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“Mutual,” Guidebook for Parents and Leaders of Youth, 22

Purpose

Young men and young women should have a weekly activity night called Mutual, unless travel or other restrictions preclude it. Well-planned Mutual activities play an important role in the lives of youth. Mutual gives them an opportunity to meet in a social setting, apply gospel principles taught on Sunday, strengthen their testimonies, give service, develop wholesome relationships and communication skills, and reach out to less-active youth. Mutual also helps them achieve their Duty to God Award and Young Womanhood Recognition.

Planning

Under the direction of the bishopric, the ward Young Men and Young Women presidencies oversee Mutual. They may be assisted by class presidencies, advisers, and specialists. Their plans are approved in bishopric youth committee meetings.

Frequency and Structure of Mutual

Mutual is held on a day or evening other than Sunday or Monday and should, if possible, convene at the same day, time, and place each week. Generally, Mutual should be 1 to 1 1/2 hours in length and is divided into the following parts:

• • Opening exercises (10 to 15 minutes)

• • Class or quorum activity (30 to 75 minutes)

• • Practice or social activity (optional; 30 minutes)

Opening Exercises. A member of the bishopric or a member of the Young Men or Young Women presidency presides over opening exercises. The Laurel class presidency and the bishop’s priest quorum assistants take turns conducting. Opening exercises should include a hymn and a prayer and may also include talks, musical selections, practice of new songs, and opportunities for youth to share their talents and testimonies.

Class or Quorum Activities. Combined Aaronic Priesthood–Young Women activities are normally held once each month. The remaining weeks may be used for separate Young Women class activities and Aaronic Priesthood quorum activities. Occasional activities may be held for any combination of Young Women classes and Aaronic Priesthood quorums, including activities that involve parents or families. Occasionally, when there is a fifth week in a month, a ward or branch activity that involves the entire family could be held. Such activities could be under the direction of the activities committee.

• • The monthly combined Aaronic Priesthood–Young Women activity is an opportunity for all the youth in a ward, ages 12 to 18, to participate together in a wholesome, nondating situation, where they can work and learn together and support each other in living gospel principles. The combined youth activities should be scheduled and reviewed in bishopric youth committee meetings and carried out under the direction of the bishopric.

• • Young Women activities should include a variety of experiences from the following areas: service; home arts; music, speech, and drama; dance; literary and visual arts; camp; sports and physical fitness; and Personal Progress. Young women should learn skills that will prepare them for their future roles in the family, Church, and community. Activities should help each young woman understand and incorporate the Young Women Values.

• • Aaronic Priesthood activities should help each young man accomplish the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood by giving him experience in the following four areas of development as outlined in the Aaronic Priesthood: Fulfilling Our Duty to God guidebooks: Spiritual Development; Physical Development; Educational, Personal, and Career Development; and Citizenship and Social Development.

  • In areas where Scouting is available and approved for use as part of Aaronic Priesthood quorum activities, young men should also work on merit badges, rank advancement, and development of the qualities and characteristics taught by Scouting.

Practice or Social Activities. Mutual may also include time for young men and young women to meet together after their class or quorum activities. This time may be used to rehearse or prepare for a special event, practice or participate in sports, or enjoy a short social activity.

Annual Theme

Information will be sent each year from Church headquarters to priesthood leaders suggesting an annual theme for Mutual to be discussed with youth leaders. The theme may be used to provide focus for activities such as dance, drama, speech, sports, music, or service. Preparations for the activities should be made during Mutual.

Additional Resources

The Activity Book (31455) contains over 300 activity ideas that reinforce the Priesthood Purposes and the Young Women Values. Church magazines also contain ideas that can be used for Mutual activities.

The following is an example of a worksheet that can be used to help plan Mutual: