Women's Conference The Relief Society of the Mesquite Nevada Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held its annual Women’s Conference January 30th, 2016 The theme of “Becoming More” gave the attendees an opportunity to meet and learn of ways they could enhance their efforts to follow the Savior more closely and become more like Him. Throughout the day classes were offered for the women to choose from as they wished. The subjects ranged from spiritual subjects like becoming true Disciples of Christ and fulfilling their sacred responsibilities as divine women to practical subjects such as keeping our families safe from pornography and raising teenagers in today’s world. The well attended classes also included topics such as anxiety and depression, health and relaxation tips, and improving marriages. The day started with Lauri Hughes, Stake Relief Society president, explaining the theme and introducing the keynote speaker, Stake President David Anderson who gave an inspiring talk about how we all could “Become More”. A break in the classes at noon brought everyone together for a wonderful lunch catered by Debra Baker. Entertainment was provided by the delightful duo The Laughing Moms.

The annual Scout Leader Recognition Dinner for all Leaders in Virgin River Valley BSA was held on Thurs., January 28, 2016 . Leaders from the following units attended the dinner and recognition: 11 units sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Troop 2060 sponsored by the Elks Lodge and Pack 8 sponsored by the Mesquite Resort Association. Second Miler Awards were presented to Trent Reber, Scoutmaster of Troop2042, Chole Lee, Webelos leader of den 2060, Charles Burton, 11 year old scout leader of Troop 2493, and Craig Empey, assistant scoutmaster of Troop 2041. They were presented with wood plaques to recognize them for going the second mile in helping the boys in their units earn their advancements, skill awards and plan activities and camp-outs. Robyn Schaefermeyer presented the second miler awards and Scott Brotherson presented the award of Merit. Both serve on the scout committee. Brian Haviland and Jon Meierhoff were presented with Award of Merit plaques for their many years of service to scouting in Virgin Valley. Jon is 11 year old leader in Troop 2488 and has been the coordinator of 11 year old camp outs for the Virgin Valley BSA, a Round Table Commissioner, coordinated the Camporee, and coordinated the 50 mile hike to the Unitas for the Varsity and Venture Scouts. Brian has been a unit leader in Troop 2341, a camp director at Camp Kolob summer camp and is the LDS liaison with the Virgin River Valley scout troops. Stephen Waite was the guest speaker. “There is great power in scouting. Boys need a helping hand to build their life on. Scouting teaches industry, the power of being prepared. It teaches boys to do better and to obey the law. The scouting program offers disciplined adults who give the boys the opportunity to learn skills that will help them build their lives on a rock solid foundation of good character. Brent Hughes, scoutmaster Troop 493, presented Stephen with a handcrafted knife; the handle was made of a polished deer horn and a blade of hand-chiseled flint.

Elder Adison Van Houten will Return with Honor on Friday, January 15, 2016 from serving a two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder Van Houten was called to serve in the Oklahoma Tulsa Mission beginning January 2014. Some changes occurred a little after a year and the mission home was moved to Arkansas to be more central to mission boundaries and was renamed the Arkansas Bentonville Mission. Elder Van Houten served in Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas. He will speak on Sunday, January 17 at 9am in the Mesquite 4th Ward at the LDS Stake Center, located at 100 N Arrowhead Ln. Mike and Robyn Van Houten are the parents of Adison.

The Merit Badge Pow Wow for the Virgin River Valley Boy Scouts of America was held on Sat. January 9 and 16, 2016 for scouts from 12 units in Mesquite, Littlefield, and Bunkerville. There are 11 scout units sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and 1 sponsored by the Elks Lodge and the Mesquite Resort Association. About 120 scouts ranging in age 11 to 17 years attended classes and worked on earning merit badges in Citizenship in the Nation, Community and World. Some merit badges are required and some are elective. Scouts worked on Cooking, Emergency Preparedness, First Aid and Family Life and Communications which are required. They could also choose to work on elective merit badges in Energy, Genealogy, American Business, Traffic Safety, Chess, Geocaching, Fishing, Medicine, Music, Auto Mechanics, Reading and Art. Scouts were able to sign up for 4 merit badges. Some merit badges have requirements that take a full 3 months such as Family life which involves keeping track of their duties at home and doing a project around their home to improve it. Personal Management also takes 3 months to complete and it involves keeping track of their spending and saving for 3 months. There were 27 counselors who taught classes and will also do the follow-up when the scouts finish their requirements on each merit badge. Mike Van Houten set up a driving course for scouts to practice their driving skills for the traffic safety merit badge. Counselor Wes Carter helped the scouts mix and bake cookies as part of the requirements for Cooking merit badge. They will also have to prepare meals at home for their family and cook outdoors on a burner as part of the additional requirements to earn the badge. Firemen, Kenyon Leavitt and Spencer Lewis, taught First Aid to the scouts. Stephanie Vogel helped them make a family tree showing their ancestors and their dates and places. Steve Hoff and Chris Vogel taught them how to play Chess and look ahead to make strategies to win. The scouts were served breakfast, attended classes and then were served lunch before going to afternoon classes. Much appreciation goes to all the merit badge counselors who spent their time teaching the youth in our valley. The scouts will now have to finish the requirements and apply for the various merit badges they worked on.

