What’s in It for You

Ideas for Using the 2005 Mutual Theme

These ideas could be used in Mutual classes, as a combined activity, or in family home evening. They may also fulfill experiences in Personal Progress and Duty to God.

• Read Joseph Smith—History in the Pearl of Great Price.

• Memorize the words and melody to “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer” (Hymns, no. 26). You may want to ask your ward music director if you can perform it in sacrament meeting.

• Imagine what it was like to live in Joseph Smith’s day. Using simple costumes, act out scenes from the early life of Joseph Smith and his family. Use the book History of Joseph Smith by His Mother, Lucy Mack Smith as a basis for the scenes. Divide into groups and rehearse a few times before presenting each scene.

• Resolve to read the Book of Mormon in 2005 either by yourself or with a reading group such as your Mutual class or your family. Make copies of the chart printed in the January 2004 New Era on page 41 to help keep track of your progress.

• Research your family history and learn the story of the first convert to the Church from your family. If it is not written, write it down and distribute copies to your family. If you are the first member of the Church in your family, record your conversion story and testimony for your posterity.

• Get into family history research. With the help of your stake family history specialist, learn how to do research and submit names to the temple. If you discover family members in your history who have not had their temple work done, arrange to perform the baptisms for them.

• Memorize section 4 of the Doctrine and Covenants.

• Study about the prophets who restored priesthood keys to Joseph Smith, as recorded in D&C 110. Who were they, and what did they restore?

Sunday Lesson Helps

In addition to the Resource Guides (printed in May and November in the Ensign and Liahona), Young Women and Aaronic Priesthood teachers may find these additional resources helpful in enhancing lessons 1–5.

Young Women Manual 3

Lesson 1 God the Father

Susan W. Tanner, “We Are Daughters of Our Heavenly Father, Who Loves Us,” New Era, Oct. 2003, 10.

Gordon B. Hinckley, “Daughters of the Almighty,” New Era, Nov. 2003, 4.

Lesson 2 Coming to Know the Savior

Q&A: “… How can I ‘always remember him’?” this issue, 16.

Robert D. Hales, “What Think Ye of Christ?” New Era, Dec. 2004, 4.

Lesson 3 Living the Gospel Daily

Ryan Carr, “The One and Only,” this issue, 42.

L. Tom Perry, “A Pattern for Living,” New Era, Jan. 2004, 4.

Lesson 4 Preparing to Become an Eternal Companion

Thomas S. Monson, “Whom Shall I Marry?” New Era, Oct. 2004, 4.

Susan W. Tanner, “Making Dating Smooth Sailing,” New Era, Oct. 2004, 28.

Lesson 5 Creating a Spiritual Environment in the Home

Jeremy Robertson, “The Sign on the Wall,” New Era, Aug. 2004, 30.

Julie Baker, “Monday, Monday,” New Era, Feb. 2004, 14.

Aaronic Priesthood Manual 3

Lesson 1 The Godhead

Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Gift of the Holy Ghost,” this issue, 4.

Mel Jones, “The Man Upstairs,” New Era, July 2004, 42.

Lesson 2 The Plan of Salvation

Adhemar Damiani, “The Merciful Plan of the Great Creator,”Ensign, Mar. 2004, 8.

Charity Brunson, “Saving the Bees,” New Era, Nov. 2003, 10.

Lesson 3 Sons of the Living God

Marion G. Romney, “Man—A Child of God,”Ensign, July 1973, 11.

Lesson 4 I Have the Ability and Freedom to Choose

James E. Faust, “Choices,”Ensign, May 2004, 51.

Shirley Bock Testi, “The What-If Question,” New Era, Nov. 2003, 40.

Lesson 5 “How Art Thou Fallen from Heaven, O Lucifer!”

Richard C. Edgley, “Satan’s Bag of Snipes,” New Era, Sept. 2001, 20.

ElRay L. Christiansen, “Power Over Satan,”Ensign, Nov. 1974, 22.