What’s Up?

“What’s Up?” New Era, Feb. 2014, 44–45

What’s Up?

Conference Connection

We need to be strong every day to meet the demands of life. We need constant spiritual nourishment. In the October 2013 general conference several Church leaders taught how prayer and scripture study strengthen our lives. Here are thoughts shared by President Thomas S. Monson:

“Allied with prayer in helping us cope in our often difficult world is scripture study. The words of truth and inspiration found in our four standard works are prized possessions to me. I never tire of reading them. I am lifted spiritually whenever I search the scriptures.”

“We Never Walk Alone,” Ensign, Nov. 2013, 122.

“May we ever strive to be close to our Heavenly Father. To do so, we must pray to Him and listen to Him every day. We truly need Him every hour, whether they be hours of sunshine or of rain.”

“‘I Will Not Fail Thee, nor Forsake Thee,’” Ensign, Nov. 2013, 87.

How can you better remember daily prayer and scripture study?

Well, you might put your scriptures on top of your school backpack. Or you could tape a picture of the Savior on the inside of your bedroom door. Use your imagination.

Whatever you come up with, the increased spiritual stamina from regular prayer and scripture study will keep you going strong. For more, visit lds.org/go/scripturesNE2.

Group Date Idea: A “Bigger, Better” Rally

Can a single pencil hold the power to make your wildest dreams come true? Not likely. However, you might be surprised at its potential during the course of a single evening.

For a fun and inexpensive group date, consider planning a “bigger, better” rally. This is similar to a scavenger hunt. You split a large group up into two smaller groups, head out to visit the homes of friends and families you know, and then come back at the end to compare results.

In this game you have a single goal: to keep trading whatever you have for something that is bigger or better. Each team starts out with the same object: a pencil or some other small item. Then you visit as many friends and families you know as you can in the agreed-upon time limit to make as many trades as possible. You might go from a pencil to a pair of used pliers to a skateboard, and so forth.

Those simple pencils can turn into incredible things by the end of the night! Consider donating whatever you end up with at the end of the activity to a local charity or thrift store.