Rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the 260 young women and their leaders as they met for four days and nights ending July 21st for their annual Girls Camp of The Mesquite Nevada Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. With the girls, priesthood, leaders, and helpers the number nearly reached 325 that made for a very busy, fun and spiritual experience. This year’s theme was Peace in Christ with the scripture “Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my spirit, and you shall have peace in me.” (Doctrine and Covenants 19:23) Stake Camp Director, Sister Heather Blazzard said “A spiritual highlight of the camp occurred when Sister Melissa Julien taught all of us the theme scripture in American Sign Language with some of the older girls presenting the beautiful theme song while signing. On the last day the theme scripture was not verbalized but only signed giving a quiet, reverent feeling.” Fun activities abounded with games, challenges, canoes and archery. Each ward prepared their own meals with Pres. and Sister Allen presenting a final meal of pulled pork and potatoes for all. During the week the Allens were kept busy keeping the leaders fed. Few changes had to be made because of the weather. “The girls did great with all the rain and mud, especially with no campfires. We started out with the fire warnings in the red zone which prohibits campfires. But then the rain would have put them out anyway,” said Sister Blazzard. T shirts and umbrellas decorated by the girls in the camp theme added to the spirit and helped everyone focus on finding that Peace in Christ. Scripture reading was accompanied by workshops in “Spiritual Survival”. Evening devotionals brought the camp together for a reverent but fun end to the day.

OK, we know the pioneers were not met with ice cream cones when they entered the Salt Lake Valley July 24, 1847, but wouldn’t that have been great? It’s usually 110 degrees on July 24th in Mesquite so Mesquite Nevada LDS Stake had an ice cream social to mark the occasion. The fun of getting together with friends was enhanced with ice cream, hard and soft serve, and toppings including root beer. All ages joined in selecting their favorite flavors with Shane Zarate sampling everything to be sure he made the right choice. The missionaries did not have to be encouraged to make their favorite ice cream treats and families enjoyed the fun time inside where it’s cool! Happy Pioneer Day!

Elder Josh Abbott will serve a mission for The Church of Latter day Saints in the Washington Spokane Mission, English Speaking. He will enter the Missionary Training Center on August 8th. Josh's parents are Philip & Melinda Abbott of the Bunkerville 2nd Ward. Elder Abbott speaks on Sunday, July 29th, 11:00 am at the Bunkerville Chapel.

More than 650 youth met on June 1st and 2nd for a Youth Conference that was hosted by the Mesquite Nevada Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These young people aged 14-18 years came from the Logandale, Panaca and Mesquite stakes. Though they are sometime rivals in athletic competitions they came together to be inspired, to learn and have fun! Workshops centered on The Book of Mormon with presenters coming from around the region. The theme of the conference was inspired by the last general conference talk of President Thomas S. Monson, “Study, Ponder, Apply and Being One.” While building their testimonies the kids have the opportunity to build friendships with kids from other stakes. Instructions in various styles of dance were some participant’s favorite activity. A dance held Friday night was a chance to try their new found skills on a crowded dance floor at the stake center. Service projects gave the kids a chance to get out and help others. Activities involved yard work, card making for kids in the hospital, making fleece blankets and sharing their testimonies attached to chocolate bars for missionaries to distribute. These three stakes used to be one stake that was created 1912 until the growth of Southern Nevada brought the needed division of area members into three separate stakes. This Youth Conference was a unique opportunity to meet and make new friendships with kids from within the old historic boundaries.

Elder Ned and Sister Janet Mikkelsen have been called to serve a couple mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. They have been called to serve for 23 months in the Canada Montreal Mission from August 2018-July 2020. Elder and Sister Mikkelsen will enter the Missionary Training Center in Provo Utah on Monday August 6, 2018. They will be serving as Seminary & Institute missionaries in the Ottawa area working with a Young Single Adult Ward. The Mikkelsens will be baring their testimonies Sunday, July 29, 2018 in the Bunkerville Second Ward at 11 AM.

Elder Logan Felix will serve a mission for The Church of Latter day Saints in the Peru Lima South Mission for 24 months. His parents are Amy and Jon Felix of the Bunkerville 2nd Ward. Logan will leave for the Missionary Training Center in Mexico on August 7 2018 to prepare for his Spanish speaking mission. Elder Logan Felix will be speaking July 29, 11:00am in the Bunkerville Chapel.

