Sofia's Primary Ideas

February 2012 LDS Primary Sharing Time Ideas and Helps

2012-01-26T21:23:00.000-08:00

Sorry, I have no actual source for this image. And I wouldn't recommend showing this in Primary although my children were amused by it. But my children also sing Pink Floyd's Another brick in the wall to themselves while playing so perhaps we're just weirdos.

Monthly Theme: When We Choose the Right, We Are Blessed

Monthly Scripture: "If ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you"

Mosiah 2:22

Did you notice this quote for the month in the sharing time outline from Elder Boyd K. Packer: Children can learn through fun activities and movement and still maintain an attitude of reverence. "Reverence . . . does not equate with absolute silence" (Boyd K. Packer, "Reverence Invites Revelation," Ensign, Nov. 1991, 22). Fabulous!

Week 1 Noah was blessed for choosing the right.

*Animal Charades!! In a brown paper sack have little pieces of paper with different animals for the children to come and act out. Also, you can have questions or scriptures having to do with the story of Noah on the pieces too. Call on someone who is raising their hand to guess what the animal is and answer that question or read that scripture.

* To introduce who you are talking about, lay on the ground and have the primary children guess what you are doing. You are "resting". Did they know that the name NOAH means rest?? Do you think that Noah actually got a lot of rest taking care of the animals and building the ark? Heavenly Father has a great sense of humor!!

* A random poem, by yours truly, feel free to use not sell- I'd give it as a handout with some cool rainbow cupcakes!

Good or bad, we have the choice-

like Noah, long ago...

We can listen and obey,

quick to do, not slow!

Before the rain, his faith was strong-

He built the ship, like told.

He was blessed,

he chose the right!

We too can be so bold!

* 5 clues! Have a primary friend come up front and give "up to" 5 clues about their favorite animal. Once the animal is guessed, ask a question or read a scripture about the story of Noah. At the end of the lesson have these 5 clues:
1. It's something you do.
2. You can do this like Noah.
3. Heavenly Father knew we might not do this, so Jesus was sent to make an atonement.
4. If you do this you will be blessed.
5. It rhymes with moose da night.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT!

Week 2 Jesus's disciples were blessed by choosing the right.

* “It is not enough merely to speak of Jesus Christ or proclaim that we are His disciples. It is not enough to surround ourselves with symbols of our religion. Discipleship is not a spectator sport. We cannot expect to experience the blessings of faith by standing inactive on the sidelines any more than we can experience the benefits of health by sitting on a sofa watching sporting events on television and giving advice to the athletes. . . . Ours is not a secondhand religion. We cannot receive the blessings of the gospel merely by observing the good that others do.” Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Way of the Disciple,” Ensign, May 2009, 76–77

Have a basket of different sports items: baseball, basketball, tennis racket, swimming goggles... etc. Have an example of disciples from the scriptures attached to the items. Let 1 member of each class, come up and choose a sports item. Let them discuss in their groups that story and then take turns up front saying how the disciples were blessed.
We also are Christ's disciples. We have the choice! End by singing a song about choices and on the chorus doing an action of their favorite sport!

* HERE is a link to the Friend with a Nephite Disciple quiz. It'd be great for Senior Primary. Make sure to scroll down!!

* "My advice to you is that we must create ways of living that help us with our spiritual housecleaning—ongoing and continual processes that draw us closer to the Lord our Savior so that we can be numbered among His disciples." Elder L. Tom Perry, The Friend Sept. 2003

Have a mop, gloves, an empty spray bottle and roll of paper towels. Let the children pass these like "hot potatoes" REVERENTLY to the person next to them while you sing songs about choices. When the piano stops, those friends holding cleaning items need to stand. Have about 6-8 names of different disciples of Christ. For each round, name a disciple and the friends standing can say something they know about that disciple... if they need help, they can call on another friend of course! Always ask how that disciple was blessed by choosing the right.
And another simple piece of advice... mean business too! If there are friends goofing off, give a warning and then if they still make a bad choice, they need to sit with another leader somewhere else in the room. We all have choices and our choices have consequences!! Go by the spirit!!

* HERE is a link to The Friend with a disciples crossword puzzle. Again, scroll down!

* Name that disciple!! Dress up (simply!) a few friends as different disciples of Christ. You could have little paragraphs for the disciples to read or you could just read. Once the primary has guessed who the disciple is, ask that disciple how they were blessed by choosing the right.

Week 3 Nephi was blessed for choosing the right.

1. Nephi was commanded to go and get the _______________ from Laban. (plates of brass)
2. Laban was a very _______________ man who didn't mind killing or stealing. (wicked, horrible, evil!!)
3. The first time Nephi and his brothers went to get the plates ____________________________ happened. (they cast lots, Laman went and asked and was almost killed by Laban)
4. The second time Nephi and his brothers went to get the plates ___________________________
happened. (they offered up all their possessions, Laban stole from them and then tried to kill them)
5. Even after Nephi's brothers ______________ him (beat), he returned and said _________________________ (I will go, I will do!!). He found Laban drunk on the ground and cut off his _____________, went to get the plates and chose the right!!

You come up with the rest!! I would do at least 4 different stories from the life of Nephi, with 5 things you forgot for each story. At the end of each story ask how Nephi was blessed because of his obedience.

* HERE is a link to a fun idea from The Friend. You take the cardboard cutouts, add some seashells and make a diorama of when Nephi builds the ship.

* HERE is a link to The Friend where there are finger puppets of Nephi's family and a liahona dot to dot! You could even make the dot to dot as large as possible and say you have a mystery item that could help a person choose the right. To find out what it is, we'll earn points for questions you answer and scriptures you read about how Nephi chose the right. When the children do so, they can earn 5 or 10 points and then connect that many dots on the drawing.

* Put 40 pieces of masking tape on the ground from one wall to another. Space them because you can dress up a primary friend as Nephi, have questions about his life and how he chose the right, then move him along the path (each piece of masking tape being a space) to the promised land. Have a picture of North and South America as the promised land with a sign at the end of the path. Let other primary children roll a dice and move Nephi that many masking tapes/spaces as they answer questions correctly.

Week 4 Church members today are blessed for choosing the right.

* Primary Friend Interviews! Let the children choose a friend and interview them. Have a white piece of paper where they can draw a picture of the person they are interviewing. Then they write down the person's answers to the following questions-

What is a time in your life you chose the right?

How were you blessed?

Younger children of course will need help!! Have teachers close by!! And enlist your primary pianist to help too!! She doesn't always have to sit behind the piano!At the end, have a couple friends share with the entire primary what they learned about another!

* Invite a couple guests from your ward to share special/interesting experiences where they made a good choice and were blessed!

* Have children self reflect and make an acrostic poem (use the letters in TODAY to name blessings- for example T for teachers who love me) like the one below and draw a picture of one of their blessings or doing something to choose the right in the box! Little ones of course will need help writing and you might want to have them think of names of people they love to try to match the TODAY letters.

* HERE is a great story from The Friend about a little boy who made a good choice and bought an ice cream for his teacher. He was blessed with happiness for his act of charity. After you briefly retell or read the story to the primary, have a large paper ice cream cone on the board with about 10 scoops. On each scoop come up with a different scenario for the children to come up front and choose.

For example- Timmy loves family home evening, but his little brother always squirms around and has a hard time listening. What could Timmy do to make a good choice and help his brother at FHE? How will Timmy be blessed?

When the Primary children answer put the scoop on the cone and build a super tall treat!

At the end, remind the children that Wade made a good choice and blessed Mr. Nolan's life, but his own life too! Challenge the children to make a choice this week where blessings will follow!

FHE: Name Written Always on Your Hearts

2012-01-16T22:15:00.000-08:00

Image courtesy creative commons license flickr.com by Le Petit Poulailler Jan. 2009

Mosiah 5:12 " I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the name written always in your hearts, that ye are not found on the left hand of God, but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called, and also, the name by which he shall call you."

Activity: Should we have the name Gonzo written on our hearts always? What about Pete or Myrtle or Beth or Anna or Shakira?

Who's name should we always have written in our hearts?

What does it mean to "have name written in our hearts"??
What did Abinadi teach about the "commandments being written on your hearts" to the wicked priests in Mosiah 13??
Or how about 2 Corinthians 3:3 "Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in table of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart."
Here is another scripture Hebrews 8:10 "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people"

Have 10 plain hearts and let family members decorate them. Now comes the fun part. Have you ever wondered and thought to yourself all the different names for Christ? How many do you think there are??

Click HERE, the bible dictionary, it's a lot!! Explain to your children what the Bible Dictionary is used for and how helpful it can be in studying the scriptures. Let family members choose 1 scripture per heart to write on from "Christ, Names of" in the bible dictionary. Mix up the hearts and then look them up to see the different names chosen... try to guess who chose what.

Final question: Can "take upon us the name of Christ" and "name written on your hearts" be used together to describe what we need to do to show our love for The Savior??

End with this quote and the bearing of testimonies, " We see that we take upon us the name of Christ when we are baptized in his name, when we belong to his Church and profess our belief in him, and when we do the work of his kingdom." Elder Dallin H. Oaks May 1985 Taking upon Us the Name of Jesus Christ Highly recommend reading this talk for personal study!

New Year's Goals - LDS Family Home Evening Idea

2012-01-14T10:51:00.000-08:00

I probably should have posted this before January, but this handsome little fellow happily distracts me from things that aren't quite as important, but are still important enough where I feel like I should kindly apologize. So... sorry mang, yes mang. Better late than never.

New Year Goals: A FHE

Opening Prayer

Opening Quote: "I have said often, you may write blessings for yourselves, and insert every good thing you can think of, and it will all come to pass on your heads, if you do right" (Heber C. Kimball, from an address given in the Old Tabernacle, August 1853)

Question: How do we get our FHE treat? Does it just magically appear out of thin air? Does it just fly through the door in a shower of sparkles and voila! we can eat?

Somewhere, steps were taken to get that treat!

Move to the stairs in your home. If you don't have stairs, adapt to your liking.

Activity: Have some goals and write them on a strip of paper. Have children put them at the top of the stairs. To get to the top, you have to take it step by step! On seperate strips of paper, write the steps it takes to get to the goal and have children place them on the stairs one at a time.

Yes, the hubby finally cut his dreadlocks....

For example: Goal- Run a Marathon

Steps- walk, stretch, eat right, run 1 mile, run 5 miles, run 10 miles

We did 3 goals which took about 10 minutes. And of course, be careful on the stairs!!

Activity: On a sheet of paper write some family goals for the New Years and talk about the steps you might have to take to reach them.

Scripture: Mosiah 4:27 "And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order."

Closing Prayer and Treat

** We have lots of songs we sing throughout FHE. If there is a principle we are talking about, then we sing a song to reinforce that principle and take it as it comes.**

Other resources from LDS.Org include
* Goal capsules from the Liahona
*Here is a lesson from Duties and Blessings of Priesthood manual with good stories and questions
* Fill in the Blank sentences to reach your goal from The Friend
* HERE is a great visual story about graham crackers as steps, and a grape as a goal for young children from The Friend

January 2012 Week 4 LDS Primary Sharing Time Reader's Theater: Jesus Christ created the earth as a place where I can learn to choose the right.

