The Family History Center will be closed on February 18th for Presidents Day and March 4th for building cleaning.

Sister Kari Wakefield has been called to serve an 18 month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She will serve in the Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission, Spanish speaking.Kari is the daughter of Travis and Richelle Wakefield of the Mesquite 5th Ward.She will report to the Missionary Training Center February 12th Sister Kari Wakefield will speak Sunday, February 10th at 12 noon in the Whipple Chapel located 121 Elwin Whipple Way.

What a great turnout for our Cubinapolis! I love this activity and I think the Cubs and families enjoy it too. We had all of our Cub Scots there! The supplemental theme this month was The Great Race. And that’s what we did. First the Cub Scouts raced, then we had siblings and then Cubs and siblings. Each Cub Scout and leader received a “sweet” ride in appreciation of their participation and support. Plus, every child in attendance received a matchbox type car. For refreshments, of course we had spare tires! (Chocolate iced donuts). We did have a tire blowout, or come off, a one car wreck, and a few dents and scuffs, but no one was injured! Thanks Cub Scouts, families, leaders, and everyone in attendance!

The annual Scout Leader Recognition Dinner was held to honor scout leaders in the Virgin River Valley District of the Boy Scouts of America. Leaders from 10 scouting units sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were honored for their service to young men in our valley. The guest speakers, two Webelos scouts and one boy scout, told about their favorite activities. Vicktor Cu said he liked to make new friends and he learned lifelong lessons that helped him be confident in his abilities to participate in new challenges and adventures. Vicktor said campfire cooking was his favorite. “I learned to treat others well and treat yourself right too. Scouting has given me great memories,” he said. Dominic Bourne said he liked the obstacle course and the pine wood derby. James Bourne, a scout in troop 2488, has been in the scouting for five years and he enjoys camping and cooking outdoors. “I have made many new friends and am learning life skills in personal management, and family life merit badges,” he said. Each scout will receive a hand-made knife from Brent Hughes. Brent Hughes, scoutmaster of troop 2493, received the 2nd miler award. Brent has served as assistant scoutmaster for 2 years and scoutmaster for 22 years helping scouts on the trail to Eagle. Fifty or more of these young men reached the rank Eagle Scout. He enjoys taking the scouts camping and helping with the Mountain Man Rendezvous each year and with cub scout day camp. Gina Zarate, the Mesquite NV Stake Primary President, received a 2nd miler award for working on Cub Scout Day Camps and organizing the recognition dinners. Mary Cabrera, pack 2042, is a meticulous record keeper for her cub scouts, reliable and has never missed any den meeting or day camp. She also received a 2nd miler award. Bishop Jared Hollingshead, Bishop of Bunkerville Second Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, received the Award of Merit. He has served as scoutmaster, varsity leader and has helped many young men reach the rank of Eagle Scout. Congratulations! : James Bourne, Dominic Bourne, and Vicktor Cu Mary Cabrera, Brent Hughes, and Brian Haviland, Gina Zarate- not pictured Brian Haviland, District Chairman, and Bishop Jared Hollingshead

Elder Edward Jared Ponce will serve a 24 month mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He will serve in the El Salvador, San Salvador West/Belize Mission, Spanish speaking. He will report to the Guatemala Missionary Training Center on February 13th. Edward is the son of Ruth and Edward Ponce of the Virgin Valley Spanish Branch. Elder Ponce will speak on February 10th at 9:00 a.m. in the Bunkerville Chapel.

The Stake Center- M1 at 8 am Bishop Gilbert Felshaw M7 at 9:30 am Bishop Yori Ludvigson M4 at 11:00 am Bishop John Noel M8 at 12:30 pm Branch President John Burrows Bunkerville Chapel- Spanish Branch at 9 am Branch President Josue Cuauhtemoc Aguilera Bunkerville 1st at 10:30 am Bishop Vern Pollock Bunkerville 2nd at 12 pm Bishop Jared Hollingshead Whipple Chapel- Mesquite 3rd at 9 am Bishop Tim Barnard Mesquite 6th at 10:30 am Bishop Richard Jensen Mesquite 5th at 12 pm Bishop Travis Wakefield Littlefield Chapel- Littlefield at 9 am Bishop Darrell Garlick Mesquite 2nd at 11 am Bishop John Robison Institute Building- Young Single Adult at 9 am Branch President Jerry Martinsen

