The Arizona Beehive Magazine January February 2026 Issue

Vol 52 | Issue #1 January 15 - February 28, 2026

CAR

COMPANY

Serving Arizona Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Since 1993

THE BEST USED CAR DEALER IN ARIZONA

EST IN 1975

WE BUY CARS

SERVICE MOST MAKES

WE LOVE EVS!

100 EVS IN STOCK

EVS VS. ICE (INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES): · CHARGE EVS AT HOME VS AT GAS STATIONS = TIME SAVER · SAVE $ DRIVE $ = 15K EV $900/YR VS. ICE $1500/YR · 25 PARTS VS 2000 PARTS FOR ICE CARS · LOWER SERVICE COSTS

· NO OIL CHANGES, PLUGS, FILTERS, PISTONS, RADIATOR, BELTS, CHAINS, CATALYTIC CONVERTER · INSTANT TORQUE · SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE

PUT THE FUN BACK IN DRIVING!

FREE to choose 2 Nephi 2:27

USEDAUDIVW.COM | 1109 E. CURRY ROAD, TEMPE | 480-968-6611

1 • ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

575+ VEHICLES

2 Remembering

President Jeffrey R. Holland

8 The Gift of Time New Year's Traditions

9 Broadcasts & Key Events

2026 Churchwide Calendar

11 Good Ride Cowboy! Lehi Days Rodeo

13 Celetial Ringdom LDS Jewelry

14 Spreading Light 2025 Giving Machines

15 Mormon Heritage Association

Remembering the Life of President

Jeffrey R. Holland

Enlightenment & Adventure

17 Area Presidency

The US Southwest Presidency

19 Your Mental Health New Year, Real You

21 Family History RootsTech 2026

24 The Gospel In A Word Genesis

25 Come Follow Me Behold the Contrast

26 Loved More

Even with More Wrinkles

27 Family History Journal 5 Things You Didn't Know

28 Sweet Salvation Bakery Everyone Happier & Healthier

29 Succeed in School

Mesa Stake Launches Pilot

30 What's Cooking

Pepper-Crusted Salmon Cakes with Horseradish Sauce

The Ready Hive

Smart & Thrify Food Prep

31 Beehive Book Review Teya Peck's Mermaid Series

Comedy Corner

32 Just Serve

Hospice of the Valley

Valley Temples

Schedules & Info

“My total responsibility is to bear witness of the Lord Jesus Christ”

P

resident Holland became an Apostle on June 23, 1994. At the time, he was serving as a General Authority Seventy (1989–1994). Prior to full-time Church service, President Holland was president of Brigham Young University (1980–1989), Commissioner of the Church Educational System (1976–1980) and dean of BYU’s College of Religious Education (1974–1976). He received his bachelor of English and master of religious education degrees from BYU. He also obtained master and doctor of philosophy degrees in American studies from Yale. “I have loved President Holland since those early days [as a young missionary],” said Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who was companion to President Holland during the duo’s mission to England in the early 1960s. Elder Cook said even then he noticed the 20-year-old Elder Holland’s unique way with words. He had a “fabulous” talent for teaching the gospel, along with “enormous spiritual depth,” Elder Cook said. “He was extremely good then, and there [was] nobody better in the Church at

teaching.” President Holland was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Terry, who passed away on July 20, 2023. He is survived by their three children, 13 grandchildren and several greatgrandchildren. Reared in a Home Where He Was Always Loved Meeting President Holland for the first time was like meeting someone you had known all your life. You received a firm handshake, a hearty slap on the back, a warm, engaging smile and an enthusiastic yet sincere “How are you?” His genuine love for others was just one of the qualities that made this Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints so effective in proclaiming the gospel of the Son of God. President Holland “has a deep spirituality coupled with an exceptional sensitivity. … [He is] always building people and lifting people and drawing people to him,” President James E. Faust (1920–2007) of the First Presidency of the Church once observed. “He has the marvelous capacity to make people feel that they are his very best friends.” Born in St. George, Utah, on

Photo courtesy of Intellectual Reserve, Inc.

By newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org

President Jeffrey R. Holland, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at approximately 3:15 a.m. MST from complications associated with kidney disease, while surrounded by his family. He was 85. December 3, 1940, to Frank D. and Alice Bentley Holland, President Holland described his boyhood as a sweet, peaceful time in a small community where everyone knew each other. “I couldn’t have gotten in trouble in that town if I’d wanted to. My mother would have known before I ever got home,” he once quipped.

ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

Continued on pg. 5

• 2

W h a t ’s T h e B u z z ? enomenon. lly met is an interesting ph na rso pe r ve ne e u’v yo t tha stated. Losing someone you love he passed away I was deva n he W e. ag of ars ye 9 s since I wa at’s what they I have loved John Denver his music and his albums (th gh ou thr him ew kn ly on I e with Until I realized that since , and since I only spent tim ath de his on up ar pe ap dis t no ually, as he is sort were back on those days) did dead! Quite the opposite, act lly rea t sn’ wa he , sic mu him by listening to his . ll live on past my own life of immortal as his music wi never breathed the R. Holland’s death. I have rey Jeff of ng ari he on up s thi ters I have I thought about e I know him by the encoun lik l fee d an him e lov I t bu same air as Elder Holland, iews, and of course his talks. had via his writings, interv ral Conference. the past 40+ years of Gene er ov ard he e I’v ks tal the Soul” talk during the I don’t recall many of er Holland’s “Safety for the Eld ing nc rie pe ex t ge for r clear when I stand But I will neve clared “I want it absolutely de He n. sio ses n oo ern aft rmon is October 2009 Sunday world ... that the Book of Mo the to red cla de I t tha d Go before the judgement bar of true.” th all of of the Book of Mormon. Wi se cau be er mb me a ain rem is a I joined the Church and that book is undisputed. It le, op pe ng sti ere int d an y tchy histor ibe its authenticthe Church’s flaws and ske tive has been used to descr jec ad er tev ha W l. spe Go joining the Rock, the Keystone, the on - both before and after ati uc ed l spe Go tire en my ed ok, with the help of ity, I buy it. I have approach literally taken apart that bo ve ha I . dy stu I , So m. cis Church was Church - with skepti t even if tomorrow the entire tha e lud nc co d an , nd lla d I am contrue scholars like Elder Ho of God. It is the Gospel an rd Wo the ly ute sol ab is rmon it, therefore I cannot destroyed, the Book of Mo and God knows that I know e tru is ok bo t tha ow kn I verted to the Gospel. deny it. sarily the nuts and the book and not the neces of ge ssa me the it’s e, urs this talk, Ultimately, of co rrent state of commotion. In cu ’s rld wo the in lly cia pe Christ to counter all bolts of it, that resonates. Es Help. Hope. The power of . ng ali He e. ov “L t tha tes public days of Elder Holland sta wants for us in personal or d Go r rbo ha e saf the is at message troubles in all times... Th rmon begins, and that is the Mo of ok Bo the ich wh th wi Him.” despair. That is the message Christ, and be perfected in to un me ‘co to all g lin cal with which it ends, ce I only er Holland’s death. And sin Eld on up ar pe ap dis t no do /viewing his Words and talks like this ding his words and listening spend time with him by rea influence He is sort of immortal as his talks, he isn’t really dead! t he’s , while it’s sad to think tha So . life n ow my st pa on e will liv And that resonates as well. gone, he’s not really gone. Thank you for reading.... Michael O’Brien Publisher

The Arizona Beehive, LLC 1225 West Main Street, Suite 101-439 Mesa, Arizona 85201 480.304.5646 | ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com PUBLISHER Michael O’Brien BeehiveAdvSales@gmail.com EDITOR Michael O’Brien BeehiveAdvSales@gmail.com ADVERTISING Jen VerMass arizonabeehive.jen@gmail.com GRAPHIC DESIGN Leslie Thompson - Layout Candace Khattab - Ad Design PHOTOGRAPHY Robin Finlinson SOCIAL MEDIA Grace O’Brien CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Allison Beckert Emily Jex Boyle Hillary Fevrier Robin Finlinson Jaylene Garrett RuthAnn Hogue Rauna Mortensen Grace O’Brien Katherine Ogden Mark Randall Glen & Lynne Tolman Barbie VanCott Cindy R. Williams GUEST WRITERS A New Leaf Church Newsroom Lin Sue Flood DISTRIBUTION AZ Integrated Media Presido Distribution PRINTING Valley Newspapers DISTRIBUTION LOCATIONS Call 480.304.5646 or email BeehiveAdvSales@ gmail.com for a list of where to pick up the magazine. SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions available. $29 annually (6 issues). Call 480.304.5646 or email BeehiveAdvSales@ gmail.com to order. THE FINE PRINT

The Arizona Beehive Magazine is a free publication printed six times a year, published by The Arizona Beehive, LLC, containing copyrighted work consisting of original material, and is not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The views expressed in The Arizona Beehive Magazine are solely those of its freelance writers, and are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher and its editor, nor do they necessarily represent the position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Duplication of articles for commercial purposes is prohibited.

3 • ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

Medicare Advantage Plans, Designed for Your Health. Discover added benefits and services available.

Our goal at HealthSpring℠? To be a true health partner that supports your needs. Our plans offer all the coverage of Original Medicare plus added benefits. Plans in your area may include:* •

$0 monthly premium

•

Up to $185 back in your Social Security check each month**

•

Fitness program, dental, hearing, vision and transportation services

•

$0 primary care provider and low cost specialist visits

Talk to a local Licensed Insurance Agent to learn more.

•

Up to $200 in rewards for completing healthy activities

Shannon Farquharson

•

Vision services plus an eyewear allowance of up to

480-215-0565

$350 each year

Great health is built together.

9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday Shannon_Farquharson@HCSC.com

Together, we are so much more.℠

You may be eligible to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan right away if you meet certain criteria, such as moving, retiring, losing coverage and more. Learn more today.

