Presenter Biographies

Lori Derr was born in Oklahoma. At the expense of ½ their salary, her parents relocated to Cache Valley. She and her husband, Eric, are the parents of 6 children and 1 granddaughter. They met in a ballroom dance class but it took Lori a year before she could get Eric to ask her out. They have a son currently serving in the Florida Jacksonville Mission. When his mission president asked her to get a Facebook page and assist her son in his Facebook missionary efforts, she couldn’t believe that the Church would actually ask her to get on Facebook! But she honored the request and is now so grateful for the blessings that have come from these experiences. Sister Derr loves being a member missionary and is grateful that her testimony has been strengthened by the effort it takes to be prepared to bear testimony at any moment and on any gospel topic. She enjoys genealogy, food research, World War II trivia and spending time with her husband. (Hyrum 9th Ward)

Michelle Hunsaker is the mother of 10 children, 6 girls/4 boys ages 20 to 5. She has been married for 22 years to Stephen Hunsaker, an Institute teacher at USU’s Logan Institute. She has lived in Utah, Virginia, and California. She grew up in Sandy, Utah and graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education. In her incredible “abundance of free time”, Michelle loves to read, write, sing, dance, and participate in anything musical or theatrical. She owns a small dance studio in her home and teaches dance lessons to young girls. She enjoys teaching the Temple Preparation class & recently had a group of 6 Young Men who were seniors in high school preparing to go on their missions. (Hyrum 6th Ward)

Marcia Acevedo was born in Vernal, (Dinosaurland) Utah and knows the names of most of the dinosaurs! She grew up fishing, hunting, and camping with her 4 older sisters and one younger brother. Her dad was a Seminary teacher and they moved to Brigham City when she was in the 6th grade, then moved back to Vernal when she was a Junior in High School. She graduated from Weber State/USU Registered Nursing program and worked at Logan Regional Hospital for 10 years and quit working when her youngest child was born. She and Charles have one daughter and three sons therefore she has earned 3 Eagle Scout Awards. Their daughter was just married in December, and their oldest son is on a mission in Argentina. She loves spending her time with her boys at their ball games, helping out at school, helping her husband and spending time with him whenever she can. (Hyrum 8th Ward)

Jenny Jones “I am... a newly returned missionary (Detroit Michigan), world traveler (Spain, Peru, Scotland), college grad (BS Political Science/MS Higher Ed Adm), Aunt to 12 nieces and nephews, friend to all animals, queen of sarcasm and tease, and currently nannying and looking for a post mission job.” She loves to read and be in the outdoors. She teaches Sunday School and Relief Society. Her latest experiences of being in the mission field, going on a humanitarian trip to Peru, and dating the "older sector" have brought great new perspectives to her life. She grew up in West Valley City with 4 brothers. Family comes first as well as any new adventure she can get her hands on! But in all of this... “I am a child of God, with a strong testimony and faith in Him and His plan for me --- of which I am currently in "trust" mode.” (Paradise 4th Ward)

Jeanne Davis was born in Tacoma, Washington and considers the Northwest to be “home”. She has lived in 39 other places (i.e. Idaho, Minnesota, various places in Utah, and Germany). She has been involved in Indexing of records for the Church and has served as an Arbitrator for about 10 years. She enjoys teaching anyone interested in learning about indexing or family history and is deeply involved in her own family history projects as well. She and her husband, Keith, have 3 grown children, one granddaughter and a grandson on the way. She currently serves as a Hyrum Stake Family History Trainer and Facilitator. She loves to read, do puzzles, draw, paint and cook. (Paradise 1st Ward)

Tonya Jewell was raised on a dairy farm in Paris, Idaho & now resides in Paradise with her husband Doug. They have 3 married children (2 daughters/1 son) and 8 grandchildren. She works at USU as an undergraduate advisor in the Communicative Disorders/ Deaf Education Department. She teaches the 16 yr old SS class and loves working with youth helping them explore the puzzle of their lives. If she can help explain just one piece of that puzzle she considers that a success – the most important is how much they matter - to her, to those around them, but most especially to the Lord. She started her married life telling her husband that she would never be a typist - and laughs now because computers are a part of her everyday life. “Technology is not going away, We have been counseled to learn constantly. The way we talk about technology matters. If the youth see adults embracing technology and using it to serve then they will follow that example.” (Paradise 1st Ward)

