by Danielle Ellis and Harvey Foutz (missionary in the 12-step program)

If we increase our dependence on anything or anyone except the Lord, we will find an immediate decrease in our freedom to act.” – L. Tom Perry

Addiction

What do you depend on? If it is alcohol or some other drug, legal or illegal, you might already think of yourself as an “addict.” But what about those who soothe or ignore their troubles with excess body weight or other disorder towards food or eating, compulsive use of money, or excessive work commitments?

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by Dave Ellis

This November we are having baby number five, which means we have a little over two months to come up with a better name than ‘baby number five.’ That child could never be president: who’d elect ‘Baby Number Five Ellis’ to office?

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At our house we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our fifth baby, due in November. As we make preparations, consider names and watch my ever-expanding middle, the excitement grows. It is a fun and happy time for our family.

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by Danielle Ellis

If you have watched General Conference for the past few years, read the Ensign, or heard counsel from Church leaders lately, you have no doubt heard counsel on the plague of pornography, how to avoid it, or how to extricate yourself from it if you are already involved.

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by Pamela Smith

Young women who choose to place their out-of-wed-lock babies for adoption, as well as those who decide to single-parent, are who I work with in my church assignment. I am the Green Valley Stake Birth-Parent Representative for LDS Family Services; and so it is my privilege to step into the lives of these girls at a most crucial time.

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by Dave Jackson

~The term addict as used in this article applies to both drug addicts and alcoholics.

Our son Brin is an addict. We know we are not alone.

It is the rare family that does not have at least one member struggling with poor choices. When one of the family suffers from these poor choices, the entire family is affected and suffers with them.

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Name Withheld

Our son has been arrested on drug charges.”

With this simple sentence, my world came crashing down. Despite the fact that I had a supportive husband and a family who loved me, I sank into despair. After all, if I’d failed so miserably with my oldest son, how could I possibly expect to raise my other six? I didn’t feel I deserved to live, and I felt my children would be better off with a more qualified mother.

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by Gail Jackson

Have you heard about the woman who always cut four inches off the end of a ham before she cooked it?

Finally, after puzzling over this for 25 years, her husband asked her why. “Because,” she said, “that is what my mother always did.”

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by Steve Tracy, MA, NAFP, MFT

Question: I am so tired of being weak! No matter who asks me, I do what they want and I’ll do it even if they don’t ask. My kids take advantage of me at home and the same happens at work. I need to change so I can gain some respect. What can I do?

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by Thomas Jensen, MF, MFT

Do you know about the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)? This is a mental health program offered by most large companies. EAP’s provide counseling sessions with a mental health professional that are paid for by your employer. Sessions can be used for individual, couple and family counseling.

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The Gubler name has been associated with caring high quality dentistry in the Las Vegas area for three decades. Dr. Chad Gubler and Dr. Sean Gubler have continued the tradition, opening their Anthem-area practice. The doctors provide full-service dentistry, offering the best treatment options for their patients. Services include full-mouth cosmetics, smile design, implants, TMJ treatment, and the Zoom teeth-whitening system.

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Money or Mission, a new film by John Lyde, now available in LDS bookstores, is an inspirational short-story based on the real-life experience of Las Vegan Patrick Gill.

Gill is a Las Vegas, Nevada resident who wrote an article about his own life experiences of choosing between serving a mission and staying home to work. The article was printed in the October, 2005 Ensign, which is where Lyde found it and got permission to make a movie from it.

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Elisa Wirthlin Passes Away

SALT LAKE CITY — Elisa Young Rogers Wirthlin, wife of Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away August 16th at the LDS Hospital. She died of causes incident to age.

Joe Thiriot Turns 100

Joe Thiriot, of Las Vegas, celebrated his 100th birthday. Brother Thiriot, the subject of our June 2002 Desert Saints Magazine cover story (see our online archives in .PDF form at www.DesertSaintsMagazine.com) has been a Las Vegas resident since 1941, and spent his career as a well-beloved teacher at the old Las Vegas High School. In more recent years he has kept busy singing with the Desert Chorale.

President Monson Turns 79

President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, celebrated his 79th birthday August 21st.
“It will be a work day as usual,” on his birthday, according to LDS Church spokesman Dale Bills. “Monday evening President Monson and his wife, Frances, plan to celebrate at home with their children and grandchildren.

‘Saints Unified Voices’ Fireside

The Green Valley Stake presents the Saints Unified Voices, directed by Gladys Knight, “One Voice-An Evening of Music and Testimony” at the Green Valley Stake Center September 16 and 17. Bring your friends of other faiths to hear a Grammy Award-winning gospel choir and learn why Gladys Knight joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Contact either Las Vegas Mission office for tickets. Seating is limited.