Heritage Day Program was held at the Bunkerville Monument to commemorate the settling of the Virgin Valley on January 7, 1877. The annual event was sponsored by the Mesquite Nevada Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Andrew Jensen organized the program that honored the pioneer families who had the courage to blaze a path for future generations to continue to build on. The American flag was raised and the audience said the Pledge of Allegiance. Atop the flag pole is an eagle donated by Evan Leavitt. The audience joined in singing “They the Builders of the Nation” reminding us of the deeds of the pioneers who unfurled the flag of truth and their deeds became a pillar, guide and an inspiration to the succeeding generations. Their courage was an unfailing beacon to all who know their story. Pictures of early pioneer homes in Bunkerville was on display showing the structures and the changes over the years and listing the owners then and now. The display was done by Claudia Leavitt, sister to Mike Waite. Mike Waite, third generation resident of the Valley, was the guest speaker. He told of the events of the first years of settlement and the struggles to grow crops and build homes. “On Sunday, January 7, 1877 Bishop Edward Bunker took a handful of seed of wheat in one hand and a handful of soil in the other. He then lifted his eyes to heavens, and prayed and asked the Lord to bless the seed that it might yield abundantly, the earth that it might be fertile and rich, the water that would be applied to the land and the elements that they would not destroy the crops. He dedicated the people and the land that they would live the laws of God that thereby they would have peace in the land. As he prayed, he let the soil and the seeds sift through his fingers.” Monday, January 8 they stated working on a small building, a ditch and started clearing the ground to plant. By January 22 they had cleared 75 acres, and planted 22 acres of wheat, 14 of cotton, 7 in molasses cane and the rest in corn. The first year they enjoyed a good harvest of 450 bushels of wheat, 12,000lbs. of cotton on the seed and 600 gallons of molasses. A thresher was brought into the valley in November of 1878. In January of 1879 they had a burr mill that did its first grinding of flour and they said it was not bad flour. Weir Leavitt set up his waterwheel along the gin ditch to clean the cotton. The other ditch was called the Indian ditch. They realized that the area of the first home site was too hilly and rocky. To establish a permanent community, they decided to move to a site west and the first home was erected in November 1878 in present day Bunkerville. The next year was an even better crop with 1600 bushels of wheat, 30,000 lbs. of cotton and 1500 gallons of molasses. Other families moved to the valley and some settled in Littlefield, Lewis Bottom. Beaver Dam and one family settled at Riverside in 1881. The first church was organized in January of 1879 with Edward Bunker S. as the Bishop of the LDS church. In 1890 they began to build a rock building for church and a place to hold dances and recreation. They lived the United Order with each family doing their work assignment but in 1880 it was discontinued. Each family was given a share of the monies and George Crosby used his funds to start the first store. In the fall of the first year they started a school in a small shanty and in March of 1879 Bunkerville had its own school district. By 1882 Mesquite school district separated from Bunkerville and had its own school district. The ground in Mesquite was sandy soil whereas Bunkerville had more gravel. In 1880 Mesquite was called by some “the camp.” They built 1 ½ miles of irrigation ditch in Bunkerville but, in Mesquite the settlers had to build 6 miles of ditches to get water and they were able to get 200 acres under cultivation. It was the summer of rain and floods and there were 58 breaks in the 6 miles of ditch. Many working in the heat suffered from seizures and malaria because of the mosquitoes. By November there were only half as many people in Mesquite; about 70-75 people. A number of families moved to St. Thomas and St. Joseph leaving about 46 people in Mesquite. Bunkerville had a post office, store and a number of homes. It was on the 3rd attempt of settling Mesquite when 3 strangers came to stay awhile. They helped build and finance the canal for irrigation water. Therefore, with available water for the fields, a successful settlement was established in Mesquite. They completed the canal of 6 to 7 ½ miles and build a number of structure east of the town wash, planted grapes and fruit trees. Settlers were engaged in farming, mining operation and in freighting. There were many mining operations in Silver Reef, Leeds, Delamar gold mine, Grand Gulch mine. Since there were no roads, they used the dry wash such as Toquap Wash to freight goods to the miners. The Hunt family left Kentucky and came west to Utah and then to Gunlock where their 6th child George was born in 1880. They eventually moved to Bunkerville and Parley, their son built a home for his mother. Mike told the story of Nephi Hunt being shot in the arm when a rifle he was holding discharged. The wound healed and he was called to serve a mission for the LDS church for 2 ½ years. However, when he returned the arm began to swell and the doctor told him his only option was to amputate the arm. Nephi said “No!” He went by train to Salt Lake City and said, “I will be back in two weeks with both my arms!” The doctors at the medical convention being held at the time examined the arm and concluded that the only way to save the arm was to amputate. Nephi refused and said just clean out the wound. He requested that his dad be in the operating room and just as he was going under anesthesia Nephi said, “Do not amputate! I have a lot to do yet, save my arm!” He came home with both of his arms as promised and lived many more years. Waite told of his Grandpa George Hunt’s instructions to his posterity: “Be true to the Church, keep the Sabbath Day holy, be honest, upright and trustworthy. Be good to your neighbors, get a good education and then get good jobs that will hep you and our country.” George was a man of faith. He knew sorrow and hardship and loneliness, but he seemed to have faced each day with hope and belief that he would someday understand why life is hard. The program closed with the hymn, ‘Carry, On!’ reminding those in attendance of the good land that our fathers settled and the heritage they left us - not a heritage of gold or worldly wealth but they left us a legacy of love and joy and faith in God.

