Things to remember:
The plane ride and crash should be made as realistic as possible. Things
like plane tickets, stewardesses, serving 7-Up etc., the voice of the
plane captain over the intercom (this can be recorded on tape) and the
flash of a red light when the plane crashes will add to the realism.
Keep the knowledge of the plane crash available only to those directly
involved with helping. The element of surprise and shock is very
effective.
Have all speakers be priesthood holders. Everyone in the Kingdoms should
be dressed in white.
Overview
After gathering in the gym, youth will take a simulated plane trip on
the stage. The plane will crash, leading no survivors. They will then be
lead to the primary room where they will hear about the Telestial
kingdom. Next they will return to the gym to hear about the
Terrestrial Kingdom. Then the overflow area will open up to welcome them
into the celestial Kingdom (the chapel). The activity will then
conclude, with refreshments served in the gym.
Advance preparation
Without giving away any details of the planned activity, be sure youth
are aware that something special has been planned. Prepare some sort of
airplane ticket, to be either given in advance (possibly the Sunday
before) or handed out that night. The tickets should have their names,
plus a stub that can be torn off with their name on it, too. Perhaps
actual airline envelopes could be used. They could be told they will be
taking a trip, or something to that effect, but since this activity
seems to have the greatest impact when it happens without warning, we
dont want them to compare notes with youth from other wards who may have
participated in this sort of activity previously.
Set up
" Gym: Made to resemble airport waiting area with chairs, magazines (how
about New Era or Ensign?), etc. A ticket agent should have some sort of
table and microphone to give boarding information.
" Stage: Made to look like the interior of an airplane, with rows of
seats. A cart with small snacks could be prepared for an in-flight meal.
Optional: a TV with VCR for an in-flight movie.
" Primary room: To be used as Telestial Kingdom area. Should be dimly
lit. A window could be left open so the room will be cold. No chairs or
tables. The room should be slightly uncomfortable. Halls could be dark
as they travel.
" Gym: During plane and Telestial experiences, gym can be reset for
Terrestrial Kingdom area. Chairs could be moved to a cozier arrangement
than they were for airport waiting area. Maybe a table with a cloth and
small centerpiece.
" Overflow: To be used as transition area between Terrestrial (gym) and
Celestial (chapel), Should have a few small tables with cloths and
decorations. The plants from the entries and foyer lamps could be
brought in to make it nicer. There should be a marked contrast from the
gym, yet since it is difficult to decorate the chapel, it shouldn't make
the chapel appear bare.
" Chapel: Flowers and recorded (or live) music will help add to the
effect. All participants in chapel should be dressed in white.
Participants: (assignments)
" Ticket agent in gym who will also help with boarding (YW)
" Stewards/stewardesses (YM/YW)
" Pilot(s) (could be live or prerecorded) (YM)
" Escorts, dressed in white, to take them to the primary room, gym, and
finally to the chapel. (YW)
" Telestial Kingdom speaker (YM)
" Terrestrial Kingdom speaker (YM)
" Celestial Kingdom speaker(s) (could be married couple) (YM) Outline:
About 7:00 Youth will gather in the gym when they arrive. They can
visit, sit, or read magazines. The ticket agent will announce
periodically that they must have their tickets ready. She can distribute
them from her "desk", being sure that the names are written on the
ticket in two places. At the appropriate time, she announces that
boarding is about to begin. The pilot(s) might enter through that door
just prior to boarding. The stewardess can open the side stage door, and
the ticket agent will then collect ticket stubs (tearing each stub off)
as the youth enter to climb the stairs to the stage. Seats may be
assigned or not. The stewardess will help them get seated, giving
instructions on stowing carry-ons, etc. When everyone is boarded, the
flight begins. Adult leaders who are not otherwise participating might
choose to be passengers if it would be helpful for crowd control. This
activity is not as effective if the youth act silly.
About 7:15 As the flight begins, the stewardess can give normal safety
instructions, and the pilot will welcome them aboard. All proceeds like
a normal flight for a while. Snacks can be served, a movie can be shown
(started, at least--how about a Church video), then suddenly there is
the loud sound of a crash. The lights all go black, and the announcement
is made that the flight has crashed, leaving no survivors. One or two
escorts appear and give minimal instructions to follow them silently.
About 7:25 They take the group to the primary room. The youth can be
instructed to stand, or sit on the floor, but not next to anyone else.
No talking is allowed. A plainly dressed person, standing in a dark
corner proceeds to tell them they are about to enter the Telestial
Kingdom. After a discussion of the situation there, and the type of
lives that have led them to this place, an escort enters to announce
that there has been a mistake, and please follow her.
About 7:40 They follow her to the gym. There, the youth can sit in
chairs, and should be more comfortable. A nicely dressed person tell
them about the Terrestrial Kingdom. The escort returns to announce that
they are once again to follow. The overflow area is opened, and the
youth enter what should appear to be a much nicer place. They should be
reminded throughout that there is to be no talking.
About 7:55 When they have assembled, the curtain separating the chapel
opens. They should have been able to hear music coming from there.
Someone at the pulpit reads their names, taken from the boarding passes,
and they enter the celestial kingdom one by one. Escorts take them
individually to the choir seats.
When all have entered and are seated, a speaker or speakers talk to them
about the Celestial Kingdom.
After the conclusion, refreshments may be served in the gym.
Activities
Youth
Conference
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