The Arizona Beehive Magazine July August 2026 Issue

Vol 52 | Issue #4 Vol 52 | Issue #3 July–August 2026 May - June 2026 Serving Arizona Members ofServing the Church of Jesus Christ of Arizona Members Since 1993 of theLatter-day Church of Saints Jesus Christ of

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Latter-day Saints Since 1993

2 America 250

Declaration of Independence

9 Military Branch Songs Origins and History

11 Brooker's Ice Cream A Sweet Revolution

14 Mormon Barrio

Latino LDS Experiences

16 Liberty Village

Education Director, Bill Norton

The Hinge Point of Human History

SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL

Celebrating the Declaration of Independence By Shane Krauser

17 History Comes Alive Virtual Church History Tour

19 Faith

Keep Moving Forward

21 Family History

Remembering the Founders

24 The Gospel in a Word Consecrate

25 Come Follow Me America's 250 Years

26 Your Mental Health When Home Feels Too Full

27 Strengthen Your Family

Join NAFFA's C.I.R.C.L.E. Comedy Corner

28 DNA

A Family History Tool

31 5 Boredom Busters (That Really Matter)

32 Beehive Book

Writing the Declaration of Independence, 1776, a 1900 portrait by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris depicting Franklin, Adams, and Jefferson working on the Declaration

Reviews

Local Authors Kris Heap and Valerie Steimle

33 What's Cooking

Watermelon Arugula Salad

The Ready Hive

Silent Summer Killer

35 America 250

Feeding Families in 50 States

36 Just Serve

Veterans Share Sacred Bond

Valley Temples

Schedules & Info

s the United States experiences its Semiquincentennial (250th anniversary), it’s impossible not to see 1776 as one of history’s rare hinge points when everything seems to shift at once. Whatever one thinks of America today, that moment unequivocally changed the way people talk about government, rights and power, not just in the United States but throughout the world. The Declaration of Independence did more than announce that 13 colonies were severing ties from Great

Britain. It proclaimed a bold idea for its time: that legitimate government isn’t derived from kings or inherited authority, but built on rights that belong to people by virtue of their humanity. That alone marked a clean break from most of what came before. For much of history, political authority flowed downward from conquest, from royal bloodlines or from long-standing tradition. The American idea flipped that direction, arguing instead that power only makes sense if it comes upward from the consent of the governed. That reversal is precisely

why the American experiment remains worth defending and celebrating. Before 1776: Rights as Something Given, Not Owned For most of recorded history, governments didn’t operate on the assumption that rights were universal. Power belonged to rulers or ruling classes, and whatever freedoms people had were usually granted from the top down. In empires ruled by kings, emperors, sultans or tribal leaders, rights weren’t something you were born with

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Continued on pg. 5

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W h a t ’s T h e B u z z ? Are We Christians?

us Christ mbers of the Church of Jes me t no or er eth wh of s ion ed quest image on the Church Following recently resurrect me of the Church and His na the in t ris Ch us Jes th of Latter-day Saints - wi as well. ught I’d revisit this question logo - are Christians, I tho roughly translates to word “Christianos,” which eek Gr the m fro s me co ” an t. My journey of The term “Christi the teachings of Jesus Chris low fol d an in ve lie be ns tia urch and re“follower of Christ.” Chris . I attended the Catholic Ch tot e we a s wa I en wh n ga joined Jesus be 7 years of age. As a teen I s wa believing in and following I en wh t) en ram sac (first Catholic re at the time. I ceived my First Communion d much from the Pastor the rne lea d an ed joy en y atl always I gre nd the absolute truth. I’ve the Methodist church which fou y all fin g vin ha e, ag of s 21 years and prepared me to joined the Church when I wa s though other churches led ng eri nd wa My . ed ist ex n ! I’ve chosen known that God and His So es) invitation to be baptized ari on ssi mi y” (“m r’s lke er Wa e what all the debate is accept Elder Riggs’ and Eld t. I am a Christian. Not sur ris Ch of s ing ch tea the to believe in and follow d those about! ent Christ than they do. An fer dif a ip rsh wo s” on orm we “M uced to the fallen Some argue, however, that low the Jesus Christ introd fol d an ve lie be ip, rsh wo the one true Gosfolks are 100% correct! We e true church that follows on the d ate cre o wh d Go es. So n of societal or religious narrativ fit world by his Father, The So to rld wo the by d ate m of Christ cre pel. We do not follow a for Christ! The yes, different from “your” to what’s become known as led on ati pir ins is, He o wh ion of y, the “17 Points of In response to our declarat The Great Google in the Sk to ng rdi co Ac h. urc Ch e tool within Seventeen Points of the Tru as a teaching and conversion ly tab no st mo d use t lis eck ural ch t perfectly matches the the True Church is a script s to identify the church tha int Sa ay r-d tte La of t ris Ch the list defines The Church of Jesus students like Floyd Weston, by dy stu s 50 19 a to d ute rib h during his New Testament.” Often att how Christ set up the churc on sed ba h urc ch t’s ris Ch ristics of specific, required characte (I’ll give you 3 earthly ministry. it or display all 17 points?” hib ex s he urc ch h hic “W ppily After reviewing the list, I ask t we are not Christians, I ha tha im cla ex t en rnm ve go a a person or ing the truth of Who guesses...) Each time I hear testimony strengthen, know my l fee d an t lis s thi all rec follows. this Church believes in and Thank you for reading... Michael O’Brien Publisher

SEVENTEEN POINTS OF THE TRUE CHURCH 1. Christ organized the Church (Ephesians 4:11–14)

7. It must baptize by immersion (Matthew 3:13–16)

13. It must claim revelation from God (Amos 3:7)

2. The true Church must bear the name of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:23)

8. It must bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands (Acts 8:14–17)

14. It must be a missionary church (Matthew 28:19–20)

3. It must have a foundation of Apostles and Prophets (Ephesians 2:19–20)

9. It must practice divine healing (Mark 3:14–15)

10. It must teach that God and 4. It must have the same Jesus Christ are separate organization Christ established beings (John 17:11; John 20:17) (Ephesians 4:11–14) 11. It must teach that God and 5. It must claim divine authority Jesus have glorified bodies of (Hebrews 5:4–10) flesh and bone (Luke 24:36–39) 6. It must have no paid ministry (Isaiah 45:13; 1 Peter 5:2)

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12. Its officers must be called by God (Hebrews 5:4)

15. It must be a restored church (Acts 3:19–20) 16. It must practice baptism for the dead (1 Corinthians 15:16, 29) 17. “By their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:20) Why are these things important? HEBREWS 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever!”

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 Jeanie Davis Deb Eaton Hillary Fevrier Robin Finlinson Jaylene Garrett Tony Gutierrez Rauna Mortensen Grace O’Brien Katherine Ogden Mark Randall Glen & Lynne Tolman Barbie VanCott Cindy R. Williams GUEST WRITERS Church Newsroom Lin Sue Flood Shane Krauser DISTRIBUTION AZ Integrated Media First Class Media Distribution PRINTING Valley Newspapers DISTRIBUTION LOCATIONS Click on PICK UP A COPY on the arizonabeehivemagazine.com home page. 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.

