TRUTH WILL PREVAIL- 50 YEARS OF SERVING ONE ANOTHER ON VANCOUVER ISLAND.

A FINAL CALL FOR HELP! (lets finish strong

WHEN THE KIDS ASK 'WHAT DID GRANDPA AND GRANDMA BELIEVE ABOUT GOD?'

(I know you are asking yourself 'what does that have to do with the stake 50th anniversary' - but just indulge the missionary is us for a moment, please)

YOUR ANSWER TO THE KIDS CAN BE SUPPORTED BY GENERAL CONFERENCE THIS WEEKEND AND THE BRIEF REVIEW OF THE PAST 13 'COME FOLLOW ME' LESSONS

CONSIDER THE FACT THAT THE FOLKS WE ARE CELEBRATING WHO BUILT THE CHURCH ON THIS ISLAND BELIEVED AND THEN TRIED TO LIVE A PARTICULAR WAY. HELP YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN TO KNOW THAT THESE 'OLD FOLKS' WHO WE HONOR BELIEVED THE FOLLOWING:

(past 3 months of Come Follow Me including D&C 1-29)

1. GOD WAS RESTORING THE FULLNESS OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST THROUGH VISIONS, TRUTH, REVELATIONS, AND AUTHORITY FROM PROPHETS, ANGELS AND HEAVENLY MESSENGERS. GOD WAS RESTORING HIS PROMISES TO ABRAHAM.

2. THE RESTORATION IS AN ONGOING REVELATION FROM THE LIVING GOD TO HIS LIVING CHILDREN. GOD ACTUALLY SPEAKS IN THESE LATTER DAYS. THERE IS SAVING TRUTH NOW RESTORED TO EARTH ABOUT HIM, HIS SON JESUS CHRIST, THE HOLY GHOST AND ABOUT US AND OUR PLACE IN HIS 'PLAN OF HAPPINESS.'

3. JOSEPH SMITH AND FUTURE PROPHETS WITH AUTHORITY AND KEYS TO TESTIFY TO THE WORLD THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST AND THAT GODS PLAN IS FOR EVERYONE ON EARTH. THAT HE LOVES HIS CHILDREN AND HAS PROVIDED A WAY HOME.

4. THE BOOK OF MORMON AS GODS TESTIMONY TO THE WORLD THAT HE LIVES AND LOVES THEM AND THAT THEY CAN HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM BY USING THEIR OWN FREE WILL. HE WILL NOT TAKE AWAY THEIR ABILITY TO CHOOSE HIM.

5. MISSIONARY WORK AS A PART OF OUR LIVES. 'FAITH COMETH BY HEARING'. MISSIONARIES WERE CALLED EVEN BEFORE THE CHURCH WAS ORGANIZED. OUR OBLIGATION TO TESTIFY TO THE WORLD OF GODS LOVE AND HIS 'RELENTLESS PURSUIT' TO GATHER ISRAEL AND TO SAVE HIS CHILDREN.

6. THE WORTH OF SOULS - ALL MANKIND ARE BROTHERS AND SISTERS, GOD IS OUR FATHER AND WE ARE OF ETERNAL VALUE TO HIM. SO MUCH THAT HE SENT HIS SON TO SAVE US ALL BY GIVING HIS VERY LIFE. WE WILL FIND OUR JOY IN JESUS CHRIST.

7. THE PLACE OF WOMEN IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD - EMMA SMITH AND EVERY DAUGHTER OF GOD AND THEIR ROLE IN BUILDING THE KINGDOM.

8. THE CHURCH EXISTS TO BRING PEOPLE TO CHRIST AND TO PREPARE A ZION PEOPLE TO LIVE WITH THE LORD WHEN HE COMES. WE ARE TO PREPARE OURSELVES AND OUR FAMILIES FOR THE SAVIOR TO RETURN IN GLORY.