2012-01-12T21:02:00.000-08:00

A World of Choice to Gladden the Heart

A Reader’s Theater by Sofia Lykes

Please feel free to use this in a home or church setting. Not intended for commercial use and if you do, to quote Blondie, "One way or another, I'm gonna find ya... I'm gonna getcha getcha getcha, one way or another..."

Speaking Parts:

Narrator 1, 2, 3 Angel #1,2, 3 Joseph Smith

Non speaking parts:

Sign holder Sun, Moon, Stars 2 helpers to make “waves”

A child to plant seeds and a child to be a plant and grow

Sidenotes:

* Click HERE to see tips on how to do a Reader's Theater... be confident, it will be fun!

And seriously, choose your reader's wisely! Make sure the readers don't hold the papers up in front of their face, no one will be able to hear them or see their beautiful faces!

* When the sign holder holds up signs, the primary children in the audience can read what it says out loud together- you'll have to make the 6 signs for the sign holder to hold up.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

(Sign holder holds up sign WELCOME TO OUR READER’S THEATRE)

Narrator 1: God the Father once said, “For behold, this is my work and my glory to bring to pass the eternal life of man.”

Narrator 2: That’s a lot of work!!

Narrator 1: It sure is! There are gazillions of people that have lived on the earth. I don’t know how He does it!

Narrator 3: It’s not that important for us to know how He does it, but WHY He does it… because He loves us!!

Narrator 2: Yes. Because Jesus loves us, He created the earth as a place where we can choose the right.

(Sign holder holds up sign PRE-MORTAL WORLD)

Angel #1: Hey man, did you just hear that!!

Angel #2: What?

Angel #1: Heavenly Father has a great plan. In fact, it’s not great… it’s awesomely perfect! He needs someone to help Him with His plan and has asked, “Whom will I send?”[1]

Angel #2: Oh yeah! And our elder brother Jesus said, “Here I am, send me.”[2]

Angel #3: I know who I’m choosing to follow! Lucifer also said he’d do the job but his plan didn’t sound too great.

Angel #1: No it didn’t! No one should have to be forced to do anything! Agency is such a blessing.

Angel #3: What is agency?

Angel #2: Agency is the gift to choose!!

(Sign holder holds up sign Hip! Hip! Hooray!!)

Narrator 1: We all shouted for joy because we had choices and a plan where we could be saved.

Narrator 2: We were excited for new experiences and for everything to happen, we’d have to leave the pre-mortal world and get bodies.

Narrator 3: But where would everyone go??

(Sign holder holds up sign WELCOME TO EARTH!)[3]

Narrator 1: Under Heavenly Father’s direction, Jesus organized like crazy!

Narrator 2: I wish He’d come help me with my toy closet.

Narrator 3: Jesus divided light from darkness to create day and night. He formed the sun, moon, and stars.

(Sun, Moon and Star friends wave to audience)

Narrator 3: He divided the waters from the dry land to make seas, rivers, and lakes.

(2 primary children can hold a blue sheet and shake it like waves)

Narrator 2: He made the earth beautiful and productive. He made grass, trees, flowers, and other plants of all kinds. These plants contained seeds from which new plants could grow.

(A primary child pretends like they are planting seeds and another primary child pretends to be a plant and grows)

Narrator 1: Then He created the animals—fish, cattle, insects, and birds of all kinds. Hey primary friends! Raise your hand and I’ll call on you. You can share what your very favorite animal is!!

(Sign holder holds up sign ALMOST TO THE END)

Joseph Smith: When I was writing one day, the Lord gave me this revelation which I wrote down in D&C 59:18-19 “Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart; Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul.”

Narrator 2: Wow Joseph! We know that Jesus has given us everything!! Not only His life, but this beautiful world to gladden our hearts.

Joseph Smith: “We came to this earth that we might have a body and present it pure before God in the celestial kingdom.”[4]

Narrator 3: I guess it means we better choose the right and use our agency wisely!!

(Sign holder holds up sign WE CAN CHOOSE THE RIGHT)

EVERYONE: WE CAN CHOOSE THE RIGHT!!!

(Sign holder holds up sign THE END)

[1] Abraham 3:27

[2] Abraham 3:27

[3]Most of the following parts spoken by narrators come from the Gospel Principles Manual

[4] From Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 211, 213–14.

As A Child of God - LDS Primary Song Helps and Ideas

2011-12-28T13:59:00.000-08:00

Image found under Children/Micellaneous via LDS Media Library

As a note, these are ideas once you've learned the basic song. You'll need some sort of visual to teach the words to the children... these are in addition to that visual.

* Power to Choose Stick- Make a little wooden stick the primary's power to choose stick. While singing the song a primary friend can hold the stick up front as long as they like, within reason, and then they can point it to another primary friend- they have the power to choose! That friend then comes to the front and you keep on pointing, choosing and singing. Remember, the person up front has to sing too!

* Children of God, finger puppets!! (HERE is a link for simple ones you can print off on heavy paper) You'll actually need puppets they can use their fingers as legs. The smaller movement helps them concentrate especially hard! Tell the primary children you have a bunch of little friends, children of God, that need help learning a new song! While you sing the song, children put the puppets on their fingers and listen closely for directions. For the first verse the puppets can step touch side to side while you sing. For the 2nd verse the puppets can kick. Ask the children if they can think of any movements for their puppets to do! The song is in a 3/4 time signature, which is what is used for waltzes, so the puppets could even waltz in a triangle.

* The chorus of the song talks about "special light". Bring in some "special lights"! Close the lights and turn on your "special lights" while you sing. Some "special lights" could include a Christmas star, lava lamp, flashlight, glow in the dark stars, light saber, fun night light, a chain of Christmas lights. Are those pretty cool? Wrap it up by singing the last time with the ultimate and most "special light"- a picture of Jesus Christ.

* Mystery Children of God- Get some video of friends in the ward singing this song. Each Sunday the children will hear a different person on the video singing and try to guess who that Child of God is. For example, you could get the missionaries, the bishop, the young women... etc. I have a digital camera and would just record on that, let the primary children hear and then after the guess, play it again and let them see who was singing and sing along too! They are hearing the song and learning the melody as they listen over and over.

Another simpler version of the one above is to have a child come to the front and turn with their backs facing the children. You tap 5-6 children on the shoulder who stand up and sing the song. Then they sit down. The person up front turns around and tries to guess what Child of God was singing!

* All over the world, children of God can choose the right! HERE is a wonderful link from The Friend with different CTR shields in different languages. There are 15 so you could invite 5 children up at a time per verse of this song and have them hold up the shield while you sing. After the verse you can have them guess what language it is. You could reuse these easily for the song Choose the Right.

January 2012 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

2011-12-26T22:56:00.000-08:00

Image courtesy creative commons license flickr.com by PetitPlat Aug. 2011

Monthly Theme: Agency Is the Gift to Choose for Ourselves

Monthly Scripture: "Wherefore, men are free . . . to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men" (2 Nephi 2:27).

Week 1 and 2: Agency is the gift to choose for ourselves.

* God bless whoever invented ice cream! Who has ever enjoyed going into an ice cream shop and having a bunch of flavors to choose from? What are some favorites? Personally, it's Rocky Road or bust for me! Have an ice cream cone and different colored ice cream scoops made out of paper. Write scriptures, questions and songs having to do with agency on the back of the scoops. Invite a child to choose a scoop, then do what it says on back and build a tall cone on the black board! There are a lot of choices out there and it's God's gift of agency to us, to let us choose!!!

* Choices! Choices! Choices!! Have 20 envelopes in sets of 2. In each envelope have names of different scriptural characters and some sort of simple instruction like hop 5 times on one foot. Invite a primary friend to come up front and choose a set of envelopes, then choose another primary friend to choose one of the 2 envelopes! Have them talk about the scriptural character and choices they made. Then have the primary do the simple instruction.
Some examples could be:
Nephi - tug on left ear 3 times
King Noah- rub your elbows together while
It's always nice to get bodies moving!! It is possible to move and maintain reverence so don't be scared to try. Children (& most people) learn best when actively involved!

* Try to have the children learn the scripture "Choose ye this day whom ye will serve... but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15 by you saying it and randomly leaving out words and having them fill in what word you left out. At the beginning of primary you could challenge the children and see if anyone can learn the scripture to recite by themselves by the end of primary. Have an outline of a house on a piece of paper for each child. Invite children to draw in their home or write about good choices we can make. Have them share with the whole primary or in groups. Our choices and the choices of our family decide whether we'll have a happy or not so happy home!

* Have 2 gift wrapped boxes up front. Invite a child to come up and choose a gift. In one gift have a bunch of demands like sweep the floor, do 50 push ups, eat 6 spoonfuls of mashed potatoes, walk 10 minutes to the store and buy milk only, sip 4 times a cup of that milk, wash your hair for 2 minutes in cold water, lie on the floor for 45 minutes to take a nap, read the dictionary for 6 pages and then freeze. Woah! Does that sound pleasant being told and forced to do certain things? In the other box have the simple phrase, "Choose for yourself". Which gift is better and why? Agency is God's gift to us, and what we do with that agency is our gift to God! Have the children write down a couple choices they can make this week that would make Heavenly Father and Jesus happy. Then give them a brown paper bag with a bow on it, have them put their choices in it and share with their family what they'll do this week with their agency!

* Bring in a checkers board. You, as the teacher, can be black and the children can be red. Invite 1 primary friend at a time to come up and answer a simple case scenario, then they can make a choice on the checkers board.
For example, a case scenario could be:
Maria is walking home from school and sees garbage on the ground. How could she use her gift of agency wisely?
Teddy is mad at his brother. How could he use his gift of agency wisely?
Nice and short! Try to get as many children involved, up and thinking as possible! At the end you can conclude with our life is like a game of checkers. Some choices are very important and can mean all the difference in winning our eternal exaltation!
(And as a fun fact, did you know President Monson loved to play checkers?? He even read a book on different checker strategies and memorized moves and game plans so he'd never lose!)

* Have 3 cups and plenty of chocolate kisses! Invite a primary friend to the front and have them turn around while you hide one chocolate under one upside down cup. Mix up the cups. Preface at the beginning you are going to play a game. You might win a chocolate, you might not. But don't worry at the end everyone will get a chocolate!! Have Gospel Art Pictures of different scripture stories. Invite the primary friend to tell a little about the story and how they used their gift of agency. Then let the friend choose a cup and see if they got a chocolate!! Have about 10-12 different scriptural pictures. Sing Choose the Right Way (CS pg. 160) and look for super singers. Invite a couple of those super singers up to try choosing a cup! Whenever we make a good choice in life, we'll get something better than a chocolate kiss... a blessing from above! We might not see it right away, but it will always be there.

* Life is full of good choices and sometimes we can even make those good choices better! Have a couple friends act out the story of Mary and Martha as you read Luke 10:38-42. Mary sits and listens while Martha cleans dishes, serves food and hustles and bustles about.... What did the Savior teach us about the gift of agency?
List a bunch of good choices on the board, and then have the primary children share ideas on how to make even better choices!! For example:
Pray at breakfast ( A better choice could be to pray always!)
Read Scriptures ( A better choice could be to ponder and study the scriptures!)
Go to Church (Participate and ask questions and share at church!)
etc.

