Elder Cameron Curtis Perkins received his mission call from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Cameron will serve in the Spokane, Washington, Mission, leaving on January 30. Maurice and Christy Perkins of the Heritage Ward are his parents. Elder Cameron Perkins will be speaking Sunday, January 22, 2023 at 10:30 am in the Stake Center, located at 100 N. Arrowhead.

Recommends will be signed this Wednesday night from 5 to 6 PM The West Stake Presidency will be signing recommends in the Stake Center. The East Stake Presidency will be signing recommends in the Seminary Building Members need to reach out to their ward/branch clerk, to clarify where they need to go if there's any confusion.

Dutch Oven Cobbler and ice cream will be served Thursday, January 19that a fundraiser for restoration of the Relief Society building/Hughes Home from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. at the plaza between the Art Gallery and the Heritage Museum. A raffle will be held for the following items: a handmade youth size quilt, a basket of treats from Danielle's Chocolate Factory, and gift cards from Juniper Outpost and Ace Hardware. Tickets are $5.00 each or $20 for 5 tickets. Winners will be drawn and announced on Friday, Jan. 20th and winners will be contacted that day. A $5 donation is suggested for the cobbler. Vay Mickelson donated a handmade cedar chest for the silent auction and the starting bid is $50.00. This is sponsored by the Virgin Valley Historical Society - they would like to thank the businesses that have donated the gift cards and items. It is in conjunction with the Art Awards reception from 4 to 6:00 pm. The first Service Project on the historical building will be Saturday, January 21st from 8 to 12:00 pm, for anyone who is interested in helping out to restore the building. They should bring tools they may have - gloves, possibly a stepladder, and dressed to work for 1 or 2 hours or whatever they are able to do. All help will be appreciated. Contact Ryan Toone and Wes Carter for more information.

Elder Marcus Matthews returns on January 17th , from his mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in the Las Vegas West Mission from January 2021 to November 2021, then in the São Paulo Brazil South Mission from November 2021 to January 2023. Marcus attended a Portuguese branch while in Las Vegas, helping him in learning the language. Joe and Renee Matthews of the Heritage Ward (M3rd) are his parents. Elder Marcus Matthews will be speaking on Sunday, January 22, 2023 at 10:30 am in the Stake Center, located 100 N. Arrowhead. Welcome home Elder! Elder Matthews Testimony: Hi brothers and sisters, some of you may know who I am my name is Elder Marcus Matthews and a little over 2 years ago. I was called on a mission to serve in the Brazil São Paulo South mission. Due to complications with covid 19 I was reassigned to serve in Las Vegas west yes an hour from my house haha. I didn't know what to expect but I love both of my missions with my whole heart. I saw the Lord's mighty hand innumerable times in Las Vegas as I tried to bring the gospel to the people there. After almost a year in the mission I had the opportunity to go to Brazil finally and let me tell you it was so hard. I couldn't understand what the people were saying and the culture was different but I took the advice of the Brazilians and got to work on studying the language so I could teach the people. I saw the Lord's merciful hand as I made an effort to learn their language. I know the gift of tongues is real and I know the gifts of the spirit are real. I testify that Jesus is the Christ and is anxiously waiting for anyone who may have strayed from the path. Let him carry your burdens I exhort you all to seek him in all you do and he will guide you back to the presence of our Father in heaven. I testify that lives with all my heart and love in the sacred name of our Lord Jesus Christ amen!