Myron Abbott – story by President Laren Abbott, given January 5, 2019 at the monument in Bunkerville. Myron Abbott was born 1 December 1837 in a log cabin at Perry, Pike County, Illinois. He was the 6th of 8 children of Steven Joseph and Abigail Smith Abbott. In 1839 his parents, joined the church of Jesus Christ of Ladder-Day Saints. In 1842 they moved to Nauvoo. In 1843 Steven was called on a mission to the Southern States. In order to fulfill his mission, he with several other brethren went to rafting lumber down the Mississippi River to obtain means to support their families in their absence. Myron’s Father, Steven, took ill and died of pneumonia on October 19, 1843while still serving his mission. The prophet Joseph Smith spoke at Steven’s funeral giving comfort to Abigail and her 8 children. The family suffered much hardship and oft times had very little to eat. They had a cow for milk and grew a garden. In his biography Myron wrote of one such example. Myron said they arose from bed one morning with nothing in the house to eat. His mother called her children around her and said a prayer asking Heavenly Father for help. A short time later his mother, Abigail and Myron went outside to plant some seeds. In a place where a pile of straw had been burned the day before Myron found a dime that had been lost in the straw and uncovered by the wind blowing the ashes away. Abigail’s heart leaped for joy. She exclaimed, “now we can have something to eat. They were able to purchase 15 pounds of flour for the dime. Abigail added flour to warm milk. Myron recalls how much joy filled the house that they had something to eat. Myron continues: I often think of these things; how the Lord will provide for his children; still he will try his saints to see if they will serve him. When Myron was eleven he and his family crossed the plains to Utah where they settled in the Ogden area. On the 25 April 1860, now age 23 Myron married Laura Josephine Allen. In Ogden Utah. They were blessed with 8 children, 5 sons and 3 daughters. After their first son Myron, Alma was born, they moved to Toquerville in southern Utah, where they intended to stay. However, in 1863 Myron was involved in a quarrel with the chief of a local tribe. They thought it best to return to Ogden. On the 10 Oct 1870 Myron took on second wife Emily Pauline Malan a divorcée. In Salt Lake City 5hey were blessed with 1 daughter. This caused much stress in the marriage to Laura his first wife. Laura stated she could live with polygamy but not with polygamy and poverty. As a result, in 1876 Myron and Laura his first wife divorced, she moved to California with the 2 youngest daughters and left Myron in northern Utah with his second wife Emily and their 6 older children. Later that same year Myron and Emily his second wife also divorced. Emily went back to her first husband. Myron stated how humiliating the two divorces were for him. Alone now with 6 children he was encouraged to come to Bunkerville and help his brother in law, who was married to his oldest sister. Edward Bunker established the United Order which he did The United Order lasted only approximately 5 years. Myron serve as a Councilor to Bishop Bunker for many years. He was also Justice of the peace in Bunkerville for many years. There are many stories of hard work on the farm and keeping the water in the ditch. Myron also hauled a lot of salt from St. Thomas to trade for other commodities. Myron and his family stayed in Bunkerville when many others left. Myron fell in love with and married Lovisa Leavitt on the 11 January 1878 In St. George, Utah they had 13 childre3 daughters and10 sons, their 6th child was Thomas Edward who is my Grandfather. On the 5th of March 1886 Myron married Emma Evaline Knight in St. George, Utah. They were blessed with one son. One account states, they had two children. Myron and Emma also divorced. Myron and his third wife Lovisa remained in Bunkerville for the remainder of their lives. They are buried in the Bunkerville cemetery. Myron’s first wife Laura Josephine later returned to Bunkerville to live with her daughter. She was the last to die and is Josephine’s 5th child a son named William Elias Abbott and his wife Mary. Their statues are currently in front of city hall in mesquite. Myron a great legacy in the area.