What’s Up?

“What’s Up?” New Era, July 2013, 44–45

What’s Up?

Conference Connection

In the April 2013 general conference, Church leaders talked about the importance of strengthening family.

• “As we give devoted service to Him, He draws closer to those we love in our families” (President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, “‘Come unto Me,’” Ensign, May 2013, 24).

• “The prophetic counsel to have daily personal and family prayer, daily personal and family scripture study, and weekly family home evening are the essential, weight-bearing beams in the construction of a Christ-centered home” (Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “For Peace at Home,” Ensign, May 2013, 29).

You can strengthen those “weight-bearing beams” in your family. When you follow prophetic counsel, such as participating in family scripture study or family home evening, you help build a Christ-centered home. Find more ways to strengthen your family at conference.lds.org and in a new Mormon Messages video at lds.org/go/73G.

Mutual Activity Idea

Nature Golf—A Fun Fit for Any Outdoor Setting

Photograph by Matthew Reier

Here’s an easy-to-plan activity that works well in nearly any nature setting. Whether you’re in a thick pine forest, at a beach, or on a stretch of desert without a tree in sight, the crowd-pleasing game of nature golf can always be played with minimal preparation and maximum fun. Nature golf relies on a little imagination, because you create your own golf course as you go. (Safety tip: As with real golf, first make sure there are no people, vehicles, buildings, etc., anywhere near your line of sight as you play.) Here’s how it works.

First you need something to toss, because you’ll be throwing your “golf ball” rather than hitting it with a golf club. Pinecones work great as makeshift golf balls, as do small sticks or tennis balls, depending on the type of terrain (small sticks are more gentle around trees, whereas sand can withstand the momentum of a thrown tennis ball). If you use pinecones or sticks, you can tie them with different colored threads to identify each person’s object in case two of them land close together. Once you have your objects, each member in the Mutual group takes a turn picking the next “hole” for each stretch of the course.

“OK, everyone, see that crooked oak tree up the hill? We’ve gotta hit the patch of weeds just to its left!”

That’s all there is to it. Take turns lobbing your “golf balls” throughout the course, and keep score with each toss equaling a golf swing. Try making a 9-hole course or even an 18-hole course if you’re feeling ambitious and have enough time on Mutual night. It’s a fun event that combines physical exercise with an outdoor activity—and one that’s sure to be a success.