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Celebrating the Declaration of Independence Continued from pg. 2

in any modern sense. They were permissions that were granted, limited and revocable. Even documents like the Magna Carta in 1215, while important, were mostly about checking the power of the king in relation to certain classes of people. It didn’t yet make the claim that all humans shared equal rights and were entitled to the protection of their inherent liberty. Later milestones in England, such as the Petition of Right in 1628 and the Bill of Rights in 1689, pushed things further by limiting monarchy through law and Parliament. But even then, rights were largely understood as the “rights of Englishmen,” not universal rights belonging to everyone. Across Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries, the dominant belief still revolved around the “divine right of kings.” Figures like Louis XIV embodied that idea: authority came from God, and obedience flowed naturally from subject to ruler. Where rights existed at all, they were usually tied to status, privilege or social rank. Full political participation was rare, and often limited to a small segment of society. Even earlier experiments like Athens or the Roman Republic, often cited as democratic precursors, were limited in who counted as a full citizen. Large groups of people, including slaves, women and foreigners, were excluded entirely. Across much of the world, whether in feudal Europe, imperial China, or the Ottoman system, government was mainly about order, stability, tribute or religious unity. It wasn’t built around the idea that individuals possessed rights that existed long before government itself. And that’s exactly the idea the Declaration turned on its head.

rally possess rights to life, liberty and property, and that governments are formed through agreement to protect them. But the American Founders pushed the idea further. Instead of focusing only on property, Thomas Jefferson broadened the vision to something more open-ended, namely the “pursuit of happiness,” which points toward John Locke. He argued that people naturally possess human flourishing more rights to life, liberty and broadly. property. The key shift is simple but significant. Rights aren’t granted by governments, kings or traditions. They’re treated as something inherent; something no authority has the right to take away. From that perspective, government is no longer the source of rights. It became a servant, not a master. Government was to Thomas Jefferson, the princiact as a tool for protectpal author of the Declaration. ing our liberties. And if it fails at that job, the logic of the Declaration makes clear that the people morally retain the right, and even the obligation, to alter or abolish it and even revolt against it. This idea was revolutionary: government’s legitimacy rested solely on consent, and its only proper purpose was to secure rights. When it became destructive of those ends, revolution was not treason but a natural right. This represented a profound philosophical and practical departure. Prior revolts often sought to restore ancient privileges or replace one ruler with another. The American Declaration announced the creation of a new nation based explicitly on the “self-evident” principles of Continued on pg. 7

The Declaration of Independence is the “why” while the Constitution is the “how.”

The American Shift: Rights First, Government Second The Declaration of Independence upended that archaic model. Its second paragraph famously declares: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,—That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” This wasn’t invented out of thin air. Thinkers like John Locke had previously argued that people natu-

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A version of the 1823 William Stone facsimile.

The Thirteen Colonies on July 4, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress unanimously approved the text of the Declaration of Independence.

WHO WILL PROTECT YOUR PHOTOS WHEN YOU’RE GONE?

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Celebrating the Declaration of Independence Continued from pg. 5

natural right. It justified independence by listing grievances against King George III that illustrated violations of those rights, transforming a tax dispute, among other things, into a universal moral claim. It wasn’t just saying “we disagree with this king.” It was saying “this is what legitimate government must be.” Why It Still Matters Today The real significance of 1776 is that the founders tried to build a system around these ideals. The early state constitutions, the Articles of Confedera-

tion, and, later, the Constitution all reflect that same core assumption, namely that power must be limited, divided and accountable because it exists only to secure the rights of the people. And while the Declaration of Independence outlines self-evident truths around liberty and government, our Constitution solidifies an effort to secure these promises for generations to come. The Declaration throws off illegitimate government. The Constitution builds a new unprecedented government. The Declaration liberates the individual. The Constitution regulates government in order to protect liberty. The Declaration is the “why” while the Constitution is the “how.” The Declaration is the promise. The Constitution is the fulfillment.

Copy of the Declaration of Independence in the Oval Office.

The principles of the Declaration are what men and women from time immemorial were willing to die for. The Constitution is what we should be willing to live for insofar as it protects our inalienable rights and keeps government in its proper lane. Even with America’s shortcomings, the one area where we have been relatively consistent and a model to the world is the appeal back to the Declaration’s principles as a standard for measuring and reforming the nation’s practices. The tension between aspiration and reality has driven much of American history, but the core commitment to inalienable rights has provided a moral framework for progress that few other nations possessed at their founding. As we celebrate the 250th anniversary, recall that the Declaration’s significance endures as the clearest articulation of a government whose purpose is the protection of pre-existing individual rights rather than the aggrandizement of rulers. In an era when many governments still fictionally derive authority from tradition, ideology or raw power, the American experiment of 1776 remains a bold assertion that legitimate rule flows from consent and serves the equal rights of all. To this day, it challenges the ancient assumption that humans are born as subjects and replaces it with the revolutionary conviction that they are born free and equal in their natural rights. That conviction, tested through war, expansion, conflict and reform, continues to define what made the American founding historically singular, exceptional and worth defending. Happy Birthday, America! This is the land that I love, and I am mutually pledged with my life, my fortunes and my sacred honor. Shane Krauser is an experienced trial attorney, adjunct professor of Constitutional Law, and international speaker with over 3,000 engagements. He is the owner of Brooker’s Founding Flavors Ice Cream in Chandler, Arizona. Learn more at ShaneKrauser.com.

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CELEBRATING MILITARY BRANCH SONGS By Rauna Mortensen

As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday and contemplate the many ways we have been blessed through our citizenship, it is also an appropriate time to deepen our gratitude for our U.S. military and how they protect our country. A joyful part of any celebration of the military branches is to listen to or sing their respective official songs. Below is a brief summary of the origins and history of the songs for five of the six branches. These anthems reflect the heritage and core values of each branch and give each a special identity as they serve to build morale. May these songs also contribute to much-needed unity in the United States!

United States Navy

United States Army

Song: “Anchors Aweigh”

Song: “The Army Goes Rolling Along,” originally titled “The Caisson Song”

The Navy’s song was born when the Naval Academy class of 1907 requested that their band director, Lieutenant Charles A. Zimmerman, write a song for them. The students wanted a song that could be sung at football games for years to come, in addition to being a a class song. Alfred H. Miles, a midshipman, contributed to the lyrics. Over the years, the song’s original words became outdated. In 1926, Midshipman Royal Lovell added a third verse which ultimately became the song’s most recognized stanza. “Anchors Aweigh” is still played at Navy football games as their official fight song and is most closely associated with those in active duty in the Navy, though it has no official standing.

While stationed in the Philippines in 1908, Lt. Edmund Gruber with his horse-drawn field artillery unit found it challenging to traverse the rough terrain using caissons (a wagon used to hold ammunition), and he likened it to the Army rolling along through hardships. Gruber partnered with two compatriots on the song which opens with “Over hill, over dale, as we hit the dusty trail, and those caissons go rolling along.” Later, John Philip Sousa incorporated the tune into his 1917 march, “The U.S. Field Artillery March.”

United States Marine Corps Song: “The Marines’ Hymn” America’s oldest and possibly best-known service anthem has a melody adapted from the 1867 “The Gendarmes’ Duet” aria in the Jacques Offenbach French opera, Genevieve de Brabant. The opening line, “From the Halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli,” refers to consequential battles that the Marines fought (such as the war with Barbary Pirates and portions of the Mexican-American War). It’s said that an anonymous Marine fighting in Mexico wrote some verses in 1847 after attacking the Halls of Montezuma (Chapultepec Castle). During World War I, Marines sang their hymn as they charged during battle. In 1929, Marine Corps Commandant Wendell C. Neville pronounced it as the branch’s official anthem.

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United States Coast Guard Song: “Semper Paratus.” (Latin for “Always Ready”) It was composed by U.S. Coast Guard Captain Francis Saltus Van Boskerck in 1927 at the cabin of USCGC Yamacraw in Savannah, Georgia; he wrote the music in 1927, on a “beat-up old piano” in Unalaska, Alaska. It made its debut in 1928.

United States Air Force Song: “The U.S. Air Force” (often called “The Wild Blue Yonder”) Chosen in a 1939 songwriting contest sponsored by Liberty Magazine, the Air Force song’s lyrics and music were written by professional composer Robert MacArthur Crawford, and it became official a year later.