Cambree Clare grew up in Green River, Wyoming. She studied Horticulture (Floral Design) at BYU-Idaho where she earned her Bachelors Degree and also met her husband, Josh. They have been married for 8 years and have a 5 year old son, Nathan, and a 7 month old daughter, Anna. “I get to be a stay-at-home mom while supporting my husband in his career as an artist.” She really enjoys sewing and crafting, playing sports (although not as often as I used to...”that comes with the territory...)”, music, and being outside. They recently moved to Paradise from Queen Creek, Arizona. “Life has been good to us and we are LOVING it here in Cache Valley!” She currently serves as the Relief Society pianist. (Paradise 4th Ward)

Kathy Nelson is married to Keith and they have six children and 26 grandchildren. She grew up in Cache Valley, one of 6 children. She has lived in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas while her husband was in the Air Force. They served a mission to Berlin, Germany in 2010-11 and made friends with many Young Single Adults and did a lot of cooking for them. They love to snow ski, ride bicycles, water ski, garden and read. They are temple ordinance workers, teach the Temple preparation class and are the Webelo leaders. “We are trying to hasten the work by being good VT/HT together, preparing food storage and other items, and trying to build a good family support system. Jesus Christ is our Savior and life is good!!” (Hyrum 15th Ward)

Laura Scott was raised in Southern California and Northern Virginia. She came to Logan in 1991 to attend USU earning a BS in Music Therapy and Vocal Performance. She worked at Moore/RR Donnelley for 17 years and now works from home as a Project Manager for Fidelity Information Services. She has sung with the American Theatre West, Utah Festival Opera and Northern Utah Choral Society. She married Kent Scott in 2010. Kent has a 17 year old son, Clayton, who lives with them and two daughters. She was raised as a Catholic and devoted to her faith. She learned about the church when she moved to Utah. It only took her 17 years to decide to be baptized in 2009. They moved to Paradise in July of 2012 and are thrilled to be here. Laura currently serves as the secretary in the Primary, as a member of the ward choir, and as a Visiting Teacher. (Paradise 3rd Ward)

Mary Johnson was born in New York and raised in Florida. She moved to Utah 7 years ago searching for a better place to raise her two daughters. She loves the gospel and knows that living the gospel fully, (although definitely not perfectly), is what has blessed her life as a single mother. She believes that doing the little things consistently is what strengthens her family and herself, but she also believes in 2 major points: “we have to forgive ourselves for the mistakes we have made (still working on that) and give ourselves credit for what we do right; and we find strength in being together.” She currently serves in the Young Women presidency, which she loves since her favorite thing to do is spend time with her girls and have fun! “I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up.” (Hyrum 2nd Ward)

Stacy Keller lives in Paradise. She grew up in Provo, Utah with six brothers and played a lot of soccer. She served as a nanny in New York before serving a mission in Copehagen, Denmark. She loves missionary work and serves as the Stake Missionary Preparation teacher. She is married to Dave Keller, who grew up in Providence and is a rancher. They have five children - the oldest is now serving a mission in Dallas, Texas. They love boating and especially going to Lake Powell. She loves to read and hopes one day to fill her house with books and grandchildren! She also love maple bars. (Paradise 2nd Ward)

Shanon McBride was born to Arthur and Marvel C. Dursteler in Preston, Idaho. She graduated from Preston High School and went on to USU. She attended USU for 5 quarters then went on to Hollywood Beauty College and graduated in January 1965. She met her future husband, LaVon McBride on a blind date. After dating for 1 1/2 years, they were married in the Logan Temple on June 10, 1965. She and her husband were blessed with four wonderful children: DaNeil, Leslie Ann and (twins) Mikel and Marty. Also, one foster daughter, Esther Lee lived in their home for four years. She teaches piano lessons and loves to do Family History work. She recently got called to serve as Primary President in her ward. Her greatest joy has been to be a mother and grandmother to eighteen fantastic grandchildren. (Hyrum 8th Ward)

