Many of those that gathered October 26 for the Genealogy Jamboree at the Mesquite Nevada Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were old hands at research. They had come to learn more methods and improve their skills at finding their ancestors and filling out their family trees. Among the 170 attendees were those who wanted to try new areas of research like the class on Descendancy. It opens the way to find cousins you never knew you had. One participant was excited about this aspect of research and couldn't wait to get home to follow up on his ancestral line. A variety of classes helped the students learn things like how to fill in the family trees with photos, store their information via the Cloud, start a blog to find links to other's research, how to use web sites that deal in genealogy, and tips on using census records for Great Britain and Ireland. While being served lunch the attendees were able to visit booths set up around the hall that dealt with resources available locally to aid in their research. The Daughters of the American Revolution shared information dealing with early families of New England. The Virgin Valley Heritage Museum displayed some of their vintage family photos, information of original valley families, and introduced their online catalog of historical materials which can be found atwww.mesquitenv.pastperfect-online.com. The Family Search Center showed how to make a family fan chart and offered to help all those interested to come to the center at 100 North Arrowhead Street. The center can be reached by calling 702-346-2342. Researching ones family history has never been so easy. It can be done right from your own home with just a little help and instruction from the knowledgeable researchers at the Family Search Center. This information is free to the public. There is an ever expanding resource of records that are being indexed and made available to use in research. If at one time you felt you could not find members of your family tree it may well have changed because of the millions of records coming out of archives and storage and being made available online.

Elder Avery Woods has been called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He will report to the Missionary Training Center on October 21st and the next 24 months, he will serve in the Baltimore Maryland Mission. Avery's parents are John and Jennifer Woods and he is the grandson of Val and Carol Woods and Rita Cox. Elder Woods will speak at 8 a.m.on Sunday, October 18, 2015 in the Stake Center located at 100 N. Arrowhead.

Sister Charlene Bills returned from serving her mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sister Bills spent 18 months at the Family History Center in the US Canada Zone, serving in the Family and Church History Headquarters Mission. She helped the guests in the library find their ancestors and with any problems they might have with their accounts or research. Sister Charlene Bills will speak in the Littlefield AZ. Chapel, October 18, 2015 at 9am.

The Bunkerville First Ward in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a new second counselor in their Bishopric as of October 11th. John Gleave will serve as the second Counselor with Bishop Vern Pollock and first Counselor Duane Magoon.

On October 11, 2015, Bunkerville 2nd Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints had a change in their Bishopric. Robert Bunker was sustained as the 2nd Counselor. He will serve with Bishop Jared Hollingshead and 1st Counselor Darryll Dodenbier.

Jared Memmott and Daxon Toone of Varsity Crew 998 sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints received their Eagle Scout Awards at a ceremony at the Heritage Park on October 10, 2015. Daxon built a planter box at the Virgin Valley Heritage Museum to grow cotton plants. Jared added decorative rock to the fire pit at the Heritage Park to make it safer to use. Both are freshmen at Virgin Valley High School. Jared is in football, basketball and on the swim team. Daxon is in the band and on the soccer, basketball and baseball teams. Jared earned 40 merit badges and he is the son of Christine and Kyle Memmott. Daxon earned 49 merit badges.and is the son of Kena and Ryan Toone. Only 21 merit badges are required for the Eagle so they will soon be eligible to receive some Eagle Palms. Both scouts earned the 50 miler award, the Historic Trails Award, Thomas S. Monson Award, Liahona Award, the mile swim, and the Arrow of Light. Greg Toone, Daxon’s grandfather, said, “Receiving the Eagle Scout award is not the end of the trail. Go forth now and visualize what you can do, you have a foundation and base of principles of good character and skills and interests – now go forth knowing that you have accomplished hard things and you can now practice solving more hard things and look for the needs of others. I charge you to go forward to continue to do a good turn daily, to be true to yourself and remember the scout law and oath daily. “ Richard Israelson, their scout leader, gave them the charge, “You have a solemn duty to your fellow scouts to bring honor to yourself and your brother scouts, to your country and to God. America has many good things, but it depends on the quality of its citizens. America has a great past and you can make the future greater by being good citizens. Lift up every task to a high level of service and so live and serve that others will be inspired to the finest living. I challenge you to dedicate yourself to the common good and build America on unselfish service and reverence for God leaving a trail that other scouts will be justly proud to follow. “ Daxon’s father, Ryan Toone, said, “"Scouting has given Daxon and Jared the opportunity to learn important values and gain skills they will be able to use for the rest of their lives. They have been on 50 mile hikes, completed a mile swim, learned about many different careers, and made a lot of friends. Reaching this milestone will help them know that they can accomplish great things in the future." Kyle Memmott, father of Jared, was their scoutmaster through their years of advancing and he said, "We are very proud of Jared for his hard work over the years and his desire to become an Eagle Scout. He is what an Eagle Scout should be." Daxon presented his mentor pin to his Grandfather, Greg Toone, for his encouragement in reaching his goal of Eagle Scout. Jared presented his mentor pin to Richard Israelson who helped him on his project. Daxon and Jared were presented with pocketknives engraved with the words “Eagle Scout” by the Virgin Valley Boy Scouts of America.