9. LIFE IS ETERNAL FOR ALL OF US. IT DOES NOT END. YES, DEATH IS A SHORT TERM SEPERATION OF BODY AND SPIRIT BUT OUR SPIRITS CONTINUE TO GROW AND REPENT IN THE SPIRIT WORLD WHILE ISRAEL IS BEING GATHERED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEIL. ALL IN PREPARATION FOR A TIME WHEN WE WOULD BE RESTORED TO OUR PHYSICAL BODY AND LIVE WITH THE LORD AND EACH OTHER IN GLORY. WE ARE ETERNAL BEINGS.

10. THE ENDOWMENT AND THE SEALING POWER WAS ABOUT TO BE RESTORED TO THE EARTH ALLOWING BELIEVERS TO MAKE COVENANT WITH GOD AND FAMILIES TO BE SEALED TOGETHER IN TEMPLES. THIS IS WHAT WE MEAN WHEN WE TALK ABOUT COMING TO CHRIST AND GATHERING ISRAEL.

THAT IS A SIMPLE REVIEW OF OUR 'COME FOLLOW ME' LESSONS SINCE JANUARY 2025.

WE WANT TO OFFER A MISSIONARY CHALLENGE: LISTEN TO THE SESSIONS OF GENERAL CONFERENCE ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. HEAR HOW MANY OF THE TRUTHS LISTED ABOVE ARE TAUGHT BY OUR LEADERS AND CONSIDER THOSE WHO WENT BEFORE US AND THEN HUMBLY THANK GOD FOR PEOPLE IN YOUR WORLDWHO ARE "TRUE TO THE FAITH"

___________________________________________________________________________________

Ok, lets talk about the 'Memory Book' and how we need your help to complete this task.

The few pictures below all have something to do with the Church on the island over the past 100 years. Many of you have sent them. Many more will. Thank you. You're help is SOOO appreciated.

WE ADDED JUST A FEW PICTURES THAT HAVE BEEN SENT IN SO YOU COULD BE REMINDED.

We have been gathering dozens of pictures and conversion stories for the Stake 50th anniversary celebration. But WE COULD SURE USE YOUR HELP!

Many of you who are receiving this have already shared your answers to the short survey and some pictures. But we are asking you to help us finish strong.

ALL OF THESE PICTURES AND ITEMS WILL BE INCLUDED IN A DIGITAL BOOK, AVAILABLE TO EVERY MEMBER OF BOTH STAKES. WE WILL ALWAYS BE ADDING TO IT, BUT FOR NOW, PLEASE HELP US WITH THESE 2 ISSUES:

1. AFTER YOU HAVE FILLED OUT THE QUESTIONAIRE , FIND JUST ONE MORE MEMBER TO FILL IT OUT AND PROVIDE A PICTURE OR TWO (OR A BUNCH)

2. CONTACT THE FAMILY OF A MEMBER WHO HAS PASSED AWAY AND OBTAIN THE SAME INFORMATION OF THEM

The pictures and stories that we have received have created great memories for many. Some have been seen by friends that have not been involved with us for awhile and who are enjoying a renewed relationship with old friends. Social media (stake and personal Facebook pages) have been super helpful. Consider pictures of

youth conferences, baptisms and rebaptisms, girls camps, scout activities, ward and stake parties, stake conference, young adult activities, funeral services, service projects, missionary farewells and homecomings, meeting with missionaries, priesthood ordinations, temple trips, general authority visits, and anything else you may think of.

ANNIVERSARIES ARE A BIG DEAL - LETS NOT FORGET THOSE WHO MADE IT HAPPEN

(this is a request for your help. Hoping you will be able to assist us)

February 9, 1975 . A normal Sunday on Vancouver Island. But in Victoria, big things are up. The 679th stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter - day Saints was being organized. Hundreds of people had made it happen and been patiently 'waiting on the Lord'. But today was the day. By the way, to give a little perspective, there are currently nearly 3600 stakes throughout the world.

There is plenty written about the history of that day and what led up to it. What has not been written, or at least gathered into one place, is the stories and the pictures of the people. Some of them are gone and are working for us on the other side of the veil. But many of those folks are you who are reading this right now. Please know you and they are loved and truly respected. The work you have achieved is amazing. The world is a better place because of you. This Island is a better place because of you. The church is better off because of your sacrifice and your service. We will never forget you. Thanks.

