“What’s in It For You?” New Era, Apr. 2003, 49

What’s in It For You?

Personal Improvement

The Message, “You Are Different,” on page 4 speaks of the responsibilities of Latter-day Saint youth. Choose a specific standard from this talk, then gather more information on the same topic while listening to general conference this month. (Watch the broadcast on April 5 and 6.)
In preparation for Easter (20 April 2003), read “The Wounds That Heal My Own” on page 15. Read the account of the Savior’s Crucifixion and Resurrection in John 19–20 in the New Testament.

Have all family members identify a world leader they admire and list a few good qualities that person exemplifies. Read “King of Kings” on page 8 aloud to the family. Then together make a list of qualities the Savior exemplified.
Using “Crunch Time” on page 26 as a springboard for ideas, come up with a number of scenarios in which family members’ honesty might be challenged. As a family, brainstorm possible solutions for each scenario.
Read “Dandy” (page 10) aloud to the family, then hold a family council to discuss specific family rules and why they are important.

In “Dancing Back to Church” (page 12), a young man is helped into full Church activity when he is invited to help with Mutual. Get to know a less-active member of your class or quorum and identify their special talents. Then plan an activity on Mutual night where this person’s talents can be used.
The youth in Kirtland, Ohio, are surrounded by Church history (see “Still a Sacred Place” on page 20). Help create the same appreciation in your ward or branch by hosting a Church history quiz with the help of your advisers. Or ask a seminary teacher for help. Don’t forget simple, fun prizes for the winners!

Bring several similarly sized books to class. Explain that each book represents a facet of a seminary student’s life (school, church, work, family time, etc.). Balance the books on your palm (or if you have a particular flair, balance them on your head!). Then have someone place a much larger book (a dictionary or a phone book) on top of the heap so the books will topple. Talk about the importance of finding balance in life. Read the Idea List (page 39) to the class. Read D&C 10:4 together.

Photography by Christina Smith