*Benefits, features and/or devices vary by plan/service area. Limitations, copayments, exclusions, and restrictions may apply. Contact the plan for more information. **HealthSpring will reduce your monthly Part B premium based on the plan’s specific benefit amount. HealthSpring products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company. Health Care Service Corporation and its affiliates contract with Medicare to offer Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans and Part D Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) in select states, and with select State Medicaid programs. Enrollment in a HealthSpring plan depends on contract renewal. © 2025 Health Care Service Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Y0036_26_1687224291_M 5002382.1025

ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

• 4

Remembering Jeffrey R. Holland Continued from pg. 2

President Holland’s home was a place where humor and genuine affection for others were paramount. “I was always loved. But I was loved in a way that no child could have ever, ever asked for more,” he said. That love for people and life translated into a passion for sports in young Jeffrey’s life. He played on every kind of team that was assembled in St. George, was a member of Dixie High School’s state championship football and baseball teams, and lettered in football, basketball, track and baseball. “The central joy of my life while I was growing up was sports,” President Holland said. “I played on every kind of team that could have been assembled.” Building a Family with Patricia Terry But his mind wasn’t so focused on sports that he didn’t notice Patricia Terry cheering on the sidelines. The two started dating in high school and were married on June 7, 1963. Theirs was a unique relationship that helped shape and build each of them in their various responsibilities in the Church. Patricia Holland was an accomplished vocalist, author and speaker. Yet President Holland said her primary focus was always her family — a fact especially important while raising three teenagers on the BYU campus during President Holland’s busy time as university president. “I give Pat all the credit on the home front,” said President Holland, who authored more than a dozen books — including two with Pat. “We were pretty busy, pretty early in our lives and always felt we were getting asked to do things quite a few years before we were old enough or smart enough or wise enough to do it. … She really worked at making [life] normal [for

Holland family portrait, November 1984.

our children and] worked very hard at underscoring what families ought to do and what families ought to have and what parents ought to be for their children. … I stand in slack-jawed, wideeyed admiration that she would just march off the end of any diving board for me, for the Church, for the Lord, for her kids. She’s always done that.” The same could be said for President Holland, who carefully planned time with his three children, Matthew, Mary Alice and David. Matt said his “fondest memories from childhood are the dinner table. Every night was a kind of family home evening filled with laughter, compliments, encouragement, interesting conversation, testimony, teaching and expressions of love. You always knew Dad was happiest when he was at home with his family.” President Holland said his approach to good parenting was homegrown and fundamental. “If you’ve got the love of the Lord in your life, if you know that there’s meaning and purpose to life and forgiveness is real and love is the most

Photo courtesy of Intellectual Reserve, Inc.

Matthew Holland, son of Jeffrey R. Holland, at the April 1983 general conference. Matthew spoke to the congregation during the priesthood session.

5 • ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

Photo Courtesy of BYU

powerful force in the universe — it’s a lot easier to be happy and create an environment where other people can be happy.” A Gentleman, a Scholar, a Diplomat — and Always a Teacher His fervent, unyielding faith first blossomed when he served a mission for the Church to England at age 19. He called his mission the turning point in his life, where he nourished his belief in God and began an intense study of and appreciation for the Book of Mormon. As a result, President Holland said his mission “either substantiated or dramatically changed — in a good way — every goal, feeling or aspiration that I ever had” — among them, the decision later on to pursue a career in teaching instead of studying medicine when he returned home to Utah. President Holland subsequently received master’s and doctorate degrees in American studies from Yale University. After graduation, President Holland passed up many lucrative opportunities, instead opting to return to the Church Educational System and teach what he loved best — the gospel of Jesus Christ. Teaching was not what he did — it was who he was. One of President Holland’s mission presidents, Elder Marion D. Hanks (1921–2011), said, “Jeffrey Holland is by nature a teacher. He is a gentleman, a scholar, and a diplomat — but in all those things he is a teacher.” Little did President Holland know that his teaching acumen would be the genesis for future assignments in the Church. His brother Dennis said, “All Jeff ever wanted to do was teach the gospel to students in a classroom.

I was always sure that the Lord had the same goal in mind for him, but that the size of the classroom and the number of students were on a much grander scale than he was envisioning.” President Holland’s classroom expanded when he became Commissioner of the Church Educational System in 1976 and then was appointed as the ninth president of Brigham Young University in 1980. As president, he led a $100,000,000 fundraising campaign, helped the school celebrate and deal with athletic successes (including the BYU football team’s 1984 national championship), and won the respect of many as he assisted in assuaging strong protests against the building of the BYU Jerusalem Center (completed in 1989). President Holland served as president of the American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges and Universities, on the board of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and as a

Photo courtesy of Intellectual Reserve, Inc.

BYU President Jeffrey R. Holland and his wife, Patricia, speak to students. Jeffrey R. Holland was president of Brigham Young University from 1980 to 1989.

member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s President’s Commission. For his work in improving understanding between Christians and Jews he was given the “Torch of Liberty” award by the Anti‑Defamation League of B’Nai B’rith. He also served on the governing boards of several civic and business‑related corporations. Called to Be a Special Witness of Christ President Holland became a General Authority Seventy in 1989 and was extended a lifelong call as an Apostle of Jesus Christ five years later. Speaking at a press conference on Temple Continued on pg. 6

Remembering Jeffrey R. Holland Continued from pg. 5

Square the same day he became an Apostle, President Holland described the suddenness of the call to devote the remainder of his days to full-time service in the cause of Christ. “The last few hours have been nearly unbearable,” he said on June 23, 1994. “I received this call at 7:30 this morning. … President [Howard W.] Hunter issued the call, he conducted the business at the temple, he gave me my instructions, and he gave me my blessing. He did it all. How deeply moving his counsel and guidance and blessing to me were. … My chief responsibility now, and my primary responsibility — in a sense, my total responsibility — is to bear witness of the Lord Jesus Christ. As inadequate as I feel, it is the most pleasant and most rewarding and most thrilling assignment a man can have in this world. I pledge my life to this effort.” Pat, ever his encourager, said at the same press conference that President Holland’s faith in Jesus Christ would be his greatest asset as an Apostle.

Photo courtesy of Intellectual Reserve, Inc.

Elder and Sister Holland departing April 2013 General Conference.

“Nobody but [me] knows the kind of faith that this man has. It is pure,” she told the assembled journalists. “He is a humble servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.” And that is what President Holland was for the remaining decades of his life. As all Apostles do, he traveled the world. This included the unusual assignment to direct the affairs of the Church in Chile for two years (2002– 2004). “We absolutely fell in love with Chile and the Chilean people and wept and sobbed as we left,” he said. “That’s the way it is in the Church. It’s the people, it’s the faith, it’s the spiritual experience and it’s the attachment you get from sacrificing for others.” President Holland’s many other

Photo courtesy of Intellectual Reserve, Inc.

President Russell M. Nelson and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland look out at Jerusalem from the BYU Jerusalem Center on April 14, 2018.

assignments included being partner to President Russell M. Nelson on the prophet’s first major trip as leader of the Church in 2018 — an 11-day journey to eight cities in Europe, Africa and Asia. And in November 2023, he became Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles after the death of President M. Russell Ballard. When President Nelson died, President Holland became President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. President Holland graced Christ’s charge to minister “before kings and rulers” (Doctrine and Covenants 1:23) with a charming personal touch. For example, he was invited several times by Baroness Emma Nicholson (a member of the U.K. House of Lords and founder and chair of the AMAR Foundation) to come to Windsor Castle in London to discuss how to help modern-day refugees rise above their circumstances. The baroness said she enjoyed discussing theology with President Holland because “he’s a teacher” and such dialogue was an “incredibly important” part of their work together. Latter-day Saints will remember President Holland’s many riveting,

eloquent — and always hopeful — sermons. He brought light to those struggling in the dark uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic. He empathized with those who wrestle with mental illness, even opening up about an unanticipated “psychic blow” in his own life. He spoke pointedly to the peace that anyone in the world can find in the Book of Mormon. And, fittingly, some of his final public remarks focused on hope in Christ. “Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all

And because of Christ’s gift, the best things in life are ours if we steadfastly keep believing and keep trying and keep hoping.” Whatever his messages of hope shared over a quarter century as an Apostle, each centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ. “Life will challenge you. Difficulties will come. Heartbreaks will strike,” President Holland taught his social media followers just after the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020. “So, wherever you are going, make your way to Christ first. Make your covenants with Him and keep them as you journey on.” Perhaps President Holland’s motivation to engage so personally and personably with everyone — whether in person, at the pulpit, or through social media — can be found in what was his favorite scripture, Doctrine and Covenants 81:5: “Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.” President Holland believed apathy and misperceiving God’s gifts were the greatest challenges of our day. Because of this he taught others to

Photo courtesy of Intellectual Reserve, Inc.

President Jeffrey R. Holland, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, during a broadcast announcing the new First Presidency at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

Photo courtesy of Intellectual Reserve, Inc.

Baroness Emma Nicholson greets Elder Jeffrey R. Holland as he arrives at the House of Lords on Wednesday, June 10, 2015. Elder Holland would be the first Latter-day Saint Apostle to speak in the House of Parliament.

men,” President Holland said to young adults worldwide in January 2023, quoting a Book of Mormon scripture. “That brightness of hope, born of love for God and all men — that’s what we want for every one of you in the new year. Accompanying that bright hope will be the undeniable whisper that God loves you, that Christ is your Advocate, that the gospel is true. Its brightness will remind you that in the gospel there is always, every day, every hour, a new chance, a new life, a new year. What a miracle! What a gift!

“be prayerful, be humble, be obedient, seek His will and His way and you’ll know enough to take the next steps out to the edge of the light, maybe even a step or two into the darkness, and then you’ll find that the light comes for the next step.” As he led people step-by-step into the light of the gospel, President Holland became the kind of teacher described by Henry Adams, who wrote, “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”

ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

• 6

Protect FamilyMemories Memories Protect Your My Family Because If If You You Don’t, No Because No One One Will! Will!

I can help you...  Digitize Digitize your your VHS VHS tapes, tapes, photos, photos, film film reels, reels, slides, slides, negatives, negatives, and and more. more.   Bring Bring all all your your files files together together into into one one permanent, permanent, secure secure place. place.  SCAN It’s like like insurance insurance for for your your memories, memories, guaranteed guaranteed for for your your ME FOR It’s Scan me for DIGITIZING lifetime plus plus 100 100 years years and and passed passed on on to to future future generations. generations. Digitizing lifetime INFO info  Easily Easily organize organize your your photos photos and and videos videos on on your your phone, phone,  tablet, and and computer, computer, and and sync sync them them with with a a mobile mobile app. app. tablet,  Create Create meaningful meaningful photo photo books books and and other other gifts gifts that that  are cherished cherished by by your your loved loved ones. ones. are  Get Get personalized personalized support support when when you you need need it. it. 

Photo Management Management & & Photo Digitization Specialist Specialist Digitization

SCAN ME FOR DEALS

SAFEGUARD YOUR YOUR MEMORIES MEMORIES SAFEGUARD

Your memories memories should should never never be be lost. lost. Every Every day, day, birthdays, birthdays, weddings, weddings, vacations vacations on on VHS VHS tapes, tapes, reels reels Your and printed printed photos photos are are lost lost to to fire, fire, flood, flood, disaster, disaster, and and decay. decay. Don’t Don’t wait wait until until it’s it’s too too late late -- digitize digitize and and preserve preserve to to be be certain certain your your cherished cherished memories memories are are safe safe for for your your lifetime lifetime & & generations generations beyond. beyond. and

o

o

s rie

s rie

TH YEA ! 10 R

TH YEA ! 10 R

pa

w ring ithg Rwith n o i r ot Roo ne ne rt t rt

• Triple backed up, encrypted transmissions, full resolution, no compression, guaranteed for your lifetime plus 100 years. • Over 250,000 people have trusted FOREVER with their memories. • More than 15 million tapes & photos digitized. photos digitized. • Highest satisfaction rating of • any Highest satisfaction rating of digitization company! any digitization company! • Anytime, anywhere access. Whether you are • on Anytime, anywhere access. Whether you are your laptop, tablet, mobile device or TV, on your tablet,Our mobile device orsync TV, we have laptop, you covered. apps let you we have you and covered. Our let you sync your photos videos to apps your storage your photos and videos to your storage where you can organize, enjoy, where youthem can organize, enjoy, and share with others. and share them with others.

mi mily us fa uslyfam em me o i io m c ec e

Kim Hicks Hicks Kim

Need help? help? Get Get in in touch. touch. Need

Scan me for DEALS!

pa

preserv h to e pr ec st preser v h to e pr ec st

Save, organize, and share memories for your lifetime +100 years. Guaranteed. Save, organize, share memories for your lifetime +100 years. Guaranteed. Kimand Hicks • 480-577-1930 • 4kimhicks@proton.me

Kim Hicks • 480-577-1930 • 4kimhicks@proton.me • www.protectmyfamilymemories.com www.protectmyfamilymemories.com 7 • ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

The Gift of Time New Year’s Traditions Honor the Cycle of Endings and Beginnings

The Bowles family brings in the new year!

