STAND: 2012 Theme Introduction Fireside

As we are getting ready for the new year, I have been brainstorming ideas of how to really make this year's theme {Arise and Shine Forth} a central part of our year. A great way to do this, is to make an event out of it. Hence, the fireside. I think it is important to make the theme relevant to the girl, and boys for that matter.

BRAINSTORM:

Things that Rise: balloon, sun, bread, seminary bound teenager

Rise to the occasion

SurpRISE

Arise for the Prize

ANYWAYS...

I love the word ARISE. It is a verb. To ARISE takes a choice. The willingness to act on your own accord. In the world at this time, the youth really do need to make that conscious choice. So how do we teach them that?

A fireside, especially for the youth shouldn't be so long that they lose interest, but needs to get the point across. By having 3 talks, one tailored to the girls, one to the boys, and one to all the youth, maybe one or two musical numbers, followed by a culminating activity, and delicious refreshments, you will have an event that will resonate with the youth. One that they can remember. As long as it is accompanied by the Spirit, of course.

FOR THE GIRLS:

As soon as I heard the new theme, and thought about my girls, I immediately thought of the story of Christ raising the young maid from the dead. She has passed on but the Lord beckons her "Daughter, Arise". She has a choice. She can choose to follow his call, or she can stay where she is, in the peace and comfort of the next estate. When she decides to return to this mortal existence, she is not only becoming who she was before. She is now a standing witness of the divinity of the Savior. Everywhere she goes, she testifies of His power. As we are each baptized, and we ARISE from the water, we too are witnesses of our Savior. We testify of Him everywhere we go by how we live, how we treat others, how we shine.

FOR THE BOYS:

The men of the Church are commanded to serve a mission. We all know, either from experience or witnessing it, this is no easy task. Especially since several years ago the brethren RAISED THE BAR. Since the bar is higher, the young men need to arise to reach it, to be worthy to serve and to stand as a witness to all nations of our Savior. They need to prepare now, not between their 18th and 19th birthdays.

Hymns that could apply:

Awake and Arise

Lead Kindly Light

Teach Me to Walk in the Light

The Lord is My Light

There is Sunshine In My Soul Today

Guide Me to Thee

Musical Number Ideas:

Daughter Arise (Kenneth Cope)

Beacon in the Night (Jenny Phillips)

Reflect the Light of the Gospel (Deanne Cummings)

Here Am I; Send Me (Thomas and Tuiofu)