Purpose of LDS Youth Activities and LDS Mutual Activity 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 around these purposes:

• 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 multistake 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.

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