When serving in the Stake YW we focus our efforts to help Ward YW leaders. They have so much to do and that's not an exaggeration. Last year for our Ward leaders we presented them with a planner. It was given to help them ease their burden in planning then in turn they could focus more on their young women. Many of them liked what we had. Here's a version for this year in our Etsy Shop.

We tried to think of how each month would look for a ward leader and then incorporated it into a calendar. It helps that we've been ward leaders so we know what it's like to plan and carry out. Here's an example of one month.

 Some choices are already matched and made. For example -

• Come Follow Me principles are listed on each month (CFM = Come Follow Me)
• Sunday Lessons section to list who and what will be taught
• Personal Progress Values are assigned to a month (coordinates with Come Follow Me)
• Strength of Youth standards are assigned monthly (use for mutual opening exercises, talks, etc) 
• Leadership Lesson Topics from Church Handbook are assigned monthly (optional topics too)
• Bishopric Interviews space is listed each month to track YW interviews 
• PP Project Evaluation times are scheduled into certain months
• Presidency Meetings purpose summaries are listed and space for notes
• Conducting for Sunday and Mutual (space for names is included)
• Mutual Activities space is provided for organizing 
• List Lines for extra dates, notes, needs, info, or other reminders
• Infographic summaries for Class Presidencies, Agendas, and Personal Progress
• Reminders of things to do are put throughout the year (Camp, Conferences, etc)
• Notes pages that are blank are included
• Newsletter template to send out to parents is included too

Compact and concise. So much information in so simple a format. But there's more too.

Everything's here to get you started and make your life easier in 2015. (It may even help you with the rest of 2014) Go to our Etsy Shop if you're interested.

There's a lot of talk about women, priesthood, and excommunication lately. Plenty of commentary on it as well. Some of it good, some not so much. Since the recent issues deal with Latter-day Saints directly we at LDS NEST had to think about what to say. Or not say in the discussion.

Personally, I always have plenty to say. Very opinionated in fact. But, I have a little motto -

Having lots of opinions I've realized that it's likely not all of them are good. So, I like to think about things a little before I venture opening my mouth. What should LDS NEST share? What's the message out of recent events? What discussions really help people? How does one help people stay on spiritual track? My thinking lead me to the scriptures and Alma sums it up for me.

I feel for the families who are struggling with these issues and I think of my own. Any one of us can, and often does, error. But what keeps bringing us back around is the word of God. Plain and simple.

So... Do we read it? Do we know it? Do we teach it?

In answer to how we should approach current events I came to the conclusion that the best use of my time and effort for my family and LDS NEST would be to make sure we share pure doctrine (Something that is "more powerful on minds than anything else".)  With that idea we had a FHE lesson about the Priesthood - Priesthood Power. I thought I'd share what I came up with, with you.

I read through Elder Oaks recent talk, Keys and Authority of the Priesthood, other talks and scripture. The information can be tricky to understand and I wanted it to be clear to my kids so I summarized it all out in a way that made sense to me. It made sense to them. Maybe it will make sense to you too.  There is a free download Ring Thing here.

Besides the Ring Thing Lesson there is a Lesson Outline to go with it and Power Bar wrappers. It's just a little added bonus for fun that you can purchase here (it includes all the Priesthood Power handouts.) Next on my mind to teach my kids about is Apostasy. What do you think about the subject?

We have a new Ten Commandments Printable over at our Etsy Shop. You might want to use it for a FHE discussion tomorrow or frame it for your home. Bookmark or Pin this for the Come Follow Me Lessons. September's topic: Commandments.

Our original download site has been kind of temperamental so you can now download these handouts here. Thanks! Enjoy!

Here are some handouts I will be using for my Sunday School class this week, focusing on the lesson, "What does it mean to bear testimony?" You can also use these handouts for the Young Women lesson, "How can I strengthen my testimony?"

You can download the black and white version to print on color cardstock or print the color versions on white cardstock. 

Download them here!

Hope they help you in your lesson! 

So I've been slacking on doing handouts  lately. Sorry for those of you that have been looking for them! We sold our house, moved in with mom and dad until we close on our house. (hopefully! It's been a long process). Oh, and we've been getting ready for baby two! Three ish more weeks! 

I started teaching Sunday School in our new ward. I've made Book of Mormon bookmarks to go along with the Come, Follow Me lesson "How can I improve my scripture study?" 

Download them here!

The handouts we post are because we use them in our callings and we want to share them with everyone who can use them. If we don't post something one week it's probably because we didn't teach, didn't need handouts, or didn't have time. If you're looking for handouts and we don't have any up that week you can look through our handouts from last year and see if any of them will work for your lessons! You can also follow us on Pinterest for more handouts/ideas! 

Our previous download site has been temperamental. You can now download these handouts here.

