Library
Citizenship and Community Involvement

Citizenship and Community Involvement

Image
row of international flags

Purpose

Do you want to be “engaged in a good cause” and “bring to pass much righteousness” (Doctrine and Covenants 58:27)? Learn ways to be a good citizen and make your community a better place to live.

Description

Learn how you can help address some of the issues facing your community or neighborhood. You could search online, talk to parents, or reach out to community leaders. As a group, choose an issue and find ways you can help as a group and individually. Consider the following:

  • How can you help people in need in your area?

  • Are there people in your neighborhood who are struggling or lonely?

  • Are there parks or other public areas that need attention?

  • Do schools and younger students have the support they need?

Now go to work!

As you plan this activity, please follow the counsel given in chapter 13 of Handbook 2: Administering the Church (2010) and review “Safety Recommendations for Church Activities.”

More Ideas

  • Thank a community helper—As a group, make a list of organizations or people who help your community, such as police, firefighters, utility workers, crossing guards, librarians, schoolteachers, business owners, and so on. Discuss how each strengthens your community. Choose one or two of these groups and write notes to thank them for their work. Then deliver the notes (and maybe a treat) as a group.

  • Learn about your community—Arrange to take a tour of a police station, fire station, utility plant, food bank, or hospital. Come prepared with questions about how this organization helps the community and how you can help them in return.

  • Support your military—Put together care packages for members of the military serving away from home. Find out how to send the packages and if there are any restrictions on what you can include. Write a personal note to thank them for their service.

  • Understand community needs—Invite a local leader, such as a member of the community or city council, to talk to your group about what is happening in your area. Come prepared with questions about how you can support their efforts to improve your community. You could also consider attending a government or community meeting, such as a city council meeting.

Discussion

Encourage participants to talk about what they are learning. Discussions can take place before, during, or after the activity. You could ask questions like the following:

  • Why do you think it is important to be a good citizen of the country where you live?

  • When have you experienced blessings from being a good citizen?

  • What feelings or impressions do you have about good citizenship?

  • How can you apply what you are learning in your life?

Related Resources

Sabbath Day Lessons

Other