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ALL

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AMERICAN

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A Sweet Revolution

Brooker’s Founding Flavors Ice Cream

F

By Hillary Jade Fevrier

or anyone searching for a sweet way to cool down this summer, Chandler’s newest ice cream destination is pairing handcrafted desserts with a playful dose of American history. Brooker’s Founding Flavors Ice Cream officially celebrated the grand opening of its Chandler location on June 6, 2026, bringing its signature blend of

super-premium ice cream, colonial American charm, and family-friendly entertainment to the East Valley. As temperatures climb, the opening of this location will provide a much needed reprieve from the Arizona heat. The opening marks another milestone for the growing company, which first opened its doors in Vineyard, Utah, in 2018. Since then, Brooker’s has expanded rapidly, with more than 20 locations either

Brooker's award-winning Ice cream served in Liberty Bells.

open or in development across the country. The Chandler store introduces local families to a concept that is as experiential as it is refreshing. At first glance, Brooker’s may look like an ice cream shop, but visitors quickly discover it offers much more than dessert. Designed to resemble a colonial American tavern, the store immerses guests in the era of the nation’s founding. Historical references appear throughout the space, creating an atmosphere that is both entertaining and memorable. The menu reflects that same commitment to the theme. Rather than traditional flavor names, Brooker’s serves a lineup of handcrafted ice creams inspired by America’s founding figures and events. Guests can order flavors such as Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Cookie Dough or Patrick Henry’s Give Me Chocolate or Give Me Death, turning a simple summer treat into a playful encounter with history. In addition to its ice cream offerings, Brooker’s serves authentic early-American drinking chocolate, providing another taste of the colonial era. Together, the menu and décor create an experience designed to appeal to visitors of all ages. The company’s motto, “A spoonful of ice cream helps the founding principles go down,” captures Continued on pg. 29

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By Tony Gutiérrez

Mormon Barrio ASU Professor Dr. Sujey Vega Explores Latino LDS Experiences

A

s an outsider looking in, anthropologist Dr. Sujey Vega has become an expert in the experience of Hispanic American Latter-day Saints. Years of research has culminated in her book that was published earlier this year, Mormon Barrio: Latino Belonging in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Though not a member of the Church herself, Vega, a Gender Studies professor at Arizona State University, is a member of the Mormon History Association and discussed her research during a panel at the association’s recent annual conference. Dr. Vega’s book pulls together oral histories from Latino Saints in Arizona, Utah and Indiana. She gave The Arizona Beehive Magazine a glimpse of the work she put into her new book. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

are converts and leaders or children of converts who have a life experience that speaks directly to their sense of faith and Scriptures. I would love to see the general membership of the Latter-day Saints not see Latinos or Spanish wards as a favor that they’re doing or a cost but seeing the potential and the presence of the Scriptures in those lives and what those wards — whether they be language wards or ethnic wards — accomplish, and they accomplish so much more than just ease of language use. I would argue that a Spanish-American ward or a Spanish ward should still operate even when those members speak English more and more because I think there’s something there about being able to practice the way you practice and feeling at home and open to say what you want to say about your faith.

The word “barrio” in the Church means a ward; “barrio” in most of Latin America means a neighborhood; “barrio” for Hispanics that grew up in the United States has a completely different connotation. What were you trying to convey when you chose the name “Barrio” in your title? I completely agree that it could have a negative connotation to some but I was thinking that my use of “barrio” is more about community and survival and making the best out of a situation and being resourceful in the space that you’re given. To me, that’s what “barrio” stands for, both in the ward perspective in terms of Latter-day Saints but also in terms of the neighborhood or a barrio in California or Texas or Arizona. Survival and community and happiness, because a lot of people see our barrios in the U.S. as negative, violent, poor, and yeah, they are those things, but they’re also beautiful places of community, and people find joy in the barrio. So, it was a play on all those things. Your first chapter you focused on La Rama Mexicana there in Mesa. I had always understood that Lucero Ward up in Salt Lake City was the oldest Spanish-speaking ward in the United States, so I was surprised to learn that the ward in Mesa predates that. I think I mentioned this in the book but the sisters that fled Mexico during the revolution stopped by,

One of the people that you interviewed talked about how even though English is their primary language, there’s something very special about being able to go to service in Spanish or sing these songs in Spanish.

and there’s evidence that they stopped by the Mesa ward before they went up to Utah. It was 1918, and I want to say the Lucero Ward, maybe 1919, 1920. What message would you want to share with members of the Church who may not be really familiar with the impact of Latinos in the United States in the Church? Latino Latter-day Saints, people always say they appreciate their food and they appreciate their sense of family but seeing how they speak about the Gospel, seeing how they live it, seeing how they intellectually engage with their faith, is often not recognized. I would really love to see more the general Latter-day Saint community recognize the power and strength and intellectual capacity of Latino Latter-day Saints for leadership, for command of the Gospel I think that that’s where the next step should be is to recognize that these folks aren’t just converts that are creating more populace in the Church but they

It was a sister who, whose family was a big part of the Spanish-American branch. She was one of the youngest of a large family, so by the time she came around, her elder siblings were speaking English. Even though she heard, understood and could speak to her parents in Spanish, this woman was more familiar and comfortable going to an English ward because she could communicate in that language more easily. But she said that regardless of how comfortable or uncomfortable she feels and maybe self-conscious she feels speaking Spanish, when she walks into a Spanish ward or goes to a Spanish service and hears the hymns in Spanish — the exact same hymns that one sings in English but translated in Spanish —, it just feeds her, and it reminds her of her childhood and growing up in that ward, in that community. It reminds her of her parents who were big members and very active. It reminds her of what she believes and those moments of coming to age in the Church and having to be like, “This is no longer my parents’ church but now I have to define what it means to me.” That was happening while she was going to the Continued on pg. 26

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By Jeanie R. Davis

n Gilbert, Arizona, patriotism is synonymous with Bill Norton. Not only has he written several books on America’s history, he also cofounded Gilbert’s very own Constitution Week (2002-2017). Norton says, “National Constitution Week started in the 1950’s as members of the Daughters of the American Revolution pushed for it, so it’s been around for a long time (September 17-23). In 2002, our stake president (John Lewis) wanted to do a local Constitution Week celebration. He asked me and Barb Stowell to create a fair and parade. We got together and put on the first Constitution Week celebration in Gilbert in 2002. “It became the largest Constitution Week celebration in the country. At our main Constitution fair, we’d have 8,000-10,000 people. We’d also teach the Citizenship merit badge to about 1500 scouts a year. In the five weeks building up to Constitution Week, we had volunteers dress up as founding era characters and go into every classroom in Gilbert. Annually, we’d reach 25,000 students with messages on the Constitution. We held family Constitution lessons, and we’d give information to various churches and encourage them to teach a patriotic sermon that week. We had a great time doing it.” Sadly, because of the amount of time and money it demanded, Gilbert Constitution Week dissolved in 2017. Norton continues, “I was very involved with the Constitution and teaching people about American history and the fundamental principles of liberty before getting involved with Constitution Week. Since then, I have written curriculum we have put in the classrooms—a social studies simulation that helps students learn about the evolution of self-government and how we got our Constitution. We put them into immersive experiences instead of dumping them into a mock Constitution convention. We walk them through history so they can learn and prepare how to write a class constitution. “Immersive education has become my specialty. As a result, it has led to what I’m doing now. I’m the education director of Liberty Village. “Liberty Village is a thirty-acre site in Hurricane, Utah. We’re building 22 full-size historic replicas, such as Monticello, Mount Vernon and Ben Franklin’s house and Discovery Center. We have a print shop, and the Green Dragon Tavern, which is the tavern where the Sons of Liberty conspired the Boston Tea Party, etc.

“Immersive education has become my specialty. As a result, it has led to what I’m doing now. I’m the education director of Liberty Village."

Bill Norton at Liberty Village, courtesy Bill Norton.

“Liberty Village is currently open, but over the next six-eight years, we’ll continue building these replicas. It’s designed to be an immersive educational experience. When you go in the Green Dragon Tavern, you’re in the Green Dragon Tavern, learning about the Sons of Liberty. The print shop is the same. You’ll see an actual 18th century printing press in ac-

tion and do some hands-on workstations. “Anybody who finds themselves in southern Utah will want to make a stop there.” Norton has published the following books: The Miracle of America, Speaking the Language of Liberty, Behind the Bill of Rights, Behind the Declaration of Independence and Behind the Constitution.

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The Hill Cumorah.

All photos courtesy of LDS.org

HISTORY COMES ALIVE Take a Virtual Tour of Historic LDS Church Sites

By Katherine Ogden

M

any church members have a bucket list of LDS church sites that they would like to visit. The problem for many in not being able to complete their list is usually: A: not enough time, or B: not enough money, or C: often times both. For those not able to make physical trips to visit historical Church sites, virtual tours of many of these locations are now available. While participating on a digital screen from the comfort of home, Church missionaries walk visitors through the featured site, explaining exactly where they are and what they are looking at. Here’s a list of the tours available: The Sacred Grove, Part 1: The First Vision. Join Sisters Taylor and Norda as they walk you through the history of the Smith Family, how they moved to Palmyra, NY, built a home, Joseph’s finding of

the life changing scripture in James 1:5, and the following First Vision.