By Hillary Jade Fevirer

T

ime is one of the few universally shared experiences. Over the centuries, people have created ways to record and measure time, from sundials to hourglasses to clocks and calendars. These inventions do more than simply track hours and days; they reflect a deeper truth. Time does not move forward in a straight line. It moves in cycles—days turning into nights, weeks into months, seasons into years—a constant rhythm of renewal. These systems are symbolic of a universal agreement that we are all moving through these cycles together, each new beginning offering an opportunity for reflection, growth, and change. It is no wonder, then, that traditions to honor and celebrate the turning of time have developed all around the world, from Europe to Africa, and even in our own backyards.

One local family, Michael and Jackie Bowles, shared their perspective on the New Year and what the benchmark of another completed turn around the sun means for their household. For the Bowles family, New Year’s Eve is the main celebration. “We gather as a family to eat snacks, play games and wish in the new year with a sparkling cider toast, streamers, and fireworks,” Michael explains. Their festivities reflect a familiar American approach to marking the moment when one year gives way to the next— joyful, communal, and centered on connection. New Year’s Day in the Bowles household is quieter and more intentional. It is normally the day the family takes down and puts away their Christmas decorations, a small but meaningful ritual that signals closure. Often, the day unfolds into a hike or outdoor family adventure, grounding the transition in move-

ment and shared experience. Together, these practices acknowledge both celebration and release—two essential elements of any meaningful ending and hopeful beginning. Another familiar New Year tradition is that of resolutions. For the Bowles family, resolutions are not only welcomed but approached with purpose. Michael shares that this year their family is setting some lofty goals. With one daughter returning from missionary service, and another child preparing to leave, Michael emphasizes that, “I would like to pass on a positive outlook for the future. Sure, the past years have challenges, but there is so much possibility for the year ahead.” While not everyone’s resolutions involve lifealtering changes, the Bowles family’s approach reminds us of a resolution’s purpose. The New Year invites people to consider how they want to grow, what they want to leave behind, and what they hope to carry forward. Whatever the goal, the turning of the calendar provides a moment to pause and plan with intention. This instinct is not unique to one culture or region. Around the world, the New Year is widely regarded as a moment of renewal. In many countries, fireworks and celebrations are standard, but examining lesserknown traditions offers insight into how different societies have honored the passage of time for centuries. Some of the following practices from around the world might kindle curiosity and open the door to new customs and memories in our own homes. Across Europe, New Year rituals often draw from historic practices. In Spain, families gather at midnight to eat twelve grapes before the 12th bell sounds. The grapes represent the months of the coming year. In Scotland, the celebration of Hogmanay emphasizes who crosses the threshold into the home first, with the tradition holding that the first visitor brings luck for the year ahead. In Greece, families mark the New Year by cutting a Vasilopita cake with a hidden coin

New Year’s Day family activity.

Continued on pg. 23

ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

• 8

2026 Churchwide Broadcasts Calendar & Key Events JANUARY 18 Video Introducing the 2026 Youth Theme • This video will feature Church leaders, youth, and music to help young people better understand this year’s theme, “Walk with Me” (Moses 6:34). It can be used during a Sunday meeting or as part of a weekday activity. • Audience: Youth and youth leaders FEBRUARY 1 | BROADCAST EVENT Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • Young adults around the world are invited to gather on February 1 in local units or in institute gatherings during the week to watch the devotional. This broadcast will commemorate 100 years of institute. • (Watch live at 6:00 p.m. MST or on demand.) • Audience: Young adults ages 18–35 MARCH 5 | BROADCAST EVENT Temple and Family History Leadership Instruction • This 30-minute, prerecorded training from Apostles helps local councils and leaders understand their temple and family history responsibilities in helping to unite families for eternity. A discussion guide will be provided to assist leaders in implementing the principles locally. • Audience: Stake and ward councils and those with temple and family history responsibilities MARCH 5–7 | BROADCAST EVENT RootsTech • All are invited to this celebration of family connection on RootsTech.org. Participants will learn how to unite families for eternity and discover their family stories. • (Live and prerecorded sessions will be available beginning March 5.) • Audience: All members and friends MARCH 7 | BROADCAST EVENT Family Discovery Day • All members are invited to hear from an Apostle during a broadcast celebrating family discovery and uniting families for eternity. • (Watch live, 1:30 p.m. MST or on demand) • Audience: All members MARCH 8 | BROADCAST EVENT Worldwide Relief Society Devotional • This Churchwide broadcast can be used in local women’s gatherings to celebrate the Relief Society and to share testimony. More information about resources and their availability will be shared at the start of 2026. • Audience: All women 18 and older MARCH 10 2025 Caring for Those in Need: 2025 Annual Report • This annual report will be published on ChurchofJesusChrist.org and outlines how the Church has used tithing and other donations to bless the lives of individuals and families around the world. • Audience: All members and friends

9 • ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

MARCH 29 Palm Sunday • All are invited to worship with us at the start of this Holy Week. Sacrament meetings should focus on the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. • Audience: All members and friends MARCH 29–APRIL 5 Holy Week • Especially during Holy Week, all are invited to reflect on the Atonement of Jesus Christ and on His greater love as we prepare to commemorate His Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Establishing Christcentered Easter traditions could include using the Holy Week study guide and inviting friends and family to join in Palm Sunday and Easter worship. • Audience: All members and friends APRIL 4–5 | BROADCAST EVENT Easter Weekend General Conference • All are invited to hear from prophets, apostles, and Church leaders during live sessions of the annual conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. • (Live sessions on April 4 are held at 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. MDT. Live sessions on April 5 are held at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. MDT. Sessions are also available on demand.) • Audience: All members and friends MAY 3 | BROADCAST EVENT Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • Young adults around the world are invited to gather to hear counsel meant especially for them from Church leaders. • (Watch live at 6:00 p.m. MDT or on demand.) • Audience: Young adults ages 18–35 MAY 24 Video for Children • This video can be used at home or as a resource for a Primary activity or Sunday lesson to help children better understand the gospel of Jesus Christ. • Audience: Primary-age children and their leaders, teachers, and parents JUNE 11–12 | BROADCAST EVENT Religious Educators Conference • This broadcast provides guidance on how to improve teaching to foster greater faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. • (Watch live or on demand.) • Audience: Religious educators and seminary and institute teachers AUGUST Festival 2026: Walk with Me Music Devotional • Youth leaders can use provided resources to create a special devotional, standards night, fifth-Sunday class, or other event. The purpose of this festival is to use sacred music to strengthen faith and testimony in Jesus Christ and create belonging. • Audience: Youth and youth leaders

AUGUST Emphasis on Inviting All to Receive the Gospel • All are invited to use Church resources to love, share, and invite as the Savior did. • Audience: All members SEPTEMBER 14 Video for Children • This video can be used at home or as a resource for a Primary activity or Sunday lesson to help children better understand the gospel of Jesus Christ. • Audience: Primary-age children and their leaders, teachers, and parents OCTOBER 3–4 | BROADCAST EVENT General Conference • All are invited to hear from prophets, apostles, and Church leaders during live sessions of the semiannual conference of the Church. • (Live sessions on October 3 are held at 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. MDT. Live sessions on October 4 are held at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. MDT. All sessions will be available on demand.) • Audience: All members and friends NOVEMBER 1 | BROADCAST EVENT Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults • Young adults around the world are invited to gather to hear counsel meant especially for them from Church leaders. • (Watch live at 6:00 p.m. MST or on demand.) • Audience: Young adults ages 18–35 NOVEMBER | BROADCAST EVENT Luz de Las Naciones • This celebration of Latino cultures and faith helps show the global nature of the Latter-day Saint faith and connections to Jesus Christ. • Audience: Spanish-speaking members and friends in the Utah Area (for live attendance) and worldwide to participate digitally DECEMBER 6 | BROADCAST EVENT First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional • The First Presidency invites General Authorities and General Officers to speak in this devotional focused on the birth of Jesus Christ at the start of the Christmas season. • Audience: All members and friends DECEMBER 20 Sacrament Meeting Only • The First Presidency has invited all wards and branches to hold on the Sunday before Christmas a special, one-hour sacrament meeting focused on the birth of the Savior. Talks and music should be focused on the Savior. All are welcome to worship. • Audience: All members and friends Events and broadcast information are also available online at events.ChurchofJesusChrist.org and in the Churchwide Calendar at calendar.ChurchofJesusChrist.org and in the Member Tools mobile app.

ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

• 10

Photos courtesy of Jared Rogers

, e d i R d Goo ! y o b w Co

o e d o R s y a Lehi D By Emily Jex Boyle

E

xperience a few days of good ol’ hometown fun in the historic community of Lehi in North Central Mesa by checking out the Lehi Days Rodeo! An estimated 3,500 spectators will gather on March 6-7, 2026 as the community welcomes cowboys, cowgirls, friends, families and neighbors for some competitive, delicious and even upbeat fun. There is no cost to attend the annual rodeo, held annually on the first weekend of March, rain or shine. BBQ and concession tickets are available for purchase. Registration to compete opens about 3 weeks prior to the event. The weekend kicks off with the Friday night dance from 7-10pm. Everyone is welcome. A live western band will keep the crowd in full swing. On Saturday morning, March 7, the rodeo begins at 8am and runs until approximately 4pm. BBQ opens on Saturday at 10:30am and runs until the last meal is served. Tickets for the lunch can be purchased Friday evening or during the Rodeo on Saturday. Concessions stands also sell simple snacks, ice-creams, and sodas as part of youth group

fundraisers. the arrival of Daniel “Thanks to a good team, everything W. Jones, Henry C. Rogers and just flows. We have a lot of volunteers other settlers, called by Brigham Young and everyone chips in,” Mark Freeman, to settle further south, nearly thirty who has served as rodeo chairyears after pioneers arrived man for 19 years, says, “We’ve got Darrin Shumway, a professional announcer. We’ve got event managers who run each event and on Friday, volunteer teams show up and get 2,300 pounds of meat into the pit to smoke for the barbecue on Saturday.” According to the event website, Lehi Days operates as a non-profit community event; no third-party vendors are permitted on the grounds. Parking at the rodeo is limited. Attendees are invited to carpool and asked not to block residential driveways. “The Lehi Days Rodeo began in 1947 as a local Boy Scouts of America event.” Mark explains, “It gave local youth the chance to show their skills, gradually evolving into a pioneer celebration.” The month of March marks the Everett Stewart holds anniversary of up a buckle to be awarded at Lehi Days.