As we gather to worship on Sunday February 9, 2025, and as the days go forward, we are hoping that you will consider providing pictures from those earlier folks and church experiences.. Your personal story of conversion. Your testimony of Jesus Christ and his prophets. Your love of the saints. Your most enjoyable callings, etc. In other words, a little about you and your family and a picture or two. These are being compiled for a later date when we actually celebrate the anniversary. (considering how much snow was received on the island this past week, we all agree that it was the right decision to postpone the official anniversary 'party' until may.)

Below you will see a list of different histories that we currently have in our possession. All of them given by you folks. PLEASE, if you have others, share them with us. We hope to include all of this material in one place for future reference while we work toward the next 50 years of island history for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Now let us introduce you, from a different angle to some of the first latter day saints on Vancouver Island.

The sister in the middle is Sister Copley from the Copley's who came as the first members of the church in 1875.

Some little known news here. The family had a son in 1880. His middle name was Vancouver. He lived until 1976. Yup, he was still alive when the Victoria stake was created.

This is George Vancouver Copley. One of 14 children born to his parents. Still alive in 1975.

Copley family photo

Hey, your Family Tree is amazing. Same picture, but by tagging and using facial recognition, it tells us who is in the photograph. Check it out on your own family tree app. (available free to every member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

Through the years we all learned to call him William. But notice that he was born as Franciscus Josephus and not as William. He was born in Germany. Died in Duncan and is buried in Mill Bay. All important info. But who was he and what legacy did he and his wife leave? That history is for another time, but here is something that you will relate to. They have 12 girls and 2 boys. Yup, she gave birth to at least 14 children. That family of Latter Day Saints on Vancouver Island has impacted all of us. The story of how you go from Fillmore Utah to San Francisco to Nevada and finally to Vancouver Island is a story that still needs telling but for now, just remember this: His children and grandchildren say that even though they were here without the formally organized church for nearly 40 years, they taught their children the Gospel of Jesus Christ , bore testimony of the truth of the restoration, loved the prophet Joseph Smith, followed living prophets, did their own missionary work, and loved the Lord. They were believers.

Get out a magnifying glass. I bet some of you can find yourselves in this one.

We all continue to pray for final approval and announcement of where Victoria Temple will be built. It won't be too long!

These are the histories that we currently have. Please help us to find others. Lets include all of this in the 'remembrance book' celebrating the 50th anniversary of the stake. (and please remember that this includes the entire island and so both current stakes are an important part of this)

Between now and May, we hope that you will keep searching your memories, computers, closets, drawers, storage bins, attics, and even under the bed where the box is that you haven't seen in years. You may well find a picture or document that will bring back a joyful memory for somebody who is in need of that joy.

Thanks for your efforts.

Please let us know. You can call, email, facebook, text or whatever works for you.

Scott Johnson 801 735-6898 Scottjohnsonfinancial@gmail.com

Valerie Johnson 801 357-9306 Iamvalerie1000@gmail.com

91 w 1880 n Orem, Utah 84057

PS.. One other thing: if you have not requested to join or at least followed the stake facebook pages, please do so. Help them get the word out.

Victoria BC Stake Communications

Victoria BC Stake - Latter-day Saints

Friends of The Nanaimo British Columbia Stake

TRUTH WILL PREVAIL - NEWSLETTER NUMBER 2 REGARDING THE UPCOMING 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VICTORIA STAKE

THIS IS BEING PREPARED THE WEEK OF JULY 1, 2024

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

This picture reminded us of so many of you and where you live. Thanks for your faithfulness during life's difficult times. The Lord loves you and he loves your families. Never forget that His promise is from 'generation to generation' Just like the trees in BC

THE DEEPER THE ROOTS, THE STRONGER THE TREE.

Now lets have some fun while getting ready for a 50th anniversary celebration next may!

Today its a simple guessing game. We are showing a few pictures to determine who knows the people and the place. Take your guesses. As you continue to send pictures (please keep it up) lots of people are getting excited to send even more pictures. Hoping you will do just that.