Karen Albiston has been indexing off and on for 25 years and has seen many changes. She started with microfiche readers and copied projects where information was transferred to cards by hand, and has watched it flourish into the computerized version that we use today. The work has rapidly increased at an astounding rate. “This work helps fulfill the prophecy that states ‘the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers’ and it is a great way to serve the Lord in preparation for his second coming.” (Paradise 3rd Ward)

Connie Nielsen was born in SLC, an only child.  She moved to Logan when she started High School.  She graduated from USU in 1967 in Business Education.  She married Richard Nielsen of Hyrum in the Salt Lake Temple in 1966 and they moved to Paradise in 1976.  They have 9 sons and 3 daughters, 41 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.  They started a business called “Life Sprouts” twenty four years ago. She enjoys sports, rock collecting, gardening, shopping and shopping and more shopping – and teaching others about health.  Her husband passed away in 2011 leaving her to run the family business as well as two farms.  Thank heavens for help from children! (Paradise 2^nd Ward)

 Amy Miller is a happy lady who loves the gospel!  She gets to stay home with her five kids, ages 14, 11, 9, 7 and 4, and with her fabulous husband, Wade, who works from home.  She has a ridiculous love of learning and studying--especially the gospel--and would much rather read amazing truths and perspectives than almost anything.  She recently graduated from BYU-Idaho, finishing online what I started 20 years ago on campus, majoring in University Studies, with an emphasis in English.  She served a mission in the San Bernardino California Mission, and can't wait to serve LOTS and LOTS of missions with Wade a few years down the road.  She loves blueberries, Mexican food, and dancing with the kids in the family room.  (Hyrum 9^th Ward)

Nayelit Salmond was born and raised in Mexico City. Her family was granted residency in the USA when she was in 9th grade and they moved to Texas. She went to High School there without knowing that ”Hi” also meant “Hello”! I met the sister missionaries there and Joined the church when I was 18 yrs old. After my graduation, she moved to Utah to go to LDS Business College. While going to school she attended Institute and admired all of her Institute teachers deep in her heart. “I wanted to find a guy that would be just like them.” After graduating I went on a mission to New York City and when I got back a friend from work set me up with his cousin and that is how I met my husband. We were married in the Salt Lake Temple in 2004. We have two girls – an 8yr old and 5yr old. “I did marry the man of my dreams.” They love to dance! Her husband teaches Seminary. She taught Spanish at her oldest daughter's school and is now teaching at her younger daughter's pre-school. (Providence)


Nayelit Salmond nacio y crecio en la Ciudad de Mexico. A su familia se le otorgo la recidencia en Los Estados Unidos cuando asistia a la Preparatoria en el grado 9. Se mudaron a Texas y asistio a High School sin saber que Hi tambien queria decir Hola! Conocioa las misioneras y se bautizo en la Iglesia cuando tenia 18 años. Despues de graduarse de High School se mudo a Utah para ir al Colegio y en LDSBusiness College tomo instituto y admiraba mucho a los maestros y desde entonces fue el deceo mas grande en su corazon de encontrar un chico que fuera como ellos. Despues de graduarse del colegio fue a la Mision a Nueva York y cuando regreso un amigo de el trabajo le presento a su primo quien ahora es su esposo. Se casaron en el Templo de Salt Lake en el verano del 2004 y tienen dos hijas preciosas la mayor tiene 8 y la menor tiene 5 añitos.

(Me case con el hombre de mis sueños. Nos encanta vailar. Mi esposo enseña seminario. Yo enseñe español en la escuala de mi hija mayor y tambien enseño en el pre-school de mi hija menor. Me encanta la zumba.)