* Have the children act out the parable of the talents (Matthew 25). Focus on each of the choices the servants made.

“Every one of us will have to give an account for the deeds we do in the flesh, and that every man will be rewarded according to his works, whether they be good or evil.” Joseph F. Smith (Principles of Government in the Church, Improvement Era, Nov. 1917, 10-11)

Week 3: In the premortal life, I chose to follow God's plan.

* “No principle in time or eternity is so cherished as the right of agency. A war was waged in heaven over our agency- a war that was transferred to earth. Satan is determined to blind, bind and lead captive through ignorance and sin everyone he can. Understanding our agency is imperative for our spiritual survival and fulfillment in Christ.” Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual Rel 430 &431, pg.30

Have a backpack and name it our agency survival kit. In it have items with questions or scriptures attached. I’d have about 10 items inside. For example:

Flashlight – Who helps us see through the darkness and make good choices?
(Jesus, the Holy Ghost, Parents, Teachers, Good friends)

Suncreen- How do good choices help us from being hurt?

Cell Phone- What can we choose to pray for?

Canned Food- Name some soul food, or scripture stories that teach us about good choices.

Water- John 4:14 “ But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” What did the woman at the well choose? Show gospel art kit picture and briefly go over story.

* “Someone once said, “If you come to a fork in the road, take it.” But it doesn’t work that way. The Savior said, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” President Faust, Ensign 1995, Serving the Lord and Resisting the Devil

Draw on the board what a fork in the road is. Show one path leading to a picture of the Savior and the other a frowny face. We made the wonderful choice in the premortal world to follow the Savior. Now that we’re here on earth, let’s name some good and bad choices we make and the paths that follow. Bring in a toy car and let children come up to the board and name examples and drive their car on each path to show everyone.

* "Endowed with agency, you and I are agents, and we primarily are to act and not just be acted upon. To believe that someone or something can make us feel offended, angry, hurt, or bitter diminishes our moral agency and transforms us into objects to be acted upon. As agents, however, you and I have the power to act and to choose how we will respond to an offensive or hurtful situation."David A. Bednar, "And Nothing Shall Offend Them," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 90

Bring in a long coat, hat and magnifying glass. Super Secret Agent time! Have each primary child write down a choice they have made in their life that was a good one and their name! Put all the choices into a box and invite a primary friend to dress up as a super secret agent and as you read a choice from the box, they can guess who made it!

Re-read the words of President Bednar, “As agents, however, you and I have the power to act and to choose how we will respond….” In the premortal life we chose Christ, so let's make sure our choices here support all we did before!

Week 4: Jesus Christ created the earth as a place where I can learn to choose the right.

* Click HERE for a Reader's Theater. Happy acting!

If you need a last minute stocking stuffer idea....

2011-12-23T11:11:00.000-08:00

My daughters gave this activity a 2 thumbs up. I adore The Friend and I adore my mini-laminator from Costco. Just cut out from HERE, laminate and use cheap magnets from mailings and hot glue.

And yes, I have the apostles up on our refrigerator too. It's a good reminder that we must feed both our bodies and spirits.

Christmas Jingo!!!

2011-12-17T19:57:00.000-08:00

Hello! And Merry Christmas!! Hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful time of year. I was super excited because we just got Microsoft Word!! Woot Woot!!! What does it boil down too?

JINGO!!!

Jingo is like bingo, but better because there are "clues" for the spaces. J-I-N-G-O follows the same basic rules as bingo, except instead of playing with numbers you play with clue cards and pictures. A player chooses a clue card and reads the question. If the answer is pictured on your player card, cover it with a marker and choose a new clue card, and so on until someone completes 4 in a row. It's fabulous and we love it!

I made a Christmas Jingo (Christ Centered of course!) that we're going to be doing for FHE. The only thing is, I am lame and have no clue how to post a word document on a blog. There are 8 sheets and call cards. You'll need markers, but if you'd like a copy just email me (chulbakera(at)aol (dot)com) ! It's a 15 page document and I'd recommend printing it out on cardstock so it will last. You'll have to cut the call cards out and have a sack to draw them out of.

All pictures are from free clip art sites or lds.org.

I'll try to be prompt in responding to emails but please be patient as I'm not the most computer literate person and sometimes everything ends up in spam.

***Also, if you are OCD, you'll notice it's not perfect. Sorry. The black lines aren't exact... just hum George Michael's Careless Whisper to yourself and everything will be alright. I promise.***

December 2011 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

2011-11-25T10:50:00.000-08:00

(L'Innocence by William-Adolphe Bouguereau 1893)

Monthly Theme: The Scriptures Teach Me about the Savior’s Birth and Second Coming.
Monthly Scripture: “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works” Matthew 16:27.

Week 1 Prophets prophesied about the birth of Jesus Christ.

* HERE is an "Advent Calendar: Prophecies of Christ’s Coming,” NewEra, Dec 2008, 21–25. It'd be a great handout for the children to take home to families.

* Numbers 24:17 "I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob..." Who was the prophet Balaam, from the Old Testament, prophesying would be born? Who was that Star?? Jesus!!
Have 10 different glow in the dark stars throughout the room. Turn off the lights and invite one Primary friend to choose one. Turn on the light. Have scriptures, songs and questions having to do with this week's theme attached to the stars. (OR you could just put up these STARS)

* HERE is a talk, This Shall Be a Sign unto You By Whitney Hinckley (Liahona Dec. 2011) that has prophecies and the fulfillment of it. You could easily make this into a matching game or you could give classes a prophecy or fulfillment and have them walk around the room to find the match. Then they come up front to share.
* I love love love.... love love love... love love love... love times infinity all the people that put together fun stuff on lds.org to help me teach my children. God bless you whoever you are. HERE is a link to Book of Mormon stories with visuals and audio. Chapter 40 & 41 show Samuel prophesying Christ's birth and the signs fulfilled about his birth. If you have internet or can download these, it'd be great to show the kids. Each segment is about 3 minutes. HERE is the Old Testament link, Chapter 47 is Prophets tell about Jesus.

* HERE is an excellent shadow box idea from The Friend.

* HERE is a mobile children can make from The Friend about different prophecies.

Week 2 Jesus Christ was born.

* When was Jesus born? December 25? Write down different dates... take a vote, then quote the following:

After summarizing the opinions of various scholars in the matter of Christ’s birthday, Elder James E. Talmage compares their conclusions with modern revelation and then affirms: “We believe that Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem of Judea, April 6, B.C. 1.” ( Jesus the Christ, p. 104.) Of this President Harold B. Lee declared: “This is the annual conference of the Church. April 6, 1973, is a particularly significant date because it commemorates not only the anniversary of the organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in this dispensation, but also the anniversary of the birth of the Savior, our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. [Quoted D&C 20:1 ]” ( CR, Apr. 1973, p. 4.)

Also, a more recent quote from Elder Russell M. Nelson, "We commemorate His humble birth at this time of year, even though we know it did not occur in December but in April." (Christ the Savior is Born, Ensign, Dec. 2006)

* Bring in simple costumes to act out the story of the nativity.

* Divide into groups and give each group a nativity. Let them tell the story of the nativity with the figurines in each group.

* Let the children make paper bag puppets to take home with different people from the nativity story to share at a Family Home Evening.

* Whisper in a child's ear to go to the corner and tap his nose 15 times, then sit down. Do it discreetly. Make small talk with the Primary and see how their week was. Did anyone notice what our primary friend did in the corner while we were talking? It's kind of hard to see things if it's in the corner!!

"“This thing was not done in a corner,” Paul said of Christ's ministry and the restoration of the gospel in the meridian of time. (Acts 26:26.) Indeed, the witnesses of the Savior’s birth were many and various."

Divide the primary into 12 groups. Give each group one of the witnesses found in THIS TALK, Twelve Witnesses of Christ’s Birth By Joseph Fielding McConkie (Ensign Dec.1990) Groups can make a picture of their person. After a few minutes have them share with the whole primary who their witness to Jesus' birth was and what they learned.

*“The Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay” (Mosiah 3:5). Using playdough, have children create the nativity in each of their classes.* HERE is a simple Christmas matching game from The Friend.

* HERE is an excellent idea from The Friend by Sister Elizabeth Ricks. It includes visuals and scriptures.

Week 3 Jesus Christ will someday return to the earth.

* HERE is a very cool sharing time from The Friend having to do with the parable of the 10 Virgins.

* HERE is a visual children can make of how they can be prepared when Jesus comes again.(The Friend Dec. 2001)

* Draw pictures of what the Millennium will be like!! I personally would draw myself and Jesus eating chocolate ice cream bars on the back of an elephant with rainbows and stars lighting up the sky!

* Awesome idea from Sister Sydney Reynolds:
"To learn more about what life will be like in the Millennium, when Christ returns to earth to reign for a thousand years, choose 2 children to role-play TV news anchor persons, and assign each class to choose a “field reporter” to report the class’s findings on the following subjects in the scriptures: • animals / Isa. 11:6–9; Hosea 2:18 • people / Isa. 54:heading, 3; Micah 4:4; D&C 63:50–51 • nations, government / Micah 4:1–3; Jer. 31:33; D&C 29:11 • miscellaneous—time of His coming / Matt. 24:36, 44; Zion and the return of the city of Enoch / D&C 45:66, 71; Moses 7:62–64. Have the anchor persons make up questions for each field reporter to tell what his/her class learned about their subject. Tell the children that we do not know exactly when the Savior will come, but we must be preparing to meet Him (see Matt. 25:1–13). Sing “When He Comes Again” (CS, pp. 82–83) and discuss what the things are that we need to do to “be ready there.” (Dec. 1999 Friend)

* Lesson 43: Jesus Christ Will Come Again Primary 2: Choose the Right A, (1995), 235–39 supposedly has a "Jesus Will Come Again" board game. The link, found HERE, doesn't have it, but I'd be interested in seeing that!!

* Divide into groups and make "Welcome Back" signs. Give each group a scripture about Jesus Christ returning to the earth and have them illustrate or write thoughts. Have them share their work with the Primary.

Week 4 To prepare for the 2nd Coming, I will follow Jesus Christ.

*For a FHE discussion: My girls love Disney's The Lion King. In the movie there is a song called "Be Prepared". Scar, the villain, is gathering an army of hyenas and telling them to "Be Prepared" to take over the kingdom. Scar repeatedly tries to get Simba to make bad choices (What are they?), choices specifically against what his father has told him. Like Scar, Satan and his fallen angels are always ready, always preparing to tempt us and try to get us to make bad choices. We know that they are nothing compared to our Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ. D&C 38:30-31 says, "But if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.And that ye might escape the power of the enemy, and be gathered unto me a righteous people, without spot and blameless"

What can we do to prepare? Discuss as a family!

* Play "Honey I love you". A friend stands up front and their job is to NOT SMILE for anything!! Another primary friend will come up to them and try to make them laugh by saying "Honey, I love you" in some sort of funny voice. The friend standing has to reply WITHOUT smiling, "Honey, I love you too... but I still won't smile." Is it hard to stand up here when someone is trying to get you to do something else?

