Our stake, like most others lately, has put greater emphasis on missionary work. Consequently, the YM President and I put our heads together in an effort to involve the youth in a "non-threatening" missionary activity. Here's what we're doing next Tuesday.

The Priests and Laurels will meet at the church where they will be divided into teams of 4, each with an adult driver. Each team will be given a clue (in the form of a limerick) that directs them to a specific member's home. On the member's door or front gate will be an address where the youth must go to pick up the next clue. Now here's the missionary part...

We pre-arranged with several ward members to ask a non-member neighbor if they would be willing to give out a clue to our youth as part of our upcoming youth activity/road rally on Tuesday evening. Each non-member family will only be visited by one team of youth. This weekend, the YM President and I will deliver the clues to the non-member families.

We're keeping the whole thing very relaxed and low-key. The youth will arrive at the member's home, go to the address posted on the member's door or gate, and ask the non-member family for their clue. The youth will be asked to answer a simple scripture question (provided with the clues to the non-member families) in order to obtain the clue to the next home. If they answer correctly the non-member family will give them a red circle made of construction paper. If they answer incorrectly, they will give them a blue circle.

The non-member family will then provide the youth with the clue to the next house, and the youth will give the non-member family a copy of the video "Family First" and a quote about families.

When the youth have collected 4 colored circles, they will go to the Bishop's house where we will have refreshments as everyone gathers. Based on the number of correct answers to the scripture questions, we'll announce the winning team, who will each receive an Almond Joy bar with the verse from D & C 18:15 "And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!."

Then, we'll hear from a newly returned missionary couple about the blessings of missionary work. We'll conclude the evening by viewing the video, "Called to Serve" before singing the song of the same name and closing with prayer.

We're so excited about this activity! We hope it provides an opportunity for neighbors to connect with neighbors and for the youth to place videos in homes without it seeming threatening or confrontational...something many of us are afraid of when it comes to doing missionary work.

All the clues were in the form of a limerick, with the ward member's name hidden near the end or with enough information about the ward member in the limerick for the kids to figure out who it was. Here's a sample:

There was a young girl from RB
Just as cute and as fun as can be.
She went off to school
To a place really cool
"I'm bound for Ricks College," said she.

And so she took off for a farm place,
Rexburg's the name of that town.
Where the people are great
And there's cute guys to date
And there's fun from sun-up to sundown.

So we hope you know just who this girl is
'Cuz that's where you'll find the next clue.
Hurry over to Jen's
Our Idaho friend
Her family's expecting you!

Sample scripture question: Name 6 of Jesus' 12 Apostles.

"I Am A Child of God" (Missionary Version)

I am a tool of God
And he has sent me here
Has given me a holy call,
To serve with heart sincere.

(Chorus)

Lead them, guide them, pray beside them,
Help them find the way.
Teach them all that they must do,
To live with Him someday.

I am a servant of God
His kingdom I must build.
To live for Him, to work for Him,
While serving in the field.

I am a vessel of God,
With truth to them impart.
Be grateful for my mission now,
And serve with all my heart.

I am a child of God,
His promises are sure,
Celestial glory shall be mine,
If I can but endure.

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