Elder Robert Ian Kuta returned to Mesquite after serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served for two years in the Ecuador Guayaquil South Mission. Frank and Elspetha Kuta are Robert's parents. Elder Kuta will speak in the Mesquite 7th Ward on September 27, 2015 at 10am in the Stake Center located at 100 N. Arrowhead.

Elder Christopher Ira Allen has returned after his mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in the Resistencia Argentina Mission for twenty four months. Chris and Sara Allen of Bunkerville are his parents. Christopher future plans include furthering his college education. Elder Allen will speak in the Bunkerville Chapel September 20, 2015 at 11 am.

Cooper Tait Parsons, a member of Venture Crew 2596 sponsored by the Mesquite 5th Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was award his Eagle Scout Rank at a court of Honor on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015. His Eagle Project was erecting a flag pole at the Winslow, AZ little league baseball field in honor of his friend who was killed while playing ball there. He graduated from Pine View High School and is attending Dixie State University. He is the son of Kristi Tausinga and Daniel Parsons. His favorite merit badges were canoeing, cooking and fishing. Ryan Toone, scoutmaster of Troop 2998, spoke and said, "Reaching the rank of Eagle Scout is not the main goal of scouting. The main part of scouting is helping boys build good character by internalizing the 12 points of the scout law - trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. Scouting is also about helping the boys learn about the outdoors and how to make friends. The road to Eagle Scout is long and hard and only about 7% of the boys who start on the trail reach the rank of Eagle. The Eagle Scout who travels this road makes it easier for others to follow. Scouts learn self-reliance, integrity and learn to do the right thing. An Eagle Scout is respected for his contributions to the community. An Eagle Scout has an obligation now to teach and share his knowledge with others. The rank of Eagle Scout is a prestigious award but it is not the end, but the beginning to now go forth and have a greater capacity to serve God and his community and his fellow scouts." Kai Davis, Chartered Organization Representative, gave Cooper the Eagle Charge. He challenged him and stated, " You have an obligation to God and country and your fellow scouts to lead only to the best and lift up every task you do to the highest possible. America is a wonderful place but it is only as strong as the quality of its citizens. I charge you to clean living and honest work and unselfish service, and reverence for God." Mr. Davis presented the Eagle badge and pins to Cooper. Kristi, his mother, pinned the Eagle Ribbon on Cooper. Cooper was presented with a pocketknife engraved with the words "Eagle Scout" as a reminder of his achievement. This was a gift from the Virgin River Valley BSA.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is pleased to announce the appointment of six new Missionaries to represent the Church in the Virgin Valley area, including Beaver Dam, Littlefield, Scenic, Mesquite, and Bunkerville. The Mesquite Stake is home to over 4,800 LDS members. There are five buildings in which twelve different congregations attend their meetings each week. The only exceptions to the regular meetings are twice per year for the Church's World Wide Conferences, also broadcast to this area by satellite to selected Chapels, Internet, and Cable TV. The Stake Center is on North Arrowhead Lane, near the center of Mesquite. The Church welcomes interested visitors to any of the congregational meetings. Information on meeting times and location can be heard by calling the Information Line,702-346-8888. Missionaries come from locations all over the World. They come as volunteers, where some speak different languages, and all have a wide variety of experiences. Elder Chase is from Connecticut and is the District Leader in this area, Elder Pryor is from Idaho, Sister Balboa is from Hawaii and speaks English and Spanish, Sister Call is from Guatemala and speaks Spanish and English. Two of the Missionaries are from Mesquite, Elder McNeal, who was born and raised in Nebraska, and Sister McNeal, who was born and raised in Brazil and who speaks both Portuguese and English. All of the Missionaries listed in this article are authorized representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and can answer any questions that you may have about the Church or the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Elder Chase and Elder Pryor can be reached at (702) 862 - 0978. Sister Balboa and Sister Call can be reached at(435) 826 - 0931. Elder and Sister McNeal can be reached at (308) 746 - 5283. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is pleased to announce the appointment of six new Missionaries to represent the Church in the Virgin Valley area, including Beaver Dam, Littlefield, Scenic, Mesquite, and Bunkerville. The Mesquite Stake is home to over 4,800 LDS members. There are five buildings in which twelve different congregations attend their meetings each week. The only exceptions to the regular meetings are twice per year for the Church's World Wide Conferences, also broadcast to this area by satellite to selected Chapels, Internet, and Cable TV. The Stake Center is on North Arrowhead Lane, near the center of Mesquite. The Church welcomes interested visitors to any of the congregational meetings. Information on meeting times and location can be heard by calling the Information Line,702-346-8888. Missionaries come from locations all over the World. They come as volunteers, where some speak different languages, and all have a wide variety of experiences. Elder Chase is from Connecticut and is the District Leader in this area, Elder Pryor is from Idaho, Sister Balboa is from Hawaii and speaks English and Spanish, Sister Call is from Guatemala and speaks Spanish and English. Two of the Missionaries are from Mesquite, Elder McNeal, who was born and raised in Nebraska, and Sister McNeal, who was born and raised in Brazil and who speaks both Portuguese and English. All of the Missionaries listed in this article are authorized representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and can answer any questions that you may have about the Church or the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Elder Chase and Elder Pryor can be reached at (702) 862 - 0978. Sister Balboa and Sister Call can be reached at(435) 826 - 0931. Elder and Sister McNeal can be reached at (308) 746 - 5283.