Participants compete in the Crate Race event at Lehi Days.

11 • ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

in the Salt Lake Valley. The company of pioneers crossed the Salt River at McDowell Crossing on March 6, 1877. Their arrival came 48 days after leaving St. George, Utah. They crossed the mighty Colorado River at Stone’s Ferry, passing Kingman, the Hualapai desert, Prescott--the current capital, Wickenburg and the small settlement of Phoenix. (The History of Lehi Arizona: 140th Celebration of the Lehi Pioneers, March 6, 1877 to March 6, 2017) While older than Mesa, the community of Lehi was annexed by its larger neighboring city in 1970. In previous years, Lehi Days Rodeo

One young participant comes out the gate in the Mutton Bustin’ event at Lehi Days.

events have included beard growing contests, quilting and home goods exhibitions, mule rides, a fundraiser for a children’s hospital and more. Over time, the rodeo itself evolved into a full blown rodeo with many participants. The rodeo was scaled back slightly to guard some of its original essence, while preserving the excitement. For example, winners of the Pioneer Ribbon Roping competition win buckles worth $200. In The History of Lehi Arizona, a quote from Bert P. Randall explains, “The Lehi Days celebration became very popular and large crowds flocked to the church grounds with excitement. This was a family rodeo with much participation and many events for both young and old.” At one point, new direction came from Church headquarters directing stakes to sell extra land they owned. The Lehi stake presidency and other local church leaders petitioned the Church to keep the extra land and continue to the rodeo. The decision rested on the Area president, Elder H. Burke Peterson. Bert continues, “We invited [Peterson] to attend to see what he thought. He immediately thanked us for the invitation and then told us not to worry but to continue using the land as we had in the past. Before he said good-bye he said, ‘There are just some things that are important enough to keep.’” “Whether you live above or below the hill,” Mark says, “Lehi Days is a chance to come together for a great event.” Events are located at 830 E. Lehi Road in Mesa. For more information, visit www.lehidaysrodeo.com

Bring this ad in for *$1,000 Off! Exp: 3/31/26

*Not valid with other promotions

55+ INDEPENDENT LIVING Rents start at $2,240 Includes: 2 meals daily, Transportation, Housekeeping, Utilities, Cable TV, 24 hour staff, emergency call system, and much more!

480-924-6474 TTY 711 6210 E. Arbor Ave. Mesa, AZ 85206

THINK:

FAMILY HISTORY!

JO O I N T H E S O N S O F U TA H P I O N E E R S ! 

Family and local history focused.



Preserve the memory and heritage of the early pioneers.



Monthly presentation gatherings. Treks to historic locales.



LDS pioneer heritage NOT required to participate!



Membership includes a subscription to Pioneer Magazine, and to The Arizona Beehive Magazine.

YOU’RE INVITED! Be a guest of The Sons of Utah Pioneers Mesa Arizona Chapter. 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:00pm, September - June. Patriotism. Music. Dinner! Inspirational presentation. Fellowship. For More Information: 2024 Chapter President:: Michael O'Brien 530-921-2435 www.SUP1847.com Facebook.com/Sons-Of-Utah-Pioneers-Arizona

ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

• 12

CELESTIAL RINGDOM LDS Jewelry For Every Taste & Style

The Christus Statue necklace in silver.

By Katherine Ogden

H

ave you ever wished that you could find that perfect ring or necklace with just a touch of an LDS accent? Well, Celestial Ringdom is the answer to what you’ve been looking for. Celestial Ringdom owner Bruce Hale is a jewelry designer creating high end jewelry, custom design and one-of-a-kind pieces. Bruce was born in Parramatta (a suburb of Sydney), Australia. His parents joined the Church in the 1950’s. They also owned a jewelry and gift business where all seven children worked at one time or another. Bruce is the only one of his siblings that took on jewelry as a trade. He studied jewelry design and then served a mission in East Los Angeles, California (Spanish speaking). After his mission ended,

he received permission to stay behind to study at the Gemological Institute of America, then based in Santa Monica, CA. Bruce’s first training was in engraving. He then studied calligraphy and how to make monograms; lettering is also an art form he’s mastered. About eight years ago, he turned his attention toward making CTR rings and other LDS focused jewelry. “When I looked at the first CTR rings from the ‘70’s, I knew it was time for an update,” says Bruce. Influenced by the fact that he served a Spanish speaking mission, he made some Haz Lo Justo (Do the Right Thing) rings as well. Bruce has also created a collection of Family Coats of Arms. Over thirty versions of rings are currently available on his website, with more to come. The most popular items

right now are Christus necklaces, based on the 11-foot-tall statue of the resurrected Christ, and Christus tie bars. “We focus on one goal ~ creating the most unique and beautiful LDS jewelry in the world,” shared Bruce, “and I’m always looking for new ideas. My jewelry designs vary enormously. I have a contemporary version of the CTR ring shield. There’s a British/ Celtic selection that pays tribute to the history and culture of the British Isles. Some designs are cryptic; you need an imagination to decipher the CTR link. And then there’s the ‘bling’ range featuring CTR rings set with precious stones. We cover both ends of the price spectrum.” Bruce spends most of his time in Sydney, Australia, although his business is based in Sarasota Springs, Utah. The Celestial Ringdom name came from one of his favorite mission companions, Tom Pittman. Tom’s wife, Nicky, manages the business end in Utah. To see Celestial Ringdom’s full

Photos courtesy of Bruce Hale

A Diamond CTR Ring.

range of jewelry or to ask any questions, visit www.celestialringdom.com or call 801-876-6555. You can also find them on Facebook and Pinterest.

Bruce Hale sitting at his desk.

13 • ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

Spreading Light & Kindness! Celebrating the 2025 Giving Machines and the Light The World campaign!

IN 2025, the East Valley hosted Light the World Giving Machines at Water Tower Plaza in Gilbert and at Pecan Lake Entertainment in Queen Creek. All photos by Robin Finlinson

Pecan Lake Entertainment owners Jason Check and family get a selfie by one of the Giving Machines located at their amusement park. Tiffany Larson, chief executive officer of Days For Girls International.

Brad Lees, technology expert on Mentors International’s leadership team.

Left to right: Vice Mayor Christine Ellis of Chandler; Amanda Nosbisch, executive director of One Small Step; Cindy Nelson, member-at-large of One Small Step; Dr. Maria Hesse, vice president of Positive Paths; Kate Hastings, executive director of Positive Paths; and Tiffany Larson, chief executive officer of Days For Girls International.

Mayor Scott Anderson of Gilbert and his wife EJ Anderson. Behind her is Taylor Anderson, city lead for the Gilbert Giving Machines.

A patron of the Queen Creek Giving Machines makes her selection.

Elder John Lewis, Area Seventy over the Gilbert and Queen Creek areas.

Tiffany Larson, chief executive officer of Days For Girls International.

Left to right: Mabel Hubble; David Hoopes; Ashley Hubble; and Kary Hoopes, committee member for the Queen Creek Giving Machines.

ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

• 14

ENLIGHTENMENT &ADVENTURE MHA Offers Family Tour Packages Complete With With The The Spirit

By Rauna Mortensen

Tour Group at Kirtland Temple.

Photo by Brent Pierce

W

hat began as a stake high council trip to Nauvoo to celebrate the 1997 sesquicentennial year of the pioneers’ first arrival in the Salt Lake Valley has turned into a successful Church history tour company. MHA, or Mormon Heritage Association, began by offering Church history tours to the obvious sites in the United States.

They have since expanded overseas and now offer tours to many sites around the world. Clinton Day was assigned to make the arrangements for that initial 1997 commemorative trip through Missouri to Nauvoo and on to Winter Quarters. Using his computer software writing skills, he prepared specialized software to coordinate the

many arrangements. He and his friends, all devoted Church history enthusiasts, worked together to prepare history presentations and representative scripts which the travelers shared with one another at the

Capernaum in Galilee Israel.

Photo by Haley Carver

sites. The bonds created by rehearsing this history together were palpable! Starting and ending each day with a hymn and a prayer further increased uplifting feelings. The next natural thing to do was to plan a Continued on pg. 17

15 • ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

Learn. Create. Explore.

engage

Visit MBB @ The Studios to access FREE tools, workshops and creative spaces to grow your business idea. MBBtheStudios.com

Mesa, AZ

bring your ideas to life

YOUR TRUSTED MOBILE NOTARY FOR FAMILIES AND MISSIONARIES Peace of Mind with Professional, Convenient Notary Services (Apostille Processing also available)

Get your important documents notarized—on time, every time.  READY FOR TRAVEL: Passport copies, visa applications, and Power of Attorney forms.  OTHER FAMILY NEEDS: Wills, trusts, adoption paperwork, and medical directives.  FLEXIBLE & FAMILY-FOCUSED: Evening and weekend appointments that fit your family and church schedule.  MOBILE NOTARY: We come to your home, office, church, or your location of choice.

Joan Greene November/ December 2025 Article Correction

I

n the November December 2025 issue of the Arizona Beehive Magazine, we presented a bit of misinformation in our “Peace Of Mind: Roadrunner Mobile Notary’s Joan Greene” article that we wish to rectifyJoa. Joan’s name in the article headline and photo caption was misspelled as “Green.” The correct spelling of Joan’s last name is Greene.

Roadrunner Mobile Notary Owner Joan Greene, and Bailey.

Also, to correct misinformation in the text of the article: Joan is not able to prepare any documents. She is currently enrolled in a program that will allow her to become a certified document preparer in the future, but that is not her role today. We apologize to Joan and regret any issues this information may have caused.

ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

• 16

Get to Know the United States Southwest Presidency By churchofjesuschrist.org

Area Presidencies

are uniquely positioned to help build up the Church and provide valuable counsel and leadership to Church members around the world. In each area, a General Authority Seventy is assigned by the First Presidency to serve as the Area President. Two counselors, who are General Authority Seventies or Area Seventies, are assigned to assist the president. The Area Presidency works under the direction of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. A new United States Southwest Area Presidency was sustained at the April 2025 General Conference

Elder Michael A. Dunn, President was sus-

tained as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 3, 2021. At the time of his call, he had been serving as a member of the Twelfth Quorum of the Seventy in the Utah Area. He currently serves as President of the North America Southwest Area. Elder Dunn has served in a number of Church callings, including full-time missionary in the Hawaii Honolulu Mission, counselor in a bishopric, high councilor, bishop, stake president, ward Young Men president, and president of the South Africa Johannesburg Mission from 2014 to 2017.

