A Sunday School teacher models how to teach from "Come, Follow Me" in the new 25-minute class period in a video from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to watch on Sunday, September 6, 2026. Photo is a screenshot from ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
2 New Sunday Schedule Building Disciples
7 Murder in Snowflake Charles & James Flake Story
11 Deseret Industries Giving & Receiving
14 Playing the Harp With Lindsey Stirling
16 The Constitution
Greatest Governing Document
19 Creating Your Life
Using God's Creative Process
20 Youth
Choosing Christ Every Day
21 Family History
Resources to Build Family Tree
24 The Gospel In A Word Government
25 Come Follow Me
America, Lawfully the Lord's
26 Your Mental Health Healthcare Concerns
28 Sacred Ground
Joseph Smith Tour Journal
30 Fall Family Fun
Four Festivals & Adventures
31 Beehive Book Review The Court Conspiracy
32 Like Another Planet Five Places in Arizona
Comedy Corner
33 What's Cooking
New Orlean's Style Muffuletta
The Ready Hive
Get a Jump on Holiday Gifts
35 Dating in Today's World
Dating & Artificial Intelligence
36 Just Serve
Thrift Shoppers Love the Dove
Valley Temples
Schedules & Info
New Sunday Schedule HELPS BUILD DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST
W
hy we do a thing is more important than how we do a thing. In an effort to provide an understanding to our readers of why this change took place, we present the following transcript of an interview Elder David P. Homer, General Authority Seventy gave to Church News reporter Mary Richards on The Church News Podcast, May 26, 2026. From this transcript, we’ve culled out discussion on this very topic: Why did the Church make this change? Mary Richards: Let’s talk about the logistics and timing of this change that’s coming up in September. Why is this happening? Elder David P. Homer: Well, I think this starts probably, maybe the best context for that is what President [Dallin H.] Oaks said when he became President of the Church, when he just simply taught us that “Jesus Christ is the way.” This is part of a long-going effort on the part of the Church to try and help members to become more devout and lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ. And I think that’s the place to start with really everything that’s happening. Of course, there are other things that will happen because of what’s going on here. One of the other things that I think will be a great benefit of this is that this will connect what’s
By The Arizona Beehive Magazine
By the time this issue of The Arizona Beehive Magazine hits the streets, most readers will have experienced a Sunday or two of the Church’s new Second Hour Schedule. The mechanics of how it works will quickly become familiar. In short order we’ll all struggle to recall what it was like to meet the way we were meeting. Like it’s hard to imagine meeting for three hours on Sunday after only a few years of meeting for two.
happening at home with what’s happening at church in a more direct way. And people might wonder: “What do you mean? What does that look like?” Well, adults in the Church were only studying “Come, Follow Me” every other week. And then every other week, they were in priesthood quorums and they were in Relief Society. They were talking about general conference messages, all wonderful things. But they didn’t have the same experience that the youth were having or that the Primary children were having, where they had the opportunity to be discussing and studying that week’s study from “Come, Follow Me” every single week. And so, one of the things that happens with this new schedule is that Sunday School meets every week, and we now have an opportunity to literally connect what’s happening at home with what’s happening at church for everyone. And so this is going to strengthen the home-centered and Church-supported changes that were announced a few years ago. Mary Richards: When people ask why, we can point to these reasons in particular. Elder David P. Homer: Yeah. I mean, I think this is everything in the Church right now, is an effort to try Continued on pg. 5
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W h a t ’s T h e B u z z ?
proposition like the le. Not just a go-on-Sunday sty life a d ne joi I h, urc Ch participated in When I joined the t for 3 hours on Sunday. We me s int Sa ay r-d tte La d. de en rs, Halloween previous churches I had att marvelous Christmas dinne ” ns, aso “se rt spo er oth d eet ‘n tball an ion programs. Regular “m lig Re Road Shows, church baske ur Yo ow Kn d an , ing and visit teach parties, talent shows, home ittees. well-staffed Activities Comm eats” were organized with watch all sessions, and kked to our Stake Center to tre We t. en ev an s wa ce s the “best” session to General Conferen hood Session typically wa est Pri ing en ev y da tur Sa y prior for picnicked between sessions. ing. Sisters met the Saturda low fol r ne din to ing go d hood. sons an hter closeness as the Priest ug da which I cherished taking my r the mo e sam the ing cast, experienc m within the Women’s Session broad r paper “quads,” marking the ou gh ou thr g pin flip ile wh n of ed. And all of this was partake this was the lifestyle we liv d an , on rm Mo a s wa I ce. an inch of their existen st changed? d why is it gone? Or at lea they Where did all of that go? An ans we accept the changes me rs de lea h urc Ch r ou g that sustainin inspirational food I am the first to recognize ey are at the very top of the Th . ing do are y the at wh ow ay School of weekly 25-minute Sund bring about. “They must kn m gra pro ur ho d 2n h urc the new Ch most of the social aschain!” As we transition to t to wonder, however, why lef am I ty, cie So ef eli /R and 25-minute Priesthood or altered. urch are being eliminated pects of this magnificent Ch for non-members to the ties are a primary attractor ivi act ial soc t tha n tio va l-time missionIt has been my obser g in Bishoprics that our ful vin ser ile wh es tim of er ed to as numb Church. I cannot count the ng investigators - now referr bri to ich wh at s tie ivi act have more where they immediaries implored our ward to d to a Sacrament Meeting, en fri a ng bri y rel me to le rks. Hard-heart“Friends.” We should be ab that’s not how it usually wo ly, ate tun for Un . zed pti ba doing so to be who are “looking” are often ately feel the spirt and ask le op Pe . on igi rel es sid be attract them dance. ed folks need something to re than weekly church atten mo es lud inc ich wh , ge an ch ily Gospel seeking a positive lifestyle red Church: organizing da nte Ce me Ho e urs co of is s change d during the week, The answer to why all the worship what we’ve learne ay nd Su at ng mi ffir rea , and Elders learning and living at home home. With Sunday School at ng mi ffir rea ps rha pe d ng beh an session, home church learni a rather than learning at Churc tes nu mi 25 re me a for w being held the nature of Kolob!) Quorum/Relief Society no nday School deep dives on Su re mo no be ll wi re he (T ze the Gospel, comes even more critical. r refined, to more emphasi he rat t bu , ted na mi eli t no ction are Social activities and intera tters most. rather than the Church. l of Jesus Christ is what ma spe Go t tha is s ge an ch the all spel to our lives. The The overarching reason for opportunity to apply the Go the us es giv t tha t ruc le around the nst Church is a current co We have to create our lifesty ay. aw go r ve ne ll wi d an t ruc al stuff we Gospel is a permanent const Which means all the collater us. for le sty life r ou ate urch cre to be. Gospel, and not have the Ch rtant as we’ve made it out po im as t no is or es, pli ap clining beused to enjoy no longer ? Is Church membership de ng rki wo are s ge an ch ed of inspir opposite. A record number Is there any proof that the the ite Qu ll? tba ske ba h urc d shows and ch sing on the regular. cause there are no more roa Latter-day Saints is increa ng mi co be le op Pe g. vin ser missionaries are currently is correct. Imagine that! Apparently, the inspiration fan. However, I ncept of which I am not a Everything changes, the co to change. be left behind, I - we - have t no to er ord in t tha e niz also recog is gone. ge, rather than lament what And embrace inspired chan Thank you for reading… Michael O’Brien Publisher
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WHO WILL PROTECT YOUR PHOTOS WHEN YOU’RE GONE?
ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •
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New Sunday Schedule Continued from pg. 2
and help people to become converted and to be lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ. We all understand that starts at home and that what happens at church can help, but it starts at home. And this has a chance and the opportunity to strengthen that. Mary Richards: You know, another benefit I love that was pointed out, besides these beautiful focuses, was to increase belonging in Church community and gathering as well. When we are meeting every week with each class, each quorum, each group, there’s more belonging that happens too. Elder David P. Homer: Yeah. I mean, there are a couple of other things. One is that when we have the opportunity to be together every week, it doesn’t feel quite so disconnected. The old schedule, which was fine, was a bit disconnected because I was only in Relief Society or in elders quorum every other week. And now it literally is every week. And so we’ll see each other in that setting every week. The other thing that this does is it creates a space which allows for more discovery around some other things. And so the schedule will actually allow us to discuss more general
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Rex Warner, Deseret News
Rex Warner, Deseret News
Elder David P. Homer, General Authority Seventy and executive director of the Church’s Priesthood and Family Department, joins the Church News podcast released Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
Church News reporter Mary Richards listens to Elder David P. Homer, General Authority Seventy and executive director of the Church’s Priesthood and Family Department, on the Church News podcast released Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
conference talks because we’re doing it every week as opposed to every other week. The other thing that this does is it gives us an opportunity to teach youth and Primary children some really important things that are in “Come, Follow Me” but can use more emphasis. Mary Richards: Let’s go through each of those groups, then, about what this means for Sundays. And maybe we’ll start with the youth, this idea that they will be together each week. And there’s a slight change, too. We’ve been talking about the youth curriculum and the expansion, really, of the “For the Strength of Youth” guide. And that is connected to this as well, the 12 chapters now instead of what they had before. Elder David P. Homer: The “For the Strength of Youth” guide used to have five chapters in it. It’s now been expanded so that it has 12. And the reason for that is, No. 1, that it gives us a chance to study some of these important principles and doctrine that maybe we weren’t getting with as much frequency before. The other thing is that now we have 12 chapters, and what happens is those 12 chapters, then, anchor the learning experience in the last part of the second hour for Young Men and Young Women. I would also add that not in September, but in January, there will be a
change in instruction for Primary children, which is very similar, with lessons that are contained in the “Come, Follow Me” materials. But instead of studying those once a quarter, they will study those lessons once a month on fast Sunday every month. Mary Richards: Wonderful. I’m in my ward Primary presidency. I’m really looking forward to that — and having Primary children and youth in my family, this is exciting to think about what they will be learning on Sundays. But also, like you said, “How can I be supporting them at home?” In our “Come, Follow Me” study, in these other ways of studying, we already have the new “For the Strength of Youth” guide for my boys. These are things also that maybe our listeners should be thinking about. This isn’t something to leave for their teachers to do on Sunday, right? We’ve got so much of a purpose at home. Elder David P. Homer: Yeah. I think there are two parts of this. One is I do think it strengthens what happens at church. But the purpose of that is to try and connect it to what’s happening at home so that the Church-supported part of home-centered, Churchsupported is more effective. And that’s what some of this is intended to do. Mary Richards: I also love, like you mentioned, we’ll now have an
opportunity to study more of these general conference addresses from our First Presidency members, from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. These messages, invitations, promised blessings that can truly enrich and bless our lives by studying them more deeply for the following six months. Elder David P. Homer: It’s interesting that if you look at the number of opportunities that we’ll have to study a conference talk, the number of weeks available allows us to almost cover every talk given in a general conference. That was not the case before. Of course, we always want to prioritize what the First Presidency is saying, what members of the Twelve are saying, what general officers are teaching about their organizations and things. Those will always be a priority. But this actually gives us the opportunity, literally, to almost go through everything. And then, at least my experience with that is that when I do that, suddenly I find that there are themes in conference that actually I missed the first time through. And that helps me to think about, “Well, what was it that God was trying to communicate to the Church, to the world, to me?” To view the entire 47 minute podcast, visit https://youtu.be/9UAU 9vhCRY0?si=Jn999e7V5mbTQcwp
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The First Murder in Snowflake Charles Flake Murdered & James Flake Injured
By Hunter Lewis
J
ames Madison Flake and Charles Love Flake were brothers and business partners. One fateful day in December, 1892, Charles was murdered by a wanted man. In return, James killed his brother’s murderer. In 1877, James or “Jim,” 18 years old, and Charles or “Charley,” 15 years old, were the two oldest surviving sons of William Jordan Flake and Lucy Hanna White when they were called to settle in Arizona. This church calling required them to abandon their nice farm and ranch in Beaver, Utah. Before leaving, Jim married Nancy Jane Hall. They left for Arizona on November 19, 1877. It is likely that Jim and Charley were relied on heavily by their father on the ranch before moving to Arizona with the livestock that they brought along. The family was living along the Little Colorado River 5 miles west of Joseph City, Arizona. After 5 failures to tame the irregular flowing river by dam, and after a dispute in the small community, their father left to look for a more suitable home. He eventually came across Silver Creek Valley where James Stinson had a homestead with 300 acres of irrigated crops. Flake and Stinson ate dinner together on July 4, 1878. Flake told Stinson that he wanted to buy his valley but the two were not able to come to an agreement. Flake returned back to his family the next day and detailed his trip to his wives and children. The asking price for Stinson’s squatter rights to the Silver Creek Valley was $12,000. Flake indicated
that everything he owned didn’t amount to half of that price but he thought it was the best and ideal location to settle. After hearing this, Flake’s wife, Lucy, began to pressure him to buy the valley. She said she would contribute with laundry and cooking to make it work out. Lucy, Jim, and Charley teamed up to convince Flake, who eventually conceded and agreed to go ahead and make the deal. They moved to the valley on July 21, 1878. The Town of Snowflake recognizes this day as its founding even though Stinson was living in present day Snowflake as early as 1873. Later, Charley returned to Utah and attended Brigham Young Academy in Provo, Utah for two years and was called and served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Mississippi. He served from 1883 to 1885. Upon his return,
Charley married Christabell Hunt in 1885 and began his own family. He was industrious and spent time working at a retail store and teaching school. He was elected justice of the peace in 1886. He also began his own retail store and got a contract to carry mail from Holbrook to Fort Apache. Older brother Jim also served a mission, leaving his wife and then 6 children to serve in England in the fall of 1887. He returned home on October 25, 1889. Jim recorded in his journal that him and his brother Charley entered into a partnership on July 1, 1890. The two were responsible for the US mail contract from Holbrook to Fort Apache and began to build a two-story building for their store and social hall. Charley referred to his brother Jim as being “broke up in property.” It appears that Charley was better off financially and reached out to help his older brother who was unable to earn an income to support his wife and children while he served his mission. Their mother said that “Charles took James in with him in the mail business. He kept increasing his store and took the mail for four years more. He was greatly blessed in his labors. He greatly assisted the poor and the widows.” Jim and Charley added a second store and station in Show Low which was operated by their sister Mary and her husband, Theodore Turley. The new store’s construction in Snowflake began Continued on pg. 9
Photo courtesy of FamilySearch
Picture of the Children of William Jordan Flake and Lucy. Back Row: L-R Osmer, Roberta, Charles; Front Row: L-R John Taylor, Mary Turley, James, Joel.
Photo courtesy of FamilySearch
James and Charles and younger brother Osmer circa 1875.
7 • ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •
Photo courtesy of the author
Flake Brothers Cash Store building.
Photo courtesy of FamilySearch
Charles and his wife, Christabell.
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The First Murder In Snowflake Continued from pg. 7
in July, 1892 and was eventually finished after Charley’s untimely death in January 1893. The Store was later restored by Dean Porter and it houses the restaurant Streets today. On December 8, 1892, a telegram was sent from Holbrook to Snowflake to Jim Flake. The telegram was sent by Nat Greer of the Apache County Sheriff’s Office. The telegram sent a description of a wanted man that was believed to be in Snowflake. It indicated that the man was dangerous and “be sure to have assistance enough to arrest him.” A $100 reward was offered if the wanted man was arrested. The criminal was wanted for a bank robbery that occurred in San Marcial, New Mexico, (which is a now ghost town along the Rio Grande located south of present-day Socorro). Jim and Charley acted upon the telegram. Jim later wrote in his journal that “we had received telegram to take and hold until the officer came from Holbrook, who was following him.” It appears that Jim felt like they were obligated to apprehend the wanted man. Jim and Charley discussed the telegram and consulted how to effectuate the arrest. Both retrieved their pistols from their homes, and met back up to carry out the arrest. They decided that Charley would approach the man first and engage him in conversation. Then Jim would come up and advise him he was under arrest. Charley approached first and complimented the man on the gun he was cleaning. Jim approached from the other direction and told the man he was under arrest. The man questioned the authority to arrest him. He attempted to step back and Jim grabbed him by his right shoulder. The man attempted to spin around and while doing so drew another pistol from his pants with his left hand. Charley yelled “you can’t pull that on us.” The outlaw shot over his shoulder and hit Jim in his left ear. The gun powder residue was spread over his eye and cheek. The outlaw then turned on Charley and shot him through the neck. Having just sustained an injury, Jim had
9 • ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •
Photo courtesy of the author
Charles Love Flake home located at the northwest corner of 2nd North and 1st West.
