Ned and Janet Mikkelsen have returned to Bunkerville after serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They served in the Kyiv Ukraine Mission 18 months in two different areas and their mission language was Russian. Ned and Janet served as Member Leader Support, Church Education System, Pathway missionaries, and helped with Self Reliance. Elder and Sister Mikkelsen speak on September 11, 2016 in the Bunkerville 2nd Ward, in the Bunkerville Chapel.

Institute Class will start Wednesday, Sept. 7th, 6-7:30 pm in the Seminary building. Brother Boyd Wittwer will be the instructor. The Institute class is for 18-30 years old, single or married and college students. Adult Religion will start Thursday, Sept. 8th, 6-7:30 pm in the Stake Center Chapel. President David Anderson will be the instructor. The Adult Religion class is for all others. There are no charges for either class.

Elder Tim Cannon has served his mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and returns home August 24. He served 24 months in the Colorado Denver North Mission, Spanish speaking. Elder Cannon in the son of George and Jean Cannon of the Mesquite 4th Ward. Elder Tim Cannon will be speaking in the Mesquite 4th Ward on August 28, 2016 at 9:00 am in the Mesquite LDS Stake Center.

Jaden Derrik Hollingshead will be a volunteer for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Samara Russia Mission for 24 months. Jaden is the son of Jared and Janarah Hollingshead of the Bunkerville 2nd Ward. Jaden Hollingshead is a 2016 graduate of Virgin Valley High School and has been accepted to attend BYU when he returns from his service. Jaden will report to the Missionary Training Center (MTC) on September 14, 2016. Jaden Hollingshead will speak August 28, 2016 at 11 am in the Bunkerville Chapel.

Elder Gregory Leavitt returns after serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has been in the Guatemala City East Mission for 24 months. Elder Leavitt ’s parents are David and Nancy Leavitt of Bunkerville. On Sunday, August 28, 2016, Elder Greg Leavitt will be speaking in the Bunkerville Chapel, Bunkerville 1st Ward at 9 a.m.

Elder Clayton Ray Bowler returned on August 1, 2016 after serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in the Idaho Boise Mission for 24 months. Joey and Karen Bowler of the Mesquite 7th Ward are his parents. Elder Clay Bowler will report his mission this Sunday, August 21st at 11:00am in the Stake Center.

Bunkerville 2nd Court of Honor Troop 2341 August 14, 2016 Tenderfoot Clayton Holllingshead, Mathew Hughes, Gavin Julien, Cameron Perkins, Riley Averett Second Class Clayton Hollingshead, Mathew Hughes, Gavin Julien, Cameron Perkins First Class Rank Clayton Hollingshead, Mathew Hughes, Gavin Julien, Cameron Perkins Star McClain Easton, Kyler Sudweeks Life Jason Abbott, Braden Bingham, Brock Hughes Total of 47 Merit Badges earned New Scout Master called 8-14-2016 .....Quinn Averett

Bunkerville 1st Court of Honor August 14, 2016 Troop & Team 2041 received the following awards: There were a total of 17 rank advancements including: 3 scouts received the rank of Scout 3 scouts received the rank of Tenderfoot 4 scouts received the rank of Second class 4 scouts received the rank of First class 3 scouts received the rank of Life- Abraham Alejos, Trey Houston, and Will Barnum There were a total of 57 merit badges including: Archery, Basketry, Camping, Citizenship in the community, Citizenship in the nation, Cooking, Environmental science, Family Life, Indian lore, Leather work, Personal fitness, Pioneering, Rifle shooting, Welding, Wilderness Survival, and Woodcarving As of this Court of Honor, Troop 2041 has 4 Life scouts currently working on or starting their Eagle projects. The scouts have been quite busy. Not including Scout camp at Camp Kolob in June, they have earned 13 merit badges individually. I commend the parents of these young men for taking part in their sons lives and encouraging them to work on merit badges, and toward achieving the Eagle scout rank! We look forward to cooler weather this fall so that we can spend more time in the outdoors teaching the young men the fundamentals of scouting, and complete more requirements! Chris Allen Scoutmaster Troop 2041 Bunkerville 1st Ward

Elder Lorin Reber has been called to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He will serve in the Saltillo Mexico Mission for 24 months. Lorin is the son of Larry and Jennifer Reber of the Mesquite 6th Ward. Elder Reber will speak at 11:00 am on Sunday, August14, 2016 in the Whipple Chapel, 100 N. Arrowhead Ln.

Nathan Porter is the new S&I Seminary Principal. He and his family are happy to be here and he is excited to teach about the life of Jesus. The theme for this year is John 13:15 and the study will be the New Testament. Seminary Kickoff was held August 14, 2016 where some of the Seminary Council members spoke concerning the importance of Seminary. Shalee Hafen shared her testimony of Seminary and asked the youth to invite their friends. Emily Leavitt spoke concerning her thoughts on how important the life and atonement of Jesus Christ is to the world. Jace Haviland said it was more important to walk as the Savior did than where the Savior walked. Reid Jensen reminded the youth that their level of participation in the class lessons would transform it into more than just a class. The council asked the students to read the lesson beforehand and come prepared to add their input which would in turn invite the Spirit. The council is willing to work hard and they'll need everyone's help. Brother Porter informed the students and parents that this was a group effort. He is there to teach, the youth are there to learn and the parents are there to encourage and engage their youth in conversation. "Don't let seminary end when they walk out...ask questions of your children, learn from them and encourage discussion." "I promise we will open our scriptures this year" Brother Porter emphatically stated. Seminary will be using the Doctrinal Mastery this year, the students will be memorizing the doctrine of the church. "Brother Porter will be an excellent seminary teacher" President Anderson told the audience. "Seminary is an important tool but there's more. Scripture will teach you but you must come to church " President Anderson announced the names of seminary teachers as Brother Darrell Garlick in Littlefield, with Sister Kris Bingham and Sister Janet Dodenbier in Mesquite. Sister Jamie Jones will be a substitute teacher when needed. He closed by saying "What was good enough 5 years ago is not enough for the youth of today. Satan watches for the caliber of the spirits coming into morality and he knows the end is drawing near." Brother Nathan Porter with his wife, Tiffany and son Hudson. "Young people, I ask you to participate in Seminary. Study your scriptures daily. Listen to your teachers carefully. Apply what you learn prayerfully." President Thomas S. Monson August 12, 2011

The Mesquite Stake celebrated the 24th of July by reminiscing the struggles and accomplishments of the Virgin Valley's pioneers. Ice cream was served to help cool the crowd in the 108 degree weather. Spanish Branch President David Leavitt talked about how fortunate this valley is to be able to turn on the faucet and get clean cool water. He talked about some of his ancestors who help dig the ditches in Bunkerville that continue to bring water from the river even to this day. Surviving the pioneer life was hard and involved backbreaking work. Derrick Hafen entertained all with his cowboy poetry and President David Anderson spoke about strengthening our families. President Anderson told us how our battles are different than the pioneers. The battles the pioneers fought were physical, while this generation's battles will be fought to preserve and increase their spiritual well-being. There were water games for the kids, and a demonstration using only rubber bands to cut a watermelon. The Saints enjoyed visiting and sharing spiritually uplifting stories, despite the heat.