Follow Sisters Horn and Olson as they tell about the visit of the Angel Moroni to Joseph Smith.

but was not allowed to take them, until he understood that they were scripture and not to be used for monetary gain, as they tell of “in what manner (God’s) Kingdom was to be conducted in the last days”.

The Sacred Grove, Part 3: The Smith Family and the Book of Mormon.

The Priesthood Restoration site:

Sister’s Clifton and Steele will take you on a tour of the newer home built on the Smith farm, and explain how Joseph finally obtained the Golden Plates and worked to translate them.

Sister’s Bangerter and Barney tour the Hale home in Manchester, New York, where Joseph moves the Golden plates, hidden in a barrel of beans. Brother and Sister Bowen conduct the tour of Joseph and Emma’s first home, where Emma worked as Joseph’s scribe for over a month, until Martin Harris took over. There is also a separate video tour of the site’s dedication.

The Sacred Grove, Part 2: The Angel Moroni.

The Hill Cumorah and the preparation of a Prophet: Go with Sisters Hurst and Manchester as they walk the Hill Cumorah and explain how Joseph came many times to visit the plates

The Grandin building: Sharing the Book of Mormon with the World. Tour E.B. Grandin’s book store and printshop. The Whitmer farm, A Place of Miracles: Sister’s Levine and Martins will take you on a walk through the Whitmer farm located near Lafayette, New York, and relate how the Whitmers met Oliver Cowdery and through him, eventually, met Joseph and Emma Smith. The Whitney home and store: e

th Interior of

17 • ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

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• 18

Keep Moving Toward Faith! By Jaylene Garrett

A

life-changing talk was recently given in my ward by Nora Hogan, and I have permission to share. When Nora was little, she had cancer. She shared that at the time, she didn’t fully understand what was happening, “but I do remember the fear, the hospital visits and the unknowns. I also remember the peace that my family and I felt during that time.” She now has epilepsy with seizures. She felt overwhelmed with emotions while trying to understand why, and the doctors weren’t sure what to do. Then, after a priesthood blessing, she felt peace and knew the answer was coming. At her next doctor appointment, they had found that surgery would

significantly reduce the seizures. Nora testified, “Faith isn’t just believing that God can do great things— it’s trusting that He is already doing them, even when we can’t fully see it yet…the Lord isn’t just trying to change our circumstances. He is trying to change and shape us. …We might pray and not feel an immediate answer. …But this is exactly where faith matters most.” Recently, I came across a song by Aaron Bacus that reminded me of Nora’s testimony. He shares having “Joy in the Waiting” for answers. Part of the lyrics are: “Some days feel unproductive, like nothings taking shape. I’ll find joy in the waiting. I’ll find peace in the pause.

Photo courtesy of churchofjesuschrist.org

I’ll find joy in the waiting, cause you’re working while I pray. I don’t love the process, but I trust what it makes.” Nora shared, “In my 22 years, I’ve learned that the Lord is aware of what we are going through. He can turn our hardest experiences into something meaningful. And He is always working, even when we can’t see it. If we will look to Him, trust Him, and keep moving forward in faith, He will shape us into who we are meant to become.” Often our default thinking during trials is “Why do I have to go through this? I am trying to do what I should. Why now?” Adam fell that men might be, and

men are that they might have joy (2 Nephi 2:25) So, we “MIGHT have joy. We can choose joy even during hard times? How? During our prayers to God, we ask Him, “Help me see the lessons to learn. How can I be Christlike and feel how Christ would feel? I desire to do Thy will.” For example: When we don’t push our physical bodies with stronger weights, we have muscle loss. It happens to our spiritual bodies, too. Our spirit is stronger as we see eternal joy that’s coming even during hard things. We learn to make our earthly forever story with the same final chapter that Heavenly Father desires for us.

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• 20

Remembering the Founders of our Country

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he Book of Mormon in Alma 5:6 it states “… have you sufficiently retained in remembrance the captivity of your fathers?... and, “his mercy and longsuffering toward them?”… and “that he has delivered their souls from hell?” As I read this verse it turned my heart to our founding fathers who came to this country for religious freedom and found themselves in a form of slavery to England: taxation without representation. Upon rebelling they found themselves at war which was immeasurably horrific. At the end through the mercy and

long suffering of the Lord, he delivered them. Because of this deliverance it opened the door for the gospel of Jesus Christ to be restored on this land through the prophet Joseph Smith. This covered all three of the things spoken of in that verse: captivity, deliverance by the Lord, and restoration of His gospel which delivered their souls from hell. Many of the early pioneers found themselves in a form of bondage and were driven from place to place, often suffering greatly. In the end the Lord delivered them and took them to a place where they could practice their religion in relative peace. The Lord delivered them and it happened in such a way that they were not a part of the country that fought in the Civil War. He protected them and delivered them. He was truly watching out for them. This year we celebrate 250 years since the founding of this great country. Let us do as Alma suggested and remember those that have gone before. We need to remember their captivity and realize what led them to fight for freedom. We need to remember and be

By Lynne Tolman

Happy Birthday America! The Land of the Free and the home of the Brave!

aware of the blessings they received as they were delivered by the Lord from battles there was no way they could win. We need to remember that he made it possible for the gospel of Jesus Christ to be restored so that we could receive of those blessings of having our souls delivered from hell. Now that we have pondered these things, what can we do about them? We can search for our families that have and have not received these blessings. We can add pictures and stories about them onto FamilySearch.org. We can do what we can to help them receive these blessings. We can share with our families so that they can see the hand of the Lord in the lives of our founding fathers, our own fathers and in our own individual lives. We need to remember the hand of the Lord. He truly is in the details of our lives as he was in theirs.

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ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

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23 • ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

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

O

By Debra C. Eaton

Consecrate

n a Wednesday at noon, while driving south to pick up my grandson, I notice a small grey SUV approaching from the oncoming inside lane. The driver unexpectedly accelerates and turns directly in front of me. In heavy traffic, surrounded by other drivers and oncoming cars in the north lanes, my only choice is to stop and brace for the inevitable impact. Metal crashes into metal, airbags explode, jolting pain rip my chest, hips, and legs. I hear myself scream and black out. I wake up, confused, everything feels like a bad dream, and for a moment I don’t remember what has happened. I smell smoke. My face feels seared. My arm and wrist look deformed. I clutch it to my chest, and the pain makes me nauseous. The rest

is a blur and when darkness veils my vision, I wonder, am I dead? Turns out the driver was drunk and taken to jail. I am left to face pain, fear, and anger, sort through scattered pieces of what happened and understand what my future holds. I receive blessings, one phrase strikes me repeatedly, “… consecrate thy pain to the Lord.” Consecrate thy pain. To consecrate something means to dedicate it to a sacred purpose or to make holy. How does one make pain or affliction holy? In Hebrew, Qadash (‫)ׁשַדָק‬, the most common root for consecrate, means “to be holy” or “to set apart.” It involves dedicating a person, object, or place for a sacred purpose while removing it from common or profane use. Through spiritual practice, we make pain “holy” by changing suffering as a source of

despair into purpose, connection, and redemption to God. The worst of my accident is sleepless nights from pain. Allergies to pain medications only allow acetaminophen and prayer. I remember my blessings and spend long hours in prayer offering pain back to the Savior. This scripture pops into my mind, “…thou knowest the greatness of God; And he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain.” 2nd Nephi 2: 1-2 The gain happens. The first lingering night, I angrily think of the drunk driver. I pray for pain relief, but my heart is pricked and compassion wells within me. What pain would cause someone to be drunk at noon on a weekday? Able to forgive him, peace floods me, not the pain relief I was expecting, yet perfect.

Pain remains my companion, sleep elusive, but as I continue to set it apart and offer it to the Savior, I feel changed, connected, and peace. “No pain we suffer, no trial we experience is wasted...All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us tender and charitable…It is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire.” Orson F. Whitney Pain is personal, with many layers. But so is Jesus’s atonement in our time of need. He suffered all for you and me.

