Priesthood and auxiliary leaders of youth should plan now to use the DVD to introduce the 2010 annual Mutual theme in New Year’s Eve activities or other special events where the theme is presented. Segments may also be used throughout the year to enrich youth classes, meetings, and activities. The following is a list of a few of the activities where the DVD might be used:

• Bishops youth discussions
• Young women classes
• Quorum meetings
• Mutual opening exercises and activities
• Standards night
• Evening of excellence
• Personal and family activities (including family home evenings)
• Youth conferences
• Service projects
• Social activities (such as dinners and dances)
• Cultural programs (such as talent shows, musical presentations, and roadshows)
• Sports or recreational activities
• Family history activities (such as research and indexing projects)
• A celebration of good works in 2009 (such as a media slideshow)
• Firesides or workshops.

How do I use the DVD in an activity?

Below are a few of many possible ways to integrate the DVD segments into youth activities. These samples are not intended to dictate what local leaders and youth plan. They are meant to inspire leaders and youth as they begin the planning process. Classes, quorums, and families may consider using the DVD segments as part of lessons or smaller activities.

Quorum or Class Meeting

• Focusing on one standard, read excerpts from For the Strength of Youth.
• Learn how youth around the world are living the standard by watching a DVD segment.
• Study the words of the prophets from general conference on the standard.
• Discuss what youth can do to keep the standard in everyday life.
• Encourage class members to make commitments regarding the standard.

Bishop’s Youth Discussion

• Share video and still photographs of past youth activities where a standard was taught or demonstrated.
• Share personal experiences about living the standard.
• Learn what general leaders and youth have to say about the standard by watching a DVD segment.
• Invite youth to write down how living the standard has blessed or will bless their lives.
• Hold a testimony meeting.

Dance

• Share gifts and talents in a talent or variety show, exhibit, or demonstration.
• Allow youth to enjoy the talents of their peers through a DVD segment .
• Invite a talented member to teach the youth a new dance, choreographed to music from A Brand New Year (downloaded from the youth Web site).

Youth Conference

• Invite youth to teach workshops on living the standards in For the Strength of Youth by using segments from A Brand New Year.
• Invite youth to perform a new song from A Brand New Year (downloaded from the youth Web site).
• Teach all youth a new song from A Brand New Year and prepare them to share it in an upcoming ward or stake activity.
• Provide youth opportunities to create their own A Brand New Year segments (using home video equipment) as a way to share their testimonies and experiences.
• Document a service project using home video equipment.

How do we involve everyone?

• A Brand New Year: 2010 Youth Celebration is intended for all youth ages 12 to 18. In addition to youth activities, it may be used in ward and stake activities, in special meetings for parents, and in families.
• As always, leaders should prayerfully consider how to involve less-active youth.
• Leaders may also encourage youth to invite friends of other faiths.
• If a dance is held, leaders may consider providing alternative activities for Beehives and deacons.

How do you make the experience interactive?

Suggestions for Encouraging Youth Involvement

• Invite youth to make their own video testimony of a standard in For the Strength of Youth. These can be shown as part of a local activity.
• Invite youth to ponder their personal accomplishments in living the 2009 Mutual theme (1 Timothy 4:12).
• Celebrate good works accomplished in classes, quorums, and youth activities during 2009—for example, through sharing memories, reading from journals, telling stories, looking at photographs, or watching a slide show or video footage.
• Review standards in the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet introduced by the DVD.
• Teach youth the 2010 theme song. Sheet Music MP3 recording. (coming soon)
• Invite youth to make a personal commitment to live the standards in For the Strength of Youth in 2010. If desired, they could write their goal on a commitment card (coming soon) associated with A Brand New Year: 2010 Youth Celebration.
• All of the material (including video, songs, sheet music, and helps for commitments) will be available for download on the internet on or around December 31, 2009.
• Invite youth to visit the new youth Web site. This Web site will feature selected songs, interviews, and media clips from the DVD celebration (the address for this site will be announced on the DVD).