Three Ward Members "Graduate" from Earth Life

   As announced in church Sunday, ward member Peg Thawley recently died and had a private service.  Ralph McDonald who was a ward clerk in Lodi Third Ward for many years also recently passed way.  He did not have a funeral.  Joyce Dickerson laid her husband Bruce to rest July 23 with a beautiful funeral service in the Stake Center chapel.
  Long time friends participated in the service.  Loren Perry gave the eulogy; Dave Gillingwater read remarks written by Joyce; Daughter Linda Huffman told family stories, and Bryant Bogren gave a beautiful spiritual message which included the plan of salvation.  A group of sisters sang "Abide With Me."
  At the request of Joyce, Linda Parker played Bruce's favorite piece of music, "Moonlight Sonata" as part of the prelude music.  There were many comments about the beauty and significance of her tender piano performance.

The Dickerson family poses for a picture before the grave dedication by Joseph Stringer, Second Counselor in the Mokelumne River Ward Bishopric.

Liz Sprowls (left), Judy Wilcox (center) are two of a group of Relief Society sisters who prepared and served a delicious luncheon for family and friends after the services.

Scouts Enjoy Being in Nature

   Mokelumne River Ward young men and their leaders attended the Marin-Sierra scout camp last week. Deacon's Quorum leader and scoutmaster, Tim Shull said, "It was an amazing time to camp in the woods and be one with nature." 
   They had daily visits from their bear buddy, who they affectionately named Jeremy! (Center Picture)  Brother Shull expressed his gratitude to Ben Brown, John Robison and Nathen Crum for their help during the camp.

Healthy Smoothies Highlight of Relief Society Event

Sister Vicki Kidd gave a presentation on "Gut Health and Delicious Smoothie Making," to twenty sisters attending the monthly weekday Relief Society meeting July 19. Tasty samples were enjoyed by all.  The evening concluded with members returning to their tables and working on their own projects.  It was an evening of learning, fellowship, and fun.  {Story and photos contributed by Jen Tovar, RS Historian.}

Young Men Have Amazing "Duty to God" Camp

 

    This past week the Young Men (Aaronic Priesthood) participated in a stake "Duty to God" camp in Hollister, California.  Priest age boys acted as DL's (district leaders,) mentoring the younger boys--structured much like a mission.
   As reported by Kelly Farlee, Bryce Farlee, Kedren Farlee and Matt Cooper, there were a lot of sporting activities:  BB shooting, shotgun shooting of clay pigeons, tug-of-war, swimming in the ocean, and much more.
    Along with the physical events, there was an overriding emphasis on spiritual growth.  The young men were directed to leave their mobile devices home for the week.  Their theme was D&C 19:23 which emphasized learning of Christ and finding peace.  To help them find this peace during the week they had a special sacred grove where they could quietly read, pray, or deeply ponder the meaning of this verse and its application in their personal lives.  They listened to special talks by Patriarch Jim Cook and Stake President Joseph Anderson.
     Newly called missionary Evan Webb taught a lesson about how the spirit can change someone.  He compared it to "physical vs. chemical."  As an object lesson he showed a piece of wet paper.  This is physical.  It is possible to dry it out and get the paper back.  But if you set the paper on fire there is a chemical change that makes it impossible to come back to paper again.  Elder Webb explained that you can have a desire to change, but you must have the spirit to help you.

   Following are pictures and comments about some of the activities.

Bishop Tom Busi of the Ione Ward, who "broke his leg," is carried off on a stretcher.  During the camp the Young Men learned how to make a stretcher, as well as a splint for a broken leg.  Mokelumne Ward First Counselor Tyler Burton also broke his leg and had to be carried out on a stretcher, but his picture was not available.

At the end of the camp, a trophy was to be awarded to the ward team who had the most all-around points in the games during the week. Mokelumne River Ward was tied with Galt's Twin Cities Ward, so the two teams competed in a tug-of-ward to determine the winner.  According to Evan Webb, "We broke them in less than 10 seconds!!"

This is the  #1 trophy with the #1 team.

You can find it displayed in Bishop Holden's office!

The Video: "Duty to God Camp 2018"

Watch this excellent video produced by Jordan Clark of the Vintage Ward. You will see lots of Mokelumne River Ward Young Men because (editor's note) they are active, awesome and the greatest kids ever!

Evan Webb Called to Serve Mission in Bolivia

    Evan Webb, son of Brad and Bronwyn Webb, has been called to serve in the Bolivia Santa Cruz North Mission and will enter the Mexico City MTC August 28.

Deciding to Serve a Mission

    With his ability to play high level baseball, and a high 4.0 GPA, Evan was planning to  go to a highly ranked school in Southern California.  The coaches there loved him and he committed to play, but was denied by the admissions office at the extremely competitive school.  "I was really distraught," Evan said.  "I didn't understand why, so I started praying about what the Lord wanted me to do."
   At that moment the story of Alma came into his mind--how Alma did a complete turnaround to become a rock solid missionary and eventually a prophet.  He realized how his focus on baseball had gotten him off track. "I had forgotten how important the Gospel was," he recalled.  "All of the truths came flooding into my mind."
   Seminary has impressed upon him that he needed to study the Gospel every day.  "I took the challenge to do this.  The Lord had already told me I wasn't going to play ball, so I really started to study, which changed my life.

Receiving the Call

Evan's twin sister Alysa gives  him a hug after learning he will be serving in Bolivia.

    With four hours notice, Evan's family set up an 'opening the call' party at the church. "When I opened the letter and read it, there was complete silence.  Everybody!  The spirit was in the room.  It can't be loud and have the spirit there at the same time.  The spirit was testifying to everyone that this is what I should be doing at this time."

Working with the Elders in Lodi

           Evan has been going out and working with the Elders assigned to serve in Lodi and says he has had great training from them.  "They are incredible and teach me so much."  Because of this, Evan feels very prepared to serve a mission.  He has also gotten help from his dad, Brad Webb, who served a mission and has shared his experiences, as well as the Priesthood power that he felt and the blessings received for standing up against the adversary.

The Temple Endowment

Left: Webb family: Caden, Brad, Bronwyn, Evan and Alysa.
 Right: Evan with bishopric counselors Tyler Burton and Joseph Stringer.

   Evan's dad was his escort when he went through the Sacramento Temple for the first time.  "I was an emotional wreck," he said. "To enter into the Lord's presence is impossible for natural man to do.    The only reason we're here is because of the Savior.  The Savior revealed to a prophet and showed him what needed to be said, and the associated covenants.  I got super emotional about my dependence on  the Savior, and me as a person, and the people I will be teaching, and the Church in general."

 

Relief Society Enjoys Outdoor Social

Left: sisters enjoy potluck dinner.
Right: Martha Farr gives Wanda Cox a hand as she enters the pavilion with her walker.

   Relief Society sisters met in the pavilion behind the church for an evening of socializing June 21.  "We enjoyed a pot luck supper and played a game, but mainly we just talked and laughed and got to know each other better.  It was a fun-filed evening," said Judy Wilcox, RS President. On a serious side, a quote from Parley P. Pratt about the Holy Ghost was read to those attending.
   The event was organized by a committee composed of Angie Boswell, Chrissy Plines, Serena Powell and Shawna Banks.