Courtesy of Arizona Memory Project
Screenshot of St Johns Herald from December 22, 1892. Note that the newspaper is defending the telegram.
the wherewithal to fire back. Jim shot two times at the bank robber, the first went straight into his mouth. The second entered his right cheek and out the top of his head. Jim then rushed to Charley and immediately held him in his arms and stuck his thumb into the neck wound to stop the bleeding. Charley was hit in the jugular vein. Charles looked up at Jim and did not say anything, just smiled back at his brother. Jim wasn’t even aware of his own injuries until afterwards. His ability to hear was diminished significantly and was hard of hearing the rest of his life. Jim wrote in his journal that “this is the first real sorrow I have even known, for months I was dazed, and time only made it harder to bear, and every new trouble
Photo courtesy of the author
James Madison Flake Home on 1st East and 2nd North.
brings this old one fresh before me. By my own request this case was brought before the court and I was exonerated, or acquitted of any blame.” The murder was reported in newspapers throughout Arizona including in Phoenix, Yuma, Tombstone, Globe, and Flagstaff. The boys’ mother, Lucy, wrote that “my dear son Charles was fatally shot. It is no use to try to tell of our sorrow. Poor James would stand by his brother and say ‘Oh, if you could have lived and I be taken’. It almost killed him. His injuries were very bad but heart trouble was worse.” Jim would say that “if I could give that poor fellow back his life how gladly I would do it.” The young bank robber was merely 19 years old. Jim continued to struggle with the entire incident of losing his brother and killing another man. He could not sleep. Jim eventually felt peace after receiving a letter from church leadership in Utah telling him that “Charles has finished his work, has fought the good fight and kept the faith. You have the heartfelt sympathy of the First Presidency and the Twelve who have sorrowed over your trouble this day and offer you their blessing.” This comforted Jim and helped him cope. Jim and Charley’s younger son, Osmer, did most of the business for the store for quite some time following Charley’s death. Charley left behind a wife and 3 kids. His wife was pregnant at the time and gave birth to Charles Love Flake Jr., six months later. Charles Love Flake Jr. was killed while serving in World War One. Charley’s wife Christabell never remarried. Charley’s death was the first murder in the young town of Snowflake. His death is memorialized at the Peace Officer’s Memorial at the Arizona Capitol Plaza along with all other peace officers who have died in the line of duty in Arizona. Charles and James left a legacy of service. Their examples live on.
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• 10
Deseret Industries: Promoting a Cycle of Giving and Receiving By Rauna Mortensen
I
f you are fortunate to live nearby or travel to one of the four Deseret Industries stores in Arizona, consider that these are not just thrift stores but promoters of a “community-driven cycle of giving and receiving that enriches lives and builds futures.” The first store was established in Utah in 1938, and the program came to Arizona with the opening of the Mesa store in 1963, eventually expanding to Gilbert, Glendale, and Tucson. Deseret Industries is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “Deseret” means honey bee (Ether 2:3) and is symbolic of hard work, productivity, and collaboration.
All images courtesy of deseretindustries.org
Elder John A. Widtsoe outlined four guiding purposes for Deseret Industries: 1. Those who have will be given another type of opportunity to help those who have not. 2. Waste will be reduced by keeping our possessions in use as long as possible. 3. The work will employ many now unemployed. 4. Articles in common use, of good quality, will be available at a low cost. Those who “have been given much” have the privilege of donating items, many of which are ready to be sold in the stores, funding job training programs. Other items are given through bishop’s orders (paid by fast offering donations) to those in need. When items are not sold, they can often be sent off for humanitarian relief worldwide. Millions of pounds of shoes, clothing, and bedding are donated every year to various causes. When donated items are not in usable condition and are not repaired on-site, the program has creative ways to recycle textiles, electronics, metals, books, and more. Millions of pounds of material are kept out of landfills. In addition, a specialized facility called Deseret Manufacturing builds beds, mattresses, and wood furniture such as dressers and tables to be sold at Deseret Industries thrift stores. Perhaps the greatest impact of Deseret Industries, however, is the hope it instills in those who were
11 • ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •
Donations support the DI job training program, which helps associates like Mayia learn important workplace skills.
previously unemployed, under-employed, or need a boost in their practical and/or social-emotional skill sets. Deseret Industries is a hands-on self-reliance program. Ready for Work is a 13-week program where associates receive workplace training and development counseling to help them overcome barriers to employment. They meet one-on-one with operations supervisors to focus on five categories of workplace behaviors: dependability, productivity, professionalism, teachability, and teamwork. Professional counselors also help associates obtain opportunities (funded through store proceeds) in vocational training fields such as certified nurse assistant or phlebotomy, automotive repair, or welding certification. Assistance can also be provided to complete a GED. In 2025, 10,653 individuals completed the Ready for Work program. The program has been translated into Spanish, Swahili, French and Arabic. Other impressive figures from the 46 stores spread over Utah, Idaho, California, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, and Texas in 2024: nearly 43 million
Gently used items donated to Deseret Industries fund our job training program.
items sold, 3.8 million donated loads, 78 million pounds recycled, 72,000 items manufactured and 9,429 community grants. Investment in temporal needs and self-reliance facilitates not only physical security but an increased capacity for flourishing spiritually. For more information visit https://www. deseretindustries.org/
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Brave Enough Lindsey Stirling I Played Harp with
Photo courtesy Chase Williams
Cindy R. Williams and Lindsey Stirling.
By Cindy R. Williams
I
n March, 2025 on a warm Saturday afternoon, I was with three of my grandchildren as they participated in a Special Olympics Basketball tournament. My cell phone rang with a call that would fulfill a bucket list item I didn’t even know would ever be possible. An old ministering friend, Jennifer, was on the line. We caught up for a minute, then she changed my world with, “My sister is in town between tours. She needs a harpist to play with her in a secret surprise concert on May 5th at Mesquite High School in Gilbert, AZ, her alma mater.” Jennifer’s sister is the world-famous dancing violinist Lindsey Stirling. Jennifer added that any monies received would go to either Mesquite High School, or the charity organization founded by Lindsey, the Upside Fund. My mind flashed forward to my two upcoming full knee replacement surgeries scheduled around that date. I immediately decided to ask my surgeon to push the surgeries back until after the concert, which meant I would have to walk with my cane to get around for an extra month with my bone-on-bone knees. The sacrifice would be worth it to perform with Lindsey Stirling. I told Jennifer, “YES!” A few weeks later, Lindsey’s music sheets arrived. If you have watched or listened to Lindsey Stirling’s incredible music, you know she plays the violin extremely fast as she dances. Her music is not only inspiring but extremely complex. I found that I needed to write my own harp accompaniment to make each song work for the harp. That exercise took fifteen plus hours to complete. Then, I began serious three-a-day rehearsals, two hours each, matching her recordings to keep the timing. I kept a bowl of ice water near my harp while rehearing because all eight fingertips—harpists don’t use the little fingers – got so hot I had to cool them down to prevent blisters. On the day of the concert, my three sons, Guy,
Hunter and Chase, flew down from Utah for the concert. They were excited to see their mom play with Lindsey Stirling. And of course, to see Lindsey. My family accompanied me to Mesquite High School to set up my harp then sat in the auditorium to watch the rehearsal. Once at the venue, I needed to check in with Lindsey in the green room (a small room for performers back stage). There she was, just sitting there like a normal person. What a thrill to meet Lindsey, her guitar/keyboard man and her drummer. I introduced myself as the harpist. Lindsey asked about my walking cane. I told her about pushing back double knee surgeries to play with her. She graciously said she was honored. I shared with her that I had to write my own arrangements from her music sheets to be able to play her songs on the harp. She told me she loves the harp and I was welcome to play anything, however I wanted, and I did. About a week after the concert, she requested a copy of my harp arrangements and permission to use them again. At rehearsal, Mesquite High School’s First Chair violinist stood up to give Lindsey her chair. Lindsey placed her hand on the young lady’s shoulder and said, “No, you have earned your First Chair all year, and I won’t take it from you. I will sit as Second Violinist for tonight’s performance.” Again, so gracious. Finally, Show Time! It was surreal to play along with Lindsey. Her music is fast and fun. I found I toetapped/seat-danced with the beat as I played. I didn’t even know I could do that while playing the harp. The set list was: Underground, Crystalize, Roundtable Revival, Between Twilight, Untamed, and Eye of the Untold Her. After the concert, Lindsey visited with my family and posed for pictures with us. She even walked over to the edge of the stage and knelt to meet my 96-yearold mother. Magical, musical bucket list accomplished! For more information about The Upside Fund, please visit https://theupsidefund.org/about/
Cindy R. Williams and Harp.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Williams
Photo courtesy of Hunter Williams
Lindsey Stirling Meets 96-year-old Great Grandmother Verlayne Richardson, Vicky Richardson Burkinshaw, Lindsey Stirling.
