Submitted by Heidi Gifford °Ü°
We're having a kick-off fireside for all the Laurels and Priests in the Stake on January
16th. We are calling it the "Sons & Daughters of Helaman". We have gotten
some great ideas on how to present this from the "A Time To Stand" tape by Scott
Simmons.
The youth will be challenged to become as those 2000 Stripling
Warriors. Within 100 days, starting January 17th, we are challenging them to read the Book
of Mormon in its entirety, Personal Prayers daily, 75% attendance of all meetings
(including seminary), and they must plan and carry out a service project that includes
their family within those 100 days. At the end of 100 days, we are taking those who
achieved these goals on an overnight mountain bike ride. That will give us a chance to
"process" their experiences, and allow the youth to bare testimony. We are
encouraging the Bishops, along with leaders (AND my presidency) to participate. For those
who accept and meet this challenge, I expect life changing experiences. It's not a fancy
plan, but has a potential to reap great rewards.
The
Sons & Daughters of Helaman
Goals:
A. To Build Testimonies of Jesus Christ
B. To Develop Testimony of The Book of Mormon
C. To Strengthen Spirituality in our Youth
D. To Strengthen the Family
Each Laurel and Priest participating will be required to do the following:
- Read the Book of Mormon for 100 days consecutively. The Book
of Mormon must be read in its entirety within the 100 days.
- Personal Prayers 100 days consecutively
- Personal Worthiness:
a. Keep word of wisdom
b. Pay full tithing
c. Remain chaste
- 75% attendance of all meetings (including seminary)
- Involve his/her family (or other, as the situation indicates)
in an approved service project and complete it within the 100 day period.
Record keeping is a vital part of the program. All progress
should be documented by the young man or young woman and then tracked by his/her parents,
advisor or Bishop.
The Sons & Daughters of Helaman
Recognition Award
Each Laurel or Priest who
achieves these goals within the 100 day period will be recognized and honored by their
family, YM/YW leaders and Bishop. The reward would be a two day high-adventure mountain
biking trip. An over night outing would provide an opportunity to have a testimony
meeting/spiritual experience under the stars where we would "process" their
achievements and feelings are shared. (We would like to invite Bishops and YM/YW leaders
to participate with the youth in reaching these goals, and the culminating activity.)
It would be our desire that each participant in this program would recognize the blessings
of achieving these goals, and that is would be a commitment they would keep for a
lifetime.
June in Logan had this suggestion:
You might want to use the EFY song that combines We Are Sisters in Zion with Army of
Helaman song. It's terrific and the kids just love it.
Standing As A Witness
Strengthening Testimonies
M3L30 Index
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