2009 YW/YM Theme Page
- Ideas, Shortcuts, & Products to Help You in your YW/YM Calling and in your Home
Revised Young Women Theme
Young Women general presidency
A Return to Virtue
"Now is the time for a return to virtue!"
The attribute and value of Virtue has been added to the Young Women theme. "Virtue is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards. It encompasses chastity and moral purity."
The time has come for the young women of the Church to lead the world in a return to virtue. This is the time to be pure and to qualify for the guidance of the Holy Ghost. In the coming year, it is our desire that all young women and their leaders focus on the meaning of virtue, what young women can do to accept and act upon this value, and how this attribute can strengthen young women as they prepare to be worthy to make and keep sacred covenants and receive temple ordinances.
We will distribute through local priesthood leaders and also post online the Personal Progress value experiences and projects associated with this value. We desire all young women to complete and be recognized for completing this value, in addition to the seven values listed in the Personal Progress book. You may want to study the following scriptural references as you contemplate a return to virtue.
"I believe one virtuous young woman led by the Spirit can change the world."
2009 YW/YM Theme Announcement
A notice dated July 1, 2008, announced the 2009 YW/YM theme: "Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12).
Young Women leaders are encouraged to read President Thomas S. Monson's address "Be Thou an Example" in the May 2005 Liahona or the May 2005 Ensign, as well as the message from the Young Women general presidency in the January 2009 New Era and Liahona magazines.
Priesthood and auxiliary leaders are invited to counsel together about the issues facing their youth and how to use this theme and the tools of the Young Women program as a means to strengthen youth and increase their worthiness. The following page lists a number of talks on standards that may be helpful in addressing your specific needs: "Church Leaders Speak Out on Standards."
2009 YW/YM Theme Activity
Take a square box, seal it up with tape, then write one of the six words (word, conversation, charity, spirit, faith, purity) on each side.
Pass around the box and let the YW/YM share an everyday way that they can be an example of the believers in one of the six areas, depending on how the box landed or their choice.
OR
Write challenging everyday situations on slips of paper (leaders prepare these in advance, so they are all worthy of discussion) then read the possible scenario and then toss the box to a young woman or young man.
Discussion gets them thinking and planning their actions before the moment of decision.
Youth Conference T-shirts, etc.
LDS Greats now offers their own line of T-shirts!
Choose any designs on any style or color of T-shirt. There are two ways to place your order - online directly through us for the lowest price (to purchase over 20 shirts) by emailing or phoning - info@ldsgreats.com or call 801-607-0458.
OR
For orders of less than 20 shirts, order through the Zazzle website. Orders of 20 or more can get better pricing by working directly with an LDS Greats associate. Review the product options at zazzle, then email your order to us at info@ldsgreats.com or call 801-607-0458.
Quantity orders directly through LDS Greats have the following prices:
- 20 @ 6.50 each
- 40 @ $6 each
- 60 @ $5.50
- 80 @ $5 each
- 100 @ $4.50 each
T-shirt Specifications: Sizes available: Youth XS-XL & Adult S-2XL, Gildan Ultra Cotton T-Shirt, 6.1 ounce, 100% Cotton, Seamless double-needle top-stitched collar, Taped neck and shoulders, Double–needle sleeve and bottom hem. T-shirts other than this style vary in price.
Processing and Shipping: Please allow 7-10 days for processing from order date. Shipping charges will vary, but we will always select the lowest shipping cost that meets your needs.
Choose from any of the designs you see at the LDS Greats Gallery above or on the Zazzle website & choose the color (Click here to see color choices). We can also create a custom design for you! Just call 801-607-0458 and we'll make the perfect T-shirts for your youth!
See Color Choices
Youth Conference Helps - Advertising Quick Start
2008 Youth Theme Posters are an easy way to advertise your youth conference. Just print the date, time, and location on a strip of white paper and attach it to the poster. Your poster advertising youth conference will get noticed and look professional. Available in 2009 8 X 10, 2009 11 X 17, 2010 8 X 10, 2010 11 X 17
Great Fireside Idea - to help youth better understand the material and temporal versus spiritual.
