The DVD A Brand New Year: A Celebration for Latter-day Saint Youth will be mailed to Church units in North America in early December. Leaders may choose to use this DVD as part of a New Year’s Eve activity for youth or throughout the year in Mutual activities or in class, or quorum lessons. The DVD may also be shared with parents and families, as desired.

Leaders may wish to preview the DVD segments before incorporating them into an activity or lesson. Leaders should feel free, if they choose, to pause the DVD at various places and discuss with their youth the standards or commitments introduce by the DVD. Leaders may also wish to involve their youth in the experience of viewing the DVD segments.

Below are general outlines of the DVD segments and possible ways of inviting youth participation before, during, or after viewing the DVD segments. These suggestions and the downloadable resources on this Web site may be used at leaders’ discretion.

Outlines and Suggestions

Segment 1 - Message from an Apostle

This 15-minute segment of the DVD is in the format of a general Church meeting, featuring a message to youth from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve. This segment may best be viewed in a chapel, classroom, or home.

Suggestions for Youth Involvement

• Sing an opening hymn before watching Elder Holland's address. Such as:

“True to the Faith,” Hymns, no. 254

Segment 2 - Celebration of Youth Accomplishments in 2008

This 30-minute segment is fun, uplifting, and celebratory. Talented youth will host this segment and introduce inspiring stories of their faithful peers around the world. These young men and women will also perform several musical numbers written especially for this youth celebration. The segment will also include messages from members of the Young Men and Young Women general presidencies. This segment may best be viewed in a cultural hall or similar setting.

Suggestions for Youth Involvement

• Invite youth to ponder their personal accomplishments in living the 2008 Mutual theme (Mosiah 5:15).
• Celebrate good works accomplished in classes, quorums, and youth activities during 2008—for example, through sharing memories, reading from journals, telling stories, looking at photographs, watching a slide show or video footage, and so on.
• Review standards in For the Strength of Youth pamphlet introduced by the DVD.

Segment 3 - Introduction of the 2009 Mutual Theme

In this 30-minute segment, the Young Men and Young Women general presidencies will introduce youth to the 2009 Mutual theme: 1 Timothy 4:12. This introduction will include a special 2009 theme song, “We Are Examples of the Believers,” sung by the youth. (Sheet music and a simple recording of this song are available on this site.) Youth from around the world will share their commitments to be “an example of the believers” in the coming year. This segment may best be viewed in a cultural hall or similar setting.

Suggestions for Youth Involvement

• Teach youth the 2009 theme song.
• Invite youth to make a personal commitment to live the standards in For the Strength of Youth in 2009—if desired, they could write their goal on a commitment card associated with A Brand New Year.
• Invite youth to visit a special Web site, www.abrandnewyear.lds.org, on or after January 1^st.  This website will feature selected songs, interviews, and media clips from the DVD celebration.