Haight Creek Monthly

Untimely death. Unbelievable miracles. Loss of faith. Faith rekindled. It has been the best of times and the worst of times for so many in our stake. Brothers and sisters, I don’t have the words or the answers. But I do know this: “Is there any word from the Lord? ... There is.” (Jeremiah 37:17). The Lord has spoken, and sometimes in the plainest, most down-to-earth ways—through the scriptures. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8–9). “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5–6). “Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.” (Mosiah 4:9). Nephi said it best: “I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.” (1 Nephi 11:17). And finally, “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.” (D&C 6:36). Trust in the Lord. Believe in God. Know that He loves His children. Man does not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend. Lean not unto thine own understanding. And doubt not, fear not!

The Sunday School answers are the answers! From my missionary days in Mexico until now, I’ve learned that when life gets rough—and it gets rough for all of us—the answers are simple, straightforward, and oft repeated: prayer, scripture study, church attendance and participation, and service. I’ve asked countless people enduring terrible trials, “How are you getting through this?” Wanna guess what the answers are?!

Our Elder Rigby, somewhere in West Africa, is serving as a branch president. Heaven help that branch! And what do you suppose he’s teaching those tender, first-generation Saints? The Sunday School answers! And if they’re good enough for those faith-filled first-generation Saints, they’re good enough for us seventh-generation Saints! Jake heard those answers no fewer than 8,000 times growing up. What once made him roll his eyes now fills them with tears. The Sunday School answers are the answers.

Brothers and sisters, there is comfort in Christ, and there is comfort in His Cause. I don’t pretend to understand why some prayers are answered with miracles and others seem to be answered with heartache. But I know that “all that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.” These things are real. These are the answers. The Resurrection of Christ is real. The Restoration of Christ’s Church is real. Redemption through Christ is real.

On one occasion, when John the Baptist’s disciples were questioning him about some of the Savior’s practices, John was quick to remind them that it was Jesus, not himself, who was the Messiah. And then he made this remarkable statement: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

John’s declaration is a simple but powerful guideline for all of us who are called to lead, teach, minister, or parent. The question that should always be forefront in our minds and hearts is, “What can I do that will draw others to Him?” and not “What can I do that will increase their opinion of or devotion to me?”

This same guideline applies to our individual lives as well. Our own wills are strong and are not always aligned with the Lord’s. One of the great tests for every disciple is to learn to allow our own self-centered wills to decrease while allowing the will of the Lord to increase in our lives. This is part of Amaleki’s admonition to “come unto [Christ], and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him…” (Omni 1:26).

Not far from my birthplace of Ely, Nevada lies the Great Basin National Park that encompasses Nevada’s second tallest mountain called Wheeler Peak, and high on Wheeler Peak is found a grove of ancient Great Basin bristlecone pines. A bristlecone pine named Prometheus, which was at least 4,862 years old and the oldest living organism on earth, grew there before it was inadvertently cut down in 1964. Another bristlecone pine named, Methuselah www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/02/the-methuselah-tree-and-the-secrets-of-earths-oldest-organisms, now holds the distinction as the oldest living organism on earth at 4,858 years old.

The bristlecone pine falls into a species called “stress tolerators,” and survives extreme conditions by growing SLOWLY and devoting its energy to the simple basics for survival. We can learn an important spiritual life lesson from the bristlecone pine by slowing down, and focusing on what matters most when the pace of life becomes overwhelming.

The story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10 is a reminder to us that in a busy world, we need to slow down and focus on what matters most. When Jesus visited their home, Martha was “cumbered about much serving,” working hard to take care of all the responsibilities that came with hosting guests. Mary, on the other hand, sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to His words. Martha became frustrated that she seemed to be carrying the workload alone, but Jesus gently told her, “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful.”

The example of Mary and Martha reminds us that while there will always be more work to do, there are moments that should not be rushed. By slowing down, being present, and focusing on what is truly needful, we can find greater peace and a stronger connection with Christ, from whence the strength, confidence, and revelation needed to meet life’s challenges, demands, and trials will come.

How you choose to slow down and simplify is unique to your circumstances. The same holds true for how you choose to slow down and dedicate consistent time to communing with the Savior. For as Sister Patricia Holland counseled, “Please stop running to the point of exhaustion. Be quiet. Be still. Simplify. Miracles will come when we slow down, when we calm down, and when we kneel down.”

In closing, during the recent BYU Education Week, Elder Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, gave a profound message on this topic. I’m sure many of you heard it and were there in person. If you haven’t, I highly recommend it to you. I close with a short video excerpt taken from Elder Kearon’s talk featuring world-renowned soprano, Sissel, singing “Slow Down” (watch the excerpt docs.google.com/presentation/d/1YkeUrYaN8M9_J6zjokr_TtmVk40DLh_2B35Vzjbxl-w/edit?slide=id.p).

Brothers and Sisters, please, please slow down. Be still, wait for the Spirit of the Lord and know that he is God, and the miracles will come.

Our stake is taking part in Davis County’s 2026 Thanksgiving Turkey Drive. What is wanted is a frozen turkey breast, boneless or bone-in, and any Thanksgiving sides: boxed stuffing, boxed mashed potatoes, canned yams, canned vegetables, gravy packets, canned cranberries.

There are two ways to give it, and either is welcome. The youth will come and collect it on Wednesday 11 November — have it ready for them and you need not go anywhere. Or, if you would rather take it yourself, the flyer lists three drop-off points open that evening from 6 to 8 pm: the Bountiful Food Pantry at 480 E 150 N in Bountiful, Open Doors Food Pantry at 875 E UT 193 in Layton, and the Kaysville meetinghouse at 900 S Main Street. It reaches the same place either way.

