Elder Harrison Schoonmaker has return after serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. He served in the Chile Vina del Mar Mission and returned on June 27, 2018. Harrison is the grandson of Stephanie and Scott Sangberg of Mesquite 8th Branch. Elder Schoonmaker will be speaking in the M 8th Branch at 12:00 and at the Mesquite 1st Ward at 2pm, both in the Stake Center. Welcome home!

Elder Hakan Cade Anderson has been called to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. He will serve 24 months in the Argentina, Cordoba Mission, Spanish speaking. Elder Anderson leaves July 17th. His parents are Travis and Natalie Anderson of the Mesquite 4th Ward. Elder Hakan Cade Anderson will be speaking on July 15th at 10 am in the Stake Center.

Camron John Noel received his Eagle Scout Award at a Court of Honor. 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 installing new privacy nets at the Mesquite City tennis courts. Camron earned not only the 21 required to receive his eagle award but an addition 11 which qualifies him to receive the bronze and gold palms. His favorite merit badge was wilderness survival. He will be a sophomore at Virgin Valley High School where he is a member of the football, basketball and track teams; he qualified to go to the track regionals this past year. He is the son of Janeece and John Noel. Brian Haviland, district chairman of Virgin River Valley BSA, opened the National Court of Honor and formed the Eagle’s nest. Haviland said, “I watched Camron at track practice and he worked hard, he didn’t just put in his time and run, but had dedication. This dedication shows what it takes to accomplish anything you desire, Camron.” Haviland continued, “I appreciated his example to others on the track team.” John, his father, told about Camron’s project, “Camron organized a crew to help him during the summer mornings and evenings, but Camron was not so much concerned about finishing the project as he was making sure everyone had plenty of water and rest time during the hard-hot work. I trust Cameron and if he says he will do it, it will get done! Camron lives the scout oath and law and if he continues to live these principles he will be extra good at whatever he chooses to do.” Garry Noel, his grandfather, gave Camron the eagle Charge saying, “This is not a reward but a qualification to serve your fellow men. Keep the trust that is placed in you and do not fail in your responsibilities. I charge you to be true, to be loyal and of good courage; to be a good citizen of your community and nation. Continue to do a good turn daily, remember the outdoor code and teach other scouts by helping them along the trail. Be prepared to hep others and be an effective instrument for good in your family, church and community. Remember to live the 12 points of the scout law. “ Brent Hughes, his scoutmaster, said, “Camron would always follow through on everything I asked him to do whether at camp outs or working or merit badges. If I asked him to do something, I knew it would get done and done right.” Brent presented Camron with a survival knife and case that can be used as a knife or used to start a fire. Hughes presented the Eagle award to his mother to pin on Camron’s scout shirt and then Camron presented pins to his parents in recognition of their help in achieving the rank of Eagle. Camron presented his mentor pin to his grandfather for pushing him to finish his project and paperwork.

Sister Rita Cox will be serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints in Laoag Philippines. Rita Cox will be serving with her sister Veva Snyder. Their farewell was on July 8th in the Mesquite 4th Ward. The Sisters will leave for the MTC on July 23rd to serve for 18 months.