We live in a world that is quick to get us to move from our values. We live in a world that is evil and full of bad things happening. The 2nd coming is close, however, our prophet has said, "be not troubled, but, “stand … in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come” (D&C 87:8). Holy men stand in holy places and these holy places include our temples, our chapels, our homes, and the stakes of Zion, which are, as the Lord declares, “for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth” (D&C 115:6)." (Great Day of the Lord by President Ezra Taft Benson May Ensign 1982)

Our silly game is fun. When it comes to life however, we must never give in to those who would move us! Jesus Christ will come again and when He does, we will be standing in holy places!!

* What is “the great and dreadful day of the Lord” (D&C 2:1)? What does great mean? What about dreadful? Write the 2 words on the chalkboard. In between have a picture of the Savior. Elder Spencer V. Jones, of the Seventy, said, "We may have a tendency to overlook the “great” and accentuate the “dreadful." We do, however, have control over whether we personally will be prepared for the day when the Savior comes again. Our daily decisions will determine whether that day is “great” or “dreadful.” (Messages from the Doctrine and Covenants: Finding Hope in the Second Coming June Ensign 2005) Brainstorm ideas of decisions people make and write them under great or dreadful, depending on their consequence... For example, reading scriptures would be written under great.

(RECYCLED IDEAS from previous posts)

* Have a child come up and hold a rock. Ask the primary what will happen if the child drops the rock? It falls. Have another child come up and demonstrate. There are things we know without any question that are going happen. Just like we are certain and know Jesus will come again.

* Learn the 10th Article of Faith song.Give the children popsicle sticks to learn the melody and move it up or down as they sing. Challenge a child to come up and be a dictionary. Have them hold a dictionary. Ask them the meaning of words in this article of faith that are big. Display GAK 238 The 2nd Coming and have the children share what they think it will be like when Jesus comes again.

* Show the video segment of Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin from Special Witnesses of Christ. Have a nativity with scriptures, songs and questions attached about when Jesus will come again. The first time He came was amazing and so the second time will be!!

* Interesting Fact: “The Lord deals with this people as a tender parent with a child, communicating light and intelligence and the knowledge of his ways as they can bear it. The inhabitants of the earth are asleep; they know no the day of their visitation. The Lord hath set the bow in the cloud for a sign that while it shall be seen, seed time and harvest, summer and winter shall not fail; but when it shall disappear, woe to that generation, for behold the end cometh quickly.” (Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith Compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith, p.305)

Young Women in Excellence Talk: Spiritual Bonfires of Testimony

2011-11-17T20:08:00.000-08:00

I was supposed to speak at Young Women in Excellence night... I was all prepared, however 15 minutes before I was supposed to be there, we had a family emergency and I ended up not being able to go because we were at Urgent Care. All is well now, but I feel really bad. Anyways, just thought I'd post what I wrote for the occasion... because Elder Wirthlin is awesome and has wonderful insight.

I wanted to start off by saying thank you for the honor of speaking tonight. I haven’t been in Young Women's or had a calling in it for 12 years, but my love for the program is strong. You are a rare group of girls, beautiful and radiant. While I don’t know you all on an individual basis, I look at you and see pure, virtuous young ladies making a huge impact in this world and am humbled to be before you. I’ve prayed every night to know what needs to be said and I pray right now that the spirit will guide us and edify us... and that I wont bore the snot out of you.

The theme for tonight is the "purse-suit of happiness". I love that because happiness isn’t just going to hit you on the head one day. It’s something you have to actively seek for. Happiness comes in many shapes and forms. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin wrote a book entitled Finding Peace in our Lives and I wanted to share with you thoughts from it, specifically the chapter Spiritual Bonfires of Testimony. Because I know that true happiness is having a testimony of God the Father and His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Before I do so, I’ll give you a brief background of my experience from Young Women's. We had a small group of girls, so much so that there was usually me, maybe another girl and my best friend who wasn’t a member at mutual activities. I wish I could say I was mature enough to go to activities because I had a deep desire to learn and better myself, but in all honesty it was to watch the guys play basketball after. My leaders loved me but I’m pretty sure I was super annoying to them because I’d always try to ask them off the wall questions. For example, one leader worked at a mental institution and I remember trying to get her to talk about the people there and if she worried they’d ever break out and find her. We were in the car for 20 minutes together and by the end she put her hand on my shoulder, thoroughly patient yet glad to get rid of me and said, Goodnight Sofia. Goodnight. I’m sure you are all wiser than I was. All your leaders speak very very highly of you.

I loved Girl’s Camp. It was a time to learn, feel the spirit and just enjoy life. My best friend that I mentioned would come and I’m grateful because I’m hoping those were the seeds planted that will be sown later on in life. One year we were camp mail women and we wore pink kimonos everywhere walking with wooden canes from Tijuana. Young Women’s is an inspired organization that is there to help us have happy memories. Not only that, but it can be a safety for us to help us through the drama of middle school and highschool. I held on to Young Womens. I went to church, I went to mutual. I attended seminary. I made a lot of mistakes and was far from perfect but Young Women’s and Personal Progress helped me build upon my testimony. Others from my laurel class didn’t see the value in it and 3 chose alternate lifestyles, 1 went to BYU met a non-member and married him and fell away from the church and 1 other just went inactive. I don’t know all the details of the younger girls but out of a group of 20, me and a girl named Ronnie stayed active. It’s pretty sad statistics and I wonder what happened. But at the same time I don’t. In two words, wolves happened.

Elder Wirthlin tells of large packs of quote “wolves that roamed the countryside of Ukraine many years ago. It made travel very dangerous. The wolf packs were fearless. They were not intimidated by people or by any of the weapons available at that time. The only thing that seemed to frighten them was fire. Consequently, travelers who found themselves away from cities developed the practice of burning a large bonfire and keeping it burning through the night. As long as the fire burned brightly, the wolves stayed away. But if the fire burned out, the wolves would move in for an attack. Travelers understood that building and maintaining a bonfire was not just a matter of convenience or comfort; it was a matter of survival.”

We obviously, we don’t have to look far to see wolves all around us. They are on shirts, bumper stickers, hats, cups, license plates... you name it.

So what is the moral of the story and the point of my ramblings? Don’t go to UNR, go to BYU.... goooooooooooooo cougars!! UNR may pay our bills, but I’ll always prefer my alma mater. (**Sidenote dear readers, our local university has the mascot of wolf pack as pictured and my husband works there as an administrator)

All joking aside. Elder Wirthlin mentions some pretty vivid scriptures “1 Peter 5:8 describes our, “adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, that walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” The Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith, “Enemies prowl around thee like wolves for the blood of the lamb.” D&C 122:6.”

The name of the program tonight is Young Women in Excellence, and you can tell. Because you step outside of this room and you see females who parade their bodies as trash. We live in Nevada, so we get an extra dosage of visuals that are nothing short of horrific, yet so sad. You step outside this room and hear girls with mouths that need to be duck-taped for the good of society and decency of the human race. You step outside this room and there are girls having babies, unwed, unskilled, uneducated and unprepared for the consequence of their choice. You step outside this room and you take a big breath and thank the Lord that He is the Lord and that you don’t have His job. It seems overwhelming that there are so many willing to run with the pack and be led captive into misery. However, you take one step in this room and you can breath. You take one look around and here, here are Young Women in Excellence. Here are the Young Women, the leaders, the examples, the virtue and goodness that make the rest of us have hope. And why are you excellent? Because of your light.

Happiness is having the bonfire of a testimony. Perhaps it may be just a small one, perhaps it is a raging inferno ready to burn the desert we live in down... either way, we can always add fuel to our testimony and make it stronger.

Our dear apostle Elder Wirthlin suggests “3 ways that will fan the flame of personal testimony as a protection against the wolves of evil that are prowling all around us to threaten our spiritual security. First, our testimonies must be built upon a solid foundation of faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ.” Can anyone recite from memory Helamen 5:12? “And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.”

I was never a cheerleader, I was too self conscious of my thighs and not willing to work out. With that said, I still would rather watch cheerleaders than a football game. Something about guys in spandex who grunt and bash heads has no relevance to me. So back to cheerleaders.... when I think of cheerleaders making a pyramid formation, they always put the more robust girls on the bottom? Why? Obviously the waifs aren’t going to be able to support everyone. So it is with the Big Man upstairs, they don’t call Him the Big Man for nothing. He is all wise, all capable and ready to support us in all our righteous endeavors.

The second idea to fan the flame of personal testimony is, “We must repent humbly and sincerely.” I love the analogy Elder Wirthlin makes,“Anything that does not draw us closer to God takes us away from him.”

And the last idea he mentions is this, “Third, we must follow the example of the Savior.” How can we have a testimony of someone we don’t follow? We’re not asked to turn water into wine or atone for the sins of the world. 1 John 2: “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” John continues on in Chapter 3 “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”

What is the day the widow’s husband died? Leave a plant on her doorstep with a card that says, today is a hard day, but know you are loved more than words can say. Smile and wave at the car next to you. Say hello to people you don’t know at church. Post Ghandi quotes on facebook about making the world a better place.

The pursuit of happiness is consistently striving to gain a testimony of God the Eternal Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. And today’s as good a day as any to decide what you know to be true. A testimony isn’t thanking people, a testimony is BAM... The Lord lives, I know this is true. We need to be ready to bear testimony at anytime. Be confident in the knowledge you’ve gained.

What is our happily ever after if we do so? Mosiah 2:41 “And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.” Never ending happiness!! Cha Ching!!

I’d like to close with this Luis Vuiton purse. It’s worth I’m sure some money. My Aunt gave it to me when I was a young woman. I loved it because my Aunt gave it to me but I've never used it because I'm happy with my $3 clearance purse from Target. Recently we had a garage sale and I wanted to sell it because frankly, I never use it. I wanted $20 and this lady cruises up in her Landrover and says she’ll give me $5. This purse is worth so much more. Forget her. I want you all to know that your testimonies are worth more than you can ever ever ever possibly imagine. You are all precious daughters of God. Wolves will try to sell you short and undermine your worth... but you are so much more. You are God’s instruments to usher in the 2nd coming of the Lord. Know your Lord and be confident in your testimony.

I bear my personal witness the Jesus Christ lives. He is our very best friend. He is with us to support us and bear us up in our weakest moments. He will never fail us. He is our source of true joy. Heavenly Father is our Father. We are His children. He wants us to be like Him and has provided a perfect plan for this to happen. I love and worship the Father and the Son and testify that they are mighty to save and all powerful. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Thanksgiving FHE's

2011-11-17T19:42:00.000-08:00

Now that the month is almost over... maybe I should post some Thanksgiving FHE ideas.... ugh, real slick Sofia. Thanks.

This is one of my absolute favorites because I really get to see what my children have learned Gospel wise and what some of their favorite scripture stories of the moment are. Click HERE for the FHE.

This is a picture of our outcome this year. I just hot glued a scrap of fabric to the poster board to make a tablecloth. The girls also created a fancy centerpiece out of their magazine findings. I love that my 4 year old cut out corn and said, "This is the sheaves of corn that Pharaoh dreamed about and Joseph figured out what it meant."

Another fantastic one was counting our blessings. We filled up an entire poster board (Thank you 2 for $1 at the Dollar Store) with 104 different things we were thankful for. Star Wars, Snape and Nipple Latches were just a few of our many things we're thankful for.

