New Beginnings Skit by Peggy Smith-
Las Vegas
January 7, 2000
Conducting: Laurel Class President
Opening Hymn: I Know that my Redeemer Lives
Opening Prayer:
Laurel Class President: In the year 2000, young women of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints are invited to focus on, commemorate, and honor the living Christ. As we
acknowledged the Bi-millennial Commemoration of the Savior's birth, young women and their
leaders worldwide will have the opportunity to place a renewed emphasis on our Savior,
Jesus Christ. The theme for this year-long event is: STAND AS A WITNESS
As we begin our study of what it means to Stand as a Witness we need to go back to when we
first learned and became members of the church. As women or young women new to the gospel
we made covenants at baptism which included Standing as a Witness. In Mosiah 18:8-10 we
read about the covenant of baptism:
(Laurel 1st Counselor reads scripture)
Laurel President: As we promise at baptism we are also reminded each week as we recite the
young women theme with our classes.
Laurel 2nd Counselor: Paul taught us to Be thou examples of the believers. We can't help
but be examples if we truly strive to Stand as a Witness. They go hand in hand. Let's read
Paul's words from 1 Timothy 4:12
(Laurel Secretary reads scripture)
2nd Counselor: He lists 6 ways to be an example of the believers in word, in conversation,
in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. We have young women that do these very
things continually. In conference it was said, "if we were charged with being LDS,
would there be enough evidence to convict us?" Let's hope so. If not, let's make sure
there is enough evidence in our behalf. We must be valiant in our example. Valiant in
taking opportunities to Stand as a Witness. If our young women, this year, were charged as
Standing as a Witness, would there be enough evidence to convict us? Let's find out....
Court Script for New Beginnings
Court Reporter: Welcome to our courtroom this evening. We have heard rumors that there are
some young women around the town of Shelley that are "standing as witnesses" of
Christ. We are here tonight to see if there is enough evidence to convict them. We
would like to ask that you in the audience act as jury. All in favor say "I".
Please stand to be sworn in by repeating the Young Women theme....
Repeat Young Women Theme
I am Sister __________ and I will be your court reporter with Brother ______as Bailiff.
Sister __________ and Sister ____________ will be our Prosecutor and defense attorney.
Does anyone know where Sister ___________ is? (Defense Attorney)
Would those in the courtroom please rise? Hear ye, Hear ye, the Honorable Judge
___________ will preside over these proceedings. (Bailiff makes a big show of getting the
judge comfortable with pillow to sit on, drink of water, wipe off gavel, beef jerky and
chocolates, etc.)
Judge: (Rap table with gavel) You may all be seated and this court will come to order. The
prosecutor and defendant will now present the client's evidence to the jury in an attempt
to prove that those in question do "Stand as Witnesses"
Defense Attorney (comes running in late...looking a mess)* (Make a funny
character...suitcase filled with food, magazines, nail file etc. to use
throughout...unable to plead a case!...ham up however you would like)
Judge (Aside...not her
again...pops a giant Tylenol or chocolate!)
Court Reporter: First Witness!
Prosecutor: I would like to call to the stand the Beehive, Mia Maid and Laurel Class
Presidencies in the Shelley 10th ward.
Objection: My clients had no idea they would be called to the stand tonight. I have not
yet had their sanity evaluated....(to the side...I've seen them at Girl's Camp...they'll
never pass the test!)
Judge: Overruled!
Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, I introduce to you the Laurel Class Presidency:
President: Brittney
1st: Kira
2nd: Raquel
Sec: Kari
Mia maids:
President: Karissa
1st: Shannon
2nd: Jessica
Sec: Jill
Beehives:
President; Nichelle
1st: Angalee
2nd: Jenna
Sec: Amy
These young women are guilty of standing as witnesses of Christ. They care for each young
woman in their class. They help her feel needed and loved. They pray for her, spend time
with her, and become genuine friends. They also help class members establish close
relationships with each other, learn leadership skills, and live the gospel. They conduct
class presidency meetings and plan mutual activities. They are without a doubt standing as
witnesses of Christ
Court Reporter: Next witnesses
Prosecutor: I would like to call Miss Maria Butler, Miss Yesenia Valenzuela and Miss
Ariell Landon to the stand. All of these young women have turned 12 in the last year and
entered the young women's program in the Shelley 10th ward. They may be young, but they
are already standing as witnesses of Christ.
