by Dave Jackson
As a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints there were a few things missing from my Mormon résumé when I joined the Church. Among the missing were my family history and a heritage of pioneers crossing the plains. Obviously I couldn’t do much about the pioneer thing, except stew over it. Which I did. I’ll explain.
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by Dave Ellis
The 4th of July is special in my family. Not only is it my brother Jason’s birthday but it is also my daughter Hattie’s birthday. We spend that day being thankful to live in a country where we can show our patriotism by setting off fireworks and waving flags that were both made in another country. But the most funnest (it will be a word if we all start using it) part of the day is lighting off fireworks!
Who here loves fireworks? Raise your charred limbs high!
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By An Anonymous Serviceman
The following recent letter is reprinted with the permission of the soldier and his wife.
Dear Family and Friends,
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During this patriotic time of year, we collectively pause and give thanks for our nation: from its tenuous beginnings, upheld by the hand of the Almighty; to its rise in wealth and power; to the restoration of the gospel with the ordinances and covenants that lead us to eternal life. In counting the blessings of our lives and of this land, our list is long indeed.
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by Danielle Ellis
During his missionary labors, the apostle Paul experienced much trial and tribulation. He was often in the company of those who sought his life. He was arrested, beaten, plotted against, imprisoned for years, and shipwrecked. And yet he gloried in his trials.
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by Danielle Ellis
“Too often we bask in our comfortable complacency and rationalize that the ravages of war, economic disaster, famine, and earthquake cannot happen here. Those who believe this are either not acquainted with the revelations of the Lord, or they do not believe them. Those who smugly think these calamities will not happen, that they somehow will be set aside because of the righteousness of the Saints, are deceived and will rue the day they harbored such a delusion.
“The Lord has warned and forewarned us against a day of great tribulation and given us counsel, through His servants, on how we can be prepared for these difficult times. Have we heeded His counsel?” (Ezra Taft Benson, “Prepare for the Days of Tribulation,” Ensign, Nov. 1980, 34) emphasis added.
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by Marilyn Richardson
If you’re looking for a peaceful summer getaway, a visit to the quiet town of Manti, Utah may be the perfect answer. Manti is 287 miles from Las Vegas, and it is a great place for a family vacation. Especially if you include a stop at the Freemont Indian Museum on Highway 70 as you head toward Manti via Richfield, Utah.
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by Lorene Plumb
Two weeks ago my son Allen called to tell me his divorce was final; he is forty-seven. Today he called and announced, “I finally got up the courage to ask a lady for a date. I was so nervous I got a sick stomach.”
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by Anthony E. Larson
The colorful symbolism of the “Tree of Life” vision given to Lehi and his son, Nephi, is well known and rather easily interpreted by today’s Latter-day Saints.
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by Annette Lyon
One hundred sixty years ago, in 1848, the year-old settlers of the Great Salt Lake valley came head-to-head in a battle to the death with some of the valley’s oldest settlers: voracious crickets, an insect often roasted by local Indians for their winter food supply.
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By Marilyn Richardson
When it’s too hot (or too cold) to go outside, a half hour of indoor circuit training may be the answer. This can be especially fun if the whole family participates.
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Reaching Our Potential At Our Own Pace
by Nettie H. Francis
Oranges remind me of freedom—and of an experience I had when I was sixteen years old.
At the last bus stop the students climbed out, used the clean restrooms, bought sodas and stood around talking and laughing as usual. I walked a few feet away from the group and looked east, toward rolling, green hills. In the distance I could distinguish two faint, grey lines running parallel along the hills. I looked up at the huge, West German flag waving over me. It was July 1990, nine months after the fall of the Iron Curtain, and I was on a student exchange trip to Berlin.
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Doctor Returns To Traditional Practice
by Beth S. Moore
One of the last World War II warriors is dying, but happy. Death is not the end, and a beloved daughter and wife are waiting to greet him. His life of darkness, filled with the light of the gospel and his strong faith, will be over.
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To My Sister Whom I Love (To Tease)
by LaRae Free Kerr
Family reunions, of one kind or another, grace summer days. Whether your summer get-together is formal or just a gathering of close relatives, you can further your family history by getting some oral histories. Following are some of the suggestions for getting oral histories from the forthcoming book, The Least You Need to Do to Find Your Own True Ancestors. Another column will include lists of questions you could ask.
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by LaRae Free Kerr
Oral interviews can sometimes be a little like wild horses – they can pull you in many directions. So corral your goals and return to those goals no matter how many times the interviewee breaks free. Following are topics you might cover in oral interviews, depending on your genealogical goals. These suggestions come from the upcoming book, The Least You Need to Do to Find Your Own True Ancestors.
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Oral Histories Liven Family Reunions
by Alison Palmer
Scripture: D&C 18:15
Song: “Called to Serve,” Children’s Songbook, 174-75
Preparation: Gather materials to make simple cards and copies of the Book of Mormon to give away if you choose to use them with your activity.
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I Can Share the Gospel with Others
by Ezra Taft Benson
My beloved brothers and sisters. I am honored to be in your presence today. You students are a part of a choice young generation—a generation which might well witness the return of the Lord.
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by Allie Condie
Author hopes novel inspires youth to resist apathy this election season.
The Constitution says presidents must have reached the age of 35, but it says nothing about who can campaign for write-in votes. That’s what persuaded 15-year-old Milo Wright to run for president in a new youth fiction book the author hopes will inspire teens to resist apathy this election season.
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by Dean Hughes
Whether it’s our careers, sporting events or the kind of car we drive, life can at times seem like it’s a contest. The Cost of Winning (Deseret Book, $17.95, Softcover) by Dean Hughes, asks whether we are all trying to come in first across the wrong finish line by defining success in the world’s terms instead of Christ’s.
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Book Review: The Secret Journal of Brett Colton
by Pam Ellis
In the Las Vegas Valley, nobody does Pioneer Day bigger than North Las Vegas Stake. For the past 34 years, they have organized and presented the largest Pioneer Day Celebration in the entire southwest. This year it has been scheduled for July 25 &26.
Stake Activity Chair, Mike Matthes, is coordinating the efforts of a couple of hundred volunteers to pull off this annual feat which includes:
• 1200 lbs of beef slow roasted in a pit for 24 hours for the Friday night dinner which feeds 2500 (pre-sale tickets for this dinner are available for $30 for a family of up to 8, and single dinner tickets for $8; you may buy tickets on Friday for an additional $5)
• 50 games and food booths such as pizza, corn on the cob, fry bread, watermelon, cotton candy, etc., with dunk booth, steer roping, jump house, rock climbing, water slide, face painting, etc.
• A bake sale, a craft booth with homemade crafts for sale as well as some hands-on crafting
• A talent show, the honoring of distinguished pioneers with awards at 9pm Saturday, and entertainment throughout Saturday reminiscent of the old fashioned county carnival. This exciting two-day event, which historically has an attendance of over 6,000 people, ends with a spectacular fireworks display around 10pm on Saturday.
For more info or to purchase tickets call Mike Mathes at 642-6229.
7th Annual Pioneer Parade July 22