Nearly 100 girls ages 8 to 11 years met with their leaders for a fun Saturday, August 29, 2015. This “Activity Day” was organized by the Mesquite Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had the theme of Daughters of the King. The girls learned about their royal, spiritual heritage as they listened to speakers and engaged in activities to remind them of their Heavenly Father. Tori Robison, President of the Mesquite Stake Primary and organizer of this Activity Day was assisted by her councilors Gina Zarate and Christine Sawyer and her secretary Rachel Tanner. A presentation was made by Janet Dodenbier who spoke about the importance of serving others with the girls making fleece quilts to donate. Diana Frehner talked about manners and showed their application with a fun game show activity. Journal writing was presented by Nicole Burnside who read from her own journal and then helped the girls make journals to take home. Physical fitness was emphasized by Leigh Gubler who taught the girls a dance to show that exercise can be fun. At the end of more than four hours of fun and learning the girls relaxed with a lunch of sandwiches, chips, fruit salad and cupcakes. Leader Gina Zarate felt that “this day should help these girls remember how special they are and what they need to be doing.” Ten year old Kately Hansen who really enjoyed all the things she learned said “ I especially liked learning about journal writing and making the journal.” Ten year old, Emma Houston said this of her favorite part of the day. "I liked when they told us we all wear invisible crowns because we are all royalty. We are all Princesses of our Heavenly Father." These girls who came from all over the valley left the program with good memories and helpful knowledge to use in their everyday lives.

Nani and Randy Woods will serve as a Missionary Couple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their 18 month mission will be in the Washington Tacoma Mission. Their specific assignment will be Recreation Specialists at a church-owned camp in the Puget Sound area. Brother and Sister Woods will assist with Youth Conferences, Family Reunions, Girls Camps and general maintenance on the property. They are excited to begin Randy’s retirement in this new adventure and opportunity to serve.