Photo courtesy of Guy Williams
Lindsey and Williams Family: Guy Williams, Chase Williams, Lindsey Stirling, Cindy R. Williams, Jeff Williams, Hunter Williams.
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THE CONSTITUTION The Greatest Governing Document Ever Penned by Man By Shane Krauser
E
very generation inherits the same temptation, namely to trade a little liberty for a little more security, efficiency, or convenience. The promises change with the times, but the trade remains the same. That is why the Constitution matters today as much as it did in 1787. Contrary to what many Americans have been led to believe, the Constitution was never designed to tell us how to use technology, regulate modern commerce, or answer every policy debate. It was designed to answer a far more enduring question: What are the limits of government? The question is timeless because human nature is timeless. The framers understood something history has repeatedly confirmed, namely that power has a natural tendency to expand. Those entrusted with authority almost always believe they need just a little more of it to solve the next crisis.
Congress may legislate without constitutional authority, and no court should rewrite the Constitution according to contemporary political preferences. The Constitution also recognizes a truth that is increasingly forgotten, namely that our rights do not come from government. They preexist government. Freedom of speech is not protected because elected officials approve of what is said. Religious
The Constitution was written to ensure that government remained the servant of the people, not their master. Its genius lies not merely in what it empowers government to do (positive powers), but in what it forbids government from doing (negative powers). This distinction is often overlooked in today’s political debates. Too many Americans ask only whether a proposed law might accomplish a desirable goal. Rarely do we first ask whether government possesses the constitutional authority to pursue that goal at all. That was never the Founders’approach. The Constitution established a government of limited and enumerated powers. If a power was not delegated to the federal government, it remained with the states or, ultimately, with the people themselves. The principle was simple. Freedom would be the rule, and government power would be the exception. As James Madison explained, “If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” Because they are not, those who govern must themselves be governed by law. This is why the Constitution separates power among three branches and divides authority between the federal government and the states. It is why no president is supposed to rule by decree, no
liberty does not exist because government grants permission to worship. The right to keep and bear arms, the guarantee of due process, protection from unreasonable searches, and the many liberties preserved throughout the Bill of Rights all reflect a deeper principle, namely that: Individuals possess inherent rights which government exists to secure, not dispense. When rights are viewed as government-created privileges rather than inherent liberties, they inevitably become subject to political winds. What government gives, government may later take away. History offers countless reminders that liberty rarely disappears all at once. It fades incrementally. Emergency powers become permanent. Temporary regulations become permanent bureaucracies. Exceptions become precedents. Each individual expansion may appear insignificant, but together they gradually alter the relationship between citizens and the state. The Constitution exists to interrupt that pattern. Some critics dismiss it as an eighteenth-century
document written for a simpler age. Yet the Constitution was never intended to change with every technological innovation or political fashion. It was written to address something far more constant. The tendency of power to accumulate and the need to preserve individual liberty against that tendency. When genuine change is necessary, the Constitution provides an amendment process. That process is intentionally difficult because constitutional rights should not rise or fall with shifting political majorities or temporary public passions. Lasting changes should require lasting consensus. That design has served the nation remarkably well. For nearly two and a half centuries, the Constitution has provided the framework for peaceful transfers of power, the protection of individual liberty, and the rule of law. While Americans have often fallen short of its ideals, those shortcomings are arguments for living up to the Constitution, not abandoning it. The nation’s greatest advances in liberty have come through a fuller application of constitutional principles, not their rejection. The Constitution is more than a historical artifact displayed behind museum glass. It is the operating manual for a free society. It preserves the space in which families raise children, entrepreneurs build businesses, communities govern themselves, journalists challenge those in power, and citizens speak their minds without fear of government reprisal. If Americans lose sight of the Constitution, they will eventually lose the freedoms it was written to protect. The question before us is not whether the Constitution is old. The question is whether its central purpose of limiting government to preserve liberty is any less necessary today than it was in 1787. The answer, judging by history and by human nature, is no. If anything, it is more necessary than ever.
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• 16
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Creating Your Life
Image by Ilona Frey from Pixabay
U S I N G G O D’ S C R E AT IV E P R O C E S S By Jaylene Garrett
W
hen I go on walks with my dog and husband (not in that order!), I often see things in nature that remind me of spiritual insights. The patterns in nature are the same God and Christ used creating the world and our physical and spiritual beings. In studying about nature’s connection to Heavenly Father and Christ, I found this article: “Six Lessons from the Creation to Help You Create the Life of Your Dreams” by Ryan Eggett, published in the November 2025 YA Weekly Magazine. I love the principle of using the same patterns used to create the earth to create our lives. 1. Create Your Life Under the Direction of Heavenly Father. We are promised with sincere prayer (knocking) we will receive answers. (Matthew 7:7-8) We need His direction. 2. Define Your Objectives and Make a Plan. We know that all things were created spiritually first (Moses 3:5) Planning the intent of eternal outcomes by research future events, writing down
steps, and using our patriarchal blessings will help us “spiritually create” our life. 3. Do Things in the Right Order. As an example from the creation, the sun, moon and stars were created first to help the animals and plants grow. Mankind needed air, plants and animals to survive. We also do things in the proper order to prepare for the lives we want created. For example, choosing the right education to prepare for the life we want. Living the law of tithing keeps our eternal perspective. Researching where to live helps our future family. There is wisdom in doing things in order. 4. Fill Your Life with Beauty and Variety. I believe that God’s desire in the creation of so many wonderful nature variables and beauty is to help us love our earth. When I am taking a walk, looking to create more peaceful landscaping, hiking or scenic drives, I feel more spiritual. Is there something we can do to add variety and beauty to our lives?
5. Plan a Day of Rest. Even the most perfect God and Christ planned a day of rest. We need the recharge and re-centering as we focus on increasing our spirituality for the next week. 6. Create Relationships. We are meant to live this life with help from our eternal family. It is better for our overall wellness to connect with those who help us and who we can help. If we are struggling with loneliness, we can use free agency to find ways to connect, share love and help others. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said, “Our goal should be to fill the measure of our creation as sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father—that is, to reach exaltation and eternal life.” (“Never Give Up,” October 1987 General Conference.) We can use our agency to let God shape our lives as we learn the lessons meant for us on this earthly journey. It is never too late to make things right; trials can bring new growth, and we should never give up.
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mpsaztv
Choosing Christ Every Day By Dwight Lamb
I
n a world filled with voices competing for your attention, opinions pulling you in different directions, and constant pressure to fit in, there is one voice that cuts through the noise with peace, truth, and purpose, the voice of the Savior, Jesus Christ. For Latter-day Saint teens, life is about much more than simply making good choices. It is about making Christ-centered choices. Every day brings opportunities to choose what we value, who we will follow, and who we are becoming. Many people think choices are isolated moments, disconnected decisions that simply come and go. But the truth is that our choices are directional. Every decision we make moves us somewhere. The question is: Where are our choices leading us? President Thomas S. Monson taught: “Each day is a day of decision, and our decisions determine
our destiny.” That means today matters. Not someday. Not when life becomes easier. Not when we feel more prepared. Today The choices we make today become the habits we live tomorrow, and those habits eventually shape our character and our future. When you choose kindness, you move closer to Christ. When you choose courage, you move closer to Christ. When you choose forgiveness, purity, service, and faith, you are not simply making good choices, you are becoming more like Him. Choosing Christ in a Confusing World Being a teenager today is not easy. Social media constantly tells you who you should be. Peer pressure can be intense. The world often teaches that truth is flexible and that happiness comes from doing whatever feels right
in the moment. But the Savior offers something different, something steady and sure. Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught: “Discipleship is the pursuit of holiness and happiness.” Choosing Christ does not take away freedom. It leads to real freedom. It does not remove joy; it leads to lasting joy. Sometimes the world presents temporary pleasure as happiness, but the Savior offers peace that reaches much deeper.
