RECENT SUCCESSES IN OUR STAKE WITH THE YOUTH PROGRAM

THANK YOU for doing such a great job with our youth over the last 10 months in this crazy pandemic. It is awesome to see so many wards in our stake being so diligent in mentoring the youth in the Priesthood quorums and Young Women classes, despite the lack of any sense of normalcy. The creativity and inspiration that is happening across our stake when it comes to youth activities is inspiring to watch. There is truly a great work happening. Here are a couple AWESOME WINS I have seen over the last month in our stake that I wanted to share:

1) GREAT MENTORING: Last week I got to sacrament meeting 15 mins early. I sat and watched as newly ordained Deacons and Priests arrived, not knowing how to pass or bless the sacrament. You could see the fear in some of their eyes as they approached the sacrament table to receive instruction ahead of the meeting. I quickly reflected to my first couple Sundays passing the Sacrament and the anxiety I had 30 years ago.

It touched me that this ward’s Bishopric wasn’t struggling to set up technology or meet with ward members before sacrament meeting. They had delegated the technology set up to someone else in the ward. They were focused on working with the Aaronic Priesthood holders. They were trying to calm the fears of those newly confirmed Deacons and Priests. They were coaching them on how to effectively administer the sacrament. It was a humbling experience to watch powerful mentoring happen regarding such a sacred ordinance right in front of my eyes. You could tell the interaction was a natural mentoring experience between the Young Men and their Bishopric. I am confident that those Young Men will not forget their great mentors, their Bishopric, on their first Sunday administering the sacrament.

2) A POWERFUL COMBINED ACTIVITY: I got to see some great photos from a recent combined activity Photo scavenger hunt. This was done with the whole ward youth program. (It was tempting to share some of the findings on this blow.) Some quorums and classes gathered together in small groups at homes, other individuals joined from their respective homes. Everyone took pictures and uploaded them to a google drive. Then the group gathered back together via zoom to share their findings and have fun.

3) BAKING ACTIVITY: A Young Women class recently met to make different types of snacks for their weekly activity. The ingredients where shared ahead of the class with everyone via email. When Wednesday night came, everyone joined via a zoom from their own kitchen with the needed supplies. Each member followed the live instructions and made their own snacks.

4) “P-PIPE ACTIVITY (drainage pipe)”: A quorum in the stake had an idea to hold an activity where they clean out the P-Pipe (draining pipe) under their sink. They even thought it would be fun to have a competition on who would have the dirtiest drainage pipe. What a great idea that came from the Quorum Presidency! I look forward to hearing how this activity goes and will share any pictures when the activity happens.

5) ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN THE WORK OF SALVATION: There are youth in our stake that are actively participating in leading the work of salvation. An example of this is how one ward recently published their annual ward mission plan. It was published during a combined 5th Sunday zoom lesson. The group that spoke and introduced the ward mission plan included the Priests quorum first assistant and the oldest YW class president. It was powerful for to watch that YM and YW stand (virtually) in front of their ward and encourage the rest of their ward to participate in the work of salvation.

I am humbled as I continue to see you mentor the youth in our stake. I can still remember every Young Man leader I had. I remember their name. I remember how they made me feel. I knew they loved me and wanted me to be successful. They wanted me to feel of my saviors love and recognize that I am truly a son of god and have a purpose. I am eternally grateful for them.

I am sure that someday, there will be youth in our stake that will look back and call you by name and be grateful for the diligence you have put into your calling. Your name will become sacred to many youth as time passes. In this time of uncertainty for some due to COVID 19, you have and will continue to be a light on the hill. Some youth I am sure when COVID-19 leaves, will recall their great Aaronic Priesthood quorums and Young Women classes and you as a bright spot of the pandemic. THANK YOU for making this possible!!!! May the Lord Bless you for being part of a GREAT WORK!!