Sister Kennedi Jo Ludvigson has been called to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She will serve in the Cebu East Philippines, speaking Cebuano. Kennedi is the daughter of Justin and Jody Ludvigson of Mesquite 5th Ward. Sister Ludvigson will speak at 11 am on September 9th in the Whipple Building located at 121 Whipple Way. She will enter the Provo Missionary Training Center on September 12th.

Elder Hayden Troy Johnson has been called to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. He will serve 24 months in the Auckland New Zealand Mission, English speaking. Hayden will enter the Missionary Training Center in New Zealand August 30, 2018. Machelle Anderson Johnson and Todd Johnson are his parents. Elder Hayden Johnson will speak on August 26 at 9 am in the Bunkerville 1st Ward.

Sister Savannah Lee returned from her mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. She served in the Argentina Buenos Aires East Mission. Savannah is the daughter of Charlie and Sandra Lee of Mesquite 4th Ward. Sister Savannah Lee will speak on August 19, 10 am in the Stake Center. Welcome home!

Friday, Sept 28 9:00 am keynote: Lisa Louise Cooke, CEO, Genealogy Gems will speak on Finding the "WE" in your family tree 10 am - 4 pm classes Saturday, Sept 29 9:00 am keynote: Todd Hansen, TV Host and Producer, The Story Trek 10 am - 4 pm classes Saturday Youth event (must register and limited to 400 participants) 10 am - 1 pm Jason Hewlett will e keynote speaker with 2 interactive classes followed by lunch Saturday Free Family events include Pioneer experiences with candle making, pioneer weaving, panning for gold. Exhibits include mountain men, cowboy poet, and Native American Pow Wow

Nathan Cannon, a member of Troop 2493 sponsored by the Mesquite 4th ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, received his Eagle Scout Award. His project was installing a bench and planting trees near the statue of William and Christina Abbott in front of the Mesquite City Hall. Nathan graduated from Virgin Valley High School where he was a member of the football and baseball teams and will now serve a mission for the LDS Church in Chili. He is the son of Jean and George Cannon.

Eighty boy scouts from Virgin River Valley District ages 11-14 spent a week at Camp Konear Zion National Park. Scout and leaders represented 10 troops sponsored by the Mesquite Nevada Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. The first day the scouts hiked into camp about 2 miles and on Tuesday the 11year olds went on a 5 mile hike up a winding steep road through the forest. Scouts worked on requirements for merit badges including: rifle shooting, archery, pioneering, first aid, basketry, leather-work, camping and environmental science. Older scouts came and helped as members of the junior staff. Eleven-year-old scouts came for an overnight and to work on trail to first class and did a service project to clean Camp Kolob Thirty scouts worked on their wilderness survival merit badge by going on an overnight hike, building their own shelter and sleeping alone in the wilderness. An award for the best shelter was given to Hyrum Baker. On Friday the scouts went to Kolob Reservoir and worked on canoeing and swimming merit badges. During the week they also had time to do a COPE course consisting of trust events and challenges and rope and obstacle course that sometimes required thinking backward to return to the starting point. COPE course was a Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience especially when they were challenged to do it blindfolded. Another afternoon the boys divided into two teams and played capture the flag using 3 giant flags. Other activities included a water slide down the hill into the meadow, campfire programs with skits, songs and run ons. All the scouts participated in the honor trail stopping at 12 stations where leaders taught them about each of the 12 points of the scout law and how to use that point in their daily living. One morning at 5:15 am, the boys went to Kolob Reservoir and did a polar bear plunge. Coming up out of the water, they had to say the scout oath and coming up again they had to repeat the Scout Law in order to earn their Polar Bear Award. Every morning the boys had a flag ceremony. A most memorable flag retirement ceremony was held one evening when the scouts retired 50 flags in a very reverent, patriot meeting where David Leavitt explained the symbolism of the flag and the colors and how it is folded. With a large battalion flag unfurled, they all joined in singing the Star-Spangled Banner. Leavitt further explained that the blue represents heaven and reminds the scouts that God set this land of America apart to be a place of freedom. Fifty scouts each holding a furled flag to their chest walked to the fire and laid the flag reverently in a spot while David Leavitt played taps and Brian Mickelson played the echo from a nearby hill.

Dear Parent, We are excited to be starting Seminary on August 13th! Here are dates and information of Seminary events that we have planned before we start: Seminary Kick off will be held Sunday, August 5, at the L.D.S. Stake Center at 6:00 pm. with refreshments afterwards. This is for all seminary students (freshman - senior) and their parents/guardians. Please go online to: myseminary.lds.org to register your student for this year's seminary. Returning students as well as incoming students need to register every year. We have attached a pdf file that explains how to do this. On Thursday, August 9, from 6 - 8 pm at the Seminary building (located across the street from the high school), you and your student are invited to come and sign up for a seminary class period. Again, all seminary students will need to sign up for a class period. If you don't have internet access or need help registering your student, you may register your student at this time. We look forward to seeing you at these events! Mesquite Nevada Seminary

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!