by Terri Smith in California of Freshaire Adventures / ga01122010

 

Believe in Christ.

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God who condescended to come into the world to save mankind. He is your Savior and your Redeemer. He was the Son of a mortal mother and a divine, Eternal Father. In His name you pray. Through His atoning sacrifice you obtain forgiveness for your sins. You have the assurance of the Resurrection, and if you walk in His ways after His pattern, you will have the opportunity of exaltation.

Believe in yourselves.

Believe in yourselves and in your capacity to do something worthwhile. God has given you a mind and a spirit and a body with which to do your work. You have tremendous capacity. You do not have to be a genius to do something worthwhile in the world. The major work of the world is done by ordinary people who have learned to work in an extraordinary way. This is what makes the difference. Stand tall and look sharp and bright with a smile on your face, and you will find that people will love and honor and respect you. “To thine own self be true,” wrote William Shakespeare, “And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man” (Hamlet, act 1, scene 3).

Believe in the power of prayer.

Believe in the power and majesty of prayer. The Lord answers your prayers. Prayer brings you into partnership with God. It offers you an opportunity to speak with Him, to thank Him for His magnificent blessings, and to ask Him for guidance and protection as you walk the paths of life. This great work, which is spreading over the earth, found its roots in the prayer of a boy. He had read in the family Bible, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed” (James 1:5–6). That is the promise. Is there any greater promise anywhere in the world than that promise?

Believe in goodness.

Believe in goodness, my dear young friends. There is so much of evil in this world. It seems to be everywhere—in television, in books, in magazines, in videos. Do not sit around watching videos of a sleazy nature. Do not do it. They will not help you. They will hurt you. You can become addicted to those things, and they will destroy you. Believe in goodness. In the midst of great evil, there is so much of good to be found in the world. It is your responsibility to follow the right. “Choose the right when a choice is placed before you” (Hymns, no. 239). There is something wonderful and uplifting that comes from believing in goodness and beauty and truth.

Believe in education.

Believe in education. A mandate has been given you by the Lord Himself. He has said: “Seek learning, even by study and also by faith” (D&C 88:118). You are not expect to earn college degrees. But you are urged to take advantage of learning to equip yourselves to do worthwhile things in the world. The world will compensate you for your skills. If you are an honest and skilled workman, you will bring honor to yourself and to the Church. This is the great day of preparation for each of you. This is the season to train yourself for the highly competitive world that lies ahead.

Décor

Plastic black table cover for both food and guessing game(s) tables
Bright yellow napkins, plates
Yellow and black balloons

Food 

Six foot Submarine Sandwich, sliced
Sugar Cookies frosted with chocolate and yellow frosting
Bottled Water for each person with “Fear Factor: Fear Not, Only Believe" label (see below)

When the youth arrive, they will be sent to an area where they will be involved in two guessing games. This will basically be an icebreaker and a way to spend the first 5 or 10 minutes until everyone arrives.

#1 “What is it?”

Have 10 jars filled with weird items the youth will have to try to identify. Have a paper and pencil in front of each jar, allowing each youth to sign their name along with their guess as to what is in the jar. The youth will most likely be thinking they will have to eat the items sometime during the activity, they don’t have to of course - but it will be fun to play along, making them believe they may have to.

Needed Supplies:

10 wide mouth jars
Black & Yellow Ribbon – to tie around each jar
Tags (see below)

Suggestions for Jars: Baby Octopus, Live Crickets, Calf Hoof, Liver, Cow Tongue, Earth Worms, Lime Jell-O set with Gummy Eyeballs

#2 “Guess How Many Are In The Jar”

Fill a jar full of gummy worms, gummy bugs, or some other fun weird edible treats. Have the youth guess how many are in the jar. Whoever comes closest to the actual number in the jar, wins the prize, the prize being the filled jar itself.

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Now that the youth are all warmed up it is time for the group challenges. Divide the youth into two groups. Beforehand, divide the Cultural Hall into 6 different stations, this is where each Challenge will take place. Make sure each station is clearly labeled and ready to go with the needed supplies (see below).

The Challenges

Just like the popular television show, the youth will be asked to complete a number of challenges. They will each receive a red flag upon completion of each challenge, 6 flags in all. These can be redeemed for a reward at the end of the night.

Challenge #1 - Believe in God: Scripture Challenge

Find 7 scriptures where the Lord tells us not to be afraid

Needed Supplies:

Scriptures, Worksheets *see file below, Pencils

Instructions: Have the youth use the scriptures to find passages where the Lord tells us to not be afraid.

Challenge #2 - Believe in Christ: Group Challenge (Willow in the Wind Trust Fall)

Needed Supplies:

None

Instructions:

Choose one person to be "The Willow", have them stand in the middle with their feet together, eyes closed, arms crossed and hands on shoulders, keeping body straight. The rest of the group sits in a circle around the willow - heels to the ground, toes pointing up, and feet pressing gently, yet firmly, just above the ankles of the willow.

The group will sit with arms outstretched, elbows locked, and fingers loose, ready and alert. The willow will do a "trust lean" and allow them self to be "passed around" the group.

Important: Ensure the group is tight, should-to-shoulder, arms outstretched. In this position, hands should almost touch the person standing in the middle. This ensures that the initial fall will be gentle. Gradually the group can ease back. Distribute large and small people evenly, to avoid weak points.

Challenge #3 - Believe in Yourself: Endurance Challenge (Sit-Up Competition)

Needed Supplies:

None

Instructions:

Have the youth do sit-ups for 2 minutes straight. This can be done in two groups, if the youth need someone to hold their feet down as they do their sit-ups. Lend encouragement as the youth become weak and want to give up.

Challenge #4 - Believe in Prayer: Physical Challenge (Obstacle Course)

Needed Supplies:

Blindfolds, 2x4, children’s bike, mini trampoline, tires, (use you imagination)

Instructions:

Use your imagination in creating an obstacle course for the youth. Time them as they take turns running the obstacle course while blindfolded, being lead by their leader’s voices.

Challenge #5 Believe in Goodness: Food Challenge  (Do I really have to drink that?)

Needed Supplies:

McDonald’s Happy Meal(s), Cups, Blender

Instructions:

Prepare the concoction by placing all the items from a McDonald’s Happy Meal(s) into a blender (hamburger, fries, soft drink).

Place a tray of cups – already filled with the concoction – on a table. Have each youth drink the whole thing before the count of 30.

Challenge #6 Believe in Education: Mental Challenge  (Origami)

Needed Supplies:

Origami instructions, paper, timer

Instructions:

While being timed, the youth are to create the designated Origami using the instructions given.

In Reflection

After each challenge is completed, take a minute to talk about the experience as it pertains to President Hinckley’s talk.

INVITATIONS: 

black and white, print on yellow card stock (RIGHT CLICK ON IMAGE and save to your computer)

WATER BOTTLE LABELS (CLICK ON LABELS TO OPEN FILE):

FLAGS: Print on red card stock, one set per team (I laminated them for durability)

(CLICK ON IMAGE to enlarge)

CHALLENGE STATION LABELS:

Print on yellow card stock, cut out, and laminate




JAR TAGS: Print on yellow card stock, cut out, paste onto jars