We used this idea for Ward Conferences, but it could be done at Mutual.

"A Test of Faith" which was very effective. We combined w/the young men for this. The idea is from one of the YW books, but I can't remember which one.

Anyway, there are three rooms and you have the youth move from room to room or you could stay in one room. We did it both ways and it was much easier in just one room and just as effective.

The rooms are Pre-existence where the room's decorated w/stars and clouds and soft music playing in the background as the youth enter the room.

Inside they find two leaders dressed in white. The opening song is "Where is Heaven" (we made copies so everyone could sing. and then had prayer. My lst counselor spoke about our pre-earth life and what it was like to be in heaven w/Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and how important the choices we would be making on earth would be. She spoke for about 5 minutes.

Next, they enter a room which is totally dark. After everyone is seated, I spoke (in the dark at first) about how they just left the presence of Heavenly Father and no longer remember that existence. I asked them if they liked the darkness, etc. and what does darkness meant to them.

Then I explained that earth life is the time to Test Your Faith. I then spoke about how each of us comes to earth with the Light of Christ (I turn a lamp on) and as we become stronger in our faith, our light becomes brighter.

Sometimes we use borrowed light until our faith becomes stronger i.e. parents, friends teachers. ). And that one of the reasons we have come to earth is to share our light. (I had a three-way lamp that I could adjust the light and again the light became brighter. We discussed ways that weaken the light and then I shared some personal experiences about the different "Tests of Faith" that might come our way. (There is also a story in the July 95 Ensign given by Annette P. Bowen titled, "Children of Light" about a family experience in a cave that would work well with this program)

After we finish our "Earthlife" we enter the "Presence of the Lord". There are pictures of Christ all around the room. The Stake YM President began talking to the youth about the Savior, asking them to tell him about the Savior. He did this for about 4 minutes and then he repeated this story: "A man died and was resurrected and waiting in a room to be interviewed. Another man was ahead of him. The door opened, the man entered, and the door closed. The man on the outside could hear the conversation on the other side of the door. The interview began: "I want you to tell me what you know about Jesus Christ." "Well, he was born of Mary in Bethlehem; he lived thirty-three years, spending the last three organizing his church, choosing his Apostles, and giving the gospel to direct our lives." The interviewer stopped him and said, "Yes, yes, that's all true, but I want you to tell me what you know about Jesus Christ," The man, a little perplexed again began, "well, he restored the gospel in its fullness to the earth through Joseph Smith, reorganized his church, gave us temples so we could do work to save our dead. He gave us personal ordinances for our salvation and exaltation." The interviewer again stopped him and said, "All of what you have said to me is true." The man was then invited to leave the room.

After he left, the door opened and the second man entered. As he approached the interview, he fell upon his knees and cried, "My Lord, My God."

The YM President then asked, "When we meet Christ, will we Know Him?" He then  bore his testimony. At the conclusion of his testimony we had asked one of the youth ahead of time to sing "I Heard Him Come". This was a very spiritual experience in every ward.