the harder right instead of the easier wrong.” That kind of courage does not come from simply trying harder. It comes from trusting Jesus Christ and relying on His strength. Small Choices Build Strong Disciples
Sometimes we imagine spiritual strength is built through huge moments or dramatic experiences. More often, it is built quietly through small, faithful choices repeated every You Are Never Alone day like, saying a prayer when you are tired, opening your scriptures There may be moments when doing when you feel busy, turning away what is right feels difficult. You may feel like you are standing alone in your from something inappropriate, speaking kindly when it would be easier standards, beliefs, or values. Maybe you have felt pressure to fit in, pressure not to, or standing for truth when standing out feels uncomfortable. to compromise, or pressure to become These moments may seem small, someone you know you are not. But but they are not small to God. Elder you are never alone. The Savior walks beside those who choose to follow Him. David A. Bednar has taught that President Thomas S. Monson Continued on pg. 23 reminded us: “May we ever choose
ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •
• 20
Using Help Resources to Build the Family Tree
T
he resources available for family history research have expanded significantly and continue to improve. Historically family history barriers to expanding ancestral lines are called “brick walls.” Adding individuals to a family tree by breaking a brick wall is challenging. In my research, I have not added any ancestors by breaking through brick walls. I have added many cousins by adding individuals and families by researching descendants of my known ancestors starting with third or fourth great-grandparents. This technique is normally called “descendancy research.” This type of research has become much easier in the last 10+ years or so with the availability Image from FamilySearch.org
of on-line tools such as the “descendancy tree view” on FamilySearch. Let’s find out about descendancy research by using the help tools available. Do a google search with search parameter “descendancy research FamilySearch.” This search finds help information on FamilySearch. A brief statement from this search states “Descendancy research on FamilySearch is the process of starting with an ancestral couple—usually 4 to 5 generations back—and tracking forward to find all their children, grandchildren, and later generations. This method helps break through ‘brick walls’ on direct lines, locate living cousins, and find hidden family.” It helps to look at family members in an area with available records. You then locate that couple and their children in these available records. Identify children, children’s spouses, and grandchildren. Repeat for each of the children and grandchildren.” Examples of areas with available records are the United States, Canada, Great Britain and Scandinavia. Additional helpful information is available from the Family History Guide. Visit the website “thefhguide. com” or google “The Family History Guide.” Select the option “Research Skills,” then under “Family Search” select
By Glen K. Tolman
“Project 3 Descendants” and start with Goal 1 “Identifying Lines to Research.” After completing Goals 1 and 2, you will have developed some skills and most likely have added some cousins to your family tree. A very helpful tool which answers numerous questions is the FamilySearch “Research Wiki.” Currently the Research Wiki contains more than 156,000 articles authored by various experts on a variety of topics. Get to the Research Wiki using Continued on pg. 23
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Youth: Choosing Christ Daily Continued from pg. 20
consistent, righteous actions invite spiritual power into our lives. Small choices create strong disciples. Your Identity Changes Everything Perhaps one of the most powerful truths you can remember is this: You are a child of God. When you truly understand who you are, your choices begin to change. Instead of asking: “What do I want to do?” You begin asking: “What would Jesus have me do?” Because sons and daughters of God were created for more than simply fitting in. You were created to grow, to serve, to lead, to become, to follow Jesus Christ and walk with Him. You do not have to be perfect. You simply need to be willing. Willing to try again. Willing to repent. Willing to keep moving forward. Because through Jesus Christ, every day becomes another opportunity to begin again. And perhaps the most important choice we make is not choosing Him once, but choosing Him again and again, every single day.
23 • ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •
Family History
Continued from pg. 21
the pull-down under the “Search” option on the FamilySearch home page at familysearch.org and then selected “Research Wiki.” Two possible selections are “Find Search Tips” and “jump-start your research with Guided Research.” Both these options provide guidance on how to use the Research Wiki effectively. I am often asked about finding birth or death records for ancestors. The Research Wiki will identify by geographic area what records are available and when. For example, looking at Missouri, United States, we find that the state government started collecting death records from January 1, 1910. For general help with research in Missouri, start with the Wiki page for Missouri. From the Research Wiki home page, search “Missouri” and select “Missouri - United States Genealogy.” This is a starting point for all kinds of information about Missouri, what records are available, how to find information, and how to get started. This type of help is available for all US states and most countries. We can all contribute in various ways to help build the world’s family tree on FamilySearch.
T H E G O S P E L I N A WO R D
By Debra C. Eaton
Government A
server jostled plates. “I mean, what’s the point? Does my vote even matter?” “Right?! My dad says congressmen are deaf from lobbyists’ money,” said the busser, “and with early registration, how do we know our vote is counted? We’re headed to socialism.” Sounding defeated, she added, “What’s the point of even trying when the world is on its prophesied trajectory of doomsday?” Prophets have taught we have a sacred and moral duty to vote and help choose wise, honest leaders. Ultimately, our mission as Latter-day Saints is not political but spiritual in nature. We are commissioned to preach the gospel to the world. Ours is not to be political but defend our inalienable rights so that we can accomplish our
mission. Prophecy is not an excuse to do nothing, for we know, God’s work oft entails people to work together to do good. We live in a fallen world run mostly by men whose greed and appetites tempt them to veer from righteous endeavors. We see the failure of human answers and know we must do something to fix what is broken. How? The good news is, what we can’t do, God already did. Isaiah is one the first to prophecy of the Restoration and of the Lord’s second coming. His chapters are abundant in vivid prophecies of Jesus Christ’s birth, life, ministry and death. In these latter days, Isaiah teaches us to continually look to the Lord for peace, guidance and rescue, even in the worst of times.
From the messianic prophecy of Isaiah 6:9, “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.” In our season of elections, what does government mean? Specifically, government in the Hebrew translation, Misrah ()הָרְׂשִמ: Derives from the verb sarar (to rule), designating governmental authority. “...and the government [misrah] will rest on his shoulders.” We can take peace in the knowledge that the government will rest on the Messiah’s shoulder, yet it does not mean we rest. President Dallin H. Oaks says, “Our belief in divine inspiration gives Latterday Saints a unique responsibility to uphold and defend the United States Constitution…We should trust in the Lord and be positive about this nation’s
future…We must pray for the Lord to guide and bless all nations and their leaders…We should learn and advocate the inspired principles of the Constitution. We should seek out and support wise and good persons who will support those principles in their public actions. We should be knowledgeable citizens who are active in making our influence felt in civic affairs…political influence is exercised by running for office (which we encourage), [and] by voting… Each citizen must therefore decide which issues are most important … seek inspiration on how to exercise their influence according to their… priorities.” Thankfully, history has consistently shown that God always prevails. “God is our refuge and strength, an everpresent help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
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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 September-October, 2026, from Psalm 102 through Lamentations.
