Mormon Battalion celebrates 164th year!

The Mormon Battalion celebrated its 164^th anniversary on January 29^th with its annual Commemoration in Old Town, San Diego. Booths, marches, cooking demos, and many hands-on activities helped participants get a feel for what the soldiers did in San Diego, such as making bricks, ropes, candles, pioneer dolls and toys, and cooking biscuits on a stick. The newly updated Mormon Battalion Visitor’s Center in the heart of Old Town serves to show the public with interactive audio and visual technology what the soldiers did to bring comfort, peace, and prosperity to the community.

One of the longest and harshest marches in U.S. history by a battalion of men, more than 2000 miles, brought many changes to a small village on the western coast. The first courthouse; the first wells providing clean, fresh water; the first brickyard; these were only a few of the “firsts” that came as a result of the Mormon Battalion being stationed at Fort Stockton (now known as Presidio Park), San Diego.

The 500 men that comprised the battalion, plus a few women and children, were recruited at Winter Quarters, Iowa, in July 1846 to assist in the war against Mexico, and they served until January 1847. The soldiers enlisted at the request of Brigham Young and U.S. President James Polk, in exchange for a monthly stipend, a musket, and minimal supplies, plus $42 for a uniform allowance. The money was sent back to their families, and the soldiers wore their own clothing, which were simply rags by the time they marched into the small pueblo known as San Diego. The war with Mexico was over, but members of Company B of the Battalion worked in the community for an additional six months, building brick and adobe homes, whitewashing houses and fences, establishing fresh water wells, and bringing assurance to the villagers that they were safe.

Record breaking blood donor is recognized!

A record number of units of blood have been donated by one of our local members, Ralph Vaughan, to the San Diego Blood Bank, North County Coastal Donor Center in Vista. Currently at 899, Bro. Vaughan will have donated 900 units in March of 2011, which is equivalent to 112.5 gallons of blood.


Vaughan began donating blood casually in the early 1970s. In 1975, his youngest daughter, Lara, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease, stage IIIB, a cancer of the lymph glands. Although there was nothing he or his family could do directly for her, there were several other children at the hospital that could benefit from blood donations. He began donating regularly in 1976 and hasn't missed a minimum interval appointment since. In the 1980s, blood science had advanced to a new process called blood aphaeresis. When it was brought to the San Diego Blood Bank, Vaughan was the second person to undergo the process. At the time, it required to be hooked up to a machine the size of a clothes washer for almost two hours with needles stuck into both arms. Now, the process has changed considerably, and he currently donates 24 times a year, the maximum number allowed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).


Regarding his donations, Vaughan says: "Lara is doing very well now and has been in remission for several years, but I continue to donate. I consider it 'paying rent' and I jokingly say 'I do it for the donut!'"


Karen Mower, manager of the Coastal Donor Center, says of Vaughan: “I wish we had a hundred Ralphs. He has helped out so much, not only with blood donations, but the donation of his time as a volunteer at the blood bank. That I know of, he has never missed working for us at a Chargers’ Blood Drive since they began.”


He is a member of the Vista 1st Ward, and he and his wife, Gaea, have five children and three grandchildren.

Serving Our Community

The annual opening of Operation HOPE provided 20 youth from the Vista 8^th Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the opportunity to hone their custodial skills and provide service to the homeless women and families that will use the shelter this winter. Russ Blackwood, Director of Operation HOPE, explained that the shelter will be opening this year with new linoleum floors, all new computers, and new couches. All new items and labor were donated. Each year they continue to upgrade the shelter to make it homier and to have the necessities the families need to help them get back on their feet.

Marianne Griffiths, church youth leader, commented: “The youth look forward to this every year. It was mentioned to me by my girls that they would like to come back when the shelter is open and serve the people staying there. They love being part of a great cause.”

Alan Lewellen, Bishop of the Vista 8^th Ward, said of the young people that have been doing this service for the past six years: “We always like to come and serve our community. The feelings we get while doing this service make us want to come back year after year.” Supplies for the shelter are donated by many faith-based organizations, and this year members of the Vista 8^th Ward donated paper products: paper towels, napkins, paper plates, and toilet paper. The young men and women also sorted and folded clothing that had been donated.

