In appreciation of Charles and Doris Smith's dedication and commitment to the Lord’s work, camp meeting in particular, nearly 30 children from the primary and junior tents presented them with flowers and performed a musical mime to the popular Ray Boltz song, “Thank You.” As the last notes of the song faded, few eyes were left dry in the Striflying Auditorium at Springville Campmeeting.

“The words to the song are just so appropriate and fitting of the sacrifices this family has made,” said Bradford Newton, Nevada- Utah Conference president, “and I’m glad we had the opportunity to show our appreciation.”

“We would not be able to have camp meeting if it wasn’t for the Smiths,” said Candace James.

“I would never have made all these friends from other churches if it wasn’t for camp meeting,” explained Matt Tejada.

“I was only a baby when we started coming to camp meeting, but I haven’t missed a year, and hopefully never will. Thank you so much to the Smiths,” added Fitu Finau.

Since 1968, at the invitation of the Smith brothers, Drs. Charles and Paul, and their families, the Nevada-Utah Conference has held camp meeting in Springville at the Smith’s home. Before, camp meeting had been a distant memory for Nevada-Utah Conference members. It was an event that only richer conferences could hold, because renting facilities for the meetings was very expensive.

“We missed having camp meeting, so we decided to offer our home,” explained Doris.

“The conference officials were a bit skeptical when we first called, but when the representative arrived he was so excited by what he saw,” continued Dr. Charles. “He went to one spot and said, 'The main auditorium tent can go here, and the children’s division tent over here…' We knew by his excitement that we were going to have camp meeting again.”

Once conference officials had agreed, the next hurdle was getting permits and services from the city. The Smiths had purchased the property a few months before, and water, electricity and phone lines were yet to be installed. For months, the city gave them the runaround as to when the needed items would be installed.

“It was a miracle, an answer to prayer, the week before camp meeting was to start, the water, electricity and phone lines were all put in,” explained Charles.

The landscape of the campgrounds has changed: green grass growing in abundance, paved roads and sidewalks and an auditorium building with a clean floor instead of a circus-style tent with saw dust on the floor. The availability of sewage, water, electricity and phones are all taken for granted now, and the dedication of the Smith family to camp meeting remains.