Defense Attorney: I object your honor...these girls are too young to subject them to this
kind of treatment. Why it could....hmmm..why it could "hurt their self-esteem".
Judge (looking surprised) Hmmm...You might actually have a point there.
Prosecutor: Your honor. I assure you that while these young women may seem young at the
age of 12, they are mature enough young ladies to tackle any situation as their mothers
will attest:
Judge: Very well. You may all approach the bench.
Mothers introduce their daughter (spotlight and talk about their standing as witnesses in
their lives)
Prosecutor: Thank you. My next piece of evidence is the Young Woman Logo and Motto.
Defense Attorney: (Tries to object, but she has a ding dong stuffed in her mouth)
Prosecutor: May I submit item #1 to the court. (Motto poster) Each young woman in this
Shelley 10th ward is given a torch necklace when she enters young women's. The torch
represents the light of Christ, inviting all to "come unto Christ". It invites
all young women to hold up the light of Christ by keeping his commandments. It is
surrounded by the Young Women's motto which is "Stand for Truth and
Righteousness". (Handbook page 212)
Court Reporter: Next witnesses please.
Prosecutor: I call the Beehive Class, the Mia Maid Class and the Laurel Class to the bench
to present their age-group purpose statements and Symbols.
Defense Attorney: Objection! That is an outrageous request! Why...some of these girls
might not know who they are!
Prosecutor: Judge, I assure (underbreath: that unlike others I know) these young women
know EXACTLY who they are!
Judge: Overruled!
Each class stands and holds up their symbol and recites their purpose statements.
Beehives
Mia Maids
Laurels
Prosecutor: Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, can't you see that these young women are
standing as witnesses each and every day? Not only do they have purpose statements and
symbols...but there is more! They have 7 values that they stand for. My next witnesses
will present the 7 values:
Judge: (Looks to Defendant to object, but she has fallen asleep...snoring) You may
proceed
7 Young Women present value flags and recite corresponding value definition:
Faith: I am a daughter of Heavenly Father, who loves me, and I will have faith in His
eternal plan, which centers in Jesus Christ, my Savior
Divine Nature: I have inherited divine qualities which I will strive to develop.
Individual Worth: I am of infinite worth with my own divine mission, which I will strive
to fulfill.
Knowledge: I will continually seek opportunities for learning and growth
Choice & Accountability I will remain free by choosing good over evil and will accept
responsibility for my choices.
Good Works I will nurture others and build the kingdom through righteous service.
Integrity I will have the moral courage to make my actions consistent with my knowledge of
right and wrong.
Prosecutor: Do I need any more evidence? As these young women live these values, they are
standing as witnesses of Christ.
Court Reporter: Next witness.
Prosecutor: I would like to present some personal examples of young women in this area
standing as witnesses of Christ. I would like to present the Personal Progress Book as
item #1. On page five it says.... "There is a great need for every young woman in the
Lord's work, and the Lord is counting on you to do your part. Be prepared to defend values
that will help protect, enrich, and guard the home. This is the time to prepare to take
your place and stand as a light and guide for members of your family, your friends, your
community, and the people of your nation. It will require you to make conscious,
deliberate choices."
We have in our midst a young woman that has done just this as a contestant in the Miss
Russet Pageant. She stood as a witness of Christ by dressing modestly. Her gowns were both
beautiful and modest. This did not go unnoticed.
Defense Attorney: OBJECTION! I was not able to attend the Miss Russet Pageant this year,
you see my little boy was sick with the flu. I think he caught the bug when...
Judge: Overruled!