Operation HOPE (Homeless Outreach Providing Encouragement) provides a temporary winter shelter for homeless families and women, located at 123 West Orange in Vista. In 2003, the Vista City Council, recognizing the growing and complex problem of homelessness, requested help to begin exploring ways to find community resources to address the issue. Operation HOPE evolved out of these early meetings.

In 2006 the organization moved to its current site, a very modest structure centrally located in Vista, providing services from December through March. In the years since it began, programs and processes have evolved to help resident families regain confidence and independence. The shelter is maintained as a collaborative effort of the City of Vista, other government agencies, social service agencies, the faith community, organizations, and individual volunteers.

Vista Stake Has Talent!

Festivity was clearly in the air at the Annual Vista California Stake Fall Talent Festival held on Saturday, October 23^rd. About 350 people attended the talent show, and music, food, comedy and good company made the event hugely successful. Diane Smith, coordinator and chairperson for the event, thanked all the many individuals that made it possible. Josh McBride served as the evening’s host, lending humor and many changes of jackets throughout the evening.

The evening opened with Bagpiper Hayden Norris in a Scottish kilt, charming everyone attending. From 6-year-old twins, Brandon and Justin LeBlanc, acting as standup comics, to the stake’s own Susan Boyle, (aka Kerinda VanWagoner ), the evening was a delightful mix of entertainment. A singing group, the Norris Family from Bonsall, performed, with Shayley Norris on the guitar. A barbershop quartet, composed of Brian Gemmell, Richard Romney, Kim Neblett, and Marshall Edison delighted the audience. Danae Elton choreographed her dance group, The Star-Steppin’ Cloggers, composed of Cheyanne Elton, Jace Elton, Ryan Rice, Lindsay Sprague, Ali Sprague, Mackenzie Jones, Kristin Zenner, Blakeley Houk, Casey Frame, Olivia Sterk, Jenna Hervey, Taryn Hervey, Madeline Frith, and Alyssa Munoz.

A lyrical dance interpretation of “I Am His Daughter” was performed by Anna Staffieri, Lyndsey Gemmell, Paige Hall, Bridgett Hall, Amanda Severson, Brooke Munoz, Bridget Cobb, Caitlin Cobb, Elise Warner, Lauren Warner, Maya Goshai, Darcy Woodmansee, and choreographed by Anna Beck. Loren LeBlanc tickled the ivories, (with a Liberace-style candelabra gracing the piano) and Debbie Norton sang “Only Hope.” Greg and Rowena Greenwood glided over the floor in a comedy dance routine as Mr. and Mrs. Hughes. A soloist, Craig Heesch, performed “Pennies from Heaven”, a song from his Grammy-nominated album. Two talented young people, Shelby Anderson and Mike Cazanave sang “Hello,” in a fashion patterned after the hugely popular TV show Glee. Watch out, American Idol. Here they come!

The event concluded with refreshments elegantly prepared and served, with Carol Kelly as food chairman and Cherie Darian adding her artistic touch, to make a most memorable evening. President Paul Hatch was very pleased with the participation of all the performers and enjoyed the camaraderie of members from all over the stake gathering together.

Vista 6th Ward ROCKS Vistans ROC this year!

Bishop Gene Cook helping to beautify a neighbors home at Vistans ROC.

The crew of the Vista 6th Ward and friends!

On a beautiful warm Saturday morning in North San Diego County, when most young single adults would either be sleeping or heading to the beach, one young adult group headed to a cordoned off area of Vista, where community members were joining together to improve the homes of those who live there. An annual event in Vista, called Vistans ROC, promoted by the city and supported by businesses in the area, pulls together the skills and labor of volunteers to “Revitalize Our Community.”

Members of the Vista 6^th Ward (Young Single Adults) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spent the day painting the house and fence, digging holes for new shrubs and trees, spreading mulch around the newly planted area, and having a great time doing it. All the materials, paint, plants, and supplies were provided by local businesses, while different volunteer and civic organizations throughout the city provided the manpower to transform and renew the appearance of the homes in the selected area. Each group was responsible for one house, and where there were too many individuals for one, volunteers were spread out to others.