17 • ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

Elder Steven C. Barlow, Second Counselor

was sustained as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the April 2025 general conference. At the time of his call, he had been serving as a member of the Twelfth Quorum of the Seventy in the Utah Area. He currently serves in the United States Southwest Area Presidency. Elder Barlow has served in a number of Church callings, including full-time missionary in the Argentina Bahia Blanca Mission, young men president, elders quorum president, bishop, high councilor, counselor in a stake presidency, mission president, and Area Seventy.

Elder Jonathan S. Schmitt, First Counselor

was sustained as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 2, 2022. He currently is serving in the United States Southwest Area Presidency. He previously served at Church Headquarters as an Assistant Executive Director in the Priesthood and Family Department and Temple Department, an Area Assistant in the Utah Area Presidency, and as an Assistant Executive Director in the Family History Department. Elder Schmitt has served in a number of Church callings, including full-time missionary in the California Fresno Mission, bishop, stake president, president of the California San Diego Mission (2014–17), and Area Seventy.

Elder Eduardo F. Ortega, Assistant was sus-

tained as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the April 2025 general conference. At the time of his call, he had been serving as a member of the Sixth Quorum of the Seventy in the Mexico Area. Elder Ortega has served in a number of Church callings, including full-time missionary in the Colombia Cali Mission, bishop, member of a stake presidency, and Area Seventy.

Enlightenment & Adventure Continued from pg. 15

follow-up trip from Palmyra to Harmony to Kirtland—which they did. To equal success. Word spread among the participants’ friends and family, and demand rose for more tour dates. Day, still in charge of the trips, decided to abandon his decades-long computer software business in order to formally begin a tour company, Mormon Heritage Association, to continue in this “work.” Tour leaders and tour guides have volunteered their time to lead the groups because they love the gospel, love the history, love the sites, and love the people who attend the tours. Day stepped aside in 2009 to go on a mission with his wife. He designated the office manager, Patty Steadman, as President, and decided to remain retired upon his return. As President Russell M. Nelson encouraged members to avoid calling themselves by “Mormon” and to use the full name of the Church in order to reflect the Savior’s name, after much deliberation the company ended up keeping it simple and straightforward by using the initials, MHA Tours, which is an official DBA of Mormon Heritage Association. Initial tours included the Holy Land, Trek to Zion (Winter Quarters to Salt Lake), and Hawaii Church history. Now, having offered 29 years of touring, the company has expanded to 25-30 tours per year, offering a larger variety. Tour guides offer their personal expertise at these destinations: England & Wales Apostle Missionaries’ Journeys, Germany, Italy, Japan, ScotlandEngland-Wales, and Egypt. Another addition is two different “Journeys of Paul” trips, one a Mediterranean cruise and the other of Turkiye & Greece. People of all ages enjoy the tours. Sometimes families take their teen or pre-teen children or grandchildren. Some grandparents have taken the whole family on either a customized tour or by joining a set tour. Several extended family organizations have also enlisted MHA services to set up an ancestral tour including Church history sites. MHA Tours has created successful ways to bring enlightenment and adventure while strengthening testimonies of the restored church. Visit https://www.mhatours.com for more information.

10104 E APACHE TRAIL APACHE JUNCTION

“ WE SELL CARPET-TILE-WOOD-LAMINATE-VINYL-SHEET VINYL WE BUILD CUSTOM SHOWERS-BACKSPLASHES WE CLEAN CARPET-TILE AND GROUT-STONE-UPHOLSTERY WE DO FLOOR REPAIRS AND SO MUCH MORE GIVE US A CALL!! IICRC CERTIFIED ROC# 201105

$35.00 off Tile & Grout Cleaning WE CLEAN TRAVERTINE STONE TOO!! *discount off minimum job of 235 s/f*

$20.00 off Carpet or Upholster y Cleaning Includes Pretreatment, spot treatment, no-residue rinse, truck mount hot water extraction *discount off minimum job of $120.00*

Professional

Piano Tuning Cleaning & Repairs

Where every Treasure Tells a sTory!

Piano Bench Sales & Repairs

Larry Cheatham: (480) 316-0060 Expert evaluation on used pianos

Over 25 Yrs Experience

over 70 unique Dealers anD groWing 1 Magical Mall alWays soMeThing unexpecTeD

10% off enTire purchase WiTh coupon

Dealers DepoT anTique Mall (480)646-6770 1401 s McclinTock Dr., TeMpe, aZ 85281 WWW.DealersDepoTanTiqueMall.coM

ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

• 18

By Allison Beckert

Your Mental Health

New Year, Real You Photo by Katrina_S from Pixabay

J

Chronic illness.

anuary has a way of making us feel like we should become someone else overnight. New planner. New habits. New and improved version of ourselves. By February, that pressure often shifts into how well we’re loving, serving, parenting, or showing up in relationships. For many Church members, especially those who are already stressed, neurodivergent, or quietly struggling, this season can feel less like a fresh start and more like a spiritual performance review. Self-improvement culture promises transformation, but it often assumes unlimited inner resources and consistency. That assumption simply doesn’t hold for everyone. Neurodivergent members, caregivers, those managing mental illness, chronic stress, or

19 • ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

Finding Progress, Not Perfection

burnout may find that “just try harder” advice overwhelms instead of motivates. When every goal feels like proof of worthiness, even good intentions weigh heavy. The gospel offers a different framework: progress, not perfection. We’re reminded often that spiritual growth happens “line upon line, precept upon precept” (2 Nephi 28). This isn’t a metaphor for slow obedience, it’s a divine mercy. Progress allows for pauses, setbacks, and seasons where survival is the work. Perfection says you should be there by now. Progress says you’re still becoming. Emotionally realistic goals begin by acknowledging where we actually are. Not where we wish we were. Not where others seem to be. Realistic goals account for energy levels, execu-

tive functioning, family dynamics, and mental health. Instead of “read scriptures every day for 30 minutes,” a realistic goal might be “open the scriptures three times a week,” or even “listen to a verse while driving.” Instead of “be more patient,” it might be “notice when I’m overwhelmed and step away before reacting.” Understanding our limits can be painful, but attempting to run at another’s full strength will lead to illness and burnout. This approach matters even more when we’re teaching children and teens. Kids absorb our goal-setting language long before they understand doctrine. If goals are framed as moral tests where the only options or win or fail, they learn that effort equals worth. If goals are framed as experiments like the experiment on growing faith as a

Photo by Katsuwow from Pixabay

Growth.

seed, they learn flexibility, self-awareness, and resilience. Asking “What helped?” and “What got in the way?” builds far more spiritual maturity than “Did you do it?” Spiritual practices were never meant to be pressure points. Prayer, scripture study, temple worship, and service are handholds, not hurdles. When practices become rigid benchmarks, they lose their ability to comfort. When they’re adaptable they become places of rest. The Spirit meets us where we are willing not where we pretend to be. Fresh starts don’t require fixing yourself. They invite you to continue becoming, in honesty, imperfection, and grace. This year maybe the holiest resolution is choosing progress that you can actually carry.

Leading-Edge W ebsite Design & M ark eting

ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

• 20

2026 | March 5-7 By Glen K. Tolman

T

he RootsTech conference is the world’s largest family history event hosted by FamilySearch International (an affiliate of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) offering

free online access and paid in-person passes for genealogy and family history research, classes, keynotes, and an expo hall. It’s a global event for exploring heritage with sessions in multiple languages. Over the years, RootsTech Photo by RootsTech adverting

RootsTech Expo Hall.

has welcomed many celebrities, television personalities, and actors as keynote speakers. Register for the 2026 events planned for March 5-7, 2026. Google “RootsTech 2026” to register. Online participation is free. There are two in person registration options; 3-day pass $129 and 1-day pass $79. Early Bird pricing ($99 and $69) ends January 13. If you haven’t attended in the past, make this the year that you begin. It’s never been easier to learn from global genealogy experts! Join online to experience: 200+ new online sessions in over 26 languages, join keynote sessions live from the comfort of

your own home and chat online with other attendees worldwide. Access class previews from the RootsTech 2026 homepage. An enjoyable feature available is “Relatives at RootsTech” which is similar to the FamilySearch option of “Relatives Around Me”. Participants will be able to see how they are related to all attendees who opt-in for this feature. I have stayed in contact with several second cousins whom I have met at RootsTech. In addition to keynote Continued on pg. 22

Will you help a homeless neighbor? DONATE NOW AT:

Serve Your Local Community! A New Leaf is looking for kind people like you to make an impact in our local AZ community through JustServe You can find exciting opportunities to serve your local community on A New Leaf's JustServe page today. Find projects such as: Preparing meals at a local homeless shelter Putting together hygiene kits for homeless families Painting murals at local community centers We believe people like you can truly make the world a better place - one person, one project, one hour at a time. Only by taking action today will our community move towards a better, brighter future! Join us today!

Visit: JustServe.org/ANewLeaf 21 • ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

TurnaNewLeaf.org Trusted, local nonprofit | 50 years of service

Use your AZ Tax Credit! STEP 1

STEP 2

+ Give up to $987 to A New Leaf

STEP 3

+ Keep your receipt

123

File your taxes and claim a credit

DONE!

= Get your money back!

TurnaNewLeaf.org | (480) 464-4648 | QCO: 20075

2026 | March 5-7 RootsTech

Continued from pg. 21

speakers and classes, the Expo Hall is very informative. My wife Lynne and I participated in person at RootsTech in 2019 when we were serving as missionaries at the Salt Lake FamilySearch Library. We worked at the Cyber Cafe in the Expo Hall for several

RootsTech Worldwide Connection.

shifts during the event. RootsTech began in 2011 with 3000 participants and continued to grow year by year with in-person and remote participants. The ten-year anniversary event in 2020 held February 26–29 attracted nearly 30,000 people from all over the world to Salt Lake City. The theme was “The Story of You.” The global pandemic significantly changed RootsTech beginning with the 2021 event. Now RootsTech combines in person at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City with virtual participation from all over the world. The RootsTech Family Discovery Day on Saturday March 7 is always an enjoyable event and offers free admission for the whole family, both for in-person attendees in Salt Lake City and online participants, focusing on fun activities, games, and family his-

tory inspiration. You’ll need to register to get access and important updates. Stay tuned for who will be the featured speaker(s). Last year it was President Jeffrey R. Holland and Elder Neil L. Andersen and his wife Kathy. Google “free pass Family Discovery Day 2026” to reserve your spot. The purpose statement for Family History Department in conjunction with FamilySearch International is, “We create inspiring experiences that bring joy to all people as they discover, gather and connect their family – past, present, and future.” Don’t miss RootsTech 2026!