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• 24

By Robin Finlinson

Come Follow Me This article supports the assigned Bible readings in the manual titled Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church for July-August, 2026, from 1 Kings 12 through Psalm 86.

America’s 250 Years:

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self, born into the tribe of Judah. Known then as Jesus, He, the Lamb of God (Gen. 22:8; John 1:29; 1 Cor. 5:7), first taught His gospel, which was filled with restored and additional truths of eternity, only to people known as Jews—the majority of those living in Judea and Galilee, for example. The religion of the Samaritans living between those two areas was quite different, and they were not considered Jews. But soon Jesus Christ and His Apostles would extend their ministry to Samaria and to other lands, called Gentile nations, where most or all of the population was not Jewish. Soon after Christ’s death, apostasy occurred, as it had numerous times. Restoration of truth was again needed. This time, the last to have truth restored in Christ’s day (people in Gentile lands but still of the house of Israel), would receive it first. (Matt. 20:16) But it would require a Gentile nation that could partner liberty with righteousness—the freedom to choose to keep the commandments of God if so desired. (D&C 101:77-80)

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That nation would finally be established only 250 years ago, with a Declaration of Independence from “the British Crown” and appeal to “the Supreme Judge of the World.” Many who come to America have in their veins the blood of the fractured, scattered lineage of the house of Israel— specifically of Ephraim. (Gen. 48; Abraham 2:8-11) That tribe is called in this dispen-

sation to serve the Lord by helping to mend the fracture. Those who heed the call and covenant with Him become “chosen” for His work of inviting all the house of Israel, plus anyone not of that lineage, to likewise engage in the work—to spread His light and truth, and to become chosen for eternal life with God. (2 Continued on pg. 27

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omething interesting in 1 Kings is that it details the very moment—including why—the tribes of Israel divided into the Southern Kingdom of Judea, with Judah being the dominant tribe, and the Northern Kingdom, called Israel, where Samaria would be its main region and where Ephraim was dominant among its 10 tribes. (See Chapter 12) Eventually, much more division would occur. So many thousands of those in the north would be captured by other peoples and dispersed into various lands, that their posterity is now in every part of the world, and practicing countless religions. Scriptures also foretell the tribes being reunited—not only to their promised lands, but reconciled as a people of one heart, and reconciled with God through renewed covenant. (Isa. 11:12-13; 3 Nephi 21; D&C 45 & 133) But how? The Holy One of Israel, the Great Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, would come to earth Him-

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Yo u r M e n ta l H e a lt h

By Allison Beckert

When Home Feels Too Full Yoga stretch.

A

Photo by Anonymous, Pixabay

rizona summers have a way of bringing everyone together, whether we planned on it or not. When temperatures climb into the triple digits, outdoor activities shrink, errands become strategic, and many of us spend more time indoors than expected. Homes fill with family members, conversations, television shows, notifications, and screens. Even when we enjoy the people around us, that constant closeness can leave our minds feeling crowded. You don’t have to escape your life to find relief. The most effective resets are often small, simple, and close at hand. Create a Space to Pause When you can’t get away, having a place to reset becomes more important. It doesn’t need to be a dedicated room. It might be a favorite chair, a quiet corner, or a spot on the patio in the early morning. If possible, make it screen-free. During Arizona summers, when going

Mormon Barrio

Continued from pg. 14

Spanish-American ward, so I always thought that that was a very important moment of being in touch with one’s feelings and how one feels about those spaces and why they need to be protected. You wrote about tracing this view of where Latinos could then be empowered to be in charge of their own missions and there’s a lot of “tender superiority.” It really speaks to the fact that even the most well-intentioned missionary or well-intentioned member who wants to support Latino Latter-day Saints, I think they definitely appreciate that. They’d much rather that than somebody who doesn’t want them in the ward. But even in that case, one has to

Resetting Your Mind in a Busy, Connected Summer outside isn’t always practical, a personal “cool-down zone” can create valuable breathing room. Take Breaks from Noise and Screens Many of us think rest requires a vacation. More often, it looks like ten quiet minutes. A short walk before sunrise, a few minutes with a book, or simply sitting quietly can help reset your mental energy. Consider leaving your phone behind as well. When we feel overwhelmed, it’s natural to reach for our devices. But replacing one stream of stimulation with another doesn’t always give our minds the break they need. Think of these moments like stepping into the shade on a hot day. They may be brief, but they help you recover. Pay Attention to Your Inputs Summer often raises the baseline level of noise. More people at home means more conversations, televisions, devices, and notifications competing for attention. If you’re feeling mentally tired consider what you can reduce. Turn off un-

be very conscious and self-aware of when they’re coming off as like they know more and really thinking about ways in which they can use their voice as historical members of the Church to empower Latino Latter-day Saints to not feel like they don’t know as much but to empower them to create spaces where they can shine. Otherwise, it’s a very top-down approach. If one group is doing all the saving and the other group is being saved that sets up a power dynamic so that the group being saved or converting is not always seen as equal or as knowledgeable. So, really shifting one’s approach toward how Latino Latter-day Saints are not just recipients of the faith but are actually leaders of the faith, I think it is important. Mormon Barrio is available for purchase on amazon.com.

Mute Button. Photo by Renate Köppel, Pixabay

necessary notifications, mute group chats, or choose a quieter evening activity. The same principle applies to social media. Screens aren’t the enemy, but notice how you feel afterward. Some online activities leave us refreshed and others leave us more restless and drained. Awareness helps us choose what actually supports our well-being. Adjust Expectations Social media can make it seem like everyone else is having a more exciting summer than you are. Meanwhile, your reality may include work schedules, household responsibilities, siblings underfoot, and finding creative ways to stay cool until October. That’s okay. Arizona summers have their own rhythm. Contentment grows when we stop comparing our lives to someone else’s highlight reel and appreciate the season

we’re actually living. Anchor Your Day with Something Real Summer often disrupts routines. When life feels less structured, even one consistent habit can provide stability. This could be a morning prayer, a few verses of scripture, a gratitude journal, a walk, or a few quiet minutes before bed. Small practices repeated consistently help create calm. They remind us that peace often comes through simple things. Arizona summers can feel intense physically, mentally, and socially. But even when we can’t change our environment we can influence how we move through it. Small intentional resets from constant noise, notifications, and distractions can make a real difference. Even in the hottest months of the year, there’s still room to find calm, clarity, and connection.

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ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

• 26

By Valerie Hollobaugh

Join NAFFA’s C.I.R.C.L.E. Weekly Emails to Strengthen Your Family

Native American Fatherhood and Families Association (NAFFA) is in the business of strengthening families. We are excited to share a new resource developed by our NAFFA team: A weekly email to strengthen and empower families called C,I.R.C.L.E. (Cultivate, Inner Strength, Restoring, Connection, Lifting, Each other). Every family need encouragement and inspiration to strengthen and keep relationships strong. Parents play one of the most meaningful and demanding roles in life which can make them feel isolated, especially during challenging seasons. Encouraging emails can serve as steady reminders that they are not alone in that responsibility. In the middle of busy schedules, stress, and uncertainty, a simple message of encouragement can refocus a parent’s mindset on what matters most: connection, patience, and love within the family. Sign up to receive these emails each week to provide practical tools, meaningful conversations and empowering challenges to grow stronger together as a family. Each week will provide a practical tip in learning something valuable to help your family as well as family conversation starters or activities to strengthen your connection at home and a weekly challenge that helps grow and build resilience. Strengthening families doesn’t happen all at once; it happens through small, intentional actions repeated over time. Native American Fatherhood and Families Association work to educate and inspire parents in over 350 Native tribes and agencies across the country and Canada. Starting in 2003, founder Albert Pooley developed a curriculum, called Fatherhood is Sacred®, specifically designed to teach Native American fathers to be responsible parents. Since then, the program has expanded to include Motherhood is Sacred®, Linking Generations by Strengthening Relationships® and Addressing Family Violence and Abuse©, Suicide Prevention© and Transforming Tomorrow’s Youth programs. If you would like to receive C.I.R.C.L.E. emails for your family, sign up at circle@aznaffa.org These emails offer practical hints and family activities in the following areas: goal setting and growth ideas, mental health awareness, resilience and communication ideas and suicide prevention. For more information, please see nativeamericanfathers.org and email circle@aznaffa.org.