So what we will do is share the picture, give a few clues, and ask that you respond to the email. Some of these are not that old and others might be considered 'ancient' by our younger folks. Here we go:

Clues: airplane, flying high counselors to the furthest points of Vancouver island. Spent time in lots of other places in the world, but loves Vancouver Island

Clues: Nanaimo family. Music was their world. (maybe next time I will send a recording and that will make it easier) . Hey, if you can't figure this one out, ask Sister Murray in Sydney for more clues.

Clues: What might the most famous mountain spot in southern Alberta have to do with the 50th anniversary of the Victoria British Columbia Stake? (I know it's in Montana but what is a few miles) Tell us your thoughts.

Clues: think Port Alberni. Think more than a few years ago. Ask a member of the Ruttan family for some help.

Ok, just a couple more.

Clues: I believe that when Elder Packer came to create the Victoria Stake in 1975, he came on the ferry Trying to verify that. Some of you might know. Please give us some details.

Clues: Special reward next month for the first one to get this couple. He owned a fish food restaurant in Utah. He spent a lot of time for 3 years in Alaska and British Columbia. Actually purchased this home for the church while in BC. Any ideas yet??

Clues:This one you all know who. But do you know WHERE and when? He actually had a great helicopter ride from Vancouver over to the island. His wife was also with him.

Clues: 2 missionaries, a father, and one of his sons. Dads name is Milton. This is Duncan and it is the cultural hall behind the church (our church had purchased an old Catholic church. Picture probably taken around 1971. Any takers?

Clues: Work accident in Nanaimo, nicest guy in the world.

Has an incredible family. Plays computer games

with his mouth! Moved to Vancouver not too long ago.

If you can't figure it out, you could

ask Barnards in the Victoria 1st ward.

Ok, everyone. Remember our intent here. We want to recognize the people on Vancouver Island who made it all happen. THAT MEANS YOU!

so 2 things:

1. PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS EMAIL, EVEN IF JUST TO SAY HELLO. WE CERTAINLY DO NOT WANT TO MISS ANYONE.

2. PLEASE SEND THIS EMAIL AND THE PICTURES ON TO THOSE WHO SHOULD BE INCLUDED. LETS GET THE WORD OUT.

We are hoping that we can have some fun with this as we continue to serve one another in this wonderful world we all live in.

Lifelong Disciples of Christ - That is who we all are.

Those of us in British Columbia understand that

"The Deeper the Roots - Thee Stronger the Tree

Love from

Scott and Valerie Johnson

Service missionaries

Canada Vancouver Mission

(801) 735-6898

scottjohnsonfinancial@gmail.com

(any responses, please just reply to the email)

TRUTH WILL PREVAIL - OUR PREPARATIONS FOR A STAKE 50TH ANNIVERSARY RECOGNITION OF THE 'TRUE AND FAITHFUL'

What an amazing place to put a Temple!

FUN FACT: at one time, the 'Mormons' in Nauvoo considered west to Vancouver Island rather than the Salt Lake Valley.

FUN FACT: February 1975 was the beginning of the Victoria Stake but members of the church had been on the island since 1875.

We are service missionaries in the Canada Vancouver Mission. We are working to gather information on Latter Day Saints who were on the island for some or all of the past 50 years and longer. Our goal is to have a 'memory book' prepared for the anniversary of the stake in February of 2025.

This email is being sent out to a lot of people around the world, but particularly those who do or have lived on Vancouver Island, British Columbia , Canada. If you are receiving it, then someone believed that you would be able to help us out. Thank you for taking the time to consider it. (eventually we hope to have this request in the hands of every member of both stakes on the island)

We would like to stay in touch monthly with updated information We deeply appreciate any and all help and ideas.

Do you recognize anyone in this picture??

(look closely, it is possible that a few of you might even be in it)

This picture of church members and some of their families was taken in Victoria British Columbia in 1960 (or so)

We anticipate that throughout Canada and the world, there a lot of pictures like this. Taken over the past 100 years or so. Some of you have them in an old scrapbook. Some of you have them in your storage or an attic, some of you have them on the computer, some of you can't remember where you have them but you know you have them! We are hoping that you will start a personal search! It will really help us out.

Ok then, how about this one? This one should be a bit more familiar to our friends in the Nanaimo stake.

