The who, what, where, why, and how of successful devotionals

 Who: Who can run a devotional?

• Ma/Pa, Big Bro/Sis, Bishop/Wife or Youth Leaders

 Who: Know your audience. Each ward has specific needs. Each family has specific needs.

• Create devotionals that will benefit your ward or family the most.

 How: Invite the Spirit

• Pray, read scriptures, sing hymns, give a spiritual thought, share personal experiences, share conference quotes, teach gospel principles, and testify of truths and the Savior.

Why: Provide an opportunity for the youth to feel the spirit.

• Give the youth time to ponder and take notes to help them prepare spiritually for trek

What: There are some sample devotional topics recommended in the Ma and Pa handbook, but one of the pre-trek devotional topics we’d like you to address is miracles.

Pre-Trek Devotional Topics

Trek Devotionals

During trek, each ward should have a devotional every morning and night. This can be done as individual families or as a ward. “Big brothers” and “Big sisters” should help with the devotionals.  

There will be a daily theme related to the overall theme of trek. At your morning devotional, please introduce the daily theme, and encourage your family to look for examples, experiences, or pioneer stories that exemplify the theme. At your evening devotional, please invite your youth to share their thoughts, experiences, and stories that relate to the daily theme.

Morning Devotional Sample Format

• Song/Hymn

• Opening Prayer

• Introduce the Daily Theme

• Related scripture / story / personal experience

• Encourage the youth to look for examples, experiences or pioneer stories during the day that highlight the theme

• Closing Prayer

Evening Devotional Sample Format

• Song/Hymn

• Opening Prayer

• Review Daily Theme

• Ask the youth to share an experience they had, a story they heard, or something they saw during the day that will help them apply the theme in their life.

• Have a Ma, Pa, Bishop, or other leader share their testimony of how they have benefited from the theme

• Closing Prayer

Trek Daily Themes

• Wednesday, July 26: How did the pioneers stay spiritually and mentally strong through their trials?

• Thursday, July 27: How do I become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ?

• Friday, July 28: Why does God give us trials and how can faith in Jesus Christ sustain me and bring me closer to my Father in Heaven?

• Saturday, July 29: How can I apply the lessons of hard work, perseverance, and dedication to the gospel in my daily life?