Find out what’s inside

FIND THEIR POTENTIAL! • Championship-winning athletics and thriving student clubs from junior high to high school • Show-stopping performances in art, theater, and dance • World-class music programs • Endless opportunities to explore passions beyond the classroom

Enroll now at InsideMPS.com mpsaz.org |

@mpsaz @mpsenespanol |

mpsaztv

ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

• 22

setis eht thguorb sediug ruO“ .A aihtnyC ”!su rof ’evila‘

1065-272-108

The Gift of Time

Continued from pg. 8

inside, believed to bring good fortune to its recipient. In Denmark, New Year’s Eve is marked with joyful noise and physical symbolism. Friends and neighbors throw old plates against one another’s doors, with broken dishes signaling strong friendships and good luck. Another Danish tradition involves standing on chairs and jumping down at midnight, symbolically leaping into the New Year. In much of Asia, New Year celebrations emphasize release and renewal. In Japan, Buddhist temples ring their bells 108 times on New Year’s Eve, each toll representing a human desire or flaw. China’s Lunar New Year, rooted in ancient agricultural cycles, includes cleaning homes, honoring ancestors, sharing meals, and welcoming prosperity with red decorations and fireworks—practices that align human life with the rhythms of nature. In many African cultures, the New Year has traditionally been marked not by a fixed date, but by seasonal change, harvest cycles, and communal

23 • ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

Confetti dreams for the Bowles family as they bring in the new year!

gatherings. Time is often understood as cyclical rather than linear, with renewal coming through ritual, storytelling, music, and dance. In modern celebrations across the African continent, including in Ghana and Nigeria, these traditions continue through prayer, drumming, church services, and shared meals, blending ancient customs with contem-

porary faith. Across Central and South America, New Year traditions often use fire and water to symbolize transformation. In Ecuador, families burn Año Viejo effigies at midnight to release hardship from the past year. In Brazil, many people dress in white and gather along beaches to offer flowers or candles to

the sea in honor of Yemanjá, a figure associated with water, protection, and renewal. Between continents and cultures, the traditions differ, but the intention is the same. We celebrate the cycle. We acknowledge endings and welcome beginnings. In October 2025, Elder Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles reflected on this idea, saying, “Our new beginning doesn’t just happen once… We don’t have just one chance. These new beginnings can happen every day.” Each New Year offers a reminder of that truth—a chance to begin again. The beautiful truth is that while humanity has long grappled with understanding and even escaping the passage of time, time has always been our greatest gift. As the Bowles family reminds us, these moments come only once, inviting us to use time to strengthen bonds and create lasting memories. From Mesa to Mumbai, families pause to celebrate the gift of time together as we usher in a new year and the cycle begins again.

By Emily Jex Boyle

W

T H E G O S P E L I N A WO R D

Photos Courtesy of Emily Boyle

GENESIS

hat is it about beginnings that we love? You don’t have to think very hard to list the different beginnings that tend to open our hearts and fill us with a unique kind of sweetness, a taste of hope. Watching a wedding proposal then watching the same couple make lifetime, even eternal commitments to each other, later holding a brand new baby in awe. “New year, new you,” some say. It’s a fitting phrase for a new year. The creative part of me loves new beginnings, a blank page, a fresh canvas. Perhaps the ritual of New Year’s resolutions and goals helps us look ahead following nostalgic reflection that often occurs during the Christmas season. According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, the word genesis means

“the origin or coming into being of something.” The word is Latin but comes from the Greek word gignesthai, which translates “to be born.” The dictionary states, “Today we use genesis to refer to the creative beginnings of much smaller things, but never unimportant ones.” In the book of Genesis, we read about the creation, Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah’s ark, the Tower of Babel, Abraham and his family and more. The name of the book of Genesis in Hebrew is bereshit, same as the first words of the book: in the beginning. How beautiful to see these words echoing elsewhere in scripture, such as in the Gospel of St. John, where the first two verses read: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.” (John

1:1-2) In my mind, beginnings are tied to new hope and full love. As I look at this word today, I think of the newness of life offered in every new beginning and in every single day through Jesus Christ. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of the power of loving like Jesus and how that love creates new beginnings. Dr. King said, “Love has within it a redemptive power. And there is a power there that eventually transforms individuals. Just keep being friendly... just keep loving them, and they can’t stand it too long…by the power of your love they will break down under the load. That’s love, you see. It is redemptive, and this is why Jesus says love. There’s something about love that builds up and is creative. There is something about hate that tears down and is destructive. So, love your enemies.” For families and congregations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints alike, it’s back to the Old Testament as part of the curriculum in Come Follow Me--For Home and Church for 2026. It’s been 5 years since we studied it as a whole. Each week, we’ll have an opportunity to dig deep and seek to understand, discovering and rediscovering important truths, particularly those who point us to the Word. For this reason, in honor of the new year and new book of study, I chose the word genesis with its strong ties to the Old Testament.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. (John 1:1-2)

Genesis: the origin or coming into being of something.

What is it about beginnings that we love?

480-489-0713 ROC 303766 lizardpools.com Weekly Pool Ser vice

Pool Resurface | New Tile Line | Pool Deck Retexture

ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

• 24

Come Follow Me

By Robin Finlinson

This article supports the readings in the manual titled Come, Follow Me— For Home and Church for January-February, 2026, in Genesis 1-17 in the Holy Bible and the books of Moses and Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price.

Behold the Contrast W

hen a typical camera tries to achieve focus, it searches for contrast. In dim light, the camera struggles to find it. Since the Lord’s people need to discern the stark contrast between truth and error, righteousness and wickedness, we need to live in the perfectly bright light of Jesus Christ. (John 8:12) When Eve spent time with the adversary of all that is holy, who uses subtlety to blind and deceive, the tree

of knowledge of good and evil began to look just as good for food as any other tree. (Moses 4:4, 5, 12) Satan would have us believe that anything God declares forbidden is actually the same as anything else we could choose. It’s simply another option—equally healthy, fulfilling or commendable. “I am also a son of God,” he tells people. (Moses 5:13) When Moses spent time with God, God’s glory was so intense Moses could not look at Him without being

Legacy and Light Where the mission is “No Empty Chairs” Specializing in: • Finding ancestors • Finding cousins and cousins’ cousins needing temple ordinances • $30 an hour/or package: $25 an hour for 5 - 10 hours a month for a year. • Consultations $30 an hour • Providing contact information for researchers located all over the world no charge.

Diane Rogers legacydiane@gmail.com | 801-310-4738 Professional Genealogical Researcher with over 25 years’ experience.

25 • ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

transfigured. It was easy for Moses to tell the difference then when Satan came around. He responded to temptation, saying, “where is thy glory, for it is darkness unto me?” And, “his glory has been upon me, wherefore I can judge between him and thee.” (Moses 1:15, 18) Notice that throughout the scriptures, the Lord employs a technique called “contrast messaging.” Thousands of times the word “behold” focuses the reader’s attention on the contrast between the production and abundance of the Lord’s ways, and the destruction and dearth of the adversary’s. Their true stories expose contrast in leadership styles, lifestyles and desires of the heart. Melchizedek, the king of Salem, was “the priest of the most high God.” (Gen. 14:18) He was “called the prince of peace” because after teaching repentance to his people, “they did repent; and Melchizedek did establish peace in the land…” (Alma 13:15-19) Life was less delightful with Bera, the king of Sodom and a contemporary of Melchizedek and Abraham. Under Bera’s leadership, his people would be “exceedingly” wicked and rebellious and would know war, servitude and eventual annihilation. (Gen. 13:13; 14:2) Where did Abraham stand in this story? After bravely leading the enormous rescue and return of his nephew Lot, many other captives and the goods taken from them, he rejected Bera’s offering of riches that would have made vulnerable his integrity and reputation. (Gen. 14:12-16, 21-23) What he most desired wasn’t wealth even beyond the extraordinary amount he already had; he wanted to be “a prince of peace” like Melchizedek. He wanted to increase in knowledge, righteousness and

service as a bearer of the Priesthood, like his ancestors. (Abraham 1:2) Abraham’s closest relatives, however, were among those who “turned from their righteousness…unto the worshiping of the gods of the heathen” because “their hearts were set to do evil.”(Abraham 1:5-6) They were similar to mankind just before the Great Flood, of whom it is said, “every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Genesis 6:5) The greatest contrast the earth will ever see, and therefore the most common scriptural focal point, is the time surrounding the Lord’s Second Coming in the last days. Devastation and ashes of Babylon will be replaced with splendor and beauty as “the Lord shall bring again Zion.” (Isa. 52:8; 61:3; Rev. 18) “And the day shall come that the earth shall rest, but before that day the heavens shall be darkened, and a veil of darkness shall cover the earth…but my people will I preserve…” “[T]ruth will I send forth out of the earth, to bear testimony of mine Only Begotten…and righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood…” (Moses 7:61-62) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is coming “out of obscurity”—not only in that people around the world are hearing of it, but, importantly, that it stands out in bolder and bolder contrast with the eternal truths it restores and affirms. The countenances of its members shine a little from spending time with the word of God and in His holy house, learning to “behold and view” “things as they are.” (D&C 1:30; 5:13-14; see also Ex. 34:29-30; Moses 2:18; 6:36)

Loved More Even With More Wrinkles

Pure Love Through Pure Friendship

Top left to right: Becky Reed, Janet Speakman, Jaylene Smith. Bottom left to right: Nancy Taylor, Arlene McCabe, Polly Beach.

created at home. President Jeffrey R. Holland taught: “[The Savior] wishes us to come unto him, to follow him, to be comforted by him. Then he wishes us to give comfort to others. (“Come unto Me” March 2, 1997.) For example: one thing we decide as a group to do is to add flowers to the graves of family members who had passed. We all felt a spiritual connection to God’s and Christ’s comfort, and also the comfort of our friends. If you don’t have friends to con-

I

nect with now, the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ are right now your perfect friends. They will prompt you what your first step is. I would encourage you to do one thing today to help you connect with someone even as simple as opening a door for someone you don’t know. Do an act of service, even a kind text. Something simple to reach out with love to someone. It will help you feel the Savior’s love and want to share more. Love your dear friends and believe in miracles.

Camping in late 1960’s.

By Jaylene Garrett

magine getting together with your young women’s class after almost 60 years, including the mutual teacher who was an example of Christlike service. Each of us in the class grew up in Mesa, Arizona in the 13th ward, Mesa stake. Recently we got together at the home of our mutual teacher, Arlene McCabe. It was so fun that we are planning to gather annually. We discovered that even though we are on different paths after high school with jobs, moving to different states, marriages, babies and education degrees, we were able to strengthen and love each other after all the years apart. Why is this important to share with you? Christlike love that is felt with friends is the beginning of understanding our Savior’s perfect love for us. With our eternal sisterhood, we experienced the feeling of charity, the “pure love of God” (Moroni 7:47). Those experiences help us to want to feel charity more and become more

Christlike. During the time we had together, we were reminded of some amazing memories and found fuller understandings of the trials we each went through. We were able to catch up on what challenges we had individually over the years and how we overcame them or are still trying. Some of us had divorces, spouses no longer with us, cancer in family, financial struggles, family members who were not active, etc. The encouragement and love that was expressed for the individual struggles was inspiring. Also, some of us had been able to serve many missions, sing in the tabernacle choir, help family members, live in places that brought unexpected joy and family memories, and remain strong in the gospel. We all believe that because of our strong foundation together, we are better than we would have been without it. Polly Beach brought us a book sharing old photos. Nancy Taylor brought us herbal remedies that she

WHAT!?