America: Legally, Lawfully the Lord’s
W
hy would Jeremiah 32 include multiple details of something so mundane as a legal land purchase agreement between two cousins? As the chapter heading says, the purchase symbolizes “the return of Israel to their land.” Looking at some verses closely, certain words probably sound familiar. Is there more symbolism to be discovered? The curious story begins in verse 6. The Lord directs the prophet Jeremiah to buy a “field” from his cousin in Anathoth, one of the cities designated for priesthood holders. Notice the striking similarities in verses 6-17 and 25 to the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ and the nation in which it would come forth. There’s a “book” or deed with written evidence. Some evidence is open or viewable and some is “sealed.” “Witnesses” see it. It’s placed “in an earthen vessel” so it can “continue many days” or be preserved for a long time. It was a “law and custom” to have a “sealed” portion of evidence. (Verse 11) Even if the open portion was tampered with, the copy with unbroken seals would be original. Isaiah prophesied of a “sealed book.” It’s referenced vaguely in Isaiah 29. But
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2 Nephi 27 of that very book restores numerous lost details of Isaiah’s message. For example, in verses 7 and 9, we learn that “the book shall be a revelation from God,” “delivered unto a man,” and “the words of those who have slumbered in the dust.” Its sealed portion is “sealed by the power of God.” (Verse 10) Moroni informs us that that portion includes marvelous, unknown things learned by the brother of Jared when He conversed with the Lord personally. One day, the Lord will open the seal. (Ether 4:1-7; see also JS-H 1:65) It was said during Jeremiah’s land transaction that “the right of inheritance is thine and the redemption is thine.” (Jer. 32:8) This referred to the fact that at times in ancient Israel, a person would become impoverished and have to sell land. A close relative had the right to purchase it back, therefore redeeming it and keeping it in the family lineage. The Lord said, “I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them.” Specifically of Ephraim He said, “I will hiss [call] for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them.” (Zech. 10:3-8) That redemption refers to spiritual condition and physical location. Through Manasseh, a half-tribe of Joseph, came the Book of Mormon,
and through Ephraim, the other halftribe, began the gathering of all the house of Israel—in America. (See also Gen. 48; Isa. 29:22; Jer. 31:18-19; D&C 133:34) The Lord told the prophet Joseph Smith in 1833 that He “established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men…and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.” (D&C 101:76-80; see also Isa. 60:22; JST Isa. 62:4-5) Sadly, when there’s great wickedness, redemption comes by bloodshed. Land is redeemed with “money” when possible (Jer. 32), and about half of America was purchased. It might be said that when Joseph Smith unearthed the Book of Mormon, he uncovered a legal deed, proving that the Lord gave the field now called America to a remnant of the house of Israel. The book also describes the Lord’s land use agreement or covenant: keep His commandments, or the right of stewardship would be transferred to other people. (Ether 2:7-12; see also Psalm 103:17-18) As the land’s ultimate proprietor, the Lord may determine what it’s used for. And He openly claims it as the place from which the house of Israel, His covenant people, would rise brightly and blossom in the latter days. (Isa. 60:3; 61:11) Jeremiah mournfully witnessed
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Jerusalem being burned and its people taken captive. (Jer. 39) Another purpose of the Book of Mormon is to warn of similar threats to our likewise divinely-appointed field. Moroni counsels that we in our day “shall see” “combinations” of people who “seeketh to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries” and bring their “destruction,” and that we should not let them “get above” us. (See Ether 8:15-26.) And the Lord directs that the U.S. Constitution “should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles.” (D&C 101:77; see also Psalm 119:1,126; Prov. 2:20; Isa. 51:6-7)
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Yo u r M e n ta l H e a lt h
By Allison Beckert
Four Common Concerns About Mental Health Care Photo by Joel Fazhari from Pixabay
Photo by ha11ok from Pixabay
M
any people who could “I don’t want to talk about my benefit from counseling family.” never make that first One common misconception is that appointment because therapy is only revisiting childhood they’re unsure of what to expect. or blaming parents for present-day Mental health care is still surrounded struggles. While our experiences shape by misconceptions so it’s natural to us, counseling is usually focused on hesitate. Questions about faith, family, helping us live better today. A therapist or whether our struggles are “serimay teach practical tools for managing ous enough” can make reaching out anxiety, navigating grief, improvintimidating. The good news is that ing relationships, handling stress, or many of these concerns come from misunderstandings rather than reality. adjusting to life’s changes. Sometimes Many of us have heard these thoughts understanding where a pattern began is helpful, but understanding isn’t the ourselves, or from someone we love.
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same as assigning blame. The goal is healing, growth, and healthier ways to move forward.
“I don’t want a secular therapist.” Some Church members worry that a counselor will dismiss or challenge their religious beliefs. Ethical therapists are trained to work within a client’s values, not replace them. For many people, faith is one of the greatest sources of resilience and hope during difficult seasons. A good therapist will respect that and may
encourage you to draw on your spiritual strengths throughout treatment. If the first counselor isn’t the right fit, it’s perfectly appropriate to look for another. Many therapists specifically serve clients who want faith to remain an important part of care.
“If my faith were stronger, I wouldn’t need therapy.” Perhaps the hardest misconception is believing that needing counseling reflects a lack of faith. Yet throughout life we naturally combine faith with Continued on pg. 28
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Sacred Ground A Joseph Smith Tour Journal
M
By Barbie VanCott
y husband and I went on a Joseph Smith tour. In 12 days, we covered 2,300 miles by bus, visiting 10 states. It was like stepping back in time. It was both insightful and miraculous. Our first stop was Topsfield Massachusetts, where five generations of the Smith family lived. Robert Smith arrived from England in 1638. He settled land in Topsfield and built a house there. Prior to Joseph Smith, five generations lived in the same home, including Samuel I, Samuel II, and Asael Smith, Joseph Sr., and Joseph Jr. This is unheard of now. We toured the old Smith Farmhouse, where his ancestors lived. His family was very patriotic. Joseph Smith’s grandfather and great grandfather both served in the American Revolution. We visited the Concord Massachusetts State Bridge, where Captain Joseph Smith Sr. was a historical militia leader. He fought at Concord’s North Bridge. On April 19, 1775, Joseph Smith
Mental Health Care Concerns Continued from pg. 26
practical help. We pray while seeking medical care. We ask for guidance while learning from teachers, mentors, and trusted leaders. Mental health care can be another God-given resource. The Lord often answers prayers through the knowledge, compassion, and talents of others. Seeking counseling works alongside prayer, scripture study, or priesthood blessings. Seeking help is not spiritual failure; it is wise stewardship of the mind and heart Heavenly Father has entrusted to us.
“My problems aren’t serious enough.” Many people believe counseling is only for moments of crisis, but that’s
Sr. led one of the local militia company’s opening battle of the American Revolutionary War. The North Bridge in Concord was the location of the "shot heard 'round the world," the beginning of the American War for Independence. On that day, Colonial Militia from Concord exchanged gunfire with British regulars guarding the critical river crossing. Although the fighting at the North Bridge lasted only a few seconds, it marked the beginning of a massive battle that raged over 16 miles along the Bay Road from Boston to Concord. It included some 1,700 British regulars and over 4,000 Colonial militia. It was incredible to stand on the bridge and see the monument honoring the brave men who fought for our independence. Joseph Smith’s parents were Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith. They were New England tenant farmers and devoutly religious. Fifth of eleven children, Joseph Smith Jr. was born on December 23, 1805 in Sharon, Vermont, on a farm owned by his maternal grandfather,
The author at the Joseph Smith memorial.
The author and her husband at the Concord Bridge monument.
Solomon Mack. A 50-foot polished granite obelisk was erected on the property in 1905 to mark the 100th anniversary of his birth. It is a historic site and a memorial to Joseph Smith. The grounds at the birthplace are breathtakingly beautiful. A visitor’s center provides information about his life, his mission, and serving as the prophet of the restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But for me it was so much more. After my husband graduated from
BYU, we moved to Vermont. He was a high school science teacher and new convert to the Church. Shortly after we arrived he was called as the Barre Montpelier Branch President. In the 4 years that we lived there, we attended many meetings at the chapel in Sharon, by the memorial. It is a sacred place, where the Holy Ghost is felt. You can sit on benches in a grassy area and pray and contemplate. I loved going there. Vermont will always have a special place in my heart.
simply not true. Therapy can help long before problems become overwhelming. People seek support for parenting challenges, marriage concerns, grief, work stress, life transitions, or simply feeling stuck. We wouldn’t wait for a small physical concern to become an emergency before seeing a doctor. Our mental and emotional well-being deserves that same thoughtful care. Seeking help doesn’t mean you’ve reached the end of your strength. Often it means you’ve decided to use every resource Heavenly Father has placed in your path. Prayer, scripture study, loving family, priesthood blessings, and professional counseling can work together as we continue growing, healing and moving forward line upon line with hope.
ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •
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FALL FAMILY FUN
By Hillary Jade Fevrier
in ARIZONA’S EAST VALLEY
Get outside and embrace the best of autumn! From festive farms to cultural celebrations, Arizona's East Valley offers incredible family outings. Whether you're seeking pumpkin patches, cultural immersion or just a little spooky fun, your family will love these four perfect autumn adventures!
Vertuccio Farms Fall Festival
Halloween Spooktacular
Get lost in five acres of corn at Vertuccio Farms’ annual Fall Festival in Mesa. Celebrating its 28th year, this East Valley tradition combines classic farm fun with plenty of activities for kids, including a petting zoo, barrel train, giant slides, mini golf, carnival games and a giant jump pad. New attractions for 2026 include a ropes course and Pig Race Ride. Pumpkins are available separately in the Pumpkin Barn for visitors looking to take a little fall home with them.
Downtown Chandler becomes a playground for little ghosts and goblins during the city’s free Halloween Spooktacular. Families are invited to dress in costume and trick-or-treat through Dr. A.J. Chandler Park and enjoy an evening of kid-friendly Halloween festivities. With free admission and a convenient downtown location, this event is a must for Halloween-loving families.