Boy Scouts and leaders from Troop 2640 spent 7-days and 6-nights on a high adventure trip through Wyoming and Utah. They traveled over 1,700 highway miles and hiked and crossed rivers and went rafting on the Green River near Vernal. The scouts were Kameron and Spencer Cox, Mark Larsen, Jaron Hafen, Nathan Reber, Kelton Humphries and leaders Spencer Lewis and David Everett. At Rock Creek Hollow, a small stretch of grass land with willows on a craggy trail, they hiked along the Mormon Pioneer Trail in a cold rain visiting the monument with a one-word sermon, “Remember.” Another marker lists the names of 13 pioneers who after crossing Rocky Ridge, the highest point on the trail, died and were buried in a mass grave. The Willie handcart company was caught in a blizzard here in 1856. Rescue wagons helped save 430 of the 500 emigrants who crossed over Rocky Ridge to camp at Rock Creek. From 6th Crossing on the Sweetwater River, the scouts hiked 10 miles and made 4 river crossings following the handcart and wagon trail. They stopped at split rock then hiked another mile in view of the same snowcapped peaks seen on the journey by the pioneers. At Martin’s Cove, Wyoming, they trekked 6 miles crossing the Sweetwater River pulling and pushing their handcart. The scouts heard inspiring stories of the pioneers told by the guides at Martin’s Cove. Martin’s Cove, just a nook in the side of a mountain providing a little protection from the fierce biting wind, is the site where the Martin handcart company suffered extreme hardship and were caught in early snowstorm in October of 1856. There were 576 in the handcart company and although 145 perished and were buried in common graves, rescuers sent by Brigham Young helped save 425 who made it on to Salt Lake Valley. Many of the 425 pioneers had frozen libs and suffered from starvation and exposure. The scouts visited the museum and memorial marker where are engraved the names of 1,000 plus members of the Martin and Willie handcart companies and the Hunt-Hodgetts wagon companies that traveled the trail and suffered hardships. The scouts then hiked to Devils’ Gate, a chasm in the rocks through which the Sweetwater river flows, enjoyed a swim in the river am camped at cherry creek for the night. On Thursday they hiked to the top of Independence Rock, a 136-foot-high mammoth outcrop and geologic oddity to get a great view of the vast western plains where pioneers traveled in the 1840-60’s. They waded thru marshy areas at the base and explored cool puddles of water on the top. It was in 1812 that Robert Stuart, originator of the Oregon Trail, visited the site but it was William Sublette who arrived at the granite outcrop on July 4, 1830 who gave it the name of “Independence Rock”, in honor of America’s birthday. Travelers on the Mormon and Oregon trails tried to time their arrivals to coincide with the July 4th observance. Tangible reminders of the scouts’ ancestors are their family names engraved in the rock. They stopped at Flaming Gorge Dam on their way to Steinaker Reservoir to go rafting. Rafting down the Green River through split rock canyon, they traveled about 8 miles and were able to get a good view of wildlife including deer, mountain goats with babies. To view pictures and history of these sites https://history.lds.org/subsection/historic-sites/wyoming/sixth-crossing?lang=eng

David Vogel received his Eagle Scout Award at a Court of Honor. He is a member of Troop 2488 sponsored by the Mesquite 3rd Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His Eagle project was moving a shed from the baseball fields to the senior center for their storage. Scoutmaster Jon Meierhoff said that David worked hard on the project and never complained when it became more work that the original plan called for. In n fact David had to rebuild the shed and put new doors on it. David earned 11 more merit badges than the 21 required and will receive a bronze and gold palm. David will be a senior at Virgin Valley High School where he plays trombone in the marching band, and baritone sax in the concert band, and has played percussion as a freshman. He plays bassoon in the Southern Nevada Symphony. He is on the tennis team and the diving team at VVHS also. This summer he will be on junior staff for summer scout camp at Kolob. His favorite merit badges were music and cooking. He is the son of Chris and Stephanie Vogel. David said, “It has been eight years and nine months after I first began my scouting career as a Wolf Cub Scout in troop 488. At the time, I figured the most difficult thing would be getting my arrow of light. Three years later, I was in Boy scouts and another five I earned my Eagle Scout. Other scouts could have easily done it in half the time, but that is not important. What is important is finishing what I start.” He gave advice to other scouts on the trail, “Don’t doubt yourself because someone is going faster or doing different merit badges, keep your eyes forward and made sure you’re going in the right direction.” Jon Meierhoff gave the Eagle Scout charge by asking David to make the scout sign and pledge to follow the scout oath and law and find ways to serve others. Meierhoff continued, “I charge you to reaffirm your allegiance to the God given constitution that has made America great. Assist other scouts along the trail to Eagle and make your training, example, rank and influence count strongly in you troop, community and county. “ Meierhoff presented the Eagle ribbon and pin to David’s mother to pin on his uniform. David presented pins to his mother and father for their help along the trail to Eagle Scout. David presented the mentor pin to his scoutmaster, Jon Meierhof, for helping him with his project and taking him on so many camping trips with the troop.