Drive-thru & Take-out is our Specialty!

You haven’t tried our fresh cut, hand breaded, never frozen Onion Rings!? What are you waiting for!?

Thanks for supporting PETE’S during these trying times!

An All-American TRADITION!

I know just what you need! Pete‛s food is hot, fast and their patios are nice and warm!

Brrrr! It‛s cold outside! I need something that will warm me up fast!

The adventures of Kathy & Patty (Pete’s Daughters)

• The fish we serve is mild, flaky & delicious! Even kids love it! • Crispy white meat chicken tenders & nuggets • Our onion rings are made fresh daily, never frozen! • Burgers, Dogs & Burritos too! • Fresh breaded scallops and crabettes • Our Shrimp is the best in town!

Need a menu?

petesfishandchips.com Orders over $95 get a FREE T-shirt, Hat, or Beanie!

g for supportin l, ca lo r ou ned women-ow s! es n si family bu

8 Valley Locations:

All Locations are Cash Only — No checks, credit or debit cards

• 22 S. Mesa Dr, Mesa • 1111 E. Buckeye (Main & Mesa Dr.) • 1017 E. Apache Tempe • 4121 N. 44th St Phoenix • 2628 W. Van Buren Phoenix

ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

Phoenix • 3920 S. Central Phoenix • 5516 Glendale Ave Glendale • 9309 W. Van Buren Tolleson

• 26

Things You Didn’t Know About Keeping a Family History Journal Multimedia journaling.

Photo by Anonymous

By Allison Beckert

W

hen we hear family history journal, many of us picture a thick book filled with neat handwriting and uninterrupted dedication. In reality, record-keeping has always been simpler than that. In a season that invites organization and reflection, family history journaling can be both accessible and deeply meaningful. Here are 5 ways to make it so.

The most valuable family histories 1 were never meant to impress anyone. Many of the records we treasure today began as practical, private writings. Pioneer journals, immigrant letters, and missionary records weren’t crafted for future readers. They were written to make sense of daily life. William Clayton’s pioneer journal tracked miles traveled, weather, exhaustion, and faith. Eliza R. Snow’s writings blended poetry with spiritual processing. These records matter not because they were polished, but because they were honest. Your family journal doesn’t need a storyline or even an endgame.

Journaling strengthens memory, 2 even in small doses. Research shows that writing helps the brain organize experiences and attach meaning to them. This is especially powerful for children and teens, whose identities are still forming. A few sentences about a holiday, a move, or a hard week can help them later understand themselves better. Scripture emphasizes remembering for a reason. Record-keeping doesn’t just preserve the past, it anchors us in the present.

3

A “journal” can take far more forms than you think. Some of the richest family histories aren’t bound books at all. They’re collections. They’re recipe cards with smudges and notes in the margins, sentimental cards and emails, voice recordings, photo captions, or short yearly summaries. Scripture models this flexibility. Genealogies, sermons, letters, and abridged records sit side by side, united in purpose if not in form. Consistency

matters far more than format, and the best system is the one your family will actually use.

Short prompts often capture 4 more truth than long entries. Quick prompts remove pressure and make journaling sustainable: • What made us laugh this week? • What felt heavy? • What is something we’re grateful for right now? • What do I hope my kids remember about this year?

Record-keeping is a spiritual prac5 tice, not a performance. From Nephi’s plates to modern family histories, record-keeping was never about documenting perfection. It was about remembering God’s hand in ordinary, imperfect lives. When journaling becomes a pressure point, it loses its purpose. When it becomes a supportive exercise, it blesses both the writer and the reader.

 Customize to Your Site/Needs  Small, Family Business  Unusually Personable Service  Master Craftsmanship

27 • ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

Photo by James DeMers from Pixabay

Many beloved historical journals are treasured precisely because they recorded daily faith, not dramatic milestones. If you don’t want to go deep, spend a few minutes recording a couple of things you enjoyed or were grateful for that day or week.

You Simply Can’t Buy a Better Shed

E A S T VA L L E Y S H E D S . C O M

Handwritten Records.

Scan to Visit Us Online!

As a final point, most family history lessons and work are centered on ordinances. While important, they’re not where the emotional power often lives. If you’ve ever found yourself struggling to connect to family history work then these stories, pictures, collections, and personal records are what color in the lines.

Everyone Happier & Healthier

Sweet Salvation Bakery By Cindy R Williams

S

weet Salvation Bakery in Snowflake, Arizona is owned by Anna and Loren Merrill. “It is more than a bakery,” explains Anna. “It is the public-facing heart of the Everyone Happier and Healthier nonprofit, a 501©(3) belonging initiative. “Our purpose is to create meaningful, inclusive opportunities for people of all abilities through baking, vocational training, connection, and community. Proceeds from the bakery directly support nonprofit programs including inclusive employment, life-skills training, volunteer opportunities, and supportive independent housing initiatives,” Anna says. Sweet Salvation Bakery sells artisan sourdough breads, whole wheat and sandwich loaves, wheat milled/ground in the bakery, cinnamon rolls, cookies and dessert bars, seasonal baked goods, fudge,

Employees of Sweet Salvation Bakery.

grab-and-go sandwiches. They also sell special fundraiser and community-event items. Anna and Loren Merrill have worked with Special Olympics for 15 years. “We strive to see more programs available to those with special needs, also following a model of all abilities to keep from separating the community,” says Anna. “The inspiration came from our family’s lived experience — raising children with disabilities, witnessing barriers to employment and belonging, and believing deeply that every person deserves purpose, dignity, and joy. “We also have a podcast known as ‘SO let’s be friends - embracing inclusion’ on Spotify, Audible, Apple podcasts, YouTube, Amazon music,” Anna says. When asked how she finds time to do all of this, Anna responds, “It’s not about balance — it’s about purpose. Our family works together, supports one an-

Photo by Anna Merrill

other, and builds this mission into daily life. When something matters deeply, you find a way. Putting my energy into giving my kids job as well as others. Rather than continually advocating trying to get them jobs. Sweet Salvation Bakery is proof that community changes, people learn when people are welcomed, trusted, and given opportunity. Every loaf tells a story — and every person belongs at the table. “One of our favorite ongoing moments is watching first-time bakers proudly sell something they made themselves — especially when they realize customers genuinely love it. Mistakes happen, flour flies, laughter fills the kitchen, and growth happens every single day,” says Anna. Sweet Salvation Bakery is located at 687 S. Main Street, Snowflake, AZ 85937.

ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

• 28

Succeed in School Mesa Arizona Stake Launches Pilot Program to Uplift Community Youth

By RuthAnn Hogue

I

n a church classroom just south of the Mesa Arizona Temple, the typical silence of a church building is replaced twice a week by the hum of equations being solved and the rhythmic scratching of pens on paper. This is the heart of “Succeed in School,” a community pilot program recently launched by the Mesa Arizona Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While the program operates under the umbrella of the Church’s Seminaries and Institutes of Religion, its doors are open to the entire community, regardless of faith or background. “We hope to bless all of God’s children from all backgrounds, cultures, and faiths through helping youth and their parents or guardians succeed in school and life as teenagers,” said President Justin Miller, president of the Mesa Arizona Stake. President Miller, whose professional career involves overseeing the hiring and training of teachers for the Church Education System, brings a specialized focus to the initiative. He noted

Mesa Stake President Justin Miller.

hoo c S n i d e e c Suc Program Free Tutoring

for Ages 11–18

s | 6–8 PM s & Thursday

Tuesday

l

esa

| Downtown M

Scan to Register Or Visit: egisterSIS https://bit.ly/r

nce. oost Confide B . ls il k S d il Bu ess. Achieve Succ

zona Stake of The Mesa Ari by d te os h is Saints This program of Latter-Day st ri h C s su Je The Church of

that while the program has seen success in 30 countries—including locations in Africa, South America, and the Philippines—it is relatively new to the United States. The Mesa pilot is part of a rollout in the U.S. Southwest Area following an initial launch that included the Navajo Nation in northern Arizona communities such as Chinle, Window Rock and Tuba City, as well as in New Mexico. The program serves youth ages 11 to 18 and focuses on two primary pillars: academic tutoring and essential life skills. It also includes Christian themes. “On one end of it, it helps them right where they’re at with their current schooling,” President Miller explains. “On the other side of it, it also provides lessons and learning that we would call life prep or life skills.” The curriculum includes over 40 rotating lessons covering topics such as time management, notetaking, setting goals, and overcoming anxiety related

to education. For the academic portion, the stake recruits volunteers with specific expertise to help students, ranging from basic literacy to advanced calculus. The program currently operates Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m. at 525 E. Second Ave. Because many students come straight from school, the stake provides healthy refreshments using resources from the Bishops’ Storehouse. “We have couples that will take the peanut butter, the jam, the bread, and the produce to make sandwiches and platters,” President Miller said. “These Continued on pg. 31

29 • ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

What’s Cooking?

By Grace O’Brien

By The Arizona Beehive Magazine

PEPPER-CRUSTED SALMON CAKES WITH CRÈME FRAICHE HORSERADISH SAUCE

T

hese savory cakes offer the peppery crust of a great steak and the silkiness of poached salmon. Combined, the results are crunchy, tender patties of salmon with a crust of ground pepper and bread crumbs. The crust is spicy and crisp, giving way to silky fish in the center. The crème fraiche softens the bite of the horseradish for the sauce. These make the perfect main course with a salad and roasted vegetables. Your guests will love them as hors d’oeuvres, and they are great as leftovers for breakfast—serve on toast with a poached egg to break out of the bacon and egg routine. INSTRUCTIONS 1. Preheat your oven to 350F. Place the salmon in a baking pan with a half-inch of water. Bake/poach until just cooked through, 20-25 minutes. Remove from the pan and allow to cool slightly. Blot dry with a paper towel and remove the skin.