Spiritually Minded Is Life Eternal (thanks to Ronald in Highland, UT)
S.M.I.L.E.
2 Nephi 9:39 describes in very clear terms the difference between carnal and spiritual, thus I felt impressed to try and draw parallels to teach this principle. As I did not want to dwell to much on the "carnal" aspect in it's true definition, I instead focused more on the material and temporal versus spiritual.
My outline was very basic. I first recapped the story of the wicked Amalickiah in Alma 47 compared to the righteous Moroni in Alma 48 to "prepare the minds of the people (youth) to be faithful" (Alma 48:7). This is a classic good vs evil story pointing out what each of these two men did to accomplish their end-goals.
I then presented a "time capsule" object lesson showing material items from the 1960's, that at their time were cutting edge, and what people might have put in a time capsule that people 40 - 50 years in the future would find of great value. Those items were a rotary telephone, a record player, and an 8-track player and cassette. Of course, none of these items are of much value today. I then asked the kids to consider what they would put in a time capsule that would be of value to be opened in 40 - 50 years. My intent was to get the kids thinking about he differences between material/temporal values versus spiritual values.
I then got into the heart of the discussion using 5 scriptures to set-up 2 Nephi 9:39: Those scriptures and their doctrines are:
Ether 3:2 ....because of the fall our natures have become evil continually.............
2 Nephi 2:5 & 11 ...men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil & for it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things.
2 Nephi 28:20-21 ....and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.
2 Nephi 26:11 ...for the Spirit of the Lord will not always strive with man.........
Mosiah 3:19 ....for the natural man is an enemy to god and has been from the fall of Adam...........
2 Nephi 9:39 ...and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal....
To close the meeting I told the youth that the bishopric was not simply going to give them this bracelet. That if they wanted it they had to earn it. By earning it, we asked each one of them to commit to do at least one spiritual activity. As the kids left the room, they met face to face with either a member of the bishopric or their adult leaders to share their commitment.
This was a great activity for our youth and one we hope they will remember for a long time. I'm looking forward to see how many teal wristbands I'll be able to spot in 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months.
See S.M.I.L.E. Wristbands
Crossword Puzzle - "By priesthood power God does..."
Answers: 1. govern 2. sustain 3. create 4. redeem 5. exalt
Knowledge Activity Idea
A great activity idea that shows the example of "getting all the education you can" is inviting a sister (or neighbor) to tell about her field, bring some things to show, talk about possible jobs, funny things that happened to her in the course of it all and just answer any questions. Young mothers who have college degrees love to talk about their field and be recognized for what they have accomplished - education wise. For that matter, it might be good to have a man come in and talk about his education and some of the things he does in a regular day, even teach them a thing or two about something the yw have never thought about that he learned at college.
Great Craft - to help you introduce the current YW/YM theme.
Turn any wristband into a key chain by adding a key ring, making 2 small holes with a craft punch, and inserting a decorative brad. Instructions
Great Idea
A Progressive Bike Dinner is fun, healthy and delicious. Everyone bikes from their home or the church to the first location for a blessing on the food and an appetizer. Then the group bikes together to the location of the main course. You get the idea. This works for wards that have members a little spread out or you could intentionally choose host homes that are not close. Be sure to let the girls lead the planning (selecting host homes & menu) or at a minimum have an assignment - maybe selecting a different topic for conversation at each stop, writing thank you notes to the hosts, or helping with prep/dishes/cleanup throughout the evening. Plan this activity for a time of year when you have enough daylight to eat and return home before dark. A bike tune up clinic would be ideal the week before your Progressive Bike Dinner.
Personal Progress Requirements
In each of the 7 Young Women Values, complete 6 Value Experiences & 1 Value Project over 6 Years.
When it comes to Young Women and Personal Progress, nothing takes the place of individual attention. Remind Young Women and their Parents that some Value Experiences or Value Projects might be appropriate for Family Home Evening.
Comments and Ideas by YOU!
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