For more gratitude ideas, just click on gratitude on my sidebar.

And if you're just looking for a fun Turkey Art Project here are a few:

The girls picked a few "feathers" from Wal-Mart paint section and cut slits on the sides to make them more textured.

This was crayon and watercolor. First they draw the shape of the turkey with a black sharpie.

Um, greatest wings ever. This makes me smile everyday. $1 store bandaids make feathers and of course, turkeys need long hair like Rapunzel. Third eyes? I don't know where that comes from.

Draw an outline of a turkey, let the kiddos cover with painters tape on the line, then marble roll!! It kind of looks like a sun, but if you look closely you'll see feet and a waddle.

November 2011 LDS Primary Sharing Time Ideas and Activities

2011-10-23T20:27:00.000-07:00

My sweet Elijah. I hold him and know reverence. Reverence for a loving Heavenly Father who is all powerful and wise and who blesses us with such joy.

Monthly Theme: Reverence Is Love and Respect for God.
Monthly Scripture: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matthew 22:37).

Week 1 Reverence is love and respect for God.

* Make a giant Venn diagram (2 circles overlapping in the middle) On one side brainstorm all the different ways to show love and on the other side ways to show respect. Ideas that are the same for both go in the middle!

* Million Dollar Question Minus the Million Dollars.... When was the only time we see Jesus get really upset in the scriptures? When people weren't showing REVERENCE for His Father's house, the temple! Have 6 children come to the front. Ask the children questions having to do with the story, when they answer correctly hand them a fake million dollar bill. BUT... is money everything? What do we learn from the story?!?! Let them crumple up their bill and try to toss it in the garbage can naming a blessing that comes from being reverent. (E.g. Peace, Happiness, Eternal Life, Holy Ghost will be close...)

* Have a mother bring in a young baby if possible. When we see a beautiful baby who is sleeping, how should we act around it? Are we loud? Do we jump up and down and poke the baby? Ask the children what we do with young babies and how do we show them love? There are some things in life where we just slow down, are a little more soft, a little more quiet and little more peaceful. Just like we show love and respect for a young baby with gentleness we can do so with Heavenly Father. Have 6 different items for the children to choose and show how we treat that item with respect and love. For example, you could have scriptures. We don't throw them or rip the pages. When we treat our scriptures right are we showing reverence for Heavenly Father? Another example could be a picture of the temple. Have the primary child show whether we walk or run around the temple grounds. More items could include: hymn books, a paper doll with modest clothes on, sacrament cup, a primary chair, a Family Home Evening packet, an American flag,

* Reverence races!! Invite 4 children to come up front. Who can be the most reverent? Invite them to go to the other side of the room... Speed is not the key to winning the race! Once they cross the finish line, invite them to share a reason why they love their Heavenly Father. Invite a couple teachers to race too!

Week 2 Reverence during the sacrament helps me to remember Jesus Christ.

* Does Mom and Dad make you sit during sacrament without going to the bathroom? Is that unfair? Food for thought... they are only following what the PROPHET has said... "Visits to the restroom and drinking fountain should take place before the meeting begins” (Spencer W. Kimball, We Should Be a Reverent People, 4–5). And of course, if it's an emergency there is no problem... better out than in!

* "Your focus needs more focus." Mr. Miyagi from the Karate Kid. Learning how to focus for 6-8 minutes while the sacrament is being passed can be a lifelong challenge! Have about 10 different questions about reverence and the sacrament. For each question answered, then teach a karate move. (This can seem counter intuitive for the weeks theme, however... if you make your expectations clear- No talking while we practice our moves, focus on the movement not sound!- then it'll work!) Our focus always needs more focus!! D&C 88:67 "And if your eye (or you could say focus!!) be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things."

* Make reverence books for sacrament! Invite the children to draw pictures of their favorite stories of the Savior to look at during next week's sacrament.

* Have a large plate drawn on the chalk board. Invite primary friends to come draw some of their very favorite foods. What do you think Jesus enjoyed food wise? We know that at the end of our Savior's earthly life He had a final meal, the last supper. Display GAK picture. What do you think He and His best friends felt as they knew this was the last time they would eat together? Jesus gave us the ordinance of the Sacrament at that last supper. What would be a "recipe for reverence" when we take the sacrament? Pass out some paper and let the children write down their ideas or write them on the chalk board.

Week 3 I can show reverence for sacred places and things.

* HERE is a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful link to The Friend with a bunch of different ideas. I liked the tour of the building idea especially! Sister Pearce also has a wonderful chapel cut-out that would be fun to do!!

* Does anyone have a special spot? A tree house or a reading nook or a clubhouse?? Perhaps they could draw a quick picture of it on the chalkboard. I have a special rock ledge that overlooks the desert. It's my spot that I love. Even though there is lots of brown and yellow, the sky is always blue and bright and clear above me. How would you want someone to treat your special spot? Just like we want people to be respectful of our special spots, we need to be respectful of the Lord's special spots!

* President David O. McKay said, “I look upon reverence as one of the highest qualities of the soul” ("Lesson 7: Reverence," Gospel Principles and Doctrine) Have some pictures of things that are "high" in the sky... kites, airplanes, tall buildings, clouds, birds... etc. Attach questions, songs and scriptures having to do with reverence to the pictures and let the children come up, one at a time to choose a "high" picture. Repeat throughout the lesson the above quote... reverence is one of the highest qualities of the soul!!

* Sing I am A Child of God. What does the chorus say? Lead me, guide me. Have a mystery path with arrows around the room leading to a giant question mark. Invite children to walk along the path if they can answer a question or read a scripture about reverence. Where does reverence lead us?

"As with the other principles of the gospel, reverence leads to increased joy. We must remember that reverence is not a somber, temporary behavior that we adopt on Sunday. True reverence involves happiness, as well as love, respect, gratitude, and godly fear. It is a virtue that should be part of our way of life. In fact, Latter-day Saints should be the most reverent people in all the earth." ("Lesson 7: Reverence," Gospel Principles and Doctrine)

* With the Senior Primary: Have them look in the hymn book all the songs that are listed under reverence. Have them work in partners and find something interesting to share with the entire primary about reverence. Sing a couple songs!

Week 4 Reverence for God helps me respect and love others.

* Give the children a signal. When you raise your hand in the air you'll need everyone to stop talking immediately. Tell the children to talk to a friend next to them and when you raise your hand, they need to stop right away. Does it get pretty loud? Do it again and this time you're going to teach the lesson while everyone is talking. Raise your hand. Did anyone hear what the lesson was about?

“The world grows increasingly noisy...When we meet to learn the doctrines of the gospel, it should be in a spirit of reverence. …"

* HERE is a lesson I CAN BE REVERENT from the Primary 1 manual.
* Have a cookie with M&M's in it. If you eat the entire cookie, will you eat the M&M's?? Have a bar of soap. If you wash your arm, will your hand get clean? Sometimes, when you do one thing, another thing just happens! Having reverence for Heavenly Father creates something else.... it helps me love and respect others!
*Here's a thought for a FHE. My Yaya is Greek Orthodox which means her home is filled with lots of pictures of Saints!! I grew up looking at those pictures with respect because of the stories behind them. For me personally, I have no problem sharing with children respect for other religions. I would show a picture of a Greek Orthodox Saint and tell the beautiful story behind it. In our church, saints are a little different, but isn't it nice to know we all believe in saints! In our church, we are the saints! Hopefully we act so! And what is one quality that is Saint like??

"Perhaps above all, a saint is reverent. Reverence for the Lord, for the earth He created, for leaders, for the dignity of others, for the law, for the sanctity of life, and for chapels and other buildings are all evidences of saintly attitudes. …A reverent saint loves the Lord and gives highest priority to keeping His commandments"
(Book of Mormon Teacher Resource Manual, (2004), 236-240)

Almost Complete Bliss...

2011-10-11T11:03:00.000-07:00

D&C 101:36

"Wherefore, fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full."

A few months ago I was having a panic attack. I was pregnant with our 4th child and was sure it was a girl, but the next day was the big ultrasound and I wanted a name for a boy just in case. My husband is pretty easy going but for some odd reason he "thought" that since he's a man, he should name the boys.

Do you hear my silent chuckle.

Well we narrowed it down and decided within 15 minutes. We're just cool like that.

Elijah Cedron.

First of all, Elijah is the Samuel L. Jackson of all the prophets. Mocking the priests of Baal? Calling fire down from heaven?

Awesome.

Then I was reading in the New Testament and came across Cedron which is a valley in Jerusalem where the Mount of Olives is.

Elijah Cedron. It was well.

And that's a good thing because I guess I wasn't so sure it was a girl and I was then prepared for the little boy to come to our home. I'm big on listening to the radio after finding out the gender of our children because call me crazy, but sometimes I find simple messages in them to me. This time 2 songs came on that stuck out to me... the first was "Girls" (All I really want is girls) by the Beastie Boys which I found totally entertaining. And the 2nd was "Come Together" by the Beatles.

To say that I live in fear wouldn't be exactly correct. I'm for the most part peaceful and calm. I live my life normally and healthy. I do the things I should do. I trust God because I know He knows better than I do. With that said, in all honesty, I still am anxious because I know pain. I know sorrow. I know what it's like to have to live without a child. But like I said, I trust Heavenly Father. I have faith and it's like this song was saying to me, it's OK. I just need to "come together, right now, over me (Elijah)".

Well, let me just add my testimony that our loving Father knows us individually. I was able to go to the temple a week before my sweetheart was due and I felt this overwhelming feeling that I am known. That my name is important and that my son's name is important. And what do you know... in General Conference there was a whole talk about Elijah!!

What is my point in posting about this? I have no clue. I just felt like after hearing THIS in conference I needed to add my witness that things happen in life for a reason. We may feel like all is lost, but our agency is never lost. We can choose to follow Christ always no matter what. We can choose to love our Heavenly Father and trust that our joy will be full again.

If you've lost a baby, I promise to be your breastfeeding buddy in the Resurrection and we'll nurse our little ones under the Tree of Life!

Hospitals are stressful and I was super nervous after Eli was born. However, after I received a priesthood blessing I felt much better and much more calm. I heard my angel baby (my sweet Joe) say very clearly, "Mommy, perfect love casteth out fear."

I have a new sweet perfect beautiful baby boy. He was 7 lbs 2 oz and 22" long. (The smallest of all my children) He will be 1 month on Oct. 15 and is up to 9 lbs. His sisters constantly want to hold him and touch and love him. They are the best big sisters ever. We are so blessed.

With that said, I'm sorry if I don't get ideas posted in a timely manner. Please rest assured, I'm still keeping up the blog. But yeah, if things aren't up it's because I'm cuddling my sweet Eli and smothering him with kisses or just being amazed by my sweetest blessings.

Remembering 9/11: Using our hands for good activity

2011-09-11T21:39:00.000-07:00

This image is by Kathy Barbaro of Artprojectsforkids.org

9/11 is a sad day.

It's pretty overwhelming that evil can be so powerful and cause so much destruction. I was reading some numerical statistics about the deaths of that day and thought I'd share.

Out of 2,819 people that died 403 of those deaths were community helpers like firefighters, paramedics and cops who lost their lives trying to help.

Our hands have so much power. They have power to destroy or build. To put down or lift up.

