Purpose of LDS Youth Activities and LDS Mutual Planning

Young men and young women should have a regularly scheduled activity night, called Mutual.
The term Mutual suggests shared experiences in which there is mutual respect and support for one another.
Mutual is held on a day or an evening other than Sunday or Monday. It is generally held once a week but may
be held less frequently if priesthood leaders determine that travel, resources, or other significant
circumstances prevent a weekly meeting.

Why do we have Mutual?

An LDS Mutual Activity is a weekly meeting of youth with the purpose
of socialization, gospel study, prepare for their future, reach out to
those who are less active, give service, have fun, and apply of gospel principles.

Mutual provides opportunities to do the following:

• Meet in a social setting
• Apply gospel principles
• Strengthen testimonies
• Provide service
• Develop wholesome relationships
• Reach out to less-active youth
• Prepare for missionary work and the temple.
• Develop home arts skills.
• Develop cultural awareness and nurture talents.
• Develop physical skills and participate in sports.
• Focus on the specific needs or interests of the young women in the ward or branch.
• Support and involve the family as appropriate.
• Work on Personal Progress.

Mutual should be held at the same day, time, and place weekly.
The lessons and activities are planned by leaders and youth, and include opening
exercises, class or quorum activities, and an optional practice or social
activity. This means after opening exercises, which includes a song, prayer, spiritual thought,
scripture theme practice, and announcements, the
youth may stay together for an LDS combined youth activity (Young Men and Women
leaders and youth together) or separate for combined YW activities
(Beehives, Mia Maids, Laurels, and Young Women's leaders together),
or a class activity (just the Beehives class and Beehive Leaders or just
the Laurels class and leaders). Young Men, Young Women, and their leaders
meet together as a combined group for opening exercises.

"Mutual is fundamental to all that we are trying to do with
and for the Young Women and the Young Men. Many
parents recognize that when youth reach the adolescent
years, they benefit from positive influences to reinforce and
supplement the correct principles taught at home. No matter
how clearly we understand the resources of the achievement
programs for both Young Men and Young Women, if Mutual
is not properly in place, our efforts are more likely to fail"
(Elder Cecil O. Samuelson, Quorum of the Seventy).

How can we apply the annual Theme?

Every year, priesthood leaders receive an annual theme for Mutual to be discussed with
youth leaders. The theme may be used to provide focus for special Mutual activities such
as dance, drama, speech, sports, music, or service. Preparations for such activities
should be made during Mutual. The theme may also be used as a basis for youth talks
during Mutual opening exercises.

What sorts of Activities should we plan?

When planning your Mutual Activities, the church
says each mutual activity and/or lesson should be planned
incorporating at least one of the following themes:

• Service
• Home Arts
• Music, Speech, and Drama
• Dance
• Literary and Visual Arts
• Camp
• Sports and Physical Fitness
• See My LDS Mutual Activities Idea List

"We encourage each Young Men presidency, under the direction of their bishopric,
to make effective use of the Aaronic Priesthood committee and the bishopric youth committee
in planning, calendaring, and carrying out Mutual activities that strengthen young men in
the gospel. Careful planning and preparation will make Mutual a positive experience for
all young men and keep it from being merely an unsupervised sports night." - YM General
Presidency, Ensign, Aug. 2000, 71

"One way to make Mutual meaningful is to reinforce Sunday lessons on Mutual night. For
example, you could reinforce a lesson on the art of homemaking by teaching a specific
homemaking skill during Mutual." - YW General Presidency, "Planning Meaningful Mutual
Activities," Ensign, Sept. 2000, 70.

Youth Leaders also seek to help each individual aquire the skills
and talents encouraged in the
Personal Progress
program and Duty
to God through Mutual activities. Be sure to consider such factors as late hours,
the subject of the discussion, the nature of the activity, and the maturity levels
of participants.

Young men and women become more confident, kinder to each other, and more
chaste in their conduct when they participate in well-planned activities
(A
Parents Guide, 41).

What instruction has the Church offered on planning large youth activities?

Gathering a significant number of youth together to work on a large event
or project can have lasting impact in the lives of those who participate and
those who attend the event. Such events can help youth feel a part of the larger
Church community as they share the experience with many others who share their
beliefs and standards. A well-planned and managed event can have the following
benefits:

• Assemble a “critical mass” of youth together working
  for a common cause.
• Strengthen relationships within wards, schools, and communities.
• Bless families as they support and possibly participate.
• Provide missionary opportunities.
• Provide an opportunity to involve less-active youth.
• Provide gospel learning through music.
• Build relationships of trust and respect with leaders.
• Strengthen moral commitment.
• Provide a place for youth to display their talents.
• Allow adults to cheer for their youth.

These events could include music, dance, speech, drama, service, and sports.

Cultural arts and sports activities may be held at the multi-stake level if
approved by the Area Presidency. These larger activities allow youth opportunities
to meet together, socialize, and serve without leaving the ecclesiastical care
of their bishop. A designated priesthood leader could ask stake and ward youth
leaders to help with these activities. All area and multistake activities should
conform with Church policies for financing, standards, and travel. Preparation
for these events could be done during the Mutual activity time for several months
prior to the performance or activity.

Mutual Activities Idea List

What is the Youth Leader's Responsiblity?

Youth leaders are responsible for seeing that youth programs are effectiely
implemented, and to help each young woman earn the Young Womanhood Recognition
or Duty to God award. While youth are expected to plan activities, leaders should:

• Ensure that activities are appropriate for the participants' ages and
  maturity, involve minimal risk, and allow all youth to participate as fully as possible
• Ensure that the activities are planned with the purposes outlined above
• Ensure that activities comply with the policies and guidelines in the "Activities"
  section of the Leadership Manual (see pages 276-80). (These policies address
  unacceptable activities, standards at activities, overnight activities, dances,
  music, emergencies, and insurance.)
• Consider such factors as late hours, the subject of the discussion, the nature of
  the activity
• Attend Mutual activities
• Participate and preside over Mutual activities

More information about
the role of Youth Leaders and Parents.

NEW New Mutual Training DVD from LDS Distribution

Mutual Activities Idea List

References:
Strengthening
Youth: Training Outline for New Materials, 1 December 2001 and
Structure of Mutual
activities and "Aaronic Priesthood
site at LDS.org