2009 Writer of the Year—BETH SHUMWAY MOORE

Beth Shumway Moore has been an active member of the League of Utah Writers for 34 years. She says that it has definitely helped and encouraged her in her writing career. The many dear friends she has made through this association has helped enrich her life. She has served in leadership positions, serving several terms as president in local chapters, and as treasurer and contest chair for the LUW. She has won many contests in both the state and local chapters. Both her two published books, a historical novel, Mormon Reflections, The Path to Mountain Meadows, and her non fiction book, Bones in the Well, Haun’s Mill Massacre 1838, A Documentary History, won first place in the yearly Round Up competition. Beth co-authored a book with Native American, Blackhawk Walters, entitled Legends of the Chiefs that is waiting for an answer from an agent in New York. Beth has also had many articles and a few short stories published over the years. She writes a monthly article for the Senior Center in Brigham City, Ut.

Beth was born in Lovell, Wyoming, on Sept. 4, 1927. Obviously she is in the winter of her life, but is not finished living. She survived her rural childhood, married, had four children, 16 grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and has enjoyed the big world ever since. She has traveled over much of the United States and has lived in California, New York, Ohio, and Utah. She also enjoyed a trip to England and to Hawaii.

Beth graduated from the University of Utah with both a Bachelor and a Master’s degree in education. She taught in elementary school, mostly first grade, for thirty-two years. Her enjoyment came from turning the light on for beginning readers. After retirement she turned to another love—writing. Beth has been involved in volunteer work, of one kind or another, all her life. Recently she was Frank Yoder’s executive assistant for over a year in a group they helped organize—the Resource ReEntry—that works together with all the state and volunteer groups that provide services to help people who want to change their lives. Beth has helped in many community activities: For example, she presented at the St. George Book Fair in 2008 and gave a talk at the site of the Mountain Meadows Massacre. She has also given many Fireside talks about the Haun’s Mill Massacre and the Mountain Meadows Massacre throughout the area. She critiqued students’ entries at annual contests throughout the state. She helped organize the writing contest in the country fair in Hurricane, volunteers with the Senior Games in Washington County, and has volunteered in many school related activities throughout the years.

She is active in a critique group affiliated with the Heritage Writers Guild, a chapter of the League of Utah Writers in St. George. She enjoys helping and encouraging other writers’ work, and appreciates their help in return. Writing and reading are solitary pursuits and the League of Utah Writers, and other writing groups, help provide necessary contacts to round out a life.

Beth is active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and has held various positions in the church.

She loves one liners, and one of her favorites is "give the world the best you’ve got, and then forget it."

Beth extends many thanks to those who have influenced her, helped her, supported, and loved her, and always been there for her.