As pictures come in, we will try and recognize you for sending them. Today and forever we thank Katie McCue and her late husband Bob for their efforts in gathering and being a part of our lives and this project. Katie, we love you!!

Pictures are one way to help us. The other way is to be a part of this recognition book by responding to the information sheet below. You can just send us an email, call us on the phone, text us, write us a letter. In other words, any means of communication works for us. We just hope that you will answers the 12 or 13 questions and tell us about you, your family, and your membership in the Church.

Also, please let us know others who ought to be receiving this request. Many of the people that we need information about have passed away and maybe you can help us with that. Let us know family who may have pictures or information for those who are no longer with us. We sure do not want to miss anyone if we can help it.

So, here is what you could do that would help us out.

1. Fill out the questionaire and get the answers to us by any means you can.

2. Begin a search for pictures that have some link to you and your membership in the church since you or your family became members.

3. Let us know who should be getting this email and check with them. Ask for their email and ask them to fill out the questionaire. Also, let us know about those who have passed away in your family or ward or branch.

4. Feel free to contact us about any or all of this info. You can certainly make a difference in this project and in recognizing the true and faithful.

Once you have completed the form or if you have anything at all to add, just feel free to mail, text, find us on facebook or instagram, email, or just come on by and bring it to us. Yes, we are currently living in Orem, Utah, but if you happen to be in the area, we would love to have you stop in. And if you decide to just call us, notice that there are 2 numbers on the card. A phone number in the USA and a phone number in Canada. Use whatever one works for you.

Thanks for taking the time to help us out. Till next time.

Elder and Sister Johnson

91 w 1880 n Orem, Utah 84057

US# 801 735-6898 or Canada # 250-532-3952

Scottjohnsonfinancial@gmail.com

JUNE IS HEAVENLY IN CANADA

HOW IS THIS FOR PERSPECTIVE

The picture was painted by a wonderful senior sister in our mission. Her name is Sister Prause. She and her husband are from Arizona. They have had a medical emergency just in the past few days and had to return to their home for a couple of weeks in hopes of getting well. Hoping that you will pray with us for them and their healthy return to the mission field. We have had lots of thoughts about the picture. Here is just one of those thoughts.

We all have a PERSPECTIVE. Right? However you view the world, our prayer is that you consider that we (meaning all 7 billion of earths inhabitants) may see it just a little bigger. A little differently. So here is a thought experiment to challenge your own PERSPECTIVE:

Our life experience, our upbringing and parentage, our family circumstance, our traumatic experiences, our sexual orientation, our faith or lack of faith in a supreme being, our culture, our politics, our nationality and even our relationship with ourself. All of that impacts your PERSPECTIVE. Now ask yourself. What about God? "what is Gods PERSPECTIVE"? Is it possible to understand Gods PERSPECTIVE on an issue? Should we try? Should we care?

Consider Fathers Day which we had earlier this month. Maybe this view of "father" will allow some of us a broader PERSPECTIVE:

This last 2 weeks in our faith study (in our church it is called Come Follow Me) we are at the end of the Gospels. For those of us who have studied the last 72 hours of Jesus mortal life, we have been reminded of love from a new PERSPECTIVE. (Jesus teaching his apostles "a new commandment I give you that you love one another as I have loved you"). So take that and add this thoughts: God, our Father, loves his children! Let me say it again. God, the Father, loves his children! He loves you, he loves me, he loves Jesus. He loves Peter, but he also loves Judas. He loves the Pharisees and Sadducees who hated his Son. He loves the Romans who mocked Jesus and then crucified him. He loves Mary the mother of Jesus and he loves John who would take care of her. But he also loves the Jews who were screaming 'crucify him, crucify him' when His first born Son was already in unbelievable agony. He loves Pilate who finally allowed the crucifixion to happen. Those examples suggest to me that the love of God has absolutely nothing to do with actions, behaviors, or even a return of that love. How wonderous is the love of God.

My own PERSPECTIVE of life and of you and even on myself is changed when I consider the love of God as the love of a Father. My Father. Your Father.

Can you see from a little bigger PERSPECTIVE why we are asked not to judge each other?

