The Spring Fireside held on April 18, 2009 began in the Del Sur building with an opening prayer offered by Pam Capelo Jensen.

Chapter business was conducted by Joseph I. Bentley, the Immediate Past Chair of the International Society. First a warm vote of thanks was given to Karen M. Clemes, who has served on the board for many years and as Chapter Chair for the past two years. Next, D. Russell Hymas was installed as the new Chapter Chair and Steven J. Pynes as the Chair-elect.

Following the Chapter business Shannon Warner and Katrina Clemes sang a beautiful and powerful rendition of "I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked" accompanied by pianist Linda Bessey.

After the music J. Drew Page took a few moments to introduce Joseph I. Bentley. Brother Bentley is an author and currently a co-editor of the legal series in the Joseph Smith Papers project. Brother Bentley presented a multi-media survey of his in-depth study of the legal cases that Joseph Smith had been involved in during his lifetime.

The first of some 220 case discovered thus far came when Joseph was only 13 years old. In that case the young Joseph served as a witness after being qualified to competently testify about work done in exchange for the purchase of a horse by his father.

In May 1842 Governor Boggs, who signed the Missouri "Execution Order," was shot. Joseph was arrested as an accomplice. Joseph asked Orrin Porter Rockwell, a deadly marksman, if he had been involved. Rockwell responded "He's still alive, ain't he?" indicating that he would not have been involved with a failed attempt.

At Joseph’s trial on this notorious and memorable charge the court room was so crowded that Judge Nathaniel Pope invited some women (including Mary Todd Lincoln) to sit by him on the stand. Justin Butterfield, Joseph’s attorney, began his opening statement saying: "If it please the court, I come before the Pope, in the presence of these angels, to defend the prophet of the Lord."

Brother Bentley also detailed the series of events, charges and court cases arising from The Nauvoo Expositor that ultimately led to Joseph’s martyrdom at Carthage Jail.

During his life Joseph was involved in over 50 criminal cases and was never found guilty of any charge.

After Brother Bentley's presentation Russ Hymas, the new Chapter Chair presented Brother Bentley and Karen Clemes with engraved desk clocks as tokens of the Chapter's appreciation for their service. The evening then concluded with delicious cheesecakes and berry tortes in the Cultural Hall.

The evening of March 14, 2009 began with a welcome and introductions by Karen Clemes, the San Diego Chapter Chair. Members, spouses and guests then enjoyed a delicious Greek dinner that included a fabulous “villager” salad with delicately spiced Dolmathakia, Moussaka, and Riganato.

Following dinner those present viewed the broadcast of Elder Quentin L. Cook, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder Cook was employed in several capacities in his legal career.

The U.S. Constitution was the focus of his presentation. As a law student he found there were two teachers for the school’s Constitutional Law class. One was a member of the Church, the other not. The Church member announced his beliefs at the beginning of the class, causing the students to identify his section as the “inspired” Con. Law class and the other section as the “un-inspired” class.

He specifically addressed the constitutional concept of the pursuit of happiness.

He asserted that following the principles of the Savior was the only real path to happiness.

He also addressed the constitutional concept of freedom of religion. He encouraged members of the JRCLS to publicly defend their faith and the Church. He suggested that, while members may not speak for the Church as a whole, they should participate in public discussion on a grassroots level, sharing their personal experiences.

January 28 marked the first of the 2009 JRCLS San Diego Chapter lunch hour seminars. Attendees enjoyed a delicious lunch of pasta salads, sandwiches and wraps, with beverages and cookies while earning one hour of MCLE substance abuse credit.

This seminar was the “kick-off” event for the Chapter’s Women in the Law Committee.

Pictured from left to right, Elaine Young, Chair of the Chapter's Women in the Law Committee; Elizabeth Smith, panalist; Todd Huisken, panalist; and Russ Hymus, the Chapter's Chair Elect.