Looking to the example of the Savior we see the following about His hands:

"For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still."

Isaiah 9:12

"Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear" Isaiah 59:1

"O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel."

Jeremiah 18:6

Matthew 12- The miracle and healing by Jesus on the Sabbath had to do with a man with a withered hand

"And how merciful is our God unto us, for he remembereth the house of Israel, both roots and branches; and he stretches forth his hands unto them all the day long"

Jacob 6:4

What are other examples of Christ using His hands for good?

HERE is a simple art project as pictured above. I did it with my children and we talked about 9/11. We talked about how things happen that are very bad and yet we still can help the cause of good by using our hands like the Savior did.

I'm so sorry if you've lost a loved one today. God bless you and God bless America.

Gospel Leaves : A Simple FHE Game or Sabbath Day Activity

2011-09-11T21:13:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy creative commons license flickr.com by Andrea_44

1. Gather some leaves.

I used some paper ones I bought at World Market on clearance last year for 10 cents.

2. On the back of the leaves write 1, 2 or 3 in permanent marker.

3. Gather your supplies: A Gospel Art Book, Dry Erase Board/Marker.

4. Have your children scatter the numbered leaves all around your floor.

5. Choose a song to hum to while you pretend to rake up your leaves. Some excellent ones would include

It's Autumntime CS pg #246

Autumn Day CS pg #247

When Mom claps, pick up one leaf!

6. What's the number on back? If it's a:

1 - Tell a Gospel story using the Gospel Art Book

2 - Sing a favorite Gospel Song

3 - Draw a Gospel picture on the dry erase board and have others guess what it is!

Happy Fall!!

Simple FHE: What do you want to share?

2011-09-06T15:53:00.000-07:00

= Wow! That was a great one!

1. Gather up at least 20 of your old friend magazines. Give each person 2-3 post it notes, depending on how many people are in your family and how long you want the Family Home Evening to last.

2. Take 5 minutes and let everyone browse the magazines and find 2-3 things they'd like to share. Whether it's pictures or stories, the Friend teaches us about Christ. What does the thing you've found teach us about Christ? Have them take their post it and mark their spots.
3. Share!! Go around and have each person share one of the things they've chosen. Repeat 2-3 times with the other things chosen.
4. Bear Testimony.
5. Sing songs! Are there any songs that come to mind with the things you've chosen??
6. Ask children how they feel....do you think the Holy Ghost is speaking to them and telling them of the truth they've shared?

Everyone is important in the family!! Make sure everyone is listening to each other!! Thank each other for what you've shared!!

October 2011 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

2011-09-02T22:18:00.000-07:00

Prayer in Wat Pho Image courtesy creative commons license flickr.com by Bo47 July 2008

Monthly Theme: Prayer Is Reverent Communication Between God and Me

Monthly Scripture: "If any of you lack wisom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him." James 1:5

A good tool to use as you prepare for this month is the Prayer Scale in Preach My Gospel (Page 95!!) Just take the quiz and see how you personally are doing when it comes to prayer.

Week 1 I can pray to Heavenly Father.

* Play a simple game of things you can do. Can you hop on one foot? Can you rub your belly and pat your head at the same time? Can you snap 5 times? Can you pray to Heavenly Father? You sure CAN!! Have 2 cans in front, one with simple things to do and be active. The other can has questions, songs and scriptures having to do with prayer. Have a child come to the front and choose one strip from each can. Let them choose which one they want to do/answer first.

* HERE is a great sharing time from The Friend by Sydney Reynolds. There are lots of different ideas to spark thought. Also there is a color by number handout.

* LOVE LOVE LOVE these prayer reminders and simple reader's theater on prayer found HERE in the Friend.

* Mac the Prayer Cat would make an excellent felt board story for the younger primary!

* HERE is a handout with a secret code to find out about 8 different prayers we say in church.

Week 2 The scriptures teach me how and when to pray.

* Wow. Can I just say how much I love the Friend. You just can't go wrong. HERE is another great sharing time on the language we use with prayer.

* The following is from Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual, Chapter 12. It gives an outline and scriptures to support, that could be excellent in helping to prepare for this week's theme.
"C. The scriptures tell us what we should pray for.

1. We should pray for the companionship of the Holy Ghost (see 3 Nephi 19:9 ; Moroni 4:3 ).
2. We should pray for forgiveness of our sins (see Joseph Smith—History 1:28–29 ).
3. We should ask for strength to resist temptation and overcome opposition (see Alma 34:23 ; D&C 10:5 ; Matthew 26:41 ).
4. Husbands should pray for their wives and children (see 3 Nephi 18:21 ; Alma 34:21, 27 ).
5. We should pray for all people—both righteous and wicked, friend and enemy (see Numbers 21:7 ; Matthew 5:44 ; Enos 1:11–14 ).
6. We should petition the Lord concerning our crops, herds, fields, and flocks (see Alma 34:20, 24–25 ). "

* Tell the children you have a funny joke for them. It goes, "Knock Knock". They say, "Who's there?" You say "Banana." They say, "Banana who?" You say, "Banana." They say, "Banana, who?" (Do that about 5 more times....) Finally you say, "Orange." They say, "Orange, who?" and you end with "Orange you glad I didn't say banana?"
Is this a repetitive joke or what! What does it mean to repeat? Can anyone think of what commandment has been most repeated from the dawn of time?

“No divine commandment has been more frequently repeated than the commandment to pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” (Marion G. Romney, in Conference Report, Oct. 1979, 20; or Ensign, Nov. 1979, 16).

* If you cut a piece of paper in half, hot dog wise, then fold it into fourths or fifths, you'll have an accordion style book:

You can make it as large or as small as you like. Have the children make a "How and When to Pray" book based on what different examples from the scriptures have taught us. Have 4 -5 different adults man a station with such an example and visual. Have crayons at each station and let the children draw/write what they have learned, one page of the book for each station.

* Write on the board some question words: Who, What, Where, When, Why and How.... Have a simple prayer stick... a thin wooden pole/stick with a picture of 2 hands praying on the end of it. NOW SING!! Sing! Sing! Sing!! In the children's songbook there are 18 wonderful songs listed under prayer. Sing the songs and invite 2 or 3 children to come up after to use the prayer stick and point to a question word. What did the song teach us in answer to that question?

D&C 25:12 "For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads."

Week 3 and 4 Heavenly Father hears and answers my prayers.

* One time, we were in the car with my 2 aunts who aren't really religious. They asked my 6 and 4 year old to sing a song. Then my girls busted out at least 15 children's songbook songs.... with a Pink Floyd one in there too. Because I've taught them that if a teacher ever tries to squash their creativity they are to stand on their desk and sing "All in all you're just another... brick in the wall...." I look forward to the day.... But I digress. One of the songs they sung was "God is Watching Over All" CS pg. 229. It's not online because of copyright restrictions. However, my aunts were moved to tears by this song because even though it's short... it's fabulous and true. It was a tender missionary moment.

You can make stars, planets, sparrows out of paper and have questions, songs and scriptures on the back corresponding with the weeks theme. Put them on the board. Pass a bean bag reverently around while you sing that song (CS pg. 229) and who ever it lands on can come up front and choose one. God is watching over all and will always hear and answer our prayers.

* Have 2 children come up front. Invite one to say Hello to the other. Could they hear that? What if the child went to the back of the room and said hello? What if they left the room? Our ears are pretty good, but definitely not as good as Heavenly Father's!! Where and when can He hear us? Have about 5 different paper ears with scriptures having to do with "how" Heavenly Father answers our prayers. Divide into groups and read the scripture and share experiences. Then after 3 minutes invite a group leader to come up and share what they talked about.

* Write Matthew 7:7 incorrectly on the chalkboard. "Ask, and it shall not be given you; seek, and ye shall not find; knock, and it shall not be opened unto you" Invite children to come and erase what is wrong with the scripture. Is our Heavenly Father cruel and mean? Absolutely NOT!!!!! He wants to hear and answer our prayers, so it's up to us to pray!

Have 3 stories of different people in the scriptures who prayed. Tell the children you are going to briefly tell the story, but make a couple mistakes as you tell the story and hold up a visual for that story. See if the children can figure out what you said wrong! For example, the brother of Jared was a very faithful person. He loved God and trusted in Him completely. When He prayed to Heavenly Father, he was told that they must sail away to a promised land. The brother of Jared wanted to know how they would cross the great waters in darkness but the prayer wasn't heard and he had to use flashlights. They made it safely to the promised land.

For senior primary they can come up with their own examples and mistake for the Primary to figure out!

* Invite to children to come up front and have a conversation about how their day is going. Give them a secret instruction that you're going to try to get in the conversation too, but they are to IGNORE YOU!!

Has anyone in the room ever been ignored by raise of hands? How does it make you feel? Do you think Heavenly Father is pretty busy and maybe sometimes ignores us?

1 John 5:14 "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us"

Point out that God always will hear our prayers, but He might not answer the way we want. He's NOT ignoring us. He just knows more than we do, and that's a good thing!

* Jeremiah 33:3 "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."

Have a cell phone up front. Have an adult sitting by a cracked open Primary door. Prepare that adult before hand with some sort of signal that you're ready for them to call your cell phone... like you scratch your head or say loudly, "Thanks!! On to our next idea." They will call your phone and a primary child has to answer it and answer the question they ask over the phone. Give that person a list of 10 different questions. For example, How does Heavenly Father answer our prayers? Can you name a time Heavenly Father has answered one of your prayers? Please give an example from the scriptures of someone who prayed and was heard. Can you please tell the primary to sing A Child's Prayer (CS pg. 12)

* Have about 6 different small "situations" where Primary children could offer advice or counsel. For example, " Mary is going to a new school. She is scared. What could she do?" Have a primary child give her some advice. Another example could be, "Jared just found out his best friend stole $10 from the teacher's purse. What could he do?" Is it good to listen to our primary friends and teachers when we need help? Yes! Even better our family! Even better Heavenly Father!! But should we ever give Heavenly Father advice? If there was a flood should we maybe pray that He clean it up quickly so more people don't get hurt? When we pray, we need to be respectful and know that Heavenly Father knows best!!

Jacob 4:10 "Wherefore, brethren, seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that he counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his works."

Profound Silence....

2011-08-29T22:51:00.000-07:00

Image from Swamisportswear.com. I am in no way endorsing their site.

I just did a google search and was disturbed by the color and price of these sweats. $13 each.

I've had a couple times in life when I've had sharing time and wondered... what's up with the noise? I have eyeballs, so I put them to good use. When I've looked around, it's not the kids talking but ADULTS.

Why?

I've often wondered why it's acceptable to wear sweats in public. Perhaps it's a Reno, NV thing and perhaps I secretly wish I could wear sweats and be accepted by society, but then I stop.

I realize it's wrong. There are just some things we shouldn't do.

Sweats is numero uno. Talking while the leader up front is.... numero dos. Especially when that leader is bearing testimony.

A scripture, Alma 55:17 says, "Yea, even to their women, and all those of their children, as many as were able to use a weapon of war, when Moroni had armed all those prisoners; and all those things were done in a profound silence." Granted, we may not be trying to save our village while the Lamanites are passed out drunk... I'm not even saying Primary needs to be a place of profound silence. All I'm saying is how do we expect children to show reverence when we don't?