Elder Zachary Barnum served his mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints and returns on July 4th. He served in the Texas Houston East Mission, Spanish speaking. Zach's parents are Mark and Lori Barnum of Bunkerville 1st Ward. Elder Zack Barnum will report his mission on July 8, 2018, 9 am in the Bunkerville Chapel. Welcome Home!

Elder Brogan Bingham will serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. Brogan will serve in the Philippines Legazpi Mission where he will learn to speak Tagalog. He will enter the Provo Missionary Training Center August 1, 2018 where he will spend two months in training. Brogan is the son of Brian and Kris Bingham of the Bunkerville 2nd Ward. Elder Brogan Bingham will speak July 8, 2018, 11 am in the Bunkerville Chapel.

Sister Kaydee Bingham served her mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints and will return home the 29th. She served in the Independence Missouri Mission as a Visiting Center Missionary. Kaydee had the opportunity to serve in the Historical Liberty Jail and Independence Visitor Center for the first part of her mission, finishing in Kansas City. Sister Bingham plans to attend school in the fall. Brian and Kris Bingham of the Bunkerville 2nd Ward are her parents. Sister Kaydee Bingham will report her mission on Sunday July 8, 2018, 11 am in the Bunkerville Chapel. Welcome home!

On Wednesday June 20th the Activities Days Girls of the Mesquite 5th Ward hosted a Pinewood Derby. All the Activities Days Girls in the Stake were invited. Girls made their own cars with their families and raced. Traditionally Pinewood Derby is something done in Cub Scouts. Many of these girls watched siblings make and race cars. This was their turn! They did not disappoint. There were many creative and amazing cars. There were 42 girls racing cars and hundreds of sports fans and family cheering them on.

Stake Presidency Second Counselor Laren Abbott First Counselor Danny Allen President David J. Anderson Bunkerville 1st First Counselor Duane Magoon Bishop Vern Pollock Second Counselor John Gleave Bunkerville 2nd First Counselor Darryll Dodenbier Bishop Jared Hollingshead Second Counselor Phillip Abbott Mesquite 1st First Counselor Steven Tobler Bishop Gilbert Felshaw Second Counselor Mark Tichenor Mesquite 2nd Second Counselor David Marchant Bishop John Robison First Counselor Josh Tietjen Mesquite 3rd First Counselor Charles Lee Bishop Timothy Barnard Second Counselor Brian Boatright Mesquite 4th First Counselor Michael Van Houten Bishop Brian Wursten Second Counselor Michael Morgan Executive Secretary Brad Tobler Mesquite 5th Bishop Travis Wakefield First Counselor Tom Fifield Second Counselor Rusty Hughes Mesquite 6th Bishop Kevin Jensen First Counselor Aaron Baker Second Counselor Don Barnum Mesquite 7th Second Counselor Alex Blazzard Bishop Trent Graves First Counselor Jose Galindo Mesquite 8th Branch President John Burrows First Counselor Glen Barnum Second Counselor Dave Tovey Virgin Valley Spanish Branch President Jose Cuauhtemoc Aguilera First Counselor Jamie Flores Second Counselor Juan Gomez Virgin Valley YSA Branch President Jerry Martinsen First Counselor Douglas Waite Second Counselor Scott Taylor Branch Clerk Mel Johnson

Elder Jeremy C. Vogel has been called to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.He will serve in the Zimbabwe Harare Mission. Jeremy will report to the Missionary Training Center on 28 June 2018 in Johannesburg South Africa. He is the son of Chris and Stephanie Vogel of the Mesquite 3rd Ward. Elder Vogel will speak in the Young Single Adult Branch on June 24th at 9:00am in the Institute Building located 845 Valley View Drive.