In the Potter’s Hands
By Patti Landes Adams
Since 1992, when I first ran a small preschool in my home, I’ve been deeply involved in education. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of planning and leading Youth Conferences for groups ranging from 6 to 100 youth and children. I believe these conferences were inspired by the needs of our time, as I feel strongly that Heavenly Father desires to raise up “stripling warriors” with faith and testimony rooted in meaningful experiences. Leadership conferences can play a vital role in achieving this.
The best part is, you don’t have to wait for your ward or stake to organize one. You can plan your own conference for your family, co-op group, or even your grandchildren—something we now do, as our children are grown. These conferences can be as simple as a local gathering or woven into a family vacation, with intentional activities designed to help bring your child or children closer to Jesus Christ.
So read on! I’m sharing some of my favorite Youth Discipleship Conferences! We’ll add a new one each month.
In the Potter’s Hands is my most recent conference. I had about 12 children and youth, over 4 days. You can modify it to fit your group size, ages, and timeframe.
January 2025 Conference
In the Potter’s Hands
Our focus for this conference was to recognize that we are safely in the hands of the potter, Jesus Christ. He has a plan for us and if we follow Him in this life and have faith, we will live with Him and our families after this life is finished. We also focused on Zion and how important it is that we work together to create Zion in our hearts, our families, and our communities.
Here are some of the activities we did over about four days:
Day 1: We took the opportunity to hold commencement the first day, so that our
graduates could finish their high school career on a spiritual note.
Every morning began with time to read scriptures and write in the Conference Journal.
Students decorated for Prom and enjoyed a nice meal, as they talked and played games.
Day 2:
- Morningside, Church, walk to the temple, hear guest speaker from our stake.
Day 3:
- Leadership Course – Youth were divided into two teams and each team was tasked with creating an obstacle course (home or park). Other team was blindfolded and led through the obstacle course, following their youth leader’s voice. (This was tough for some of the sibling groups who weren’t used to trusting each other). By the end of the course, fear had transformed into laughter. Then the teams switched.
- Trust Fall – Participants formed themselves into two rows, hands clasped with the person across from them. Each took a turn being blindfolded and being caught by his/her peers.
- Baptisms for the Dead – This was the first time some of the young men had baptized anyone. Everyone was baptized for some of their own ancestors.
- Dinner and Movie under the stars.
Day 4
- Morningside Devotional – In Provo, Utah: Bean Life Museum – Museum of Paleontology – Museum of Art (appreciation for God’s creation on Earth; Escape Room (teamwork); Throwing Pottery (discovering how The Lord can shape and mold us as we place ourselves in His hands.) Return to base with an evening devotional.
Day 5
- Breakfast, scripture, testimony meeting – goodbyes.
Of course you can change the activities according to where you live and the needs of your youth, or family members. The conference was memorable for everyone, including our leaders and chaperones.
You can use our Conference Memory Book for each participant. This is great for recording thoughts, memories, and commitments. It is in .pdf and can be modified to meet your needs. Download it HERE.
