New Bishopric for Vistas Ward, East Stake 1st Counselor Kyle Memmott Bishop Jonathan Denninghoff 2nd Counselor Daniel Jensen

Sister Jasmine Bundy will complete her mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and return home on March 18, 2026. Sister Bundy served in the Tennessee Knoxville Misson. Ryan and Angie Bundy of the Willows Ward, West Stake are her parents. Sister Jasmine Bundy will report on March 22nd, 10:30 am in the Bunkerville Chapel, located at 355 W. Virgin Street. Welcome Home!!!

First Counselor Kameron Mickelson, Bishop Rich Rushton, and Second Counselor John Davis

Author: Cheryl Jensen Mesquite Nevada West Stake Conference was held February 20 & 21 with Elder David P. Homer, a General Authority Seventy presiding. Elder Homer said we have come together tonight because “This is Real.” There are many other choices we could have made. He asked that 3 Nephi 28:34 be read.” Hearken unto the words of Jesus and also to them whom he hath chosen and sent among them.” Elder Homer asked the congregation to think back on the talks from conference in October and invited some to share what they remembered most: Kenvin Bown’s talk about taking charge of your testimony, ‘Amazing Grace’ sung by Pres. Jeffery Holland, Pres. Uchtdorf’s message of discipleship takes self-discipline, and Elder Gerett Gong’s invitation to be good neighbors. “These speakers take time to write and reflect on their talks often revising them 16 times or more, so their message is clear,” he said. At the Sunday morning session, Elder Homer said faith is needed the most when it seems to be working the least. When faith is tested - press forward and over come doubts and fear. Hold to faith – it is all we have! Remember God knows more than you. He invited all to be loyal, trust in God and reflect on who we are, and - whose we are? He told the story of visiting a family in a humble home in India and seeing a nail bent in the shape of a hook with tithing receipts on it, he asked the meaning. The father explained that the family of seven was reminded daily of the blessing they could claim because of their loyalty and faithfulness to the Lord. Elder Homer read the words of the Savior who lamented,” thou that killest the prophets, how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathers her chicks? Behold your house is left unto you desolate!” Elder Homer contrasted this with D&C 10:65, “Behold I will gather them if they will not harden their hearts.” Elder Homer said we must make choices to claim the blessings that God is willing to give us. He told of the parable of the loving father planning an abundant feast before sending his children on a long journey. Some ate, others turned away, some questioned the food, some left empty plates. The father said I cannot give you what you would not eat (partake of). Elder Homer referred to D& C 888: Draw near unto me - you receive that which you are willing to receive. He told a story about a young girl who had the word ‘gravity’ on the cover of her scriptures. When asked about, she replied that God’s love is a lot like gravity, you can deny it, but it is always there! She had had struggles and had left her family and the church but now had returned to church. Are we standing on the fringes? What choices are we making? No matter where we are – “you have not traveled beyond the reach of His atonement.” The Gospel challenges us to become something – a change of nature, not just going through the motions. He ended with, “Consider how you can be loyal to Him – He sent His Son to us.” Pres. Mark Tichenor spoke at the Saturday evening meeting about our Divine identity as we live the law of consecration. He asked, “Is there something we can do better or be better? Or some talent we could develop to be better husbands, fathers and grandfathers! Being our best self is aligning our will with God. We are agents to choose a higher path and Christ will show us our weakness.” He asked us to see our life through an eternal lens and use it as a tool for improvement. He quoted Alma 26, “In His strength I can do all things.” He offered three steps: 1. Purposeful service- do our part with all our heart (Uchtdorf) 2. Consistent effort and have a new beginning (Kearon) and 3. Consecrated learning – tune our hearts to his voice. Pres. Jared Hollingshead thanked the congregation for faithfully pressing forward in Jesus Christ. We can choose to be happy and reminded us of Pres. Nelson’s quote of “Our happiness has everything to do with our focus” – focus on Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith said happiness is the design of our existence. There is a peace that comes into our lives when we keep His commandments. There are those in this valley who faithfully trudge forward steadfast in the faith of Jesus Christ. Through trials and adversity, we grow and are stretched. He told the story of losing his brother at the age of 28 and the trial his sister-in-law faced with two young sons to raise by herself, but she kept going. When we stay loyal and stay committed, we rely on Him. Jesus Christ said, “Be of good cheer for I have overcome the world.” Bro. Martinsen, executive secretary of the Utah St. George Mission, spoke about finding joy in Jesus Christ. His four points were: 1. Purity in Christ – guiding our heart day by day 2. Love of Christ is one by one 3. Unity in Christ – each is needed as we combine our efforts 4. Strength in Christ – trusting in His Grace we do what we can. To be joyfully gathered in is a description of who we are – not spectators. Pres. Keith and Sr. Stephanie Reber of the St. Goerge temple spoke on Sunday morning. Sr. Reber invited all to come to the Temple and “let it change you – watch it change you. So live that our covenants guide us to the temple and give us hope, comfort and peace. Jesus Christ sets us up to succeed.” Pres. Reber said, “So much of who I am has been shaped by the people in this valley –and added with a laugh - this is my territory.” (His ancestors settled this area; he grew up in Littlefield and graduated from Virgin Valley High School) He asked the purpose of the gospel in one word? Become! He spoke of the story of King Benjamin who asked, “now because of the covenant, have you become more like Him?” It is more than just believing – we must act differently. To become, equals a profound change of nature. There is a plan for us to become worthy to live with Him again. The temple covenants help us become and demonstrate who we have become - changed. Thanks to the choir for their prelude of many of the new hymns and their special musical number, ‘Jesus is the Way.’ Thanks to Ari Garnder for her inspiring rendition of “Consider the Lillies.” Mark Tichenor, President Jared Hollingshead, Vern Pollock & Elder David P. Homer