LOCATION 4011 S. Power Rd., Mesa DATES October 2–31, 2026 COST $17; ages 2 and under free WEBSITE vertucciofarms.com/events/fall-festival
LOCATION Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, 178 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler DATE Friday, October 30, 2026 TIME 5:30–8:30 p.m. COST Free WEBSITE chandleraz.gov/events/halloween-spooktacular
Día de los Muertos Festival
Mother Nature’s Farm Fall Festival
Fall celebrations are not limited to pumpkins and costumes. Mesa Arts Center’s annual Día de los Muertos Festival celebrates Latin American art and culture while honoring the memories of loved ones who have passed. This free community event features performances, altars, art activities and a mercado. A special relaxed hour before the festival each day offers reduced sound, lighting and crowds for visitors who benefit from a calmer sensory experience.
For a classic pumpkin-patch experience, Mother Nature’s Farm in Gilbert tops the list. The longtime children’s discovery farm hosts its Fall Festival September through October, combining pumpkins and seasonal activities with opportunities to visit farm animals. The property is also home to an animal sanctuary caring for hundreds of rescued farm animals. Paid Admission includes hayride, slides, games, corn pit, maze, spider web crawl, a pumpkin to take home, and much more!
LOCATION Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., Mesa DATES October 24–25, 2026 COST Free WEBSITE mesaartscenter.com/dia-de-los-muertos-festival
LOCATION 1663 E. Baseline Rd., Gilbert DATES September–October 2026 COST $17 guests over 42-inches; $15 guests under 42-in; 1-yr and under free WEBSITE mothernaturesfarm.com/fall-festival
ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •
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The Court Conspiracy Author Releases Twelfth Book in Romance Series
A
uthor Ann Del C. Dye’s newest romance novel is The Court Conspiracy, the twelfth book in her Royal Romane Series, a “Young Adult, medieval adventure books with romance. The books are clean and wholesome and can be read as a classroom or book-club favorite,” she says. Del C. Dye says the books in the Royal Romance Series “all stand alone and can be read in any order you like. I have not placed an end on this series. I expect to have a new one every February 1st on the years to come.”
31 • ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •
She says the book is about “A prince who seeks a life unbound, a princess hiding her crown, and the dangerous quest to survive the court and claim their destiny. Join them on this adventure to obtain the throne and their happily ever after…if they survive to claim it, that is.” The author continues, “Daniel is my favorite character. He is so sweet and goes out of his comfort zone to help the princess. He, too, is a prince, yet contracted
Beehive BOOK REVIEW
By Cindy R. Williams
himself in the palace as a lonely servant to bring news to the princess. He is in love with her but trying to figure a scene. let her be so she can rule I don’t eat snacks when her kingdom. He helps her I write…though caraknowing she may never mel anything would be love him back. always accepted.” “I always wanted to She says writing helps write about medieval her sleep at night. “I have princesses, strong and so many stories running ready to give it all for about in my brain that it their people. A prince won’t stop thinking, so I is just what happened Author A write…and sleep peacefully nna Del C . Dye. when you believe and at night.” live in true love,” she says. Del C. Dye was born in Her writing place is a comfy spot. Chile. English is her second language. “My office, as I call it, is my recliner She also writes bilingual books and sofa where I can put my legs up and Adult Christmas Historical. write. It is situated in my Parlor with Her books are available at anna huge window to stare at, when I’m adelc.com and Amazon.
5
Places in Arizona that Feel Like Another Planet
A
rizona is famous for deserts, saguaros, and endless sunshine. Beneath the familiar landscapes is one of the most geologically diverse states in the nation. From forests turned to stone to towering rock spires and ancient meteor impacts, Arizona is filled with marvelously impossible landscapes. Here are five places that might make you feel like you’ve stepped onto another planet without ever leaving the Grand Canyon State. 1. Petrified Forest National Park While the surface of much of this park appears as desert, this park boasts an incredible menu of natural and historical wonders. Take hikes and tours, plan ahead and visit the geologic remnants of eras hundreds of millions of years old. Within this preserve are priceless records in rock, showing up as colorful bands of stone, sand, and sediment. Along with the famous trees turned
stone, see how native communities made this area their home, find the ancient ash of volcanic activity, and appreciate the fossil record of plants and ancient reptiles. 2. Chiricahua National Monument Ancient volcanic eruptions sculpted this remarkable landscape into thousands of towering rock columns called hoodoos. Early visitors nicknamed the area the “Wonderland of Rocks,” and it’s easy to understand why. Plan your visit as there’s everything from views for drivers and hikes for the adventurous. With a reservation, you can stay overnight and appreciate the national park’s Dark Sky Park status. Near some of the most powerful telescopes in the world, the views of the night sky are spectacular as outside light is severely limited.
By Allison Beckert
Petrified Forest National Park.
creating one of the world’s bestpreserved impact craters. Nearly a mile across and more than 500 feet deep, the crater remains an impressive reminder of Earth’s place in the solar system. Before the Apollo missions, astronauts trained here because the rugged terrain resembled lunar impact sites. Standing on the rim, it’s easy to imagine you’re looking across the surface of the Moon or Mars. 4. Vermilion Cliffs & White Pocket
sweeping waves, domes, and rippling patterns unlike almost anywhere else. White Pocket is especially famous for its twisting bands of cream, orange, and red stone that appear almost liquid. The landscape looks so surreal that many visitors compare it to photographs returned from distant planets. Be prepared to rough it, though! This location has no paved roads, no visitor center, and the famous White Pocket trail is a challenging one.
Millions of years of wind, water, and shifting geology carved sandstone into
Continued on pg. 34 Meteor Crater.
3. Meteor Crater About 50,000 years ago, an iron meteorite slammed into northern Arizona,
By Mark Randall
White Pocket. Chiricahua National Monument.
hile at the beach some time ago, our little grandson dropped his grapes in the sand. He was upset. I took the grapes and washed them off in the ocean. Our little granddaughter, his older sister, said; ‘Grandpa, how gross! I peed in there a half hour ago!
ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •
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What’s Cooking?
By Hannah from the Hive
By The Arizona Beehive Magazine
NEW ORLEAN’S STYLE MUFFULETTA
The Ready Hive
D
o you have a favorite sandwich, and where is it from? Is it a Gyro from Greece? A traditional Cuban sandwich? Well, if you love sandwiches, give this one a try… a muffuletta, pronounced “moof uh lotta”. The sandwich was invented in New Orleans at the Central Grocery. This old-fashioned neighborhood grocery and sandwich counter was founded in 1906 by a Sicilian immigrant. He created the sandwich to sell it to the Sicilian truck farmers who sold their produce at the Farmers’ Market in the French Quarter. A very tasty olive mix is the key ingredient in the muffuletta. Ideally, make the sandwich an hour or two before eating it so the juices from the olive mix can soak into the bread. The olive mix should be made a day in advance to give the flavors time to meld. This recipe makes a lot, but if kept sealed tight in the refrigerator, it should keep for several weeks. As for the bread, you can readily find round loaves at most markets. You are looking for either individual, single loaves about four inches in diameter, or one large one, about eight to 10 inches in diameter. Either should be an inch and a half to two inches thick. MUFFULETTA SANDWICH INGREDIENTS
■ 1 loaf Mufuletta bread (or use other Italian bread) ■ 1 cup olive mix (recipe below or available at your grocery’s deli) ■ ¼ lb. sliced ham ■ ¼ lb. sliced mortadella ■ ¼ lb. sliced Genoa salami ■ ¼ lb. sliced provolone ■ ¼ lb. sliced mozzarella
OLIVE MIX INGREDIENTS ■ ¾ cup pimento-stuffed olives ■ ¼ cup pitted Kalamata olives ■ ¼ cup giardiniera (Italian pickled vegetables) 2 lg. pepperoncini ■ 3 - 4 pickled onions ■ 2 T capers ■ 1 medium clove garlic, chopped ■ 1 tsp. dried oregano ■ Fresh ground black pepper ■ 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice ■ 2 T olive oil
33 • ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •
Preparedness with a Bow on It
I
Getting a Jump on Holiday Gifts
know, I know — it’s not even close to sweater weather yet, and I’m already talking about Christmas. But hear me out, because this is exactly the kind of “prep” I love: the kind that saves your sanity and your wallet. Around our house, “we’ll get to it later” usually turns into “why is it 9 p.m. on December 23rd and my kitchen table looks like a craft store exploded on it.” So this year, we’re starting now. Not because I’m secretly the Martha Stewart of Heber (I promise you, I am not — I once hot-glued my own hair to a wreath), but because a little effort spread out over months beats a giant scramble crammed into one panicked week. Why Start So Early?