Cynthia Louise Johnson, age 76 of Mesquite, NV passed away at home on January 6, 2023. She was born in Cedar City, UT to Doyle R Clark and Colleen Benson Clark. She married Roland C Higgins and later separated. On November 9, 1991 she married Dr. John Wayne Johnson in Jackson, WY. They moved to Mesquite in 2003 from the Salt Lake Valley. Cynthia will be remembered as a kind and big hearted woman. Prior to retirement she worked for the Utah Department of Child and Family Services. Her passion for children was shown in many areas of her work from Sub for Santa where they provided gifts for over 800 children in the Salt Lake Area, or heading up the volunteer program for foster child support. She enjoyed doing crafts including sewing, ceramics, and other arts. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in many roles with in the church. Cynthia is survived by her husband Dr John Wayne Johnson; seven children Stefni (Wiley) Sharp, Shaun (Tonya) Higgins, Les (Ann) Johnson, Tyler (Danajo) Johnson, Cameron (Carrie) Johnson, Randall (Marcy) Johnson, Joshua (Tara) Johnson; a sister Doyleen (Carl) Gustafson; seventeen grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents and a brother Collins Clark. Memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 11:00 am with a visitation prior from 10:00 to 10:45 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Whipple Chapel at 100 North Arrowhead Lane, Mesquite, NV 89027. Family and friends are invited to leave condolences and memories at www.starmortuary.com

The final picture of the Stake Presidency of January 2023 Stake Clerk, Stephen Waite, 1st Counselor, Danny Allen, President David J. Anderson, 2nd Counselor Laren Abbott, Stake Executive Secretary, Gavin Coburn Stake Council Stake Presidency with High Counsel

Heritage Day Celebration was held on Saturday, January 7 at “Settler’s Point”, the location where the first home was built in Virgin Valley. Those attending were greeted by David Leavitt playing his guitar and singing folk songs of days gone by. The large crowd joined in singing “They the Builders of the Nation” followed by a prayer and pledge of allegiance to the American Flag. David and Nancy Leavitt sang a duet of the pioneer hymn, “Come, Come, Ye Saints” with David amazingly playing both harmonica and guitar. Andrew Jensen introduced the guest speaker, Vinnie Leavitt, author of the book, Mesquite Flats, A History of Virgin Valley. “Just imagine ‘Silence’, “Vinnie said. “It was quiet back then on that first day when Edward Bunker came with twenty-eight others from Santa Clara, Utah. The hill wasn’t cut like it is today, there was no road; the hills along here came out like fingers. There was no brush along the river just some blue weed and screw beans.” “They took the wagon wheels off and set the wagon boxes down into dirt on this hill. This spot became the central gathering place with a wood shelter and eating table outside. The men and boys would come here each morning to get their work assignments.” Vinnie told of their leaving Santa Clara and camping the first night half-way up Utah Hill and Castle Cliffs at Camp Springs. The next night was spent at “Cottonwood” (Beaver Dam) and on to the “Flats” on Saturday night, camping on this hill.” On Sunday morning, January 7, 1977, he said, “the men gathered in a circle around Edward Bunker, Sr. holding a handful of soil in one hand and a handful of wheat in the other, he gave the prayer of Israel and dedicated the valley for a peaceful farming place where they would be safe and raise their families.” “These pioneers came with a purpose in their hearts – to live their religion and live together and consecrate everything they had to the Savior,” he said. Edward Bunker, Sr. was a very religious man and he and others believed they could work together to achieve the goal of living the law of the United Order. Edward Bunker had talked to Brigham Young, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, about his desire to form a new settlement. Pres. Young told them, “Go to the Rio Virgin to the Flats and build on the south side of the river. The soil is better there and you can get water a little easier.” Vinnie explained that in the United Order, they held things in common. “They signed their names in agreement and divided everything evenly and if someone needed a wagon or an ox – they could have it. The United Order had been tried several times before. In Bunkerville it did bring so much cooperation for two years but there came competition and feelings were hurt and it was dissolved.” Vinnie spoke about other towns in the area and why the people came there – “Pioche and Panaca, they came for the wealth in the mines, Tonopah they settled for the gold and silver, Las Vegas – to gain control and power and riches – but the people came to Bunkerville to make a settlement!” He ended his remarks talking about the people that have gown up in this valley and spread out using their leadership abilities to build other communities in Arizona, California, and other far-off places. He said, “The early settlers have provided strength that we still carry today. They have left us with memories and experiences of following God and this is their greatest gift to us. What is your part to preserve this? Be a good citizen and try to do good when you are in leadership positions in your community. “ Vinnie answered question at the end regarding how they built the canal to irrigate the land, “they built a straddled box about 16’ long and 4’wide wide with a plumb line to get the fall they wanted for the water. Then they would dig up the wooden box and set it again 16’ away until they finished the canal to the dam which they made of brush and rock that then diverted the water. “ A question was asked about the relations between the settlers and the Indians and his reply was, “It was mostly peaceful and friendly and the settlers agreed to give flour and food to the Indians when they came through. If an Indian made trouble he was turned over to the chief and if the white man did something wrong, he went before the bishop to determine the punishment. With gratitude for the preservation of the remains of the foundation of the first home, Andrew Jensen told how the scared spot had been saved from the road construction crew when a cut was made in the hill to grade the road for Highway 91. Jensen said, “I saw Vinnie Leavitt on this site and stopped to visit with him. We saw the foundation but it was being damaged by four-wheelers and we wanted to preserve it. Then when the state highway road crew came to carve out a wider road, I talked to the foreman and asked him not to cut into the hill and destroy the site. He said he would try but they had their specifications for the road! They got almost too close to the foundation, but later a retaining wall was built. It was John Hall that built up the present rock enclosure with my brother, Kelly and I helping. And Dennis Hunsaker put in the poles.” Several Eagle Scouts did their Eagle projects at the site to put in a sign and steps. Jensen said, “In days past you might have heard men and boys yelling at their teams and whipping them as they crossed the river. If they didn’t get across in a hurry, they were likely to lose their animals or wagons in the bogs in the river or quicksand.” Jensen also told of Jedidiah Smith’s travels and the Indians who stayed here for the winter and went north for the summer and how they worked out their differences. “I am grateful for the heritage they have given us; this is a sacred place!” he stated. “Heritage, “a poem by VIlate Raile, was read which epitomizes the feelings of those in attendance about the legacy these settlers left for this valley. They cut desire into short lengths And fed it to the hungry fire of courage. Long after, when the flames had died: Molten gold gleamed in the ashes. They gathered it into bruised palms And handed it to their children; And their Children’s children, forever! Everyone was treated to the mainstay and favorite food of the settlers – homemade bread, butter, jam and honey! Thank you to Carol Leavitt for the delicious bread.

Recently I heard a profoundly beautiful Christmas song that was sung by some gifted and talented individuals from this beautiful valley. The song is entitled “The Work of Christmas”. It was composed by Howard Thurman, an African American theologian, educator, and civil rights leader. From his powerful lyrics I would like to share a Christmas message. The Work of Christmas When the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flock, The work of Christmas begins: To find the lost, To heal the broken, To feed the hungry, To release the prisoner, To rebuild the nations, To bring peace among others, To make music in the heart. How grateful we are that the baby Jesus was born, but do we place more emphasis on His birth than upon other phases of His life? Is birth the major event in any of our lives? We might ask: To what end are we born? For what purpose is our birth? In the Gospel of Luke in Chapter 4 we learn from the Savior the purpose of His life: 16 ¶ And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. As the Christmas season passes and we turn our attention to making resolutions, along with the desire lose a few pounds and walk a little more, may I invite you to join with me and find a righteous resolution to “SEEK HIM”. Find something in His life and make it a part of your life. Seek to find a way to find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the prisoner, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among others and to make music in the heart. It is my witness that the Savior fulfilled every aspect of His life’s mission. Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer. He preached deliverance to the captives and set at liberty those that are bruised. I pray that we do not try to hold hostage those that the Savior seeks to set free. The aim of all is to become more like Jesus Christ. When we strive to be like HIM, we’re not just looking for new information; we want to become a “new creature”. This means relying on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to help us change our hearts, our views, our actions, and our very natures. That is when the real work of Christmas is accomplished. In the spirit of that great challenge, may we all rejoice this blessed Christmas season. David J. Anderson Mesquite Nevada Stake President The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Elder Dennis and Sister Mary lee Taylor returned home December16th after serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They served an 18 month mission in the England Birmingham Mission. Elder and Sister Taylor have been asked to speak Sunday, January 8th in the Mesquite 2nd Ward, 10:30 a.m. in the Littlefield Chapel. Welcome home!