On Thursday, February 19, the Vistas Ward Relief Society activity was a birthday party! Sisters brought food to share, a wrapped birthday gift, and a baby photo. Dinner ended with beautifully decorated cupcakes. Gifts were randomly handed out and individually opened. The giver gave a brief explanation why she chose the gift; scented lotions were in abundance. Lastly, the baby photos on display were each shown as the sisters’ identities were revealed. Our May activity was announced as well as a sister temple trip on Saturday, March 7.

Experience the excitement of RootsTech with friends and fellow family history enthusiasts at the FamilySearch Center on Arrowhead Lane. Join us on Thursday, March 5th for several first-day sessions. Times and descriptions are available on the Center's Facebook page ( Mesquite Nevada FamilySearch Center )

Sister Evia Gwen Toone has served her mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She returned from the Texas Lubbock Mission on February 21, 2026. Ryan and Kena Toone of the Vista Ward, East Stake are the parents of Evia. Sister Evia Toone will speak tomorrow, February 22, 9am in the Whipple Chapel. Welcome Home!!!

Sister Arlene Hepworth passed away on Monday, February 16th.   There will be a gathering for family, neighbors and ward friends on Thursday, February 19th, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.   This will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located on 100 N Arrowhead Ln in Mesquite.   Please join, Alan and his family as they celebrate the life of Arlene.   Interment will take place at a later date in Bountiful, Utah.

Hermana Dantzel Park returns home Wednesday February 18, 2026, from serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in the Arequipa Peru Misson. Brandon and Camrin Park of the Vista Ward, East Stake are the parents of Dantzel. Hermana Dantzel Park will be speaking February 22nd, 9 am in the Whipple Chapel, located at 121 Whipple Way in Mesquite. Welcome Home!