I thank God for being my Father in all of the new ways I now see the word 'Father'. It makes me think of that song:

"there ain't no good guy, there ain't no bad guy, there's only you and me and we just disagree"

Ok, enough preaching. Just hoping we could think a little bit about dads from a new perspective.

IN THE PAST MONTH

A picture update of the past month in the mission life of Scott and Valerie Johnson

In the month since our last newsletter, our missionary lives have been transformed. It's all good, but they have been transformed.

It began with a mission wide tour by Elder Gary Sabin of the 70. He is in our area presidency and spent time with the missionaries, the saints, and in the temple with us. Those of you who have served missions know the power that seems to flow throughout the entire mission when the general authorities travel to share love and to teach the missionaries. He reminded the missionaries who had just been to the temple the day before, why wording like 'who is dead' are now gone from our temple ceremonies. Just a reminder for all of us that life is eternal. We are dealing every day with eternal beings. Anyway, if you have not been for awhile, we think it would be an enlightening experience.

From there we did a bunch of the regular stuff. Checking missionary apartments and cars, setting up a new apartment in the far north of Vancouver Island (port McNeil if you want to look at a map). Attending district councils with the missionaries, new missionaries coming into the field, the return home of some others. Teaching a temple preparation class for some young single adults. Lunches and dinners with saints as well as non members. We have missionaries over to feed them as well as feeding them at zone councils once each month. We attended funerals and engagement gatherings. We have been allowed into peoples homes that have not seen missionaries for years. The mission created a 2nd zone on the island and so it provided more leadership opportunities for Elders and Sisters. All good things. We had a ward party turn into a surprise 'goodbye' party for us. Songs sung, tears shed, hands shook and hugs given.

The best part of the last month was children and grandchildren coming to Canada to visit. Our daughter Kristen came to visit us with her 2 children. You all know that there is nothing like family! They were with us for nearly a week and got to see and do many of the fun things that make this island special. Our grandson Aiden is a gamer and he had a great experience meeting with some of the folks he had only met online. (friends from Canada for years but never actually been with them other than on a screen). Our granddaughter Regan enjoyed the outdoor parts of what surrounds Victoria. Even the freezing cold water from the waterfall, didn't keep her from having a great time. Most important, they went home with tons and tons of ketchup chips. (if you have not had ketchup chips, you haven't experienced Canada!) While they were here we did the "Malahat Skywalk" which we had not seen yet. The beauty of this island is just enhanced by that view and the thrill of getting down by a 'slide' just makes it worth walking back up to do it again.

The temple in Vancouver is a huge blessing for Canada. But for years, the saints on Vancouver Island have been praying for as well as working for a temple on Vancouver island. The cost and the time to get on a ferry to get to the temple near Vancouver is a real hinderance. And yet we have more people from the Island working every week at the temple in Vancouver than there are from some of those that are right next to the temple itself. So lots of sacrifices being made. We continue to pray. Hope you will join us.

We drove to port McNeil so that we could get an apartment set up for missionaries to move in. Now there are 2 Elders working with this tiny branch. The mission president is actually going there this week. Take a look on a map and get a feel. Quite a trip. After that the president and his wife are taking a 7 hour ferry ride to Haida Qwaii. Those saints have not seen any leadership for over 3 years. They have not taken the sacrament of the Lords supper for over 3 years. Our mission president is trying to provide growth opportunities for 9 people in a distant place. The day may soon come when there would be missionaries in such an area. Then maybe the day will come when we can look for the number to grow to 90 people in that same distant place. These missionaries in British Columbia are willing to make some serious commitments to help people have opportunities to come to Christ.

Look closely at the picture on the left. It is young seal who is "moulting". (one month a year they stay out of the water and shed their fur.) This one is a bit of a rebel and he "climbs" up the stairs and takes a' stroll down the sidewalk' next to the beach. That is why the barriers are on the steps.

Another of our senior birthday lunches. You would never know it but this fellow just turned 95. Jumped on a plane and flew all over the east coast visiting his kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. He spent his entire career in the Canadian Forces. A Navy man who lived all over the world, but always came home to Victoria.