(Turn time to Patty for 1 minute to talk about her Miss Russet experience)
Prosecutor: Thank you Patty. Miss is not the only young woman to put forth such an effort
to wear appropriate gowns to dances and formal affairs... other young women in our area
are doing the same thing. We have other young women have put forth the effort to
wear appropriate gowns to the dances and other formal affairs. I would like to present the
next items of evidence to the jury
(Court reporter wheels in modest formals to display)
Prosecutor: These young women are guilty of standing as a witness at all times, and in all
places and in all Prom dresses....
Judge: I see that we have other guest witnesses. You may have them approach the bench...
Prosecutor: These girls have truly experienced standing as witnesses of Christ. I
call to the stand Miss ___________
Defense Attorney: Objection! Her shoes do not match her nylons!
Judge: Overruled! (looking very annoyed!)
(Girl #1 shares her experience of standing as a witness of Christ)
Prosecutor: (Comments on experience) I now call Miss ______________ to the stand.
(Judge turns to defense attorney, but she is reading a magazine)
Prosecutor: Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury...Miss _____________ Miss _____________ tell
us about....
(Girl #2 Shares experience)
Judge: Next witness please!
Prosecutor: I would like to call Miss ___________ to the stand.
Defense Attorney: Starts to object, shrugs her shoulders (realizing it's a worthless
attempt) and then stuffs a candy bar in her mouth!
Prosecutor: Miss_________tell us where you were on the night of _________ and what
happened.
(Girl #3 shares experience)
Judge: Does the prosecution have any more witnesses?
Prosecution: Yes your honor. The Young Women in the Shelley 10th Ward are participating in
the Personal Progress Program with gusto. They are joining "with thousands of
other young women who are increasing their powerful influence for good". They are
learning to make the Young Women Values part of their lives. They are a guide that helps
them to "come unto Christ" and helps them stand as a witness for Christ "at
all times and in all things, and in all places". The Personal Progress Program is a
vital instrument in helping the young women to stand as witnesses of Christ. And the
Shelley 10th Ward has a couple of Young Women guilty of earning their Young Women
Medallions in 1999. I present to the court: Natalie and Sarah
Prosecution: Ladies, please tell the members of this court what you did for your Laurel
projects, what receiving your Young Women Medallion has meant to you and how Personal
Progress has helped you to "Stand as a Witness of Christ".
Natalie, Sarah.
Leah (Rushes in as
girls are finishing looking tousled and out of breath)...Excuse me, excuse me...may I
interrupt! (Make a big, loud scene!) Judge (pounding gavel) Order in the Court! Order in
the Court!
Leah: Oh excuse me. Why hello your honor....it's...well...an "honor" to meet
you your "honor" (trying to straighten herself up and shakes judges hand!). You
see your honor, I am the new personal progress leader in the Shelley 10th ward and I have
just been swamped trying to get a handle on all of this personal progress stuff...it can
be kind of overwhelming you know. And I have been trying to find a time to get with these
two young women and make a presentation and can never find them at home...(you know they
are always about doing "good works"). So if you wouldn't mind...I would like to
make a presentation to them....it will only take a minute.
Judge Well, now I've seen it all!
Sister then presents the charm necklaces to the young women and explains that we will be
giving these to the young women each year who earn their medallions.
Prosecution: Your honor. The prosecution rests.
Judge: Is the defense ready to plead their case? (Defense Attorney is asleep again....slap
gavel and in a loud voice) "HMMM....I SAID "IS THE DEFENSE READY TO PLEAD THEIR
CASE????"
(Defense attorney jumps to attention)
Defense Attorney: The defense pleads...(looking beaten) "no contest"
Judge: After examining all the evidence before me, I conclude that these individuals do
most assuredly "Stand as Witnesses of Christ". This Court finds them
guilty as charged. All in agreement say "I". We will now have Bishop Huntsman
give the sentencing.
Bishop Huntsman (Sentences them to continue living as righteous Young Women (express
appreciation for young women and their righteous influence)
Judge: After an overview of the year 2000 theme events planned for the upcoming year by
Sister ____________ ,a closing song "I Will Stand" by: _________________ and a
benediction by ________________ This court is adjourned! Refreshments (bread and water for
the guilty) will be served following.
Stand As A Witness
Personal Progress
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