What is donated goes to families in need through pantries, schools and churches across Davis County. Some details are still being settled, so watch for more from your ward.

No missionaries enter the field this month, and two return home.

Returning home this month are Zoe Keetch from Oak Hollow, who served in the Brazil Campinas Mission, and Mason Bakker from Haight Bench, who served in the Utah Layton Mission.

Elder and Sister Hoffman from the Baer Creek Ward share in the following paragraphs some of the blessings and choice experiences they are having while serving as Member and Leader Support missionaries in the Peru Cusco Mission.

“MLS is the BEST kind of mission. I would never consider anything else. You spend your time in a flexible rotation of service and ministering every day driven only by your own creativity, motivation, and love for the people. It’s “boots on the ground”, deep in the culture, and daily, real lives of a whole other group of Gods children!! The relationships you make will absolutely melt and reshape your heart into something better, softer, more aware of God’s love and charity, because He lets you feel it, through Him, every day!

You bring your gifts, whatever they are, in all of their beautiful diversity, and like the loaves and fishes, God multiplies your offering before your eyes, making more of you, and more of your gift than you could EVER accomplish on your own power. It’s a curriculum sure to sink into your heart, a complete trust in God and HIS PLANS for you, for those you love, and for every child of God who crosses your path.

PLEASE listen and respond to the call to serve a mission if it is on your heart right now!!! And if you feel a drawn to Peru, Andahuaylas, this is your spot! We need senior couples. What a blessing you will be to the wonderful people of Peru or wherever you are called.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Our dear prophet has extended to all members of the church to look for additional ways you can serve either from home as a service missionary or away from home as a full-time senior missionary. There are dozens and dozens of service opportunities that are available right now in our area. The Lord needs you if you have a few extra hours each week. There is also a great need in all the missions of the church. Mission Presidents are praying and pleading for more seniors and senior couples to assist in this great work. President Russell M. Nelson said,

“If you are tempted to think you’re not needed, let me reassure you that you are. There is not a mission president in the Church who would not love to have additional couples serving in his mission. ... Senior couples are often a literal answer to the prayers of bishops and branch presidents.”

If you are considering either serving as a service missionary in our area or would like to serve away from home but don’t know where to look to find what opportunities are available, we can help you. Please call Rick and Connie Johnson, (Stake Service Missionary Specialists)

801-301-6890. We would be happy to visit over the phone or come to your home.

President Russell M. Nelson said,

“My dear brothers and sisters, these surely are the latter days, and the Lord is hastening His work to gather Israel. That gathering is the most important thing taking place on earth today. Nothing else compares in magnitude, nothing else compares in importance, nothing else compares in majesty. And if you choose to, if you want to, you can be a big part of it. You can be a big part of something big, something grand, something majestic!”

Ashley Perrenoud - The Savior of Man

This month's talk from our Stake Relief Society Women's Conference is from Ashley Perrenoud of the Fox Pointe Ward. She reminds us that Jesus Christ is "my Jesus and your Jesus." Jesus' saving comes in many forms throughout our lives, and Ashley's personal experiences show just how true that is for all of us.

Davis Park Ward (18–25)
For announcements about ward activities refer to their website.
162 E. Burton Ln. Kaysville @ 12:00pm

Mountain Road Ward (26–35)
For announcements about ward activities refer to their website.
2025 E. Antelope Dr. Layton @ 12:30pm

When: 1st Thursday of each month — 7:45pm session

While sign-ups are encouraged, all are welcome to attend—whether or not a reservation has been made. There is always room available and participants are also welcome to take part in other ordinances.

The Davis Region holds these for single adults aged 46 and over, and all are welcome from 36. Everything below is in Farmington, Layton or Riverdale rather than at our own buildings.

Happy Fall!!

We are looking forward to our annual Stake Young Women’s Conference coming up later this month. This year’s theme is the 2026 youth theme, “Walk With Me.”

As we look forward to our conference, we invite each of you to take a moment to reflect on your own journey with the Savior. How have you walked with him this year? What does “Walk with me” mean to you? How would you like to continue walking with him throughout the rest of this year and beyond?

We know that as we walk with the Savior, he brings us peace in a less-than-peaceful world. He gives us strength when we feel weak, comfort when we are struggling, and hope when we need it most. We testify that as we choose to walk with him, he will walk with us, and we are never alone.

We can’t wait to gather together on the 21st.

Love,
Amy, Ashlee, Deanne, and Jenny

Save the date: Stake Young Women’s Conference, November 21, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the stake center, for all young women and their mothers.
Trek 2027!!! July 27th through the 31st.

The Fox Pointe Ward Primary presented their program on what to take in your backpack to get through life’s adventures: Jesus Christ, to choose Him; a map, to know where they are going and follow God’s plan; a first aid kit, because Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father heal our hearts when we make mistakes; a compass, because following Jesus is our true north; service of the heart, remembering the service and love of Jesus Christ so we can help others; a spiritual cup, filled by coming to church and singing in Primary; a flashlight, because the scriptures help light the way and give us examples to be closer to Jesus; and a whistle, a safety whistle like a prayer, to help us on our way if we are lost.

Time is still to be determined. Contact Diane Elliott for details at 801-201-1030.

Come out and support our girls!

We have been asked again by our Region leadership to participate in the upcoming Davis County Emergency Communication Drill. This is our second year taking part in this important exercise, which has two main purposes: to show ourselves that in the event of a true emergency we can reach every citizen in our neighborhood quickly, and to show our city leadership that we can communicate the status of our citizens in a short period of time.

Last year we had a good first-year response rate of about 50 percent. We hope that with this second annual practice we can do even better.

Please check now to see if you still have the red/green door hangers that were distributed last year, and reach out to your ward emergency prep coordinator if you have any questions.