MORMONAD NIGHT

Purpose

• Give youth a chance to exercise creativity while incorporating a gospel theme – youth create “Mormonad” posters using quotes by general authorities

•BONUS: Low budget, quick & easy to prepare! J

Materials Needed

•Poster board

•Markers, Colored Pencils, Crayons, etc

•Construction Paper, scissors & glue sticks

•Quotes to use as a springboard

•Examples of Mormonads

Instructions

•Divide youth up into groups (group size is up to you, but I found 5 to 6 to be a good number so everyone can get involved) – how you divide them up is up to you

•Have a member of each group choose a quote

•Distribute the materials

•Suggest ideas if they are having a hard time coming up with something or allow them to switch quotes

•Play uplifting music in the background to get them in the mood (doesn’t have to be hymns – even primary songs promote gospel creativity J )

•Set a time limit – I would suggest no more than 45 minutes

•Have them write or glue their quote to their poster

•Groups present their Mormonads & have refreshments

(Ours was so successful that the Mormonads were displayed on the ward bulletin board for everyone to see!)

Sample Quotes

There are so many possible quotes out there…these are just ones I used that worked!

• Joseph Smith was not only a great man, but he was an inspired servant of the Lord, a prophet of God. (Howard W. Hunter, “Gospel Classics: A Great and Marvelous Day,” New Era, January 2005)

•The sacrament and the partaking of these emblems is the very heart of our sabbath worship. It includes a renewal of covenants with God. It carries with it a promise of His Holy Spirit to be with us. (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Words of the Prophet: The Gift of the Holy Ghost,” New Era, Jan. 2005, 5)

•Often we do not have even a glimpse of our potential for happiness and accomplishment in this life and in eternity because, as the Apostle Paul said, ‘Now we see through a glass, darkly.’ But the lens can be lightened and become crystal clear through the influence of the Holy Ghost. (James E. Faust, “It Can’t Happen to Me,” Ensign, May 2002, 46)

•Your personal conscience always warns you as a friend before it punishes you as a judge. (Thomas S. Monson, “Pathways to Perfection,” Ensign, May 2002, 100)

•The example of our living will carry a greater influence than will all the preaching in which we might indulge. We cannot expect to lift others unless we stand on higher ground ourselves. (Gordon B. Hinckley, “In Opposition to Evil,” Ensign, Sept 2004, 4)

•We can feast upon the word of God. We can ask for and live for the companionship of the Holy Ghost. We can be obedient out of our faith in Jesus Christ. And in time we can become an example of a disciple who is born again through the Atonement. (Henry B. Eyring, “True Friends,” Ensign, May 2002, 28)

•Some believe that the more eloquent a prayer, the more effective.

Too often these prayers are not so much meant for the ears of the Almighty as they are for the ears of the audience. Do you want to commune with the Infinite? Then approach Him with reverence and humility.(Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Improving Our Prayers,” Liahona, Aug 2004, 19)

•Let us recognize that fear comes not of God, but rather that this gnawing, destructive element comes from the adversary of truth and righteousness. Fear is the antithesis of faith. It is corrosive in its effects, even deadly. We need not fear as long as we have in our lives the power that comes from righteously living by the truth which is from God our Eternal Father. (Gordon B. Hinckley, “God Will Make a Way,” New Era, Jan 2002, 6-7)

•The way to exaltation is not a freeway featuring unlimited vision, unrestricted speeds, and untested skills. Rather, it is known by many forks and turnings, sharp curves, and controlled speeds. Our driving ability is being put to the test. Are we ready? We’re driving. We haven’t passed this way before. Fortunately, the Master Highway Builder, even our Heavenly Father, has provided a road map showing the route to follow. He has placed markers along the way to guide us to our destination. (Thomas S. Monson, “Crisis at the Crossroads,” New Era, Nov 2002, 5)

•Rest and physical exercise are essential, and a walk in the fresh air can refresh the spirit. Wholesome recreation is part of our religion, and a change of pace is necessary, and even its anticipation can lift the spirit. (Ezra Taft Benson, “Do Not Despair,” Ensign, Nov 1974, 66)

•Your most important friendships should be with your own brothers and sisters and with your father and mother. Love your family. Be loyal to them. Have a genuine concern for your brothers and sisters. (Ezra Taft Benson, “To the ‘Youth of the Noble Birthright,’” Ensign, May 1986, 43)

•Every person’s individual testimony of Jesus as the Christ comes as a spiritual gift. No one can successfully dispute or challenge it because it is so personal a gift to the one to whom it has been given. It will be as an ever-recharging spiritual energizer to keep our spiritual light running to show us the way to eternal happiness.

(James E. Faust, “Lord, I Believe, Help Thou Mine Unbelief,” Ensign, Nov 2003, 22)

Some Ideas

• Joseph Smith was not only a great man, but he was an inspired servant of the Lord, a prophet of God. (Howard W. Hunter, “Gospel Classics: A Great and Marvelous Day,” New Era, January 2005)

-Our youth drew Joseph Smith (complete with suit & “real” hair donated by one of the group members) with a light bulb that had a drawing of Jesus Christ in it – “inspired” was the key here that got them going

-Our youth did a chapel scene during the sacrament with deacons passing around heart trays that had the bread and water

-This one contained two scenes: one where both “friends” are in a pit (or at least something resembling a pit) and are scraping at the sides trying to get out. There was a TV in the pit with a big “Rated R” on it. The other was one friend above the pit in a dress with one hand holding a hymnbook and the other reaching down to the friend in the pit

•Some believe that the more eloquent a prayer, the more effective.

-There’s a person on a stage that says “Earth” and he’s holding a cell phone saying “Can you hear me now?” The audience is the world and they’re praising him (“Wonderful!” “Such eloquence!”). Heavenly Father is in the sound booth that says “Heaven” saying “I can’t hear you…can somebody do a sound check?”

It’s really very easy – at least the way we did it. The girls were divided into small groups and each group was given a bag with odds and ends from around the house like a hanger, remote control, just whatever. Then they were instructed to come up with a Mormon-Ad with a scripture reference and put it on a 1/2 poster board. I can’t remember all of the posters, but the hanger one was “Hold to the Rod” and showed a hanger on a closet rod. The girls really enjoyed it and we displayed them a couple at a time on our bulletin board over the next month or so.

I’m sure you get the gist of it from these examples. The Book of Mormon crushing fear

Joseph Smith “inspired” by Jesus Christ

Energizing your faith with the scriptures & prayer (testimony is the electricity).

And yes, it’s the Energizer Bunny! J