Elder Nathanael Michael Cannon has been called to serve in the Chile Osorno Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. He will report to the Mexico MTC on August 7, 2018. He is the son of George and Jean Cannon. Elder Nathan Cannon will be speaking in the Mesquite 4th Ward on Sunday, July 29, 10:00 am in the Stake Center.

Sister Victoria Magoon returned after serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. Victoria served in the New Hampshire Mission which covered New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and a portion of Massachusetts. Her parents are Duane and Ivona Magoon of the Bunkerville 1st Ward. Victoria future plans include working and furthering her education at BYU in Ornamental Horticulture. Sister Victoria Magoon speaks July 29, 9:00 am in the Bunkerville Chapel. Welcome home! Sister Victoria Magoon wrote, "My Golden Truth I have learned over my mission that has changed my life forever can be summed up in just one word, LOVE. Love for my Heavenly Father Love for Jesus Christ our Savior and Redeemer Love for the people of New England Love for President and Sister Blair Love for my companions and list keeps going on and on. Before my mission, I had no idea how to love as the Savior loves. I felt that the word itself was being thrown around so casually that it was losing it's true meaning. I felt like this for about the first 12 weeks of my mission as well. On my first night in the mission field being miles from my loved ones, in a foreign land, with a complete stranger as my companion. Right before bed, my companion turned off the lights and said "Goodnight, love you." In my head I could not comprehend how she could say that to me when we hadn't been together for a full 24 hours. Now looking back I know why I felt this way. It's because I hadn't recognized or understood the pure love of Christ. Over the last 18 months, I have come to an understanding of what pure love feels like, as I have forgot myself and served others.

Elder Marlan Felshaw returns after serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. He served 24 months in the Texas Lubbock Mission (Spanish Speaking). Marlan is the son of Gilbert and Deon Felshaw of the Mesquite 1st Ward. Elder Marlan Felshaw speaks on Sunday, July 22, 2018, at 2 pm in the Stake Center, located at 100 N. Arrowhead Ln. Welcome Home!

Cade Anderson - Argentina Córdoba Nathan Cannon - Chile Orsono Josh Abbott- Washington Spokane Brogan Bingham - Legazpi Philippines Logan Felix - Peru Lima South Jayden Perkins - Mozambique Maputo

An Eagle Court of Honor was held for Hakan Cade Anderson. He is a member of Troop 2493 sponsored by the Mesquite 4th ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His project was organizing a fundraiser for the purchase of .22s for the shooting range at the boys and girl’s camp at Kolob. He assembled firearm kits, safety gear and instructions to be used at the shooting range. His favorite merit badges were Indian Lore and swimming. He graduated from Virgin Valley High School in May where was a member of the football, basketball and baseball teams. He will serve a 2-year mission for the LDS church in Argentina. He is the son of Travis and Natalie Anderson. Ryan Toone, chairman of the Eagle Board, opened the Nation Boy Scout Court of Honor and formed the Eagle’s nest by having all the Eagle Scouts come forward and sit together. Josey Liddle, Cade’s uncle, told about the symbolism of the Eagle and said that the founding fathers chose the eagle because it can fly higher and see things sharper. As an Eagle Scout Cade has a shown that he is honorable and has made choices to fly higher and reach his goals and has chosen to look for ways to serve his fellowman. Joe Liddle, his grandfather gave Cade the Eagle Charge saying, “I challenge you to accept the charge and pledgee yourself to live the scout oath and law and continue to look for ways to help in your family, church, and community. I charge you to reaffirm your allegiance to the God given Constitution that made American great. Use your skills and knowledge to make your training, your influence, and example strongly count in your community and nation.” Cade repeated the charge and said, “to this I pledge my sacred honor.” Liddle presented the Eagle pin to Cade’s mother to pin on his shirt. Cade presented pins to his mother and father to honor them for their help in reaching the rank of Eagle Scout. Cade presented his mentor pin to Kraig Hafen, young men’s president, for helping him set goals and follow through. Hafen said, “Cade is a leader in scouts and whatever he does and whatever team he is on.” Toone said that Cade showed initiative to finish his project and reminded Cade that this is just the beginning of the trail. Toone said, “The principles you learned in scouting will help you in your future. Remember the Scout Law to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. These are Christ like attributes and will help you in your future.