Alejandro Mejia received his Eagle Scout Award at a court of honor on Friday, January 15, 2016 at the Veteran’s Center. His Eagle Project was setting up baseball foul poles on both Old Mill Baseball fields for the City of Mesquite. Alex earned 30 merit badges; only 21 are required to receive the Eagle Award. He said his favorite merit badge was Wilderness Survival when he had to build a shelter and sleep in it. He is a freshman at Virgin Valley High School where he is a member of the football and basketball teams. He is a member of Troop 2060 sponsored by the Elks Lodge and is the son of Shelia and Miguel Mejia. Petra Jones, his scoutmaster, gave him the Eagle Charge. “I challenge you to be a responsible citizen and to be an example to the younger scouts. Scouting has given you great opportunities and now you have a responsibility to serve your fellow scouts and help them on the trail.” The Eagle award was given to his mother to pin on his uniform. Alex gave his dad a pin also to thank him for his help in reaching his rank of Eagle Scout. Mr. Mejia said, “I have worked with the troop since Alex started in cub scouts and I was his Webelos Leader and it is a great occasion to see him receive his Eagle Award!” Father Blaise of the Catholic Church spoke about the scout law and said, “Reverence is the last article of the scout law but it is not in last place or in first place, it holds up every other word; it is the whole. Without reverence the rest of it will collapse. A scout being reverent is so vital to everything he does.” Alex gave his mentor pin to Ms. Jones. She has taught me everything I know about scouting,” he said. Ms. Jones has been the scoutmaster for 6 years and served 6 years’ prior as assistant scoutmaster in Troop 60. Alex spoke to the scouts in his troop and told them, “Keep on working at it although it is hard you learn so many new skills. I thank God for helping me and Roger Gessell. I want to thank you fellow scouts for helping me with my project.” Alex was presented with a pocketknife engraved with “Eagle Scout” by Duane Thurston of the Virgin River Valley BSA.

Pine Wood Derby will be even better on the new aluminum race track with the lift kit.

The Mesquite 3rd Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had a change in leadership on January 10, 2016. Tim Barnard is the new Bishop with Charles Lee , 1st Counselor and Steven Tobler, 2nd Counselor. Mesquite 3rd Ward meets at 9 am in the Whipple Chapel, located 121 Whipple Way.

Sister Amy Robison has returned from serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served in the Birmingham, Alabama Mission for 18 months. Tori and John Robison are the parents of Amy. Sister Robison will speak on January 10th at 9am in the Mesquite 2nd Ward in the Littlefield Chapel.

A group of youth from the Mesquite 6th Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continued a tradition of singing Christmas Carols from a hay wagon. This year as they caroled in the neighborhood they stopped and paid a visit to the elderly residents of the Beehive Home in Mesquite. The young people gathered in the entrance to sing to all who would listen and then went to the rooms of those who are bedridden to sing to them individually. It would be difficult to determine who enjoyed themselves the most, the young or the not so young. Back row L-R Abby Barnum, Becky Teschner, Sarah Walters, Stacy Brown, Cameron Cox, Mark Larsen, Spencer Cox, Jarron Hafen Front row L-R Skyler Adamson, Mira Larsen, Eris, Lewis, Sarah Barnum, Alyssa Kruse , Drew Davis, Kelci Cardinal, Kyler Worthen, Adam Teschner and Nathan Reber

The Mesquite 6th Ward activity girls enjoyed caroling. Their leader is Jennifer Reber.

Eight scouts from Pack 8 sponsored by the Mesquite Resort Association earned their Arrow of Light and will now be a part of Troop 40 sponsored by the Elks Lodge. The scouts are Aidan Oliver, Andrew Benda, Andrew Leavitt, Drew romero, Juan-Carlos Silva, Kyan Monsen, T.J. Buerrero, and Tristing Murguia. Kelton Chamerlain represented Akela and gave each boy an arrow. Dave West is one of their leaders. The Arrow of Light Award is the only patch that boys can earn in cub scouts and wear on their Boy Scout shirt. To earn the Arrow of Light the Webelos scout must be active in his pack, complete 5 activity badges including Fitness, Citizenship, Ready-man,and Outdoors-man and understand the Honesty Character Connection. The scout also goes on an overnight camp or a day hike with his pack to earn the Arrow of Light Badge. Photo info, l to r... Aidan Oliver, Andrew Benda, Andrew Leavitt, Drew Romero, Juan-Carlos Silva, Kyan Monsen, TJ Guerrero Kelton Chamberlain and Dave West in the back (Tristin Murgula was not able to attend that night)

December 13, 2015, a leadership change happened in the Mesquite 5th Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Travis Wakefield was called as the new Bishop with Kai Davis, 1st Counselor and Art Shaner, 2nd Counselor.