INGREDIENTS ■ 1 pound salmon (wild caught) ■ ½ cup crème fraiche ■ 1 T prepared horseradish ■ 1 tsp. lemon juice ■ Sea salt and fresh ground pepper ■ 2 T finely chopped red bell pepper ■ 2 T finely chopped flat leaf parsley ■ 2 T finely chopped red onion ■ ½ tsp. salt ■ 1 tsp. prepared horseradish ■ 1 tsp. Dijon mustard ■ ¼ cup mayonnaise ■ 1 cup Panko bread crumbs, divided ■ 1 T coarsely ground/cracked black pepper ■ Olive oil for frying

Prep time: 45 minutes; Bake time: 20-25 minutes; Cooking time: 6-8 minutes Serves: 6 medium cakes or 15-18 appetizer-sized cakes

2. In the meantime, in a small bowl combine the crème fraiche, 1 T horseradish and lemon juice with a pinch of salt and pepper. Set sauce aside. 3. Put the salmon in a bowl and add the minced bell pepper, parsley, red onion, mustard, mayonnaise, remaining horseradish and a half-cup of breadcrumbs. Stir with a fork to combine well and fluff. If the mix seems wet or too dry to form into cakes, add mayo or bread crumbs as needed. Exact quantity to add is totally by feel. 4. Form the salmon mixture into six patties, or smaller if you’re serving them as small appetizer cakes. Place them on a wax paper lined baking sheet and refrigerate for 30 minutes. 5. Mix together the remaining half-cup of bread crumbs and the cracked pepper on a plate or in a shallow bowl. Heat a large splash of olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Gently dip the salmon cakes in the ground pepper mixture, lightly coating both sides. The cakes will be fragile; be careful when you handle them. You may need to add a touch more bread crumbs and pepper, depending on how thickly you coat your cakes. Fry the salmon cakes until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Serve the horseradish sauce on the side. Garnish with chives and parsley.

The Ready Hive Smart & Thrifty Food Prep for the Savvy Urbanite

H

ey there, prepared pals! Let’s talk about one of the biggest prep myths out there: “Eating healthy on a budget? Impossible!” Well, we’re here to call that bluff. Building a nutrient-rich pantry and keeping fresh food on the table doesn’t have to break the bank—it just takes a little local know-how and a dash of planning. Welcome to the world of delicious, low-cost, high-vitality food prep! Think beyond the big-box store. Some of the best resources are community treasures, and Arizona is blessed with a powerhouse program that’s a prepper’s dream for fresh produce. Borderlands' "Produce on Wheels With-Out Waste" (P.O.W.W.O.W.) is Arizona's star local resource! This isn’t a secret, but it is a superhero of sustainability and savings. • What it is: Their flagship program is stunning. For a $15 donation, you can receive 60+ pounds of fresh, rescued produce. Yes, you read that right! The selection is diverse, often includes 15-20 different items, and sometimes comes with bonus bakery or dairy goods. There are no income or eligibility requirements—just a commitment to reducing food waste and feeding families. • Where/When: Distributions pop up monthly across the Valley in cities like Phoenix, Mesa, and Chandler. The key is their monthly calendar—dates and locations change, so a quick check-in is part of the prep ritual! • Website: Find their golden calendar at https://borderlandsproducerescue. org/ But wait, there’s more! P.O.W.W.O.W. is the crown jewel, but your thrifty, healthy pantry has other allies: • Imperfect and discounted produce: Many grocery stores have sections for ripe or cosmetically chal-

lenged produce at deep discounts. Perfect for immediate eating, cooking, or dehydrating! • Seasonal and frozen is your friend: Buy berries, corn, or peppers in season and freeze them yourself. Frozen store-brand veggies are just as nutritious as fresh and often far cheaper out of season. • The humble staple power-up: Build your meals around affordable, shelfstable foundations: beans, lentils, rice, oats, and pasta. These are your budget-friendly canvases. Add fresh or frozen veggies and a sprinkle of seasoning, and you’ve got a hearty, healthy meal. The Prepper’s Meal-Prep Mindset: 1. Plan around the deal: When you get that 60-pound box, make your weekly meal plan based on what you have. Got a lot of peppers and onions? Fajitas! An abundance of leafy greens? Soups and smoothies! 2. Preserve the bounty: Don’t let anything go to waste. Learn simple preservation: blanch and freeze greens, make a big pot of vegetable soup and freeze portions, or try your hand at dehydrating fruits for snacks. 3. Store it smart: Keep root vegetables in a cool, dark place. Wash and dry berries before refrigerating. Knowing how to store food properly makes it last longer, saving you money and trips to the store. Building a healthy stockpile is one of the most impactful steps in urban preparedness. It boosts your family’s resilience, energy, and well-being today, while creating a crucial buffer for tomorrow. So, mark that P.O.W.W.O.W. calendar, embrace those imperfect apples, and know that a nourished family is a prepared family. Stay savvy, stay stocked, and eat well!

ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

• 30

Author Releases Third Book in Four Book Mermaid Series

Beehive BOOK REVIEW

By Cindy R. Williams

T

eya Peck latest series has three books available with the fourth and final book planned for release in 2026.

BOOK 1 Seariana: “The sea beckons, soothes, lulls, and then you die. Seariana is a Siren. She watches her mother swaying and singing a lullaby to call seaway travelers to their devastating shores. Even being a siren and not knowing any different, she didn’t believe in fate or destiny but in making her path.” BOOK 2 Griffith: “Breanessa is a student and is met with a different professor than she is used to and wonders why. She discovers more about herself and those around her than she ever thought possible.” BOOK 3 Nightcore: “Nightcore has his chance in influencing his betrothed, but she doesn’t know.” BOOK 4 Breanessa (2026): Peck says, “In the final installment of the saga, will Breanessa find enough abilities within herself to find and be in time to save her mother? Then have enough energy to be victorious in the final battle? It all comes down to Breanessa’s choice.”

Images Courtesy of Teya Peck

Peck has been writing for as long as she can remember. Writing is in her blood. Her great grandmother wrote poetry, and her father wrote stories that she finished and published for him after he passed. Peck says “She met the love of her life in the loft of a barn, to her father’s snickering dismay. He warned her about meetings in the loft of a barn when she was young. She shares her love of writing with her children who have started writing their own

stories.” Peck says her writing style varies from outlining verses to flying by the seat of her pants. “Sometimes I sit down and I’m inspired and it just flows out of me—as in ‘seat of my pants.’ Sometimes it starts and I have half of a seat of my pants story but I’m missing the other half so I begin planning and outlining and figure out what’s missing. Once it comes then it will flow back to seat of my pants. That’s how See Me For Me flowed. Still my favorite book to date.” Peck’s books are available on Amazon.

Author Teya Peck.

Succeed in School

Continued from pg. 29

By Mark Randall

y younger sister often got carsick. Once before a trip she snuck and ate an entire package of colored marshmallows. As usual, we had to stop just past Apache Junction, where she did her thing. Another sister excitedly exclaimed, on a positive note, “Look everyone, it’s the Painted Desert!” 31 • ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

are families who struggle, and we want to be of help to them in the community.” A unique aspect of Succeed in School is its focus on the home environment. The program includes a specific curriculum for parents, designed at a third-grade reading level with practical photos and ideas. “Oftentimes parents struggle to know how to support their kids in their academics because they are so stretched and they feel so limited,” President Miller said. “We provide ways to help parents, no matter where they are with their education or their language, to help provide support at home.” The initiative is already expanding. A second location is slated to open this spring at 233 W. 10th Ave., near Country Club Drive and Southern Avenue. This site will add vocational training

to the mix, connecting older teens and adults with trades like electrical work, concrete, and culinary arts. President Miller said the ultimate goal is to provide a bridge to future opportunities, such as BYU-Pathway Worldwide, which offers higher education access without requiring a high school diploma. “We want them to know that they can come here on Sundays, but they can come on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and Thursdays,” President Miller said. “Moms and dads and kids and youth will find something that will help them. “Honestly, we want to be a community church. We just want to do the right thing for our community.” For more information on how to register as a student, an adult, or parent; or to volunteer, visit www.themesaarizonastake.org.

VALLEY TEMPLE SCHEDULES By Lin Sue Flood

Hospice of the Valley's New Song Center Hosts Healing Día de los Muertos Celebration

F

amily traditions enrich the holiday season, and for Hispanic families in our community, Día de los Muertos is an especially meaningful observance. Though the name translates to “Day of the Dead,” this cherished Mexican holiday is not a morbid occasion. Instead, it is a vibrant celebration that honors those we hold dear through ofrendas (altars) adorned with photos, favorite foods and bright marigolds, alongside music and dancing. Hospice of the Valleys New Song Center for Grieving Children recently held its third annual Día de los Muertos event to help families remember and celebrate their loved ones. The free family-friendly event hosted over 300 attendees and featured a beautiful ofrenda, a mariachi band, Mexican folk dancers, face painting and food trucks. Organizer Dulce Rodriguez noted that the event helps reinforce family bonds across generations and strengthens cultural identity. This observance affirms that death is a natural part of life, she said. Celebrating in this way provides immense comfort and helps pass down traditions, stories and values to the younger generations. The shared experience proved powerful for attendees like Lucio Vasquez, who lost his daughter a year and a half ago. It’s very hard, but here, were together; were going through this together, Vasquez shared. It feels like one big family going through the same thing together. Martin Quiroz was there for his beloved brother, who died two years ago. There’s a lot of meaning in this celebration. It brings back wonderful memories. My brother would be happy to see us together; it’s a special day to remember him. Elvia Ramirez lost her husband a year ago. New Song support groups

Additional Information: • Appointments for proxy ordinances are encouraged. Patrons without appointments are also welcome, but may be asked to wait for an opportunity to participate. To schedule or modify a proxy appointment, visit your temple’s information at https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples • Patrons are encouraged to bring their own temple clothing. • Ordinances for family names must be done in proper sequence—baptism, confirmation, Melchizedek Priesthood ordination (males), initiatory, endowment, and then sealing. Please allow sufficient time to perform all the ordinances you wish to complete during your visit. For additional help and information, please call the temple. • Please contact the temple for more information or if you have special circumstances or needs. • Temple websites can be found by searching churchofjesuschrist.org/temples

Gilbert Arizona Temple 3301 S. Greenfield Rd, Gilbert, AZ, 85297 (1) 480-822-5000 Services: Clothing rental available. No Cafeteria Upcoming Closures 2026 Saturday, April 4 Monday, April 6 - Monday, April 20 Saturday, July 4

Dia de los Muertos Expo.

helped a lot because I know I’m not alone. I see other people going through the same pain and it helps me get through my pain. New Song Center offers grief support groups for children, teens, young adults and parents at no cost. Families may enroll by calling (480) 951-8985 or emailing info@newsongcenter.org. Looking for support in Spanish? Call (602) 776-6789 Lin Sue Flood is Director of Community Engagement at Hospice of the Valley.

Mesa Arizona Temple 101 S. LeSueur, Mesa, AZ, 852014 (1) 480-833-1211 Services: Clothing rental available. No Cafeteria Upcoming Closures 2026 Monday, March 9 - Monday, March 23 Tues, March 24 - Fri, April 3 (Limited Operations) Saturday, April 4 Saturday, July 4

Lucio Vasquez family.

Phoenix Arizona Temple 5220 W. Pinnacle Peak Road, Phoenix, AZ 85310 (1) 623-474-9500 Services: No clothing or cafeteria Upcoming Closures 2026 Saturday, April 4 Monday, May 18 - Monday, June 1 Saturday, July 4

Distribution Centers Mesa 445 E Main Street (480) 969-2170 Gilbert 2894 S San Tan Village Pkwy (480) 926-3234 Phoenix 2919 W Agua Fria Fwy (480) 660-6100

Elvira Ramirez family.

ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

• 32