On April 18, the 3,000 member Monett Missouri Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held its annual dance at the Civil War Ranch in Carthage. 

More than 175 adult members and friends, including from Cassville, attended the event — coming from as far north as Cedar County and as far south as the Arkansas border — to enjoy line dancing, square dancing and swing dancing. 

This year’s added bonus was dinner, horseshoes, bean bag throw, hay bale throw, corn hole and roping, all without charge.

A Stake in the Church of Jesus Christ is similar to a Catholic diocese, covering a large area and overseeing smaller units where members regularly worship and hold activities. The smaller units are called Wards or Branches, depending on their size. The Monett Missouri Stake has nine such units.

Why does the Church sponsor dances? 

“The reason why wholesome recreation is part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is because having fun helps bring the Spirit,” said Blair Powell, President of the Monett Stake Young Single Adults. “Getting to know people personally is what Jesus did. We’re more relaxed in a setting where we are having fun and being ourselves.”

Becky Ward, Monett Ward Relief Society President, answered another way. 

“The reason why wholesome recreation is part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is because man is that he might have joy, and when you have wholesome recreational activities with your church family, it brings that joy,” she said.

Becky Ward and her husband, Robert, and Blair Powell and his wife, Lauralie, drove over to Carthage for that purpose, to have fun and joy with others.