Come Follow Me

Continued from pg. 25

Chron. 17 & 19; Ps. 33:12; Moses 1:39) The way of Christ includes, for everyone, the freedom to choose one’s final destiny. The chosen people of “such a time as this” (Esther 4:14) can learn much from those chosen anciently. We might boldly, yet humbly request, as Job did: “Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.” (Job 21:3) What was he mocked for? His steadfastness despite suffering, for one thing. Job wished for his words to be “graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever,” so all could read his declaration: “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.” (Job 19:23-26)

27 • ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

Perhaps we’ll take courage from Mordecai, who, according to Jewish scholars, refused to bow down to Haman—not out of disrespect—but because Haman presented himself as an idol to be worshipped. (Esther 3:2) Psalms offer timely encouragement, such as when we’re “inclosed” in “the assembly of the wicked” and tempted to walk “in the counsel of the ungodly,” rather than “delight” “in the law of the Lord.” (Ps. 1:1-2; 22:16) But do the chosen really still covenant with God and use temples, or did Christ fulfill all ceremonial requirements of the Law of Moses? Isaiah provides the answer: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established…” Read Isaiah 2:2-3. (See also Ps. 50:5; 65:1) When the “times of the Gentiles” is fulfilled, the Lion of Judah will return. (Luke 21:24-27; Rev. 5:5)

By Mark Randall

ne Saturday morning my dear wife left for a family history seminar. Knowing I was going to the animal shelter to get a new dog to replace our Pomeranian who had recently passed. She wanted me to get a small dog so she said, “Be sure to get a ‘lap’ dog.” Well, I’m a little hard of hearing so when she got home she discovered our new chocolate Labrador sprawled all over my lap. I said, “Well you wanted me to get a ‘lab’ dog!

D.N.A.

A Game Changing Family History Tool By Barbie VanCott

P

eggy Ash is an Accredited Genealogist Professional. Her parents were professional genealogists. They were her inspiration. She watched her mother diligently research and amass a large database of family names. She worried that their stories weren’t being told. So Peggy was inspired to take on the role of storyteller and began gathering stories. After her mother’s untimely death in 2002, she felt the torch had been passed to her. Peggy began taking a deep dive into research and writing. This developed into a passion for helping others learn their family stories and share their memories. In 2013 she began teaching, attracting people from all over the valley to attend her weekly family history classes. She volunteered at the Mesa Temple Visitors’ Center and other FamilySearch Centers, teaching and assisting others. After her husband passed away in 2020 she was inspired and became accredited, with a specialty in U.S. Southwest research. DNA has become a very useful tool, for verifying and extending family lines and stories. Using autosomal DNA matches and intensive tree building, DNA can identify missing parents with-

in 6-8 generations. Y-DNA can be used for surname line research, going much deeper in time. Peggy has diligently followed the industry. It has evolved and become much easier to utilize. Curiosity over ethnicity is the main attraction for many DNA testers. DNA ethnicities continue to become much more accurate, as new reference populations are added to the different DNA companies. Rechecking results periodically shows improved ethnicities. DNA matches and tree building are the true gold standard for DNA analysis. Analysis requires specialized skills. DNA should always be approached with caution and sensitivity, due to its highly emotional components. The fact is that it doesn’t lie but can be misinterpreted. Assisting others can be an emotional journey. Peggy has helped individuals find parents in miraculous and wonderful ways. She has helped individuals discover things they wish they had not. Here is an example. After an emotional DNA discovery of a class member, that her brother was a half-brother, she asked Peggy to help her identify which of her two great grandfather’s wives was the mother of her grandmother. The paper trail indicated it was wife number one; however, DNA told a different story.

It surprisingly showed that neither of the wives was her mother. But even more surprisingly, it showed that the great grandfather was not her parent. Her grandmother had been adopted. So, the class member’s German ancestry became Irish. This helped explain her highly Irish ethnicity. When DNA discovers unknown biological lines, it adds to a family. Family is family whether it is social or biological. The class member can now

add more family names to her family tree. (Shared with permission.) Peggy is currently spearheading a volunteer effort in retirement communities to help people add their four generations and memories to FamilySearch, before it is too late. She encourages everyone to do likewise. She also assists with DNA research. You can see Peggy’s class materials on her blog: peggyspowerpoints. blogspot.com.

ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

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A Sweet Revolution

Continued from pg. 11

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

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the spirit behind the brand. While the concept is lighthearted, Brooker’s mission emphasizes quality and service. The company says it aims to provide the highest-quality products and customer experience while celebrating the principles and stories associated with America’s founding. For Chandler families, the grand opening arrives as summer calendars fill with outings, celebrations, and evening escapes from the heat. Children can encounter historical figures in a fun and approachable setting, while adults can enjoy premium desserts in an atmosphere unlike a typical ice cream parlor. In a season when many residents

are looking for ways to cool off without leaving town, Brooker’s offers a destination built around both refreshment and experience. The arrival of Brooker’s Founding Flavors adds another distinctive stop to Chandler’s growing business community. By combining history, hospitality, and handcrafted desserts, the company has carved out a niche unlike any other ice cream shop in the Valley. Whether visitors come for the novelty, the history, or simply a great scoop of ice cream, Brooker’s Founding Flavors is inviting the community to celebrate summer one revolutionary scoop at a time. Visit Brookers Founding Flavors Ice Cream at 2560 W Chandler Blvd Suite 3, in Chandler, Arizona.

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29 • ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

I believe in limited, accountable government that defends constitutional rights and puts families first; secure elections, safe communities, parental authority, educational freedom, and real economic opportunity. I am unapologetically pro‑life because every life carries inherent dignity—and that conviction demands action. Strong families build a strong nation, and I’m committed to fighting for both.

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Things to Do when You’re “Bored” (That Actually Matter)

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ummer boredom is practically a tradition. By July and August, the novelty of summer break has worn off, the Arizona heat is doing its best to keep everyone indoors, and even our favorite activities can start to feel a little repetitive. But what if boredom isn’t actually a problem to solve? What if it’s an invitation? Sometimes boredom allows us to choose better instead of easier. Do Something That Feels a Little Uncomfortable When there’s nothing demanding your attention it’s easy to drift toward whatever is most comfortable. That’s usually when the things we know would be good for us start sounding difficult: practicing an instrument, learning a new skill, exercising, starting a project,

31 • ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

By Allison Beckert

or finally tackling something we’ve been putting off. Motivation rarely arrives first, it shows up after we’ve started. Just give yourself five minutes. Open the book. Pick up the guitar. Watch the tutorial. Take the first step. Help Someone Without Being Asked One of the fastest ways to escape boredom is to stop focusing on yourself. Wash the dishes before someone asks. Offer to help a sibling. Check on a neighbor. Volunteer to run an errand. Send a text to someone who might need encouragement. Meaningful service isn’t dramatic. It’s often quiet, ordinary, and easy to overlook. You don’t have to wait for a major service project to make a difference.

Photo by Pete Linforth, Pixabay

thirty to sixty minutes without your phone. Leave it in another room. Turn off notifications. Give yourself permission to be temporarily unavailable. At first, you may feel restless but once the noise fades, you’ll often find yourself naturally moving toward a conversation, a project, a book, a hobby, or an idea that never would have surfaced otherwise.

Make, Instead of Consume

Sit With Your Thoughts for a Minute

When boredom strikes many of us instinctively reach for a screen. Consuming content can fill time without really satisfying us. Thirty minutes of scrolling often leaves us feeling exactly as restless as when we started. Creating works differently. Write a story. Draw a sketch. Bake cookies. Build something. Organize a closet. Plant herbs in a pot. Rearrange your room. Learn a new recipe. It doesn’t have to be impressive, useful, or worthy of social media. Even a small project can leave you feeling more energized than an hour spent scrolling.

