2008 Mutual Theme

by Miriam Caldwell | More from this Blogger

03 Oct 2007 06:31 PM

The 2008 theme for mutual (Young Men and Young Women) has been announced. "Be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works." The theme comes from the scripture Mosiah 5:15. The leaders are encouraged to apply this theme to activities throughout the year. This theme should apply to activities both on a stake and a ward level.

Additionally the ward leaders are encouraged to introduce this theme in December 2007. Ward leaders may want to hold a special fireside about the theme. Additionally you should include it in the opening exercises that you have each week with the combined young men and young women. This theme makes incorporating service projects into your activities throughout the year, very easy.

You may want to discuss this with your family. As the new year approaches you may want to set goals as a family that are related to the theme. One would be completing a family service project each month. Another could be strengthening your testimonies as a family. You could include a trip to the temple as part of your goals for the year.

Additionally as a parent you may want to apply this personally to your life so that you can lead by quiet example. You can pray about ways to apply this theme to your life. As you do this you may want to share experiences with your youth, so that they can see how you continue to grow spiritually even as an adult.

This is a wonderful theme because it encourages the youth to stand strong in their testimonies. It also helps them to focus on things beyond themselves, which will help them become less self-conscious in the things that they are doing. It gives the youth a chance to focus on the standards and making commitments to keep the standards. As the youth gather together to do this, they will be strengthened from each other.

Related Articles:

Five Ideas for Combined Young Men and Young Women Activities

Young Women: 5 Ideas for Spiritual Activities

Reaching the Youth on Wednesday Nights

Learn more about Miriam Caldwell

Miriam is a SAHM mom of three children. She has a daughter who is seven, and two sons, four and two. She loves being a parent and spending time with her children.

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primaryleaderidaho (167) 03 Oct 2007 11:49 PM

After listening to the General Women's Broadcast, I'm also convinced that service (good works) will unite the youth just like it does in Relief Society. My ward was recently asked by our bishop to pray and fast to know how we should serve others. I think we often just do what we've always done, yet that may not be the way Christ would have us serve. This is a powerful scripture even just for me as a mother, serving in my home, trying to help the faith of my children with my testimony. I think you have a great idea to focus on this as a family. With one son in YM now, if our ward doesn't end up buying the youth wristbands to help remind them of this message, I may order some from - http://www.ldsgreats.com/resources-young-women-c-5_22.html at .80 it seems easy. In the past before family prayer, I've tried to say something inspiring like "Do your very best", "Remember who you are", "First things first", well, maybe this scripture could be the theme for our family this year.

Miriam Caldwell (8030) 05 Oct 2007 12:10 PM

Thank you for the comments. I agree that service really can unite groups of people. I think the youth will really benefit from this theme. I love the idea of making it your family theme as well. Thanks!