I'll get off the soapbox now. But think about the sweats thing.... really.

A Simple Equation for Fun Spiritual Learning

2011-08-29T22:31:00.000-07:00

+ =

Fun Family Home Evening

Play a round of the alphabet game by rolling the dice with the theme of "The Gospel".

The alphabet game is where you go around in the circle and each person has a letter from the alphabet and comes up with a word starting with that letter based on your theme. Roll the dice (from the game of scattegories) to see what letter you get.

If you can't think of anything, open up the Gospel Art Book and look around. Talk about the word you choose. I also used a dry erase board to write down all the words we came up with.

I was really proud of my 4 year old coming up with the word "Follow" for F. Some other examples were "Temple" for T, "Priesthood" for P, "Night time Prayers" for N.....They liked the activity so much that I'm leaving it out for them to do whenever they want. It'd also be a great game to play on Sunday.

**Also, if you don't have a dice, you could just draw letters written and cut out on paper, from a sack.

September 2011 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

2011-08-29T22:17:00.000-07:00

PlayMobils of the World Image courtesy creative commons license flickr.com by fdecomite 8/2007

Monthly Theme: The Gospel Will Be Preached in All the World

Monthly Scripture: "This gospel shall be preached unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." D&C 133:37

Week 1 The scriptures teach that the gospel will be preached in all the world.

*President Ezra Taft Benson taught: “We are commanded by God to take this gospel to all the world. That is the cause that must unite us today. Only the gospel will save the world from the calamity of its own self-destruction. Only the gospel will unite men of all races and nationalities in peace. Only the gospel will bring joy, happiness, and salvation to the human family” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [1988], 167).

Bring in a Jenga game. (A tower of blocks would work too!) Demonstrate with the children's help that the world is making mistake after mistake... take away some blocks. Sin and error make the world a shaky place and not very stable. However, if we are good missionaries and share the gospel, it's like putting the blocks back. We're helping others learn about truth, and like President Benson taught, only the gospel will save the world from it's own self destruction!!

* Have a picture of the tree of life displayed. Have the children tell you what they know about Lehi's and Nephi's Vision. Was the fruit of the tree only for people in Korea? Or perhaps only for people in Chile?

1 Nephi 8:30 "But, to be short in writing, behold, he saw other multitudes pressing forward; and they came and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree."

These multitudes were ALL the different people of the world! Have different cut outs of apples with different flags of the countries around the world on them. Attach songs, scriptures and questions having to do with missionary work on them and let the children come and choose one at a time. The love of God is for everyone, so we need make sure we do our part to help others to the iron rod and press forward!!

* Divide into small groups of about 4-5 children. Give each group a blue balloon that you've added some construction paper continents to. You could easily sew some world bean bags (blue felt with a green felt continent on it) instead- that would guarantee less rowdiness than balloons. Introduce and write the topic of this week's lesson on the board, "The scriptures teach that the gospel will be preached in all the world." Have the children spend 3 minutes passing the balloon to each other and saying what the gospel is! What are different principles and things that have to do with our church? Have them freeze and start a new round. This time have them pass the balloon and share different ways we can share the gospel or personal experiences they've had being missionaries. Freeze again! Have them pass around and share different places they'd like to serve missions or where family members have served.

President Joseph F. Smith, “We have a mission in the world: each man, each woman, each child who has grown to understanding or to the years of accountability, ought . . . to be qualified to preach the truth, to bear testimony of the truth” (Gospel Doctrine, 13th ed. [1968], 251–52).

Bear your own testimony how it's important to preach the gospel, but we need to know what the gospel is!! You can send the children home with pages 5 &6 of Preach My Gospel. The section is entitled the Gospel of Christ and they can read it at home as families.

* Have a large jar filled with jelly beans. Let children write their names and guess how many jelly beans are in the jar on a small piece of paper. Collect their guesses. Would it be a good idea to go home and eat all the jelly beans in 30 seconds or less? What would happen to your teeth if you ate all the jelly beans? Would it be better to eat all the jelly beans by yourself or possibly share with someone?

What about with the gospel? Is it better to keep all the knowledge we have to ourselves or share? Continue on with your lesson about missionary work and end with giving the jelly beans to whoever got the closest guess. Have ziplock bags with 10 jelly beans for each child and the quote, "Sharing is caring!! President John Taylor has said, 'Our duty is to preach the gospel to all men. . . . This is what God expects of us" (The Gospel Kingdom, sel. G. Homer Durham [1943], 234–35).Tell the children they have the choice to go home and share their candy or eat it all by themselves, just like they have the choice to go and share the gospel or not!
Make sure to remind the winner of the jar of the special importance they've just received!! What a blessing to have so much and when you have so much you should.... GIVE!!! End with Because I Have Been Given Much (Hymn #219)

* I just liked this quote and thought it was a great analogy found off of mormon.org, " Imagine you found a cure for cancer. How urgently would you spread the news of your discovery? Who would you tell? The gospel of Jesus Christ is the cure for so many of life's ills that Mormons want to share the good news of eternal life with the same urgency.

The Lord's Church has always been a missionary church. Jesus Christ's life was the perfect example of missionary work. During His ministry on earth, he taught the gospel at all times, in all places, and to all kinds of people. Jesus taught the educated men in the temple, the sinners, the faithful and the unbelieving. He also called apostles and other disciples to preach the gospel so more people could hear about the blessings of His gospel. Most of their preaching during Christ's life was to their own people, the Jews. After Jesus was resurrected, He visited His apostles and sent them to preach to the gentiles. He commanded them, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15)."

Week 2 Missionary work blesses everyone.

*" President Kimball has referred to missionary service as high adventure. He did so because the work is stirring and exciting. It is a bold undertaking, and it is one that requires the finest courage.

I once saw an advertisement of a movie that said, “Greatest adventure story of escape.” I thought to myself, “They don’t know what adventure is until they have tried to help someone escape from sin, or have pulled somebody back from the brink of a spiritual death, or have wrestled with evil forces, or have marched with the army of God.” There is no greater adventure, no more excitement, nothing more stirring than full-time service in the work of the Lord." Elder Carlos Asay (Ensign Oct. 1985)

Have a large piece of paper with a book outline on it. Invite primary friends to create a book cover having to do with missionary work or what excites them about the gospel! What is the greatest adventure story? Certainly not the one that Elder Asay saw the movie preview for! The greatest story ever known is the life of Christ and when we know this story and share this story, all are blessed.

* From Preach My Gospel pg. 197 & 198 it says, "People need a reason to change their thoughts and actions. Promised blessings often provide powerful motivation to obey God. When the Lord gives a commandment, He often promises blessings for keeping that commandment (see D&C 130:20–21). As you prepare people to obey a specific commandment, teach them that:

• Living the commandments shows love for God and His Son.

• They demonstrate their trust in God as they obey His commandments.

• In return, they will receive blessings that He has promised.

As you testify of a commandment, talk about the blessings you have received from living that commandment. Promise those whom you teach that they can enjoy similar blessings. As people strive to keep a commitment, ask them to talk about the blessings that Heavenly Father has given them. Assure them that even though difficulties will enter their lives, His blessings will continue as they obey His will."

Have 2 children come to the front and be member missionaries. Have them draw out of a hat a gospel principle or commandment. Let them share what that principle means and how it's blessed their lives.
(For example, they draw out faith... Faith is believing in things you can't see. One time I was very sick but I had faith I could be healed. My dad gave me a blessing and I got better.)

*Bring in bowl of water. Have a child throw a small pebble into the bowl. What happens? What is a ripple? Is there any part of the water that doesn't move when the pebble is thrown in? Missionary Work is like a ripple. It spreads and touches all parts of the world and blesses everyone!! Or another analogy could be taking a glass and overfilling it with water... what just happened?? It spilled! It over-flowed!! President Kimball said that “the missionary work, like the tithing, will pour out blessings, as Malachi said, so many blessings that there’ll hardly be room enough to receive them. (See Mal. 3:10.)” (In Area Conference Report, Korea, Aug. 1975, p. 61.)

* Bring in a couple small costumes and act out the story of Alma and Abinadi. See Mosiah 17 and 18. All it took were the words of the prophet and one missionary willing to be an instrument of the Holy Ghost, and then "... It came to pass that all this was done in Mormon, yea, by the waters of Mormon, in the forest that was near the waters of Mormon; yea, the place of Mormon, the waters of Mormon, the forest of Mormon, how beautiful are they to the eyes of them who there came to the knowledge of their Redeemer; yea, and how blessed are they, for they shall sing to his praise forever." (Mosiah 18:30)

* Print pictures of people who you feel would edify your lesson and share their stories with the children. This is a good opportunity to show children that members of the gospel come in all sorts of different colors, looks and places... but our belief in Christ is the same! Click HERE or HERE to see what some members have to say about blessings and missionary work.....

Week 3 I can prepare now to serve a mission.

* HERE is a great sharing time from the Friend by Linda Christensen.

* HERE is a great sharing time and handout/search and find with things that will help prepare for missions.

* Captain Moroni was awesome! He had a tough job keeping the Lamanites from killing all the Nephites and keeping the Nephites from self-destruction! One of his jobs was to prepare cities for all the fighting. In Alma 50: 1-6 it talks about all he did. Put up a picture of Moroni and go over all his preparations. What might have happened if Moroni hadn't prepared? Would you rather live in one of his stronghold cities or one that wasn't prepared? Well, we have the choice to prepare ourselves nice and strong for missions or not. It's up to us to make that good choice!!

*Proverbs 30:25 "The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer" Obviously ants are not people, so what is this scripture talking about? Why do ants work so hard to gather food in the summer? Have some paper ants on the board that the children can choose songs, scriptures and questions having to do with missionary work. Perhaps you can have a picture of a picnic basket with the word mission on it... play around with the idea.... Our time is now and we need to prepare for our missions!

* Hebrews 11:7 "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith."
Having faith and preparing go hand in hand! Have the children come up to the front and pantomime an animal action. Let others try to guess what animal they are pretending to be. After they do so, have them fill in the blank... Just as Noah was prepared for the flood, I can prepare for my mission by.............

Week 4 I can be a missionary now.

* HERE is a great sharing time from the Friend where you can make a little box to take home. It's by Sister Margaret Lifferth.

* HERE is another good sharing time from Sister Sydney Reynolds in the Friend.

* HERE is a sharing time talking about missionary and harvest work from the Friend by Pat Graham.

* Have a piece of paper that says, "I can be a missionary NOW & I can be a missionary LATER." Have children draw pictures or write sentences under NOW & LATER on what they can do to be good missionaries. Get some NOW & LATER candy and make a card for the missionaries in your ward. Give the candy and card to the missionaries pledging the primary's support to spreading the gospel NOW & LATER!! There is even a poem HERE (Scroll down a little) about it!!

* What does an Apostle say about being a missionary now? See HERE. This would be a great handout to take home and read with families!

* You could break into small groups and have a some different adults summarize some missionary stories from the friend or make felt board stories. The following are links from The Friend to some great missionary NOW stories:
Me? A Missionary Now?
A Missionary Now
Teaching Tanner's Teacher
What Can I Do to Be a Missionary?

