Good News?
by Jeanni Gould

Bring a stack of newspapers and news magazines, plop them down in the middle of the circle and announce: "I'm looking for bad news!"  Then ask the girls to find five separate reports of terrible events that were caused by bad decisions. Analyze the point where the wrong choices were made. Determine what actions could have been taken to prevent these tragedies. Then search for five news articles that demonstrate examples of good decisions causing positive results. With your family or young women group: Discuss the news articles you have found. As a group, resolve to make the kinds of choices that will prevent many tragic happenings. Invite leaders or young women to share a personal experience in which they made a wise and righteous choice.

GOALS: Understand that your decisions can have far-reaching consequences-for good or bad.  Plan now to choose the right when faced with a difficult situation.

TIME: 30-60 minutes

SUPPLIES:

Newspapers and magazines
Scissors
Journal and pen, optional

We just had a Choice and Accountability night. The 2nd Counselor in our Relief Society played a game with our girls. She put up 2 poster boards side-by-side on the board. Then she covered the poster boards with post-it notes that she wrote everyday things on. Everyone then took turns removing one thing they could live without. But they had to give a reason why they could live without it. However, if there were others in the group who couldn't live without it they would have to justify why we had to keep that particular thing. Then the girl would get to pick something else.

It was a great game. We got to discuss many things. And it was interesting what the girls would give up first compared with what the leaders would give up first. Even the differences in the age groups. There was one Beehive who goes everywhere on her bike. She didn't think that we should give bikes up before cars. However, the girls who are driving now didn't think twice about getting rid of the bike. But in the end we were left with what was really important. Testimony, Prophet, 12 apostles, family, scriptures, ability to see, Holy Ghost, etc.

Some of the things on the post-it notes were: The things I already put down, the ability to breathe without help, ability to hear, ability to speak, touch, conscience, car, bike, distant family, close friends, casual friends, phones and cell phones, bed, furniture, beauty products, curling iron, blow dryer, clothes, shoes, house or apartment, stove, bathroom, refrigerator, indoor plumbing, electricity, tv/dvd, cd player, books, rock concerts, entertainment idols, radio, general authorities, pets, local church leaders, state government, federal government, police, fire department. That is all I can remember. However, there are many more things you could put up.

A very simple and easy game. But one that really makes you think.