Camp Names

The camps at Heber Valley Camp are named after prominent and remarkable women in the scriptures or in Church History. Currently there are seven camps. Do you know the basic story of each of the following sisters?

Lucy Mack Smith

Lucy Mack Smith was the mother of eleven children, including the Prophet Joseph Smith. She was a woman of unwavering faith in God and was dedicated to her children and the restored Gospel. She carefully described handling the Urim and Thummin and the ancient breastplate, and bore a firm testimony of the Book of Mormon. Her husband died in 1840; she lost two infant sons, three of her adult sons to sickness (Alvin, Samuel, Don Carlos), and Joseph and Hyrum to martyrdom. She remained faithful to God, the restoration of the Gospel, and her family until her death in 1856 at nearly 81 years of age.

Esther

Esther's story is recorded in the Old Testament book that bears her name. She was orphaned in her youth and adopted by a Jew named Mordecai. When she pleased King Ahasuerus, she was made his queen. Meanwhile, a leader in the king's court named Haman plotted to destroy the Jews. After Mordecai's challenge to her, "who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?", Esther risked her life in exposing the plot to the king and in the process saved the whole Jewish nation.

Abish

Abish was a Lamanite servant in King Lamoni's court who had been "converted unto the Lord for many years" after her father had a "remarkable vision." When Ammon, Lamoni, the queen, and the other servants were all fallen to the earth, she recognized the power of God and became an instrument in His hands. Wanting others to witness this power, she ran from house to house and gathered the people to the house of the king. She eventually raised the queen from her unconscious state, helping initiate the work of the Lord among the Lamanites. (see Alma 19: 16-17, 28-36)

Bertha Stone Reeder

Bertha Stone Reeder was the general president of the Young Women's MIA from 1948 to 1961. During her administration, the coordination, translation, and communication with the youth presidencies worldwide were a great challenge and new programs were created. General board members were sent more frequently on weekend convention tours to present programs in activities, dance, drama, music, athletics, and camping. Stake Youth Conferences were started, and the Era of Youth was launched as an insert in the monthly Church magazine Improvement Era.

Sariah

Sariah was the wife of Lehi, and the mother of Laman, Lemuel, Sam, Nephi, Jacob, and Joseph. She supported her husband and family in their prophetic journey from Jerusalem, journeying for eight years in the wilderness, then traveling across the sea in a ship constructed by her sons to the Promised Land. She was a faithful daughter of God, supporting the Lord's direction through her husband, the prophet, encouraging her family to be valiant in their hardships as they traveled, and leaving a legacy of grace and beauty for her family to follow.

Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Marjorie Pay Hinckley was the beloved wife of Gordon B. Hinckley, 15th President of the Church. Her happiest role was that of a supportive wife and mother. She helped serve shoulder to shoulder with her husband as he frequently remodeled their home as well as laboring to build up the church worldwide. She traveled extensively with him and spread her cheerful influence freely. She was comfortable with royalty and dignitaries, but equally at ease with ordinary people. Known for her optimism and humor, she often said, "The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through."

Eliza R. Snow

Eliza R. Snow was the first Relief Society Secretary to be called in 1842 when it was organized by Joseph Smith. Later when the saints moved to Utah, she was the second General Relief Society President. Throughout her life she often expressed her feelings in poetry and writing. Her songs are among some of the favorite LDS hymns today. Joseph Smith said of her, "She walked not in the borrowed light of others, but faced the morning unafraid and invincible." (I am proud to say that Eliza R. Snow personally composed a hymn of consolation for my Great-great grandfather James Hancey)

Camp Rebekah is under construction this year. The camp to be built after Rebekah is Camp Minerva Teichert. Who is that? I don't know. Camp Elizabeth is another future expansion project. We don't use the full names of the camps. For instance, we say Snow and Reeder instead of Eliza R. Snow and Bertha Stone Reeder. Well, this ends your lesson for today!