“There’s a tremendous spirit of goodwill here today,” said Gene Cook, Bishop of the Vista 6^th (Young Single Adult) Ward. “It is wonderful to see the community members draw together to make this neighborhood brighter and happier. These young adults have a terrific amount of energy, and it is great to have it channeled into such a positive event.” Thirty-two members of the ward contributed their time and talents to the project.

SEMINARY GRADUATION by Mary Jane Poulter

Link to article in the Village News: http://www.thevillagenews.com/story/48881/

Early Morning Gospel Instruction called Seminary

“What kind of teenager would get up every morning at 5:00 am to attend a class on religious instruction these days? I’ll tell you what kind, a member of the Church ofJesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS), a Mormon, that’s who.”

Youths who are in grades 9-12, ages 14-18 are offered a 4 year course study that covers a different book of scripture each year including The Old Testament, The New Testament, The Book of Mormon and The Doctrine & Covenants. The seminary classes themselves are about 50 minutes long and it is quite common to find most of the instruction located in the LDS church building closest to the local High School.

LDS Seminary, which began in the church in 1912, is a place for extended spiritual education beyond the Sunday school instruction offered by most Christian churches. Teens study the doctrines of the church in the same way they would English or Algebra, in a daily classroom setting. This results in an educated, motivated core of young believers who have helped to make Mormonism one of the world's fastest-growing faiths today.

The importance of Seminary: (1) Providing a spiritual foundation (2) Putting youths together who share the same values (3) Getting youths to read and study the scriptures (4) Being taught by a teacher who has a testimony and is both worthy and well trained.

“This seminary program will bless them throughout their lives" stated L. Tom Perry.

LDS Seminary Photo Caption: (courtesy photo)
Congratulations Seminary Graduates!

(left to rt.) Brother Todd Frame, teacher (F1); Natalie Frame (F1); Brett Turley (F1); Dane Mckissick; Troy Monson; Daniel Arnold; Chris Beck (F2); Geoffrey Jameson; Tressa Barrett; Erin Meeks; Aubree Neilson; Michael Nichols and Adam Holzer (not pictured: Matthew Nichols and Brother Red Barrett, Seminary Principal)

TRIBUTE TO THE MILITARY by Silvija Hellbusch

TRIBUTE TO THE MILITARY

Pictures and story by Silvija Hellbusch

Military heroes, past and present, were honored on July 3^rd with a musical and video presentation at the Vista Stake Center. The Patriotic Choir of the stake, directed by Debbie Allen of the Vista 9^th Ward and accompanied by Garth W. Smith of the Vista 8^th Ward, presented six patriotic hymns, with the audience of about 250 joining in on some of the verses. Boy Scouts from the Vista 3^rd Ward presented the flag, and Rowena Greenwood and Diane Smith of the Vista 8^thWard sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.” A touching tribute was paid to members of the audience who had served or were serving in the different branches of the military, as they were asked to stand while the choir sang each of the anthems of the five branches.

Retired Marine Colonel Dayne G Gardner (Fallbrook 2^nd Ward) presented a tribute to Colonel Jack R Jones, who passed away on May 1, 2010. Jones served in the Marine Corps at various posts and stations around the world for 21 years. He served in WWII and Korea and was awarded the Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, the Bronze Star, and six Purple Hearts. In his honor, Michael Wiley, a Corporal in the Marine Corps and a member of the Vista 6^th Young Single Adult Ward, played the traditional TAPS on the trumpet. President Jones served as the first Stake President in the Vista California Stake, as well as in the San Diego Mission Presidency, and the San Diego Temple Presidency. He served as an educator at Potter Junior High School in Fallbrook after his military retirement. His wife Dorothy and children David Jones and Jody Lowell still live in Fallbrook in the 2^nd Ward.

Retired Marine Colonel Skip Curtis (Vista 10^th Ward) hosted the program, and retired Army 1^st SGT Jon C Gregory (Fallbrook 1^st Ward) was the narrator. Diane Varner of the Vista 6^th YSA Ward also accompanied the choir on the Baritone, and Barbara Adams (Vista 3^rd Ward) was a soloist for “God BlessAmerica.” Two display tables were set up with military memorabilia and models.

The Vista Stake is honored to have three retired Marine Colonels in their stake boundaries. Pictured, they are, from the left: Ron Hellbusch, Skip Curtis, and Dayne Gardener.