Hi Friends! 

I just moved/switched wards and received a calling as a Sunday School teacher. I'm so excited! Since General Conference is coming up in two weeks, I plan to use this Sunday as a prep for General Conference. So, of course I made some handouts! These can be used in conjunction with "How can I use the words of living prophets and apostles to strengthen my faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ?"

We have a color version to print on white card stock, or a black and white version to print on color card stock. Download them here!

Our previous download site has been temperamental. You can nowdownload these handouts here.

Handouts for Come, Follow Me "How can repentance help me every day?" Download both versions here!

Our previous download site has been temperamental. You can nowdownload these handouts here.

These handouts can be used for both or just one of the lessons on the Atonement. "What is the Atonement of Jesus Christ?" and "How can the Atonement help me during my trials?" Download color or black and white versions here!

Handouts for "Why do I need to forgive others?" Download either version here!

Handouts for "What is the resurrection?" You can download either version here!

If you find these helpful please share them with other teachers in your ward! 

Handouts for the lesson outline "Why do we have adversity?" Download both the color and black and white versions here.

Not what you're looking for? Check out our other handouts for Come, Follow Me here.

Handouts for "Why should I treat my body like a temple?" You can download both versions here. 

Check out our other handouts for this month here. Come back next week for more! Say, "Thanks!" by pinning, sharing, or tweeting! 

Bah! It's already February! I totally spaced that we had a new month coming up...don't ask me how. It's not like it doesn't happen every single month. Somehow I forgot anyway. Here are some last minute handouts for your lessons tomorrow if you need them! Black and white versions are for printing on Young Women Value-colored card stock. Just print the colored versions on white card stock! We will have more handouts for your February lessons this month so make sure to check back or enter your email to get posts sent directly to you! 

Handouts for "What is the purpose of Life?" Download both versions here.

Handouts for "Why do the choices I make matter?" Download both versions here.

So sorry if we don't have the lesson you were teaching this week! 

It's a new year, Nesties! Now that the holidays are over you'll probably see more of me :) Either way, here are handouts for Come Follow Me for this month. Can I just say how much I love this curriculum??! I LOVE IT! 

I've started creating black and white versions for those of you that want to print on young women value-colored cardstock. For those of us that don't care (raises hand), I also have colored handouts you can print on white cardstock. Win-win!

This handout is for "How can I know my Heavenly Father?" You can download either version here.

Handout for why is "Jesus Christ important in my life?" You can download either version here.

Handout for "What are the roles of the Holy Ghost?" Have the young women read the scriptures listed together, individually,or however you want to do it, and write out the roles of the Holy Ghost. You can download either version here.

Handout for "Who am I, and who can I become?" You can download either version here.

And as a bonus, here is a card for your ring thing with the 2014 theme on it! (and I added a little extra, but hey). Download them here!

If you find these helpful in your lessons then share them with your friends! Enjoy!

The last month of the year is almost upon us! Here are young women handouts for Come, Follow Me in December. I hope you've found our previous handouts useful!

Handouts for "What does it mean to 'stand as witnesses of God'"? You can download them here. PDF version available here.

Handouts for "What is Zion?"  You can download them here. PDF version available here. 

OPTIONAL CLASS ACTIVITY

Purpose: to build unity within the young women.

What you'll need: 

• paper
  
• package of crayons 
  

Bring a full sheet of paper to class with each girl's name across the top. Have each girl choose a color they love from the crayons. Have them go quietly to each person's paper and write something sincere and meaningful that they admire in that girl. 

Handouts for "How can I prepare to establish a Christ-centered home?"  You can download them here. PDF version available here. 

Handouts for "How can I help my less-active friends return to church?" You can download them here. PDF version available here. 

I apologize that there aren't as many to choose from this month! I may or may not be making more before the holidays come! Thanks for coming by, and feel free to share these and our other handouts with your friends!

Our original download site has been up and down again lately, so you can also download these handouts here.

I'm trying something new...putting all of my handouts out at the first of the month. That way if you're covering a different topic that week you still have something if you want them! All handouts are 4"x5" so you can fit 4 on a page, or you can download the PDF versions. Enjoy!

Handouts for Why is work an important gospel principle? You can download them here or click on the images and save as. PDF version is available here.

Handouts for What is the Lord's way for providing for the poor and needy? You can download them here or click on the images and save as. PDF version is available here. 

Handouts for Why is it important for me to gain an education and develop skills? You can download them here, or click on the images and save as. These journal cards and scriptures help the Young Women complete Personal Progress Knowledge Value Experience 2. PDF version is available here. 

Handouts for What does it mean to be self-reliant? You can download them here or click on the images and save as.PDF version is available here.

We know a lot of you have downloaded our handouts, so thank you! Let us know in the comments; are they helpful? My Young Women love them!