“Reader’s Guide,” New Era, Mar. 2001, 49

Reader’s Guide

Creative ideas for using this issue of the New Era.

Family Home Evening Ideas

Read the Idea List “Scripture Study” on page 15 with your family. Talk about your family’s scripture study time. Could it use some improvement? Choose two or three suggestions from the list and try them, or make up a few of your own ideas.
Read the account of Laman and Lemuel and the brass plates in the Book of Mormon (see 1 Ne. 3). Briefly summarize “Slow to Remember” on page 36 and talk about ways to remember the spiritual experiences that boost our testimonies.

Read Q&A and choose one or two ways you can improve your language. If swearing isn’t a problem, consider finding ways to be kinder in your speech or to improve your vocabulary.
Keep track of the kindnesses done for you or others. Read “Collecting Kindness” on page 20 to see how one young woman did it. Review your list and write in your journal about the gratitude you feel for others.
Read “Chapter and Verse” on page 44 and look up the scriptures mentioned. Think about the tough questions your friends have asked you about the Church or your standards. Did you find answers and discuss them with your friends, or did you simply try to avoid the topic? Write down one or two of the toughest questions and enlist the help of your parents, seminary teacher, and youth advisers to find the answers. The search will help your own testimony grow.

Organize a clothing swap. Bring clothes you’ve outgrown (only with your parents’ permission, of course), and swap them with other youth for clothes they don’t use anymore. Ask one of your leaders to talk about appropriate clothing choices and modesty. Make photocopies of the story “Dress Stress” on page 10 for everyone to take home. Give any leftover clothing to a local charity.
Borrow several jump ropes or buy some inexpensive rope and have a jump rope night. Have a speed contest or a double-dutch competition. See who can jump the longest. Read “Jump Start” on page 30 for inspiration.

Pass a mirror around the room and ask people to look at themselves. Tell them to think about what they see and describe their reflection. Briefly summarize the main points from President Faust’s article “Who Do You Think You Are?” on page 4. Remind class members that their most important traits aren’t visible in a mirror but are the talents they are developing and the service they give. Sing “I Am a Child of God” (Hymns, no. 301).