Urban Camping

The weather wasn't cooperating on Wednesday, so we couldn't go up the canyon to roast hot dogs and marshmallows. So we decided to do it locally. We had a great time. Here are the pics:

Mother's Day

Boys,

Let's take a minute to recognize and remember our mothers. Mother's day is tomorrow, so let's make it a special day for your mom. Make sure that she knows how you feel about her, and show that love to her by doing something nice.

The Book of Mormon

Boys,

The Book of Mormon was written for OUR day. If that is true, then every story in there must have some relevance to our lives, and what we are currently experiencing. I want to challenge each of you to read The Book of Mormon keeping that in mind. In every story, in every verse, try to draw parallels into your life. Search for answers and you will find them. It will not only bring you comfort and happiness, but you will feel God's love for you as if it is coming right off the pages.

I testify to each of you that the Book of Mormon is true, and echo what Brother Joseph testified, when he said that "the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book."

It's Official - High Adventure Camp Reservations

Ok boys. Based on our discussion on Sunday, I've gone ahead and reserved our campsites for East Canyon Reservoir on July 9th - 11th. Parents please mark your calendars. We have two campsites right across from each other (see expert diagram below). It should be a blast.

We anticipate boating, swimming, fishing, crawdad fishing, water games, waterskiing, tubing, Will Hill comedy, Mike Johnson sarcasm, and an overall great time.

The boys who made a difference.

Boys,

We've told this story in young men's more than once. It is awesome to see a video depiction of it. Again, I want to encourage you to be the boy who would put the money in the shoes. Be that person wherever you go. Rather than bring people down, lift them up. Search for ways to make a difference in people's lives, and you will find them.

Bro. Tycksen

Simply Awesome. I think this was the best talk I have ever heard.

Stride Gum

The deacons wrote and directed this whole thing for the cinematography merit badge.

Temple Blessings

Temple Tonight

Please remember that we are going to the temple to do baptisms tonight. Remember to bring your recommends! We will be leaving the church at 6:00 pm.

PS, sorry about that last post - the video one. I meant to post that to my personal blog.

Why we build temples.

Since we are going to the temple this week, I thought this would be appropriate.

Calendar Change

Please note that our combined activity on the 18th has been moved to the 19th. This includes our deacons as well. We will be going to do baptisms at the Salt Lake Temple. We encourage everyone to update their recommends so that they may come participate. Thanks.

Bishop Burton - Church Relief Efforts

I love the quote, "The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone. But the things you do for others remain as your legacy."

Schedule Change

Please note that we have swapped our swimming and pool shooting activities. So we will be going to shoot pool tonight.

High adventure camp.

Parents please note that we have blocked out July 8th-11th for our high adventure camp this year (14 yrs and up). We have not decided where we will go, but hopefully this will help you plan your vacation time. Thanks.

Elder Coleman: Are we Christians?

Basketball game

Wow! Last night's basketball game was pure excitement. It featured some tough playing, hard fouls, baskets made by the wrong team (thank you very much), coaches out on court yelling at the refs, upset parents on the sideline, and some great shots. It was a classic for ward ball if there ever was one. It came down to the wire, and our team managed to win by 1 point. This was a tournament game - and though our team wasn't qualified to move on, they still won. It was great fun to watch!

So huge congrats to Spencer, Rylee (who added strength from the sideline), Skyler, Bryce, Parker, and Dallin!

Kunihiro Gag Reel

Elder Uchtdorf - "Create"

Great Quote

“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”— Mother Teresa

Youth Conference

Youth Conference is this Friday and Saturday. We are having it at the Tycksen cabin in Fairview, UT.

Our theme is from 1st Timothy 4:12 "Be thou an example of the believers."

We will be leaving from the church at 4:00 pm on Friday evening, and returning in the early afternoon on Saturday (some of the older kids have Sweethearts dances that evening). I've added a suggested packing list below.

We will be dividing up into groups and preparing skits on Friday. To help facilitate this, we ask that if you have any props (costumes, wigs, etc.) that you send them along to help contribute.

In addition to the church release form, each participant in Youth Conference will be asked to sign a waiver form unique to the cabin.

If you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to contact me and ask.

THANKS!

If you need to contact the cabin, the number is 435-462-2700.

Packing List:

- 1 change of clothes
- Toiletries (toothbrush, contacts & solution, eyeglasses)
- Sleeping bag and air mattress (if you need one)
- Pillow
- Snow clothes
- Sweatshirt
- Props for skits
- Scriptures
- Personal snacks to eat and share
- Personal medications

Elder Holland: How do I love thee?

Boys, I really like the message in this video. This is how we should treat the girls in your lives. With Christlike love and respect.

Kunihiro's Dance Company

Nice job boys.

Guitar Heros

Last night we had a rare sighting of talent, shear stage presence, and off tune vocal performances. Here's a glimpse of the sights and sounds of the Butler 7th Ward's Guitar Heros...

Feeling the Spirit

Boys,

I want to remind you briefly about what we discussed on Sunday.

Times have changed dramatically in the last 100 years. The challenges you face are completely different than they were for a boy growing up 100 years ago. The iron rod no longer runs somewhere along side the great and spacious building. Today, it seems to run right through the middle of it. We are constantly pummeled with temptation.

My concern is that your strongest ally in the fight against sin (the Spirit) is being subdued, and often suffocated. When we have our ipods on, our Xbox's, our computers (YouTube etc.), the TV, our cell phones, or when we put ourselves in a shady environment, the Spirit has no chance to communicate with us. Let me remind you that we pray when we want to talk with God. When he wants to talk with us, he sends his Spirit. But how in the world are you going to feel the spirit if the door is constantly closed to him? You need to be creating time and opportunities to feel the spirit. I want you to take an inventory of all the things that are keeping you from feeling the spirit. Then cut them out (or cut them back at least). Ask yourself when the last time you felt the spirit was. Ask yourself what things help you to feel the spirit. And make a goal to do more of those things on a DAILY basis. Just as your body needs to eat to stay alive - so does your spirit. As surely as you would die without food, your spirit will die without being nourished. So please take time to feel the spirit, and cut out the crap that is keeping you from feeling it.

Sincerely,

Brother Tycksen

Basketball

Congrats to Rylee, Spencer, Skyler, Trevor, Parker, and Josh. They went out and got us a win tonight in their basketball game. Everyone scored! Great job dudes!

Video

Mentos Commercial we made for the Cinematography merit badge. Video quality is rather poor, but the comedy quality is excellent.

Welcome!

This is a new thing for us. When discussing how we could better communicate with the parents of the boys, Brother Rothe came up with the idea of starting a blog. I think it is a fantastic idea. So we're going to give it a whirl to see how it works out.

We anticipate that we will post our calendars, announcements, achievements, assignments, photos, and more on here. We will put the blog address on the church printed program each week. So please bookmark this page and come back often. If you have suggestions on material you would like to see blogged, or suggestions for what we can do better as a Young Men's presidency, we welcome your comments on the blog. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thank you for your support!