The Malahat Skywalk is a new feature above the city of Victoria. Malahat is the name of the road as you leave Victoria and head north up the island. Like many names here, it comes from one of the original First Nation groups or tribes on Vancouver Island

The skywalk itself is impressive. And the little hike to it is filled with beauty and initially, stepping out onto that mesh is a little unnerving. But , after the incredible views, sliding down from near the top is a highlight.

A beautiful walk to a waterfall is something we did together. One of the many beauties of this area that a super easy to get to. The very COLD water was not enough to keep our

granddaughter out. And she set the example for a bunch of others who also went for a swim.

This roots picture is the same waterfall hike. But a whole new view of 'ROOTS'. This one made me consider the roots that I was provided by my progenitors. It is also a reminder of 'roots' that I am hoping to provide for my loved ones. We seem to learn lots of lessons from nature. These roots may not be beautiful but they are deep. Hopefully the same is true with us.

Zone Conference was just a few days ago (June 23) and it was a great opportunity for the Elders and Sisters in 2 zones to get together and be instructed by their leadership and by each other. Sometimes we are blown away to realize that many of these kids were still in primary 6 years ago!!!! (hey, don't you love how the stake center parking lot begins to look like a used car lot for Chevys)

Again, the blessing of family coming to visit is huge for us. Our son Nathan, his wife, Tiffany, and their daughters Hailey and Addy came to visit us. We have visited some wonderful places and will continue to do so until they leave on Tuesday (27th of June) They played pickle ball with the missionaries and ward members, wandered downtown to see what the harbor is all about. Experienced China Town. Played games with grandma and grandpa. Water taxi's in James bay and watching sea planes take off and land. Pretty unique. We even went over to Hatley Castle to see one of the unique castles in all of Canada. The grandkids have also been impressed by the deer who are in Victoria. Most of them are tagged and then tracked. But we have all learned that here, deer are just like any other pedestrian. You go slow and watch out for these little families.

We have previously told you about Reanna and Billy. She is a friend from Sister Johnsons high school days in Alberta. This husband and wife team have spent their lives heavily involved in working for the rights of their people (in Canada we refer to them as First Nations) around the world. He is a member of the Arctic Council. A worthy cause indeed.

We are not sure how it happened, but apparently we have been serving for nearly 18 months! That suggests that we will be released from our mission in a few weeks. We are not sure we are ready for all that means. It is such a privilege to be here doing what we do. We will likely send one more newsletter out before we head south.

Thanks for staying in touch with us and for reading our ramblings. We appreciate you and your families. And we appreciate your prayers for missionaries around the world. It makes a difference, we promise.

Love

Scott and Valerie Johnson

Canada Vancouver

Just a few pics to give you a view of what has become home. and maybe a little different PERSPECTIVE. From the port in Victoria, It is only 22 nautical miles to Port Angeles and the Seattle area. Our last bishop lived on a boat. When he would take his sailboat to see his family in Seattle, he was still in the 'ward boundaries' until he got to the 10 mile point. After that, he was in a Seattle ward and stake. i guess you gotta have the boundaries somewhere. FYI- We had 135 people in sacrament meeting on Sunday. Over 50% of them were guests. Some from Washington, california, Utah, etec. Many from the cruise ships that stop on their way up to Alaska or on the way back.

The trees in British Columbia, some of which are 600 years old, grow very tall and very straight. The roots are super deep and strong. They are often connected with other trees roots. Much like a family they provide super strength. There are forested areas everywhere in the province , including parks right in the middle of the city of Victoria. And yet that sunset picture is of Mt. Douglas which is the highest point in the entire city. It is a park surrounded by massive trees and rocks and boulders the size of large buildings. Yet, it is not high at all. The drive to the top took 8 minutes and then a 5 minute walk. For those who live in the 'mountain west', you would never call this a mountain. Once again, PERSPECTIVE. Consider this: There were indigenous people (what we Americans grew up calling American Indians but who in Canada are referred to as First Nations) on this island at least 500 years before Christ was born! Now, those are deep roots! They have 'family' still on this island. The place of family for these folks is in their 'bones'. Maybe some lessons we can all learn about roots and family and growth. About each other.

HAPPY CANADA DAY!