Thursday, December 26, 2013

Til We Meet Again, Brother Dennison


The B7 Ward recently lost one of its favorite High Priests when DeVon Swensen Dennison passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2013.  Born March 22, 1938 in Hinckley, Utah to Theodore A. and Edith Swensen Dennison, he grew in stature and testimony before serving a fulltime mission to Denmark.  After his honorable release, he met and married RaNae Jones in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple.

A graduate of Weber State College in Ogden, DeVon went on to earn a Masters degree in vocational counseling from UNLV, then lived and shared his education and work ethic throughout central Utah communities until 1975 when he and his family moved to St. George where he managed the Job Service office for more than twenty years.  He loved serving in any and all ward callings, but was most happy doing missionary work and working in scouting, for which he was recognized for his years of service with the Silver Beaver award.

DeVon is survived by his wife, RaNae; and children Eric (Amy), Lisa (Daren) Cottam, Bruce (Kerry), David (Michelle), Kevin (Molly) and 21 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sons, Scott and Bradley.


Monday, December 23, 2013

Young Men and Women Practice Holiday Etiquette


On Friday, December 20, Laurels and Priests dressed up and gathered at the home of Bishop and Sister Goldhardt for a holiday dinner of prime rib and baked potatoes with all the trimmings.  Planned as an etiquette (ĕt’i-ket’) dinner, the young men and women practiced “codes governing correct behavior prescribed by social convention or by authority” such as dress and demeanor, table manners and communication skills while enjoying good food in the company of their friends.  During the evening, Bishop Goldhardt expressed his love and appreciation for the example these young men and women set for those around them – both young and old - and encouraged them to continue on the path of righteousness as they move out into the world!

Friday, December 13, 2013

Merry Christmas, Relief Society

 

The Relief Society Christmas party, on Thursday, December 12, was a festive success with elegantly decorated tables – complete with china and stemware – a delicious dinner and amazingly talented entertainers.  Thanks to the committee including Jill Jones, Rebecca Larson, Jeanine Smith, Helen Baltazar, Deanne Hill and Jane Creed; to those who brought their creativity and their favorite holiday centerpieces, including Teresa Lindquist, Beth Foxley and Mary Jean Carson, Diane Miller and Jill Jones, Linda Sappington, Vanda Lawson, Trudy Oviatt, Cheryl Kanenwisher, and Shar Simikins and Ann Bertschi; and, to Linda Lowe who invited violinist Jaden Cox and pianist Heidi Webb to perform.  Thanks, also, to all who came out on a (very) cold winter night.  Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Welcome Home, Tom and Jackie Malm

Tom and Jackie Malm returned home to ice and snow in early December after 18 months as fulltime missionaries in the Laie Hawaii Temple Mission in Honolulu, Hawaii. Together in this heavenly assignment, they recertified ordinance workers every six months, trained new ones, and met weekly with the two other missionary couples and the temple president to make sure everything was being done correctly "and that we didn't get too casual," notes Sister Malm. "We were prepared in the MTC to do proselyting but the mission president felt our singular responsibility should be the temple."

Their 24/7 companionship, according to Brother Tom, strengthened their love for each other and the Lord, while giving them the opportunity to associate with church members from all over the world. "We were ready to come home, but we really miss the people who were so awesome and loving ... and smiled at us even when they didn't know us!"

Missionaries serving in northern California were the first assigned to preach in Polynesia in 1850. In February 1851, the first Hawaiian convert was baptized and by August of that same year, there were five congregations with 220 members. The first meetinghouse in the Hawaiian islands was built on the island of Maui in 1852. In 1854, the Church purchased land at Laie for a colony, sugar factory, and schools and where in 1919 the first Hawaiian temple was completed. In 1955, the College of Hawaii (now BYU—Hawaii) began classwork and in 1963, the Polynesian Cultural Center - now Hawaii's #1 tourist attraction with villages and exhibits representing the 8 cultures of the South Pacific - began bringing international attention to the Church. Currently there are more than 72,000 members in 135 wards and branches throughout the islands.

What are the Malm's doing now that they are home? Brother Tom is back to work full-time at PowerInk, the business he started 40 years ago (he'd like to sell it if anyone is interested). Together they also work in the temple on Thursday night, help people with family history and teach the ward temple preparation class. 

Welcome home, Brother Tom and Sister Jackie. You were missed!

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Merry Christmas, B7 Ward

The B7 Ward celebrated the holiday season with a delightful Christmas party on Saturday, December 7.   The committee, made up of Mary Jean Carson and her family, made the decision with the support of the entire ward council, to forgo a traditional dress-up, sit-down dinner in favor of a Christmas breakfast of German pancakes, bacon, orange juice, Santa Claus and Max the Magician.  

By most days, and nights, Stan Poole considers himself a normal Accord-driving, mortgage-paying, yard work-avoiding, middle-age husband and father of five who sells ads for The Spectrum, but for our entertainment, Stan Poole disappeared and was replaced by Max, a hilarious comic magician.  

It was an enjoyable Saturday morning with friends, good food and filled with the spirit of the holiday.  As the festivities ended and people began heading home, snow started to fall – a perfect end to a memorable holiday party.

And, here’s the recipe for German pancakes:

            *          6 beaten eggs
            *          1 c. white flour (whisked in until smooth)
            *          1 c. milk
            *          ½ t. salt

While preparing the mixture, preheat the oven to a temperature of 410 degrees.  Warm a 9 x 13” cake pan in the oven with 2 T. butter until it melts.  When the oven reaches its correct temperature – but before the butter burns – pour in the pancake mixture and cook for another 20 minutes.  When the pancakes are ready, cut to an appropriate size and serve with butter, warm syrup or jam and sprinkle with powdered sugar. 

Merry Christmas, one and all