Women’s Conference for the East and West Stakes was held on Saturday, January 31 with Elder Emerson Carnavale and his wife, Jannae as the guest speakers. The theme of the conference was “And see that ye have Faith, Hope and Charity, and then ye will always abound in good works.” Alma 7:24 A service project was also part of the conference with the Relief Society Sisters donating canned and boxed foods that were donated to the local food bank. Two pick-up truck loads of food were gathered thanks to your generosity. A choir of Young Women and Sisters sang a stirring rendition of “Just Pray,” calling us to pray when we have questions and are seeking guidance with the words, “He is there when you’re searching for the answers, He is the one who know the way; Share your hopes and dreams – Just Pray.” Elder Carnavale invited the congregation of women, 1. “to think of things not heard but let the Sprit whisper more thoughts and 2. Listen for things you can work on to be a better disciple of Jesus Christ. “ Sister Jannae Carnavale said, in speaking about the new Young Women theme of Walk with Me, she told the story of her teenage daughter and four other friends who did a 5K. One of the young men was a runner who trained while the others had not. He finished the race but then returned to walk with the others and encourage them as they ran/walked/jogged to the finish line. Comparing this to the scriptures, she said, “Christ already walked past the finish line and taught by example how to keep going to the finish line.” She continued, “Joyfully gather together and search for and minister to the one not forgetting the ninety and nine. Remember the Savior’s words to “Love One Another as I have loved you.” She recounted the story of leaving a hospital after visiting a friend and she and her daughter seeing a lady standing alone and crying, she passed by but her sixteen-year-old daughter stopped, put her arms around the crying lady, comforted her and let her know she was loved. “Christ saw each as individuals,” said Sr. Carnavale. She told another story of Carol and Brad who shared the gospel with their foreign visitors and how excited these visitors were to go to church – “a family-oriented church,” the visitors said. “They were bold to share the gospel and invite them to go to church and then Christ takes care of the rest,” Sr. Carnavale said. Elder Carnavale who is a native of Brazil told of all the women who have been a positive influence in his life and how grateful he is for his mother, grandmother and aunt who taught him about Jeus Christ. “It is woven in all of us who we are – disciples of Jesus Christ. Don‘t discount your ability and you light – you can make a different. You come with that light of Christ,” he said. “Faith is to act,” he stated. “Are you paralyzed to act?” he asked. He compared it to losing your car in a parking garage and not getting a proper signal. “Just as you can’t find your car until you move and get a clear signal, God can’t help you unless you move.” He compared it to the story of Matthew 14:19 and feeding the 5,000. Christ using the five loaves and two fishes blessed this small amount, but the disciples had to take action and move through the crowd with the baskets of food.” In comparing the story of Peter when he was called as an apostle and asked to throw the net on the right side of the boat Elder Carnavale said, “We have often prayed and toiled as Peter and then nothing happens, but we are asked to pray again. And Peter inserted the phrase “I’ve thrown the net on the right side too!” Then do it again was the Savior’s admonition. We have been given a compact of faith in 1 Corinthians 10:13 it states, “God is faithful and will make a way for you.” In speaking of Hope, Elder Carnavale told of the widow’s might and how it applies to our sacrifices. “The story is not about tithing and how small a mite is – 2 mites make a farthing. The story is that Christ knows your desires and contributions. It is not a comparison to someone else’s works or acts.” He explained the early organization of the Relief Society was to organize the women to help make clothes for those men donating their time to the building of the Nauvoo Temple. On March 17, 1842, the women met at the home of Sr. Vilate Kimball and made a plan to do what they could to aid in the construction of the temple by providing clothing for the workers. They looked forward to having a temple – a sacred place of worship and learning. “We can make our home like a temple - to make it an extension of the temple. Homes can be chaotic and hectic at times - therefore just control things you can control. Learn to feel the Spirit,” Elder Carnavale said. “Satan tries to distract us from the work of our families - to lose sight of what is important. The love that you share with your family can heal and advance the work of salvation in our homes,” he stated. He quoted Moses 1:39 This is my work and glory - to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” He told the story of a lab experiment of four rabbits who were each fed a diet of high trans- saturated fat. “What was the result?” he asked. Continuing he stated, “Three of the rabbits had high blood pressure and were not expected to live, but ‘Billy’ was healthy although fed the same diet.” He said the difference was that ‘Billy’ was scared and the lab worker would cuddle him in her lap when he ran out of cage. The other bunnies were filled with cortisol and sacred to run out into the arms of the lab technician. “Simply love the one. We all can be cured with love,” he stated. He concluded with a summary of his three points: 1. Act to have Faith, 2. He knows you 3. Don’t lose sight of what’s important. Allie Shaner, the YSA Relief Society Pres. told of her experiences of charity when she was on a mission. They had loved and served even when they as missionaries had been scared and far from home. Isela Zarate, Spanish Branch Relief Society Pres. She quoted D&C 12:8-9 that speaks of being full of love, having Faith, Hope and Charity. Sr. Zarate said, “You may lose your footing but accept the light of love from your sisters. No matter how small the acts of kindness, they have an impact on the lives of others. Give love freely and don’t hide away. Accept love from others. She said that her family was blessed by the service of others who brought hope and faith. She said, “Be at the right place to say things. Charity need not be something big.” The closing hymn, ‘Go Forth with Faith’ reminded us to “Tell the World of Jesus Christ, the Lord, to tell the world the joy of families, the boundless joy of serving, and to do your best with no thought of reward.” From Left to Right From the west stake Christy Perkins, Nova Mastrogiovanni, Debra Hess, Kathy Abbott, From the east stake Jamie Spilker, Sara Hatala, LaNae Griffiths