This is another plea to READ THE SIDEBARS! at lds.org. Just to give you a taste, below is the sidebar help from lesson 43 "Associations with Others." Notice how much more relevant the questions and personal progress suggestions are? (texting! social networks! cell phones!) But also thoughtfully done, as well. For example, the question simply asks if these help or interfere, allowing the girls to talk and analyze what is happening in their own lives.
And also, notice how up-to-date the conference talks are? 2009. 2010. 2011. The one from the YW meeting this year by Sis. Cook was a great one. And Pres. Uchtdorft's talk on relationships is one of my all-time favorites by him.
I don't want to say I want to throw out the manual completely and just use these, but... well, okay, I'll say it. This is all so much more relevant... and much more substantial.
And plus, you've even got two videos from lds.org you could use. Relevant, recent, and using media. Love it.
Unfortunately, I think right now all this great work is just the best-kept secret of the YW program. So, do me a favor (or the YW really) and share lds.org with all those hard-copy manual users, who have no idea this even exists!
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Discussion Questions
Think of a person you consider to be charitable and to have good social skills. What is this person like? What does he or she do to understand, help, and positively interact with others?
How can texting and social networking activities help or interfere with developing wholesome relationships with others?
Words of the Prophets
Thomas S. Monson, “May You Have Courage,” Mar. 2009 general Young Women meeting. Consider using the 13 paragraphs beginning with “May I speak first about the courage to refrain from judging others…”
Thomas. S. Monson, “Charity Never Faileth,” Oct. 2010 general conference.
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Of Things That Matter Most,” Oct. 2010 general conference. Consider reading the three paragraphs beginning with “Our Second key relationship is with our families…”
David A. Bednar, “Things as They Really Are,” Liahona, June 2010.
Additional General Conference Talks
Mary N. Cook, “Remember This: Kindness Begins with Me,” Mar. 2011 general Young Women meeting.
Koichi Aoyagi, “Helping Hands, Saving Hands,” Apr. 2010 general conference.
Margaret S. Lifferth, “Respect and Reverence,” Apr. 2009 general conference.
Additional Resources
Matthew 22:36–40; Mosiah 18:8–9; Alma 39:10.
New Era, June 1998 special issue: Friendship.
For the Strength of Youth (booklet, 2001), Friends.
Media
Music: “Each Life That Touches Ours for Good,” Hymns, no. 293.
Video: “A True Friend,” lds.org/youth/video.
Video: “Wish You Were Here,” lds.org/youth/video.
Accept and Act
For one week, be aware of your use of cell phones, television, and the Internet. Seek positive ways to interact more in person with others. Prioritize responsibilities, such as homework and chores.
Personal Progress: Good Works value experience 3; Divine Nature value experience 7; Integrity value project, bullet 3.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
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I love those sidebars! The lesson content has sometimes been problematic, and those provide lots of wonderful content.
ReplyDeleteLast month's sidebar for Lesson 39 (Recognizing Our Individual Worth) included Elder Uchtdorf's talk "Forget Me Not" from the recent Relief Society conference. The girls loved it! I drew a flower with his five themes on the chalkboard, and they all wanted to carefully copy it onto their papers. (Beehives.)
Thanks for this, and focusing on the positive!
ReplyDeleteI always use the sidebars. I couldn't imagine preparing a lesson without them.
ReplyDeleteNow if only my printer would work.
Jenny - wish we could help you there!
ReplyDeleteI'm actually not a YW leader but I read this blog because it helps keep me active and going to RS. =) I just wanted to say thanks! I appreciate how positive, doctrine and Christ-focused, and practical the ideas here are.
ReplyDeleteAmy - that's great that the girls like the talk on Forget-Me-Nots. It was a great one! Ben - thanks for the comment. I think it is more productive to focus on this very positive aspect of the online manuals, because it does away with most if not all of my concerns about the lessons. Jenny - so glad to know of more people using them! :) And finally Brooke - thanks for leaving your comment. I wanted to join this blog for the very reasons you listed, and I'm glad I can help keep it going. Keep coming and add your thoughts to the posts, maybe you can help someone else keep active too. :) Thanks everyone for reading and sharing your comments!
ReplyDelete