by Krista Ralston Oakes
There is an aphorism that says, “Any man can be a father, but it takes a special person to be a daddy.”

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By Ann Kearns
We need not wonder how Jesus learned to teach or to heal the sick. He plainly told us that He learned all His lessons by example. He watched His Father act and interact with those around Him, and then He began to do “likewise.” (See John 5: 19-20). If fathers are to show their children “all things” that they should do, what should be on their list of things to teach?

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By Kenneth Long
When my parents brought me home from Sunrise Hospital almost forty years ago, they traveled north on Maryland Parkway and made a left turn on Oakey, eventually arriving at my childhood home of 1021 E. Oakey. That was a home filled with happiness, music, and love. My grandparents lived next door, and my uncle Walter lived across the street.
Yet my arrival would not have happened were it not for Jack Huntington, who lived several houses down at 1057 E. Oakey.

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By Deana Lord
Sometimes tender mercies come in the simplest form, and sometimes they are a bit grander. On Saturday, April 17, 2010, President Ivan Holland of the Anthem Stake told the cast of The Savior of the World, “Today we have been blessed with a tender mercy of the Lord.”

Elder L. Tom Perry was in town conducting church business and stopped by the Henderson Pavilion to watch the final scene of the play, which has been presented by the Anthem Stake for the past three years. President Holland noted that several months ago, he was notified that Elder Perry was coming to Las Vegas and would use the Anthem Stake building for his area training. President Holland said, “Of all the buildings in the area, ours was the one chosen for this event.” Elder Perry’s timing was impeccable. After three months of rehearsals in a warehouse, the production had just begun dress rehearsals at the Henderson Pavilion, which made it an easy stop for Elder Perry.

Elder Perry graciously came into the pavilion waving to the cast and crew. He peeked down into the choir and orchestra pit asking, “Where are the french horns?” The cast and crew were then sent to the stage and Elder Perry watched as they poured out their testimony of the Savior on stage.

Rachel Messina remarked, “We couldn’t stop smiling.” Raven Flowers commented, “In the final scene, I just had tears in my eyes. It was so spiritual.” Elder Perry kindly stood for pictures and shook each person’s hand. Shanea Acebal reflected, “He was so gracious that he took the time to meet every one of us.”

“He put his hand on my shoulder and said, ‘Isn’t this a great way to spend your afternoon?’ and I said, ‘Yes!’” exclaimed Emily Messina. It was a special moment for those playing the original twelve apostles as they stood for a picture with one of the Lord’s living apostles. Jill Horton reflected, “There was a very tangible spirit that settled over the cast and crew.
It felt like it physically settled upon the whole pavilion itself.”

“It has been a blessing to me to have been able to be in the play every year,” said nine-year-old Jillian Lord. “I have learned a lot about being in a play but I have learned a lot more about the Savior.”

The Savior of the World was approved by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and permission granted for church-wide performance use in December of 2006. “We have been blessed to offer this production as a missionary experience to those in our valley. During these economic times when some are looking for answers to prayers, this production offers hope that the Savior lives and that He loves each and every one of us,” stated DeAnna Anderson. “The
performance is an offering of testimony and love by those who participate in it.” Roland Anderson said, “It felt as if Elder Perry’s visit came as a tender mercy that the Lord hears our prayers and accepts our true and honest devotion.”

Many hours of hard work and dedication have been put into the presentation of The Savior of the World over the past three years. This year, as in years past, there have been many tender mercies during the production. From the simple ones like finding a costume that fits, to the grand ones like having Elder Perry visit, they are all blessings to the participants.

The goal of the production is that audience members will be inspired to come to the Savior. It is a tender mercy to see that happen each night. But the greatest tender mercy of all is that Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World, lives and loves us.

By Danielle Ellis
On Saturday, April 17, 2010, priesthood leadership from nine Henderson and Las Vegas stakes met with Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder James B. Gibson, Area Seventy, and Elder David S. Baxter of the First Quorum of the Seventy for training. On Sunday, April 18, Elder Perry, Elder Baxter and Elder Gibson conducted special stake conferences in area stakes.

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By Christopher Deaver
Who is the virtuous woman? In our lives, we each have
seen and known examples of virtuous women. When I started dating Julia, my wife, she told me of a situation in which she was dating a young man who was not being respectful toward her and how she had promptly ended that date. After relating that experience to me, she looked me in the eyes and declared firmly, “I am a virtuous woman.”

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by Annette Lyon
I’m raising three future mothers. That simple fact has
an enormous effect on how I mother them. I’m not raising girls. I’m teaching and nurturing the mothers of my grandchildren.

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By Krista Ralston Oakes
“The commonest fallacy among women is that simply having children makes them a mother – which is as absurd as believing that having a piano makes one a musician.” — Sydney J. Harris (1917-1986)

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By Stephanie McMillan
Sixty eight days. This was the number of days of school
I missed during sixth grade due to strep throat. I have fairly clear memories of that year: popsicles, Jello, pudding, watching Annie a countless number of times, reading plenty of books. I can visualize a checked green blanket and swirly green carpeting out of the corner of my eye as I spent yet another day on the couch.

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by S. Amanda Dickson
Lately, I find myself wondering if my mother realized all the things that she was teaching me. The list of things my mother has taught me is long: She taught me to clean and care for a home, how to do laundry, prepare meals and bake cookies. She, with my dad, taught me to have a good work ethic, to always try my best, to care for the people around me and to have integrity.

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By Julie Hendrix
Mom taught me many things, but it was her great example during the most impressionable time of my youth that makes me truly appreciate her and want to be more like her.

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By Ken Craig
Since Desert Saints Magazine is a safe place, where we don’t judge each other, I think I feel secure enough here to admit something to you: When I asked Katie to marry me, it was completely selfish. Whew, I feel better having said that.

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  From the smallest details to the entire structure, miracles
abound as temples are prepared, dedicated, and utilized.

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By Heather B. Moore
Finding peace in our lives may sometimes seem impossible as we struggle with disappointments, broken hearts, illness, death of a loved one, or financial problems.

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By David P. Vandagriff
What is the greatest manifestation of God’s love for us? A familiar scripture provides the answer. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

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