SANDWICH PREP Cut bread in half horizontally. Brush with olive oil and toast both pieces. On the bottom piece, spread with olive mix then layer on meats and cheeses. Cover with top half and wrap in plastic wrap to enable juices to soak the bread. As an option and the way we prefer it is to place the finished sandwich in a skillet and heat the bottom and then flip to heat the top through. Both sides of the sandwich will be lightly toasted and the meats and cheeses will be slightly warmed through. Slice into quarters and serve.
OLIVE MIX PREP Drain all ingredients. Place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse to a small, course chop.
If you’ve got family scattered across the country — and with the amount of Portuguese sweet bread my husband ships to his six siblings every December, we sure do — mailing gifts takes time. Handmade gifts take even more time, especially when your “help” is under the age of nine. Starting in August or September means things actually get finished, not just started with great enthusiasm and abandoned somewhere around November. Get the Kids Making, Now Kids of every age can contribute something, even if “contribute” occasionally means “add glitter to everything within reach.” A few ideas that have survived our house: • Painted rocks or wood slices as ornaments or paperweights. A 4-year-old can do this one solo, glitter and all.
• Hand-stamped kitchen towels using a simple fabric stamp pad. Grandmas melt every time. Search for free templates and designs online! • “Recipe in a jar” gifts — kids layer dry ingredients (cookie mix, hot cocoa mix) in a mason jar, decorate the lid, and tie on a card with instructions. Cheap, cute, and edible. Search for recipe/decorating ideas online! • Photo calendars or ornaments — printed cheaply, but priceless to the person who gets one with a crayondrawn reindeer beside a school photo. Budget-Friendly Doesn’t Mean Boring Some of our favorite gifts have cost under five dollars: infused olive oils, a jar of homemade seasoning blend, a hand-lettered (my lettering is aspirational at best) recipe card for a family favorite. My husband makes little bags of Brazilian brigadeiros for teachers and neighbors — three ingredients, huge smiles. There’s something in Doctrine and Covenants about how “he who is ready” need not fear, and I think about that every year — not out of anxiety, but out of peace. Getting a head start isn’t about perfection. It’s about giving yourself, and your kids, the gift of time. So, pull out the glue sticks, friends. December will be here before we know it, and this year, we’re going to meet it ready — and a little bit sticky.
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5 Places in Arizona
Continued from pg. 32
5. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument This protected landscape is the only place in the United States where organ pipe cacti naturally grow in abundance. Combined with volcanic hills and the incredible biodiversity of the Sonoran Desert, the result is a landscape unlike the stereotypical American desert. Its towering branching cacti create a striking silhouette that feels deliciously otherworldly.
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ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •
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DATING IN TODAY’S WORLD PART ONE: Dating & Artificial Intelligence (AI) AI is both exciting and terrifying, but does it affect dating?
This is the first of a four-part series on dating in today’s world: an interview with Dr. Brian J. Willoughby, Professor and Director, School of Family Life, Brigham Young University.
W
By Jeanie R. Davis
Dr. Brian J. Willoughby.
UP NEXT ISSUE: Dr. Willoughby will discuss dating and the effects of pornography.
illoughby says, “Yes, AI is absolutely impacting modern dating. The easiest place you can see its influence is in the rise of AI romantic companions. A large and growing proportion of young adults and teens are experimenting with AI chatbots and platforms in romantic or sexual ways. Often this use doesn’t start out as explicitly romantic, but as youth start to use AI tools that are increasingly personal and validating, they naturally start to experiment with more romantic situations and role playing. “Young adults are lonelier and more anxious than ever before, so AI chatbots can be appealing alternatives to the stresses of human dating and relationships. Up to 25% of young adults in the United States are reporting that they have experimented with AI romantic chatbots. “This can create unrealistic expectations for real-life relationships. AI chatbots are always validating. Real relationships aren’t like that; they require compromise and sacrifice. The more someone interacts with AI chatbots romantically, the more they prefer them over human interactions. “Another danger of AI lies in its potential to develop into a compulsive and addictive pattern of behavior. Not only will this create dependency to interacting with AI, which will make real-life relationships and dating more difficult, but it will also increase the risk of depression and other mental health problems that can interfere with healthy dating patterns.”
Image Courtesy of Well Life Therapy, LLC
explicit sexual interactions with teens and children. Parents need to educate themselves, so they know what to look for.” He continues, “Open communication is also crucial. Parents should be talking to their kids about what AI tools they are using, how they are using them, and help them develop the best practices and appropriate behaviors around AI. AI tools can be beneficial to youth if used to supplement their schooling, etc., but there are many risks and dangers with their unregulated nature. Parents need to be the primary
source of information for their children about these new AI tools. Parents also need to set clear boundaries and rules around AI tools in their home.” Willoughby concludes, “All adults hold a responsibility to encourage policy makers to consider stronger regulation of AI tools when it comes to minors. Currently, there is little to no regulation of AI platforms when it comes to minor children and teens, and research is showing that such regulation is needed to protect our youth from inappropriate and problematic interactions with AI tools.”
How can we protect our youth? Willoughby says, “Get educated about AI tools. ChatGPT and Gemini, as well as dozens of other AI apps, can romantically role play and have
35 • ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •
Image Courtesy of The Guardian
AI dating trap.
VALLEY TEMPLE SCHEDULES Lin Sue Flood
Local Thrift Shoppers Love the Dove!
B
argain hunters across the Valley are discovering some incredible deals at Hospice of the Valley’s White Dove Thrift Shoppes. It’s 25% off every Monday for Seniors 55 and older and 25% off every Saturday for teachers, first responders, students and military personnel. With four locations, these boutique-style shops are considered hidden treasures, full of upscale donations ranging from designer fashion to vintage home décor. More importantly, every purchase directly funds care for patients and families who need hospice services but lack insurance or financial resources. Amber Hinson is a newcomer to the scene, stepping into a White Dove store for the very first time this week,
but she insists it won’t be her last. While browsing the aisles, she marveled at both the quality and the price points. I love the deals, Hinson said, but its even better to shop where it does some good in the community. Cesar Padilla has been hunting for deals at the White Doves for years. Sporting a pair of cool sunglasses snapped up just minutes earlier, he raves about the unexpected inventory. I always find treasures here, the veteran thrifter said. There is truly something for everyone. Katie Del Real is, admittedly, a loyal regular to the Midtown White Dove, making that store her wardrobe staple since it opened in 2020. Wearing an entirely thrifted outfit, Del Real notes that nearly her whole closet is
full of secondhand finds. Her ultimate White Dove deal? A genuine Kate Spade purse secured at a fraction of its retail cost. I feel much better spending money on myself if it also helps someone else, she said. A quick stroll through the aisles revealed some remarkable discounts, including another Kate Spade bag for $45, vintage picnic baskets priced at $18, a collectible Bonzo the Dog creamer and sugar set for $35, a set of beautiful aqua goblets for $5 each, and a retro walnut office chair for 30 bucks. All of those items and more are just waiting for a new home! Happy shopping! Lin Sue Flood is Director of Community Engagement at Hospice of the Valley.
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. • 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, October 3 Monday, October 5 - Monday, October 19 Wednesday, November 25 - Thursday, November 26 Thursday, December 24 - Friday, December 25 Thursday, December 31 (Limited Operations)
Mesa Arizona Temple 101 S. LeSueur, Mesa, AZ, 852014 (1) 480-833-1211 Services: Clothing rental available. No Cafeteria Upcoming Closures 2026 Monday, July 27 - Monday, September 7 Saturday, October 3 Wednesday, November 25 (Limited Operations) Thursday, November 26 Thursday, December 24 Friday, December 25 Thursday, December 31 (Limited Operations)
Collectible dog-themed creamer and sugar bowl looking for a new home.
White Dove Thrift Shoppe
Phoenix Arizona Temple
LOC ATIONS
MIDTOWN PHOENIX
5220 W. Pinnacle Peak Road, Phoenix, AZ 85310 (1) 623-474-9500 Services: No clothing or cafeteria
SCOTTSDALE
Upcoming Closures 2026 Monday, August 31 - Monday, November 30 Thursday, December 24 - Friday, December 25 Thursday, December 31 (Limited Operations)
2711 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85016 8461 E. McDonald Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85250 GLENDALE
Distribution Centers
17045 N. 59th Ave., Glendale, AZ 85308 MESA
1255 W. Guadalupe Road, Mesa, AZ 85202
Katie Del Real only wears thrifted clothing and says the Midtown White Dove is her go-to!
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
ArizonaBeehiveMagazine.com •
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