Who says we can’t have anymore ward activities? Not the handbook. It’s possible the activities chairman was falling into the trap of hosting too many parties and our leaders would like us to be a little more purposeful at our gatherings. In ward council, the leaders in the ward can brainstorm ideas to get various auxiliaries, and demographics, together that don’t ordinarily mingle, with a stimulating purpose in mind. Thinking outside of the box may help us help one another in new ways, more meaningful ways so everyone can “feel the love”.

Here are just a few ways I thought of. Let your minds consider the people in your ward; what they can benefit from the most.

1) Create your own “Retrenchment”. Research on my blog what Retrenchment was and share it with the women, ages 12 to adult, in your ward. Form your own “commitment” to the gospel; promote a spiritual environment whenever your women gather together, with trust, harmony, and love for one another and the gospel.

2) Hold Skills Classes teaching useful skills needed to run a home: Cooking, haircutting; machine sewing; gardening; hand sewing; making jams, vinegars, household cleaners; cleaning techniques, etc. Use ward members as teachers, helpers, models, etc.

3) Teach budgeting skills. Help ward members manage their money, save it, and teach the benefits of living within their means. Teach this especially to the youth.

4) Share ways to study the scriptures. a) Scripture Journaling is a way to record your inspirations. b) Search the Internet for blogs that discuss various lessons, conference addresses, as well as many older books that can be read, and researched online. (Be sure to add “LDS” in your search.)

5) Help your young women organize a week-long Camp for the Primary children in your ward this summer. Let the girls figure out the lessons and activities.

6) Have the girls plan a dinner menu for a ward dinner. Have them plan, shop, decorate, cook, setup, and clean up. Teach the girls how to work with a budget, using coupons, making do, etc. The Young Men can come up with the activity for the evening. Maybe something along the lines of how to ask girls out properly; the difference between dating and hanging out; possibly a lesson on “commitment is a good thing”. The dinner can be for each other, or the entire ward…husbands and wives may need a refresher as well. For that matter, switch and have the young men cook and the girls come up with the activity.

7) Encourage ward members, including the youth, to prepare Sunday lessons with the following objectives: a) Discover the doctrine. State it, and explain it, to the class. b) Ponder and practice the doctrine while preparing the lesson (during the week), and share the experiences learned in class. c) Testify of the doctrine. Create an opportunity where members can share how this has blessed their lives.

8 ) Introduce various careers, skills, and talents of ward members to the children and youth. Each girl should understand that motherhood is always first (so interview some mothers), but each girl should have skills to support a family if necessary. Young Men often do this already.

9) Ask each youth to research the history of their last name, where their ancestors came from, the location on a map, and the culture, language, and food. Have a cultural evening (s) listening to presentations from families, youth, and children.

10) Take any area of the Church and work toward little goals as an entire ward. Family History, Temple attendance, Preparedness, Missionary work, Scripture knowledge, Welfare/ Humanitarian service, etc. Be sure to involve all the different ages, auxiliaries, the neighborhood, etc.

11) The High Priests and Elders rarely get together. Have the younger men teach the older men computer skills. Or the older men can help the younger men start writing life histories. Well, maybe they can just help each other with that.

12) A ward garden could be started with families working together, harvesting, and putting up the vegetables. A roadside stand could even be opened where the money made is spent on humanitarian projects or just submitted to the fast offerings.

13) Workshops focusing on various needs such as skills, family history, healthcare, emergency preparedness, etc. could be held quarterly, or so.

14) Have a ward dinner where everyone brings the food from their 72 hour kits. At the party, cook the food and feed your family, then clean up after yourself.

Just because there are no more Primary Activities, doesn’t mean children shouldn’t be doing anything fun and/or productive. And ward activities can become more meaningful than just having a dinner party. The ward council should be working on ways to help ward members become better people, and more adept of the four directives of the Church.

The Primary President may consider ways that the children can be involved in some of the adult-centered goals and activities. For example:

• A Family History ward goal could include time for the children to tell their own family stories during a ward gathering, during another auxiliary meeting, or Sunday lessons in Primary.

• Achievement Day girls could learn babysitting techniques and offer their services at a ward meeting, while parents are working on a project, or learning something new. While watching the younger children, the girls can prepare some activities that correlate with what the adults are learning.

In ward council, presidents can discuss ways that will bring all or some auxiliaries together; auxiliaries can team up, working on similar subjects, helping one another, and enjoying one another’s company.