In a world full of constant input, many of us have forgotten how to simply sit still for a few minutes. Yet some of our best insights arrive when we stop trying to fill every moment. Take a walk early in the morning. Sit outside after sunset. Pray. Write in a journal. Spend a few minutes reflecting on your goals, questions, or gratitude. You don’t need a grand spiritual experience. Just create a little space. Summer boredom isn’t the enemy. It’s a signal that we have a choice. Default to distraction, or step into something a little more intentional. This summer, even one small shift—a helpful act, a creative project, a quiet moment, or a no-phone hour— can turn an ordinary day into something meaningful.

Choose a No-Phone Hour Our phones are designed to provide instant entertainment whenever a quiet moment appears. Try setting aside

Take on The Giants in Your Own Life!

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ris Heap’s new book, The 5 Stones of David is an inspirational book based on the story of David and Goliath. In the book, the five stones that David carries into battle against Goliath represent five principles learned through his journey. “The principles are Vision, Courage, Self-Discipline, Perseverance, and Faith. Those principles all build on one another and if developed properly can help someone accomplish incredible things in life,” says Heap. He says the idea for the book came when he served as the bishop of his ward. He enjoyed spending time with the youth and wanted to eap. Author Kris H find ways to inspire them to face the challenges in their lives. During that time, he read the book The Alchemist, by Paolo Coelho.

By Cindy R. Williams

Beehive

BOOK

Heap says, he fell in love with the story and lessons it taught. “I wanted to create a similar book based on the scriptures that could resonate with young people. The story of David and Goliath immediately came to mind,” says Heap. He started the book fifteen years ago, but “hit mental roadblocks along the way.” In 2025, he set a personal goal to finish the book. Heap says, “Looking back, I realize that the person I was fifteen years ago couldn’t have written the book the way it needed to be written. I needed the additional fifteen years of life experiences and wisdom for the book to be as powerful as it could be.” Finishing the book made Heap feel that “I was accomplishing one of the things I was sent to the earth to do.”

Reviews Some of Heap’s favorite lines in the book are: “The Lord doesn’t need me to be perfect; He just needs me to be willing.” And, “Too many people miss out on the important journeys of life because they wait until they feel completely ready to start. That is a mistake.” Heap says, “I’m a dentist, author, and motivational speaker from Mesa, AZ. I’m a native Arizonan. In my free time I enjoy hiking and photography. I live in Mesa with my wife, Sarah, and 4 kids.” The Five Stones of David is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble online, Audible, Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, and at his Mesa, AZ dental practice, Inspire!

From Jewish to a Member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. By Cindy R. Williams

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to write about what it was like to grow up in a Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Jewish religious home and how my family’s Synagogue, An Unexpected Path to the Sadecision to join The Church of Jesus Christ of cred Grove is a new book by author Valerie Latter-day Saints impacted our lives,” says J. Steimle, a Mesa, Arizona mother of nine grown Steimle. children and grandmother of twenty. She was born Steimle continues, “Writing into a Jewish family. At the age of ten-years old, she this whole book was a spiritual was baptized along with her family into experience. I felt as if I was the Church of Jesus Christ of called to write this jourLatter-day saints. ney of mine and in some About her book, Steimle way, it will help others poses, “Ever wonder what to understand the Jewit’s like to live a life as a ish religion and how it devoted Jew? Then finding relates to The Church The Church of Jesus Christ of of Jesus Christ of LatterLatter-day Saints? The book day Saints. For my cousins, who now follows my journey from Jewish know we are members of the LDS girl to devoted member of the Church, I’m hoping that if they read LDS Church. In it, the reader this book, they will understand why will learn about the religion and we joined and the blessings we traditions of both faiths and how have enjoyed living this new life. they complement each other. After le. rie Steim le a “My hope for the readers of this finishing six books, I felt prompted V r Autho

book is that they would gain an appreciation of the Jewish religion and traditions and know how Judaism is just one step away from the true Gospel of Jesus Christ,” says Steimle. “The joy in writing this book came from discovering and sharing the many values that Jews and Latter-day Saints hold in common. Writing the book has deepened my appreciation for both traditions and given me the opportunity to build understanding, respect, and friendship between people of different faiths.” The book is available on Amazon. You will find her writings on “The Blessings of Family Life” at valeriesteimle.blogspot.com

ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

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What’s Cooking?

By Ready Hive Hannah

By The Arizona Beehive Magazine

WATERMELON AND ARUGULA SALAD

The Ready Hive

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refreshing summer salad with spicy arugula, sweet, juicy watermelon, salty feta, nutty pine nuts and refreshing mint. Peppery arugula is our pick for the greens in this salad, but change it out for your favorite greens. The simple vinaigrette finishes off the salad nicely, or just squeeze a couple of lemons if you prefer an even lighter finish. It’s perfect for barbecues as it is easy to make and it’s one that everyone will love. When adding red onions in salads, soak the onion in a bowl of water while you prep the other ingredients. It helps eliminate the harsh taste you often get with raw onions!

The Silent Summer Killer

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(And No, It’s Not Your Bored Kids)

t is officially that time of year again. The time when my car dashboard reads a temperature so high I initially think it must be broken. The time when I ask my kids, “Did you bring water?” approximately forty-seven times a day. We live in Arizona. We know heat. But here is the thing: We get cocky. We think because we survive it every year, we are immune. But heat is still the deadliest natural disaster we face. And as moms, as ministering sisters, as neighbors? We need to take it seriously.

VINAIGRETTE INGREDIENTS ■ ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, 2 lemons ■ 2 T red vinegar ■ ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil ■ 1 T honey, optional ■ 1 minced large shallot ■ 1 tsp. salt ■ ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper

SALAD INGREDIENTS ■ 6 cups baby arugula or mixed greens ■ 3 cups seedless or seeded watermelon chunks ■ 4 T minced red onion, about ¾ inch thick slice ■ 1⁄3 cup crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese ■ ¼ cup toasted pine nuts ■ 1 cup whole fresh mint leaves, julienned

Serves 4. Prep Time: 20 min; Total Time: 20 min 33 • ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

VINAIGRETTE PREP In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice and vinegar. Whisk in the olive oil slowly. If you want a little sweeter dressing, add the honey and whisk again. Add the shallot and salt and pepper. Mix and set aside.

SALAD ASSEMBLY STEP 1: Wash and dry arugula or greens and add to a large salad bowl. Add the chunks of watermelon to the bowl and drizzle with a little of the vinaigrette, tossing to lightly coat the greens. STEP 2: If using the soaking method for the red onion, drain then slice. Dice the red onion and it should equal about 4 tablespoons. Crumble the feta and add to the bowl of greens, along with the diced red onions, toasted pine nuts and julienned mint. Gently toss again. STEP 3: Taste and adjust seasonings or add more vinaigrette if desired. Serve immediately. If not serving right away, adjust seasonings and add more vinaigrette when served.

The Mom Taxi Survival Kit If you are like me, you basically live in your vehicle between piano, mutual, and soccer practice. Your car is a second home, which means it needs a second-home level of preparedness. I recently cleaned out my minivan and realized my “emergency kit” was a joke. A granola bar from 2022 and a single sock. Not helpful. Here is what actually needs to live in your car from now until October: • Actual Water: Not the bottle that has been sitting in the cup holder for a week. A case. Throw it in the back. Your kids will drink it at practice, and you can rotate it out. • The «Overheat» Plan: If you break down on the 10 between Phoenix and Tucson, you cannot stand on the side of the road. Keep a reflective sunshade AND a large scarf you can wet down. Draping a wet towel over your neck while you wait is not dramatic. It is survival. • Electrolytes: Grab a box of electrolyte powder at Costco and toss some in the glove box. They taste like Kool-Aid, so my kids actually drink them.