* Does anyone have an old November 1994 Friend Magazine? Because in it is a board game called "I Can Be a Missionary Now"... I bet that would be fun!

* Have the children pretend they don't know anything about the church. What would they want to know? Have them write down their questions and put in a jar. Now let's be member missionaries and draw questions out of the jar and answer them!!

August 2011 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

2011-07-27T15:44:00.000-07:00

Let me preface, I drive a Granny Car, and am proud of it. My car is a little more dilapidated than this one I found on a google search. Mine has 2 broken windows that can't roll down... because well, they won't roll back up. The air conditioning is broke and I think I'm missing a couple hubcaps. Plus some paint is coming off in the back. Really? You might be thinking... you're proud to drive your Buick Roadmaster?? Yes. Yes I am. Because I don't have a car payment, so all the money that would go to a car payment can be spent on gas.

...

Point?

I'm glad our bodies aren't cars. Sure, cars are a lot like our bodies- but in the grand scheme of things, God is and always will be smarter than Ford. Or Buick. Take your pick.

Monthly Theme: My body is a temple of God.
Monthly Scripture: "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? ...The temple of God is holy, which temple ye are” 1 Corinthians 3:16–17

Week 1 My body is a temple.

* Personal reading for you about this week's theme... yes you. I'm talking to you. Not your dad. Click HERE. See. Aren't you glad you read that?

* Pres. Boyd K. Packer (I heart Boyd) says, “Our physical body is the instrument of our spirit” (Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled [1991], 211). Bring in a variety of different instruments. Divide into groups and let the children come up with a song or a chant. You can give groups topics like, "How do I treat my body like a temple." or "I love my body because...." or "Bodies are like temples because...." Let them play instruments during their songs.
This would be a good time to reinforce the concept that our bodies are merely tools and only work because of our spirits. Would an instrument work on the ground all by itself? No! It needs someone to play it!!
Just like instruments can play beautiful music, our bodies can be beautiful too if we treat them as the temple they are!!

* LOVE LOVE LOVE this sharing time by Sister Matsumori found HERE in the Friend.

* Time to whip out some old Ensign magazines and scour for temple pictures. Have the children draw pictures of themselves and then use the pictures of temples to cut out clothing for their bodies. Or you could just have the temple and they draw arms, legs and a head coming out from it. Obviously, this is not how we look!! But our bodies are just as sacred as the Holy Temple we do ordinance work in. Have the children write a few words down on why they love their bodies/temples.
Romans 12:1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."

* Have a bunch of different pictures of temples and people on the black board. Ask the children how all the pictures on the board are the same? They are all temples of God!! Attach scriptures, songs and questions having to do with the week's theme: My Body is a Temple, on the backs of the pictures. Let the children come up and choose a picture and then do what it says on back one at a time.

Week 2 Dressing modestly shows respect for Heavenly Father and myself.

* Word of caution. If you choose to bring in barbie dolls to teach this, it's your choice. But I'm willing to bet (It's the Nevadan in me) that at least 50% of LDS parents will not be comfortable with their lil' boys dressing a naked barbie. I would never bring in barbies personally because I just think it's odd, but to each his own. If you've prayed about it and feel good then do your thang... but be prepared, you might get a nasty talking to from some parents. I also WOULDN'T show examples of immodest clothing because I like to keep things positive. Let parents point out the saucy things in life, and teachers focus and emphasize the good. Again, this is just a word of caution.... personal ditty and opinion.

* Bring in a large laundry hamper full of modest clothes. Divide into groups and give each group a suitcase and an airplane ticket to one of the following: Canada, Hawaii, China, Russia/Siberia, etc. Write in large words on the chalkboard, "WHERE IN THE WORLD CAN WE BE MODEST?" Perhaps you can even have a map displayed. Have the children reverently choose one piece of clothing to pack in their group suitcase from the laundry hamper. No fighting over any clothes, or you won't be able to pack because then the clothes would be ripped and immodest!!! While in their groups have them come up with 3 ways to share with the Primary on how to be modest. Then have them share what they packed and why. Is it easier to be modest in a colder place than a hotter place? Have them answer the question on the board.... the answer should be EVERYWHERE in the world we can be modest!!!

* Have children make modest paper doll clothing!! For older children, they might be more into "Fashion Sketches". Have the children share their work with each other and invite the Bishop in to choose a design he really likes. Perhaps if there is someone in the ward who sews, they can turn that design into reality and give the finished product to the missionaries to give to an investigator.
* Put on a modesty Primary show! Invite reverent children (Or perhaps even a couple teachers!) to come up front and work it down a red carpet, do a turn and walk back to the front. Ham it up, have a toilet paper roll with foil balled on the end as a microphone. Wear a large hat and feather boa. Ask the children how each model is dressed modestly? You can have the pianist playing Dare to Do Right or Stand For the Right in the background as they walk. You can ask them questions like, How do you feel when you are obedient and dress modestly? Why is it important to dress modestly? How does dressing modestly show respect for Heavenly Father? Do you have to have fancy clothes to be modest? How important is cleanliness when it comes to modesty?
Question for YOU, yes you... not Rod Stewart: What if a child isn't dressed modestly? DON'T MAKE THEM FEEL BAD. Plain and simple.

* Again, bring in a bunch of old CHURCH magazines. Let the children cut and paste a "Modesty" collage on a 8 1/2 X 11 piece of paper. Have them label it with the week's theme. They can choose pictures of clothes or people who are modest and make some beautiful art for the kitchen refrigerator. It will be an excellent reminder to our family about this important gospel principle!!

* Have each letter of RESPECT on a piece of paper. On the back of each letter's paper, have a picture of a modest person. Invite the children to talk about why the person is modest and how it is respectful.
Psalms 119:6 "Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments."

Week 3 Living the Word of Wisdom shows respect for my body.

* Explain that we are going to have a cooking demonstration. Invite a child to come up front and cut bananas, another one do strawberries... have another child add some yogurt and yet another child add in some grapes. (Please no sharp knives and be mindful of food allergies) Have small cups for the children to sample. Was the fruit salad cooking demonstration something that is good for our bodies?
Have the children play win-win-draw with foods and other things having to do with the Word of Wisdom that are good for our bodies. (They come up to the blackboard and draw, for example, an apple... then someone from the Primary guesses what they have drawn)

* Sister Judy Edwards wrote a simple and great sharing time found HERE. I find that the more simple, the better!! So rock on Sister Edwards and thank you.

* Have the children act out the story of Daniel refusing the King's meat. HERE are details from the story.

* Break into groups and have them pass a healthy food around as you sing The Word of Wisdom. (CS #154) When the music stops, the person holding the healthy food has to name something that is good for our bodies. For older children you can make it a little more challenging by giving them a certain letter that the healthy food has to start with.

* Have a bunch of healthy recipes and let the children make a recipe book for their family!! Make copies of the recipes and let the children draw pictures of how they think the finished food will look like.... Always make a copy or example to show them/give them some starting ideas. Display a bunch of different cook books and let the children end Primary by sharing some recipes they think would be healthy for our bodies in those books. On the chalk board you can have the words written- A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS- THE WORD OF WISDOM!!!

Week 4 Reading, watching, and listening to wholesome things keeps my mind clean.

* Break into different stations: One with books, DVD's and CD's. Have a person at each station prepare a 4 minute ditty on some of their favorites having to do with that station. Invite the children to share some of their favorites.
"Two obligations face the saints where the matter of environment is concerned: 1. To create for themselves and their families the most wholesome and edifying environment possible, so there will be less chance of any member of the family circle being lost through transgression; and 2. To rise above every unwholesome environmental situation that may be encountered during the course of this mortal probation. …"Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966], p. 229).

When we fill our minds with the good, we'll be able to do what Elder McConkie says and rise above the unwholesome!!
* Put A B C D F on the board. Why do we get grades? Elder Marvin J. Ashton has said, "We have a tendency to rate or grade others, and they do the same to us. If our perspective is proper, we use these ratings or gradings to motivate us to reach high levels of achievement and self-discipline. The whole concept of ratings enables us to set high goals and provides the challenge to us to achieve them. In spite of this inborn desire to achieve, there remains an area where the attainment of high or good ratings seems to be ignored. I speak of the growing numbers of movies, books, magazines, theatrical productions, and television programs where efforts to glorify immorality or violence have become predominant. “Rated R”...has replaced the idealism of being “Rated A.” (Ensign Nov. 1977)

Come up with different case scenarios having to do with good or bad books, movies, and music. Have children rate whether it's an A or an F. We need to be good judges of the different positions we're put into and grade wisely!!

An example of a case scenario could be: Helen is at school and is looking through the library. She notices 2 boys reading a book with a scary skull on the front. Is it a pirate book? She's asks. The boys tell her it's a book that is so scary it will give her nightmares at night.... it's not about pirates, it's just about tons of different scary things.

Another example: Perry is walking home with some friends. They are listening to some popular music from the radio on their headphones. One of the songs talks about girls in immodest swimwear. Perry feels uncomfortable, even though he's not listening to the music. What should he do?

Or: Belinda and Tim can't wait to read the magic tree house #38!! They have read #'s 1 through 37 and have learned so much. From Mummies to Dolphins, this next one promises to teach them something new!
* This is a great lesson that can be adapted from the Aaronic Priesthood manual.

* This idea is from the Old Testament: Gospel Doctrine Manual:

"Have a volunteer stand at the front of the class with his or her hands held forward. Tie a strand of thread loosely around both of the class member’s wrists. Explain that this one thread represents an unclean thought. Then have the class member break the thread by pulling his or her hands sharply outward.

• What should we do when an unclean thought enters our mind? (We should dismiss it immediately.)
Ask the class member to hold out his or her hands again. Wrap the class member’s wrists with a few strands of thread—enough to make it more difficult to break them. Then ask the class member to try to break the strands of thread. Repeat this process using enough strands of thread to make it impossible to break free.
• What happens when we allow unclean thoughts to stay in our minds?
Free the class member’s hands by cutting the thread with the scissors. Explain that part of this lesson deals with the consequences of dwelling on unclean thoughts. The lesson also discusses ways to free ourselves from unclean thoughts."

*3 Nephi 12:8 "And blessed are all the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Would it make sense to say if you had a clean mind, you'd have a pure heart? Perhaps even clean hands? Have a table full of eye glasses with songs, scriptures and questions having to do with the week's theme. If we keep ourselves busy with wholesome things and do what is right, we'll one day see God like the scripture says... Joseph Smith sure did!!

July 2011 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

2011-06-21T23:04:00.000-07:00

A picture I took from our recent vacation to the motherland aka California-

San Diego Temple

Monthly Theme: The Temple Is a House of God.

Monthly Scripture: “Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally” The Family: A Proclamation to the World, paragraph 3

Week 1 God has commanded His people to build temples.

* D&C 88: 119 "Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God."

Divide into groups. Give each group an outline of a house and a word from the above scripture, e.g. fasting, faith, learning, glory, order. Have them draw a picture of what that word means or for older primary, have them list scriptures that can explain the term. Have them discuss and be ready to share with the whole primary how each of these words have to do with temples.

* D&C 97:15 "And inasmuch as my people build a house unto me in the name of the Lord, and do not suffer any unclean thing to come into it, that it be not defiled, my glory shall rest upon it