a fulness of joy in the life to come. The joy we speak of is a gift for the faithful, yet it comes with a price. Joy is not cheap or casually given. Rather, it is bought ‘with the precious blood of Jesus Christ.’ During this season of remembering the ‘greatest gift’ we often reflect and ask “what is a gift that I could give back to the Savior”? May I suggest two gifts that brings GREAT JOY to the Savior. Gift one: While in mortality the Savior often faced condemnation and ridicule for receiving and eating with sinners. The Savior showed great compassion for all of God’s children—especially for those who were suffering or had fallen away. They were often referred to as ‘lost’ and were the central figures in the parables of the Savior. One such parable gives us the answer to our question “what is a gift that I could give back to the Savior”? Luke 15 3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Simply stated - give the gift of repentance. Turn back to God. He feels great joy when those who are lost are found. Gift two: Accept the invitation to “Come unto Me”! Matthew 11 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. There is only one way to true happiness and fulfillment. Jesus Christ is the way. Finally, I testify that what a wise man once wrote is true: “If you have not chosen the kingdom of God first, it will in the end make no difference what you have chosen instead.” Having so chosen the kingdom of God, may He bless us all to repent and we all come unto the source of comfort and joy! David J. Anderson Stake President Mesquite Nevada East Stake Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Elder Coleman West is home after serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder West has returned from the Ghana Accra West Mission. His Parents are Michelle West and David West. Elder Coleman West will be speaking on December 31st at 1:30pm in the Summer Crest Ward, East Stake, in the Whipple Chapel. It is located at 121 Whipple Way, Mesquite. Welcome home Elder!