Sister Julie Perkins served in the Washington D.C. North Mission for a year, and she will be speaking this Sunday, January 14th, in the 3rd Ward (Whipple Chapel) at 1:00. Her plans are to stay in Mesquite, visit her children and grandchildren in various parts of the United States. Welcome home!

1st Counselor Glen Barnum, President John Burrows, 2nd Counselor Dave Tovey

Thomas Spencer Monson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away on January 2, 2018, at the age of 90. “We are the Lord's hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us.” ---- Thomas S. Monson “I know that the sweetest experience in all this life is to feel His promptings as He directs us in the furtherance of His work.” ----Thomas S. Monson Facts at a Glance Born August 21, 1927, in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Served in the U.S. Naval Reserve. Studied business at the University of Utah. Married Frances Johnson on October 7, 1948, in the Salt Lake Temple. Called to be a bishop at age 22, a counselor in the stake presidency at age 27, and a mission president in Canada at age 31. Became an Apostle in 1963 at age 36—the youngest Apostle called since 1910. Earned a master’s degree in business administration while serving as an Apostle. Served as a counselor in the First Presidency for 22 years. Set apart and ordained as the 16th President of the Church on February 3, 2008. “‘Love thy neighbor’ is more than a divine truth. It is a pattern for perfection.” ----Thomas S. Monson

Laurels and Priests Devotional Invited: Laurels and Priests and their Leaders from Bloomington, Green Valley, Mesquite, Southgate,St. George, St. George East, and Sunset Stakes Saturday, January 6, 2018 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM St George Stake Center 591 West 500 North St. George, UT Special Guests: Elder D. Todd Christofferson President Gerrit W. Gong Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Presidency of the Seventy

In September, Elder Dacen Cox returned from his Missouri, Independence Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, then left to attend BYU Idaho in Rexburg. Dacen is home and will report his mission on Sunday, December 31st at 1 pm in the Whipple Chapel located at 100 N. Arrowhead. He is the son of Kurt and Ronya Cox of the Mesquite 6th Ward.

Mesquite 3rd and 7th Ward Activity girls went Christmas caroling at Highland Manor.

Christmas Candy making and playing games.

Brogan Bingham, a member of Venture Crew 2341 sponsored by the Bunkerville 2nd Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, received his Eagle Scout Award at a Court of Honor. His Eagle project was building a shed at Bowler Elementary School for the Parent Teacher organization to store their materials. Brogan, a senior at Virgin Valley High School, is a member of the football and track team and the Skills USA Club. He is the son of Brian and Kristine Bingham. The Eagle’s nest was formed by Ryan Toone, Advancement Board Chairmen of the Virgin River Valley BSA. Toone spoke to Brogan about the significance of the honor, saying, “this is a meaningful night and as you look back in your life you will see how your life reflects the ideals you learned in scouting. The well-chosen hymn, “Have I done any Good in the World today?” exemplifies the principles of scouting and calls on you to be an ambassador for scouting.” He presented Brogan with a pocket knife engraved with the words, “Eagle Scout.” The Eagle Charge was given by Jayson Andrus, Young Men’s president, in which he said, “All who know you rejoice in your achievement to the rank of Eagle Scout and I charge you with a solemn obligation to accept this honor and responsibility and so live and serve that others will be lifted and inspired. I charge you to dedicate your skills to the common good and leave behind a record your can be justly proud. America has many good things, but it depends on the quality of its citizens and therefore I charge you to be a leader and lead only to the best and the highest level of service.” Andrus presented Brogan with the Eagle Scout emblem and badge. Brogan presented pins to his parents in recognition of their help in completing the requirements for Eagle Scout. Brogan also presented the mentor pin to Jayson Andrus to thank him for helping him complete his project.

Mesquite Stake members packed the Stake Center Sunday evening, December 17th. Each ward was represented by a group or individual who performed special Christmas musical numbers. The beautiful music set a wonderful, spiritual feeling to the night. Solos were presented by singers Shay Whipple and Kayleen Hughes. A lovely version of the classic Silent Night was performed on the piano by Kennedi Ludvigson. The Fiso family sang He Sent His Son and Brother and Sister Miskin joined in a duet of the classic Oh Holy Night. O Come, O Come Emmanuel/What Child Is This? was presented by the Mesquite 6th Ward Choir while a Men’s Choir from the Mesquite 5th ward joined their voices for We Three Kings. A favorite Christmas song, O Little Town of Bethlehem was sung in Spanish by the Spanish Branch and a trio of young women from Mesquite 5th Ward sang Away in a Manger. Bunkerville 2nd Ward was represented by their Young Women who sang Little One while Mesquite 1st Ward Young Women presented a Mary Christmas Medley. The Primary children of Mesquite 7th Ward sang When Joseph Went to Bethlehem/Once Within a Lowly Stable and The First Noel was presented by a mixed chorus from the Mesquite 2nd Ward. The story of Christmas was presented by youth readers Emily Teerlink, Scott Sperry, Madison Julien, Kameron Cox, Talia Hansen, and Hayden Johnson whose reading interspersed the musical numbers. The congregation got to participate too was they joined in singing Christmas Carols and hymns scattered through the program.