Ms. Young indicated that the purpose of the Women in the Law Committee was to support women in leadership roles and in the profession. Ms. Young stated that the committee planned to host a second more casual MCLE event later this year in North County. She then introduced the panelists Elizabeth Smith, a successful attorney and business owner, and Todd Huisken, the regional director of LDS Family Services in San Diego and Orange County.

Ms. Smith described her legal career as having started with a positive comment from Elder Ballard while working as an “Ensign” magazine editor. She was 30 and single when she began law school. For the first three years she practiced without a life balance problem. After that she married, had children, and began to face a number of life balance challenges with her husband, also an attorney. She admitted that she felt guilt because she could never be the best lawyer or the best mother that she felt she could be while balancing her stressful commitments. Ultimately, she found that she could push the guilt aside because of benefits she gained from filling both roles.

The benefits she identified included emphasizing to her children the importance of education and graduate degrees. She also found that working helped her better understand her husband’s life and work. Additionally, she found that working in her profession helped her become more productive in Church assignments, in the PTA, and in community activism. For example, the city of Tustin, where she lived, renamed their Christmas tree a “holiday tree” and Easter egg hunt a “holiday egg hunt.” She cited cases to the City demonstrating that using such euphemisms was not necessary under the law, convincing them to return to the original names. She also helped review sex education films, causing the school district to see that the wrong (overly graphic) film was scheduled for use.

Mr. Huisken presented 12 points from his professional experience that could help attorneys manage and improve their lives. Six of the points were things to avoid, and the other six were ideas to embrace.

His six things to ruin an attorney’s life included: (1) Underestimate others understanding of your need for a balance between work and life; (2) Fail to pick the battles that are important to you; (3) Set unrealistic expectations for yourself and other; (4) Convince yourself that it is easier to stay at work than go home; (5) Let everything flow on its own, instead of being pro-active about your own life; and (6) Being unwilling to make sacrifices related to work.

The six principles for an attorney’s successful life were: (1) Communicate with your spouse; (2) Set your own boundaries; (3) Be resourceful in solving problems; (4) Keep perspective on work; (5) Set realistic expectations for the number of hours you work; (6) Avoid idle time.

In a question and answer session that followed the importance of having family dinner together was emphasized, as well as being available between 6 to 9 PM. It was also pointed out that we become closer to those who help us in difficult times. The question was posed, “When is it time to call for help?” The answer was when a condition affects two or more aspects of your life. The point was also made that as attorneys we have the marvelous ability to engage in a wide variety of employment opportunities.

Mark W. Hansen conducted a lunch time seminar in the California Western Law School on October 29, 2008. The seminar's focus was clear communication of the rational basis for supporting Proposition 8.

The majority of attendees (which included students and teachers) were not supporters of the proposition. At times the audience was vocal and somewhat contentious. Nevertheless, Mr. Hansen did an excellent job keeping the presentation and audience discussion focused on the topic.

A taunting audience member asked, "What will you do if one of your grandsons is gay?" Without hesitation Mr. Hansen answered, "Love him."

Those who attended the conference received one hour of MCLE credit.

The 2008 JRCLS Fall Dinner on October 25, 2008 was a delightful, yet sobering event. The Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice provided a beautiful setting for a delicious dinner.

The BYU Management Society presented its N. Eldon Tanner Leadership Award to John M. Huish, the founder of the Family Fun Centers. These centers now extend throughout the western U.S. Mr. Huish was surprised and honored by the recognition. He felt one of his greatest sources of pride was having taught thousands of youth how to work.

The JRCLS had the Hon. J. Clifford Wallace present its J. Clifford Wallace Service Award to David “Jack” Rollins for his service to country, community, and Church. In his keynote address Mr. Rollins described the harrowing events that led to his capture as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam “Police Action.” He described three years of isolation and abuse while held captive. During this time of solitude he came to understand the person he thought he was, the person others thought he was, and the actual person that he is.

He also described the three years when he was confined in tight quarters with over 50 other prisoners, including presidential candidate John McCain. During this period of time he found that the most important topic of conversation among prisoners was always family. He learned the importance of expressing and encouraging others to express their love and respect.

The evening concluded with lively conversation and desserts in the rotunda.