STAKE YOUTH ATTEND "FOR THE STRENGTH OF YOUTH" CONFERENCE

 

Almost 130 Rapid City SD Stake youth ages 14-18 traveled to Ft. Collins on June 2 to participate in For the Strength of Youth.  Five days of devotionals, classes, and other activities were designed to help them strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ, feel joy and belonging as they live the Gospel, and be empowered to continue having spiritual experiences at home. 

Participant Handbook

Each youth received a For the Strength of Youth participant handbook focused on the session theme, “Look Unto Christ” (D & C 6:36).  The handbook provided a variety of teaching and learning resources for the week, including daily agendas, spaces to record what youth learned at devotionals and during classes, lyrics to FSY music, journaling pages, and a copy of the youth pamphlet For the Strength of Youth.  Youth were encouraged to use the handbook as a way to record and remember their experiences, thoughts, impressions and, especially, what the Spirit taught them during their week at FSY.

 

Adviser Groups and Companies

Upon arrival at the Colorado State University campus in Ft. Collins, youth were assigned to same-sex groups of 10 advised by a young single adult counselor.  Three to four adviser groups then made up companies of both YW and YM who met together during the week for activities.

 

Daily Agendas

Each morning the youth gathered in both small and large groups for prayer, devotionals, gospel study, and classes.  Youth were given time to reflect and review and invitations to act on what they learned each day.  Each afternoon provided a variety of individual and group activities, including musical program rehearsals, variety show tryouts, games, and other on campus activities. 

 

Day 4, known as “the most spiritual day,” included an in depth study and discussion of “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.”  In the afternoon the youth supported the talents of new friends in a variety show.  Preparation for the evening activities began with group discussions of reverence and testimony-bearing.  In the evening, the youth presented a musical program of FSY hymns and songs. At the conclusion of the evening devotional, youth then met in groups of companies for the sharing of testimonies.   

 

Day 5 focused on “Taking It Home,” including Sharing the Gospel activities, goal-setting, picture-taking, and a dance.  To end the evening,  Brother Clint Asay, the Session Adviser, delivered a final “Taking It Home” message and extended invitations to act on what had been taught and learned at FSY.

 

As a stake we are grateful for this opportunity our youth are given to attend FSY every other year.  We encourage those who attended this year to prepare to participate again in 2027 and to invite other YW and YM in our stake to join them for an FSY experience.