The «Oh No, The Power Went Out» Scenario We talk about food storage all the time. But do we have a plan for when the AC goes silent in July? A few weeks ago, a monsoon storm knocked out power in our neighborhood for four hours. By hour three, my kids were draped over the tile floor like lizards. By hour four, I was googling hotels. So here is my new rule: Before monsoon season really hits, I am checking my ward list. Who on my ministering route has medical issues? Who is over 80? Who just had a baby? Because when the power goes out, those are the people who need a cool car to sit in or an invitation to crash on our cool tile floor. The Low-Tech Hack Also, can we talk about windows? Blackout curtains aren’t just for baby naps. If the power goes out, cover south and west-facing windows with blankets or emergency space blankets. It reflects the heat out and keeps your inside temperature from skyrocketing. The Bottom Line I am not saying we need to panic. I am saying we need to be smart. The Spirit warns us to be prepared for a reason. Sometimes that is a nudge to buy water. Sometimes it is a feeling to check on the widow before the heat wave hits. This week, take five minutes. Throw water in the car. Text a neighbor. Make sure your people know that if things get hot—literally—you have a plan. And for the love of all that is holy, rotate your car snacks. Stay prepared, stay cool.

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FEED FAMILIES By newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org

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he Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has now delivered truckloads of food to all 50 U.S. states as part of its effort to commemorate the United States’ 250th anniversary. The milestone was reached with a food delivery to Hilo, Hawaii, on June 13, 2026, and was highlighted at events in Hawaii and Boston, as well as volunteer efforts in Alaska. This significant effort was further recognized in Boston, where on Wednesday, June 17, a semitruck carrying more than 37,000 pounds of food from the Church was delivered to the Catholic Charities Boston Yawkey Center. The food was distributed on Saturday, June 20, in honor of Juneteenth.

All photos courtesy of Intellectual Reserve, Inc.

35 • ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •

The effort is part of America 250’s nationwide “America Gives” initiative, and is supported by JustServe. An event announcing the donation brought together local leaders, volunteers and faith organizations to distribute provisions to families in need. “Reaching all 50 states is an extraordinary milestone for America Gives and a powerful reminder that service connects us across geography, backgrounds and beliefs,” said Rosie Rios, Chair of America250 and former U.S. Treasurer. “From Alaska and Hawaii to Boston and beyond, Americans

are showing that one of the best ways to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday is by serving their neighbors and strengthening their communities.” By year’s end, 250 truckloads of food will have been distributed nationwide, representing millions of meals. Half of those 250 truckloads have already been delivered. “This wonderful donation from our friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints demonstrates that food insecurity knows no boundaries of faith, race, or socioeconomic level,” said Cristiano Barbosa, an Auxiliary Bishop with the Archdiocese of Boston. “As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States, we owe it to people struggling now, and in the future, to eliminate food insecurity in this country.” Spanning the country, a similar gathering occurred in Hilo on June 13. Community and faith leaders gathered to express gratitude for the Church’s 45-foot container full of food and supplies and to distribute it to those in need on both the Hilo and Kona sides of the island. Much of the food is provided through the Church’s global welfare system, which includes farms, processing facilities and storehouses that produce and distribute staple goods. The container was received by The Food Basket, a Hawaii Island food bank, and distributed to 10 nonprofit organizations, including food pantries, faith-based ministries, recovery homes and youth and family service organizations. Food is an important resource on Hawaii Island. According to Food Basket Operations Manager Enola Kaneta, some 42% of residents experience food insecurity — the highest rate in the state. Another June food delivery came to an even more remote part of the United States. On June 11, a shipment traveled thousands of miles by land and sea before arriving in Fairbanks, Alaska,

where it was delivered to a community food bank and prepared for distribution. Some of that food will reach as far as Utqiagvik, the northernmost community in the United States. Several youth JustServe volunteers came together in Fairbanks to sort, pack and move the food for distribution, carrying boxes to trucks and preparing shipments for communities across the region. “We never know who the boxes are going to, but it doesn’t matter who they’re going to,” said volunteer Taylor Eddington. “We just know it’s going to help them.” As with Boston, other deliveries have reached some of the larger U.S. metropolitan areas. These include donations previously reported on in Los Angeles (January) and Dallas (May 14), and another contribution in Detroit (May 21). The 40,000-pound delivery of shelfstable food to the Motor City is helping 25 congregations connected to the Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity via a collaboration with Forgotten Harvest food bank. According to Forgotten Harvest, food demand has increased between 15% to 30%. “This is more than a distribution. This is a lifeline,” said the Rev. Yvette Griffin of Pilgrim Baptist Church in Detroit. Across the country, these efforts are often carried out through collaborations among faith groups, nonprofits and community leaders. These donations help anyone in need and reflect the importance of unity, service, generosity and a shared commitment to following Jesus Christ. As Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity President Orville K. Littlejohn said, “It is time to move beyond denominations and dogma and respond to the call of Jesus Christ that we all honor and serve the community. We recognize we have more in common than different.”

VALLEY TEMPLE SCHEDULES Additional Information: • Reservations available, walk-ins welcome. All are welcome to the house of the Lord. Patrons who would like to come without a scheduled reservation may be asked to wait or participate in another ordinance. Click the Reservations button on your temple’s website to schedule or modify a reservation.

Veterans Share Sacred Bond By Lin Sue Flood, Hospice of the Valley

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his July, as we celebrate America’s independence, the bonds of military service between two veterans are stronger than ever. This powerful connection drives Hospice of the ValleysSaluting Our Veterans program, which matches patients with volunteers who also served our country. Specially trained volunteers have completed more than 3,500 tribute visits since the program launched in 2011. For hospice patients like Bill, an Air Force veteran of the Korean War era, these visits bring a profound sense of peace. His volunteer, Tom Kasbeer of Chandler, is a fellow veteran who visits frequently to talk about the olden days. When I salute him, it makes me feel proud to be a veteran, Tom says. Its like I have a whole new friend in Mr. Bill. During the Korean conflict, Bill held a high-level Department of Defense security clearance. He served in a communications role and as a teletype operator in High Wycombe, England, working grueling night shifts to transmit encrypted strategic orders and intelligence. Despite his vital service, Bill remains incredibly humble. “I got no business getting a salute,” Bill chuckles, downplaying his role because he was never in direct danger. But Tom firmly disagrees: “Bill's not good about being honored... he very much deserves the honors he’s gotten along the way.” That much-deserved recognition came to fruition recently. Bill was originally selected to travel to Washington, D.C., with Honor Flight Arizona. But as his health declined over

• 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, July 4 Saturday, October 3, 2026 Monday, October 5 - Monday, October 19, 2026

Mesa Arizona Temple Photo by Hospice of the Valley

Hospice of the Valley volunteer Tom Kasbeer honors patient Bill with a salute for his service.

the last couple of months, his son and daughter realized the cross-country trip would be too taxing for the 95-yearold. Instead, Honor Flight Arizona partnered with Hospice of the Valley to bring the best part of the journey directly to him: the Welcome Home ceremony at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Honor Flight Arizona pulled out all the stops, presenting him with an official Honor Flight T-shirt, a Mail Call bag packed with letters of gratitude written to veterans and a starring role in the airport parade, rolling under a sea of American flags while 130 people stood and cheered. Wiping away tears throughout the emotional ceremony, Bill was saluted

by dozens of travelers. At one point, a pair of Southwest Airlines pilots spotted his Air Force hat and offered a sharp nod and a salute. Back home in his Tempe residence, Bill now treasures a custom, patriotic quilt handmade by a hospice volunteer. As a former high school woodworking teacher from the Chicago suburbs, Bill appreciates the craftsmanship of the gift, smiling and noting: Its my colors. Hospice of the Valley welcomes volunteers interested in bringing comfort and camaraderie to patients like Bill. Visit hov.org/volunteer/salutingour-veterans to learn more about joining the tribute team. Lin Sue Flood is Director of Community Engagement at Hospice of the Valley.

101 S. LeSueur, Mesa, AZ, 852014 (1) 480-833-1211 Services: Clothing rental available. No Cafeteria Upcoming Closures 2026 Saturday, July 4 Monday, July 27 - Monday, September 7, 2026 Saturday, October 3, 2026

Phoenix Arizona Temple 5220 W. Pinnacle Peak Road, Phoenix, AZ 85310 (1) 623-474-9500 Services: No clothing or cafeteria Upcoming Closures 2026 Saturday, July 4 Monday, August 31 - Monday, November 30, 2026

Distribution Centers Mesa 445 E Main Street (480) 969-2170 Gilbert 2894 S San Tan Village Pkwy (480) 9263234 Phoenix 2919 W Agua Fria Fwy (480) 660-6100

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