Elder David Vogel will serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He will serve in the Hamilton, New Zealand Mission for 24 months. David reports to the Missionary Training Center on January 15th. Chris and Stephanie Vogel of Mesquite 3rd are the parents of David. Elder David Vogel will speak on Sunday, January12, 2020 at 10:30 in the Whipple Chapel.

Heritage Day for Virgin Valley will be held on Saturday, January 11 at 9:00 am at the site of the first home in the valley which is on the road to Bunkerville at the historic site. Mike Waite will be the guest speaker and talk about the history of the Hunt and Waite families. The foundation of the home has been preserved. The area was settled by pioneers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who colonized Bunkerville on January 7, 1877. Edward Bunker, Sr,, Edward Bunker Jr., Dudly, Leavitt, Lemuel Leavitt, George W. Lee and Samuel O. Crosby came with 17 pioneer families and built the building that became the gathering place for the settlers. There is also a marker showing this was on the Old Spanish Trail which was used from 1829-1848. The Virgin Valley was traveled by Jedediah Smith in 1826 and by Fremont in 1844. Everyone is invited to attend this free historical event!

"The stake Relief Society is looking for linen + cloth donations for women's conference decor and just serve projects! If you have any extra you are willing to donate - you can drop them off at a drop off box located infront of the stake center or send a message to Sis. Ashley Oliver (435-705-4777) and she will come pick them up! Thank you! "

Sister Bernice Fiso returned from her mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on December 19th. She served in the Barbados Bridgetown Mission. Gaosi and Jennifer Fiso of the Mesquite 5th Ward are her parents. Sister Bernice Fiso will speak on Sunday, December 29 at 12 in the Whipple Chapel.

Bunkerville Chapel B2: 9am B1: 10:30am M8: 12:30pm **M8 will keep this 12:30 slot permanently. Stake Center M1: 9:30am M4: 12:30pm M5: 8 am M7: 11am Whipple Chapel M6: 9am M3: 10:30am (combined Youth with SB) SB: 12:30 (combined youth with M3) Littlefield Chapel M2: 9am LF: 11am Seminary Building YSA: 9am

When the Saints meet, they love to visit; especially at a stake event when we connect with friends we might not see very often. Five minutes prior to the program’s start the audience was asked to listen quietly to the prelude music. The bells of the organ playing the beloved hymn, Silent Night quieted the conversations and set the tone for the spiritual treat. President David Anderson presided over the meeting and in his remarks he suggested that during this holiday season we all take time to write a poem and find someone to put the words to music, compose music, paint a picture, smile, ring a bell, and/or help neighbors become like the Savior Jesus Christ. Several presentations at the devotional were original pieces and President Anderson said he would like next year’s devotional to contain all original work by stake members. He also shared a unique perspective about how he had studied the miles Christ walked during his Ministry and noted that most miracles Jesus performed were on a “side trip” to his destination. They may have appeared inconvenient and unplanned, but he served because He loved everyone. We should practice being more patient when service is inconvenient and unplanned.

Bunkerville 2nd Ward Mesquite 2nd Ward Bunkerville 1st Ward

Sister Emma Barnum has completed her mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and returned to Bunkerville.She served in the Brazil Fortaleza E. Mission. Emma's parents are Mark and Lori Barnum of the Bunkerville 1st Ward. Sister Emma Barnum will be reporting her mission in the Bunkerville 1st ward on December 29, 2019 at 10:30.

Nathan Reber received his Eagle Scout Award at a court of honor. He is a member of troop 2640 sponsored by the Mesquite 6th Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His project was erecting a flag pole at the community garden on Hafen Lane. His favorite merit badge was tracking and he attended summer camp at Kolob, went white water rafting in the Tetons and deep-sea fishing in California. He graduated from Virgin Valley High School and will serve a mission in Alaska for the LDS church. He is the son of Larry and Jennifer Reber. When the Eagle’s nest was formed, six of the eagles were - his father, his uncles and his brothers. Matt Reber, Nathan’s uncle, gave him the Eagle Charge challenging him, “to so live and serve that those who know you will be inspired to finer living.” He continued, “Always remember that as an Eagle Scout, you become a guide to other scouts. You become an example in your community and your actions are now a little more conspicuous and people will expect more of you. “Reber had Nathan repeat the scout oath to reaffirm his obligation to serve God, his country, fellow scouts and his community. Keith Reber, Nathan’s uncle, gave a scoutmaster minute, and told the story of how scouting teaches young men to do hard things. He told the story of a young man who had never been camping and how he learned to overcome his fears while building and then sleeping in a snow cave in eastern Oregon in weather 17 degrees below zero. Reber said, “The young scout went on to serve in the Marines and was #1 in his class as a Green Beret. When he came back to visit, he told me scouting had changed his life. The young man said, “Scouting taught me I can do hard things!” Brian Haviland, chairman of the Virgin River District BSA, presented the awards and Nathan’s mother pined the Eagle Ribbon and emblem on Nathan’s shirt. Nathan presented pins to his parents for their support and help in reaching his goal. Nathan presented his mentor pin to his grandmother, Pat Reber, for her love and encouragement to complete his project and paperwork. He said, “My grandmother taught me right from wrong and I want to thank her for her love and help.” Haviland presented Nathan with a pocket knife engraved with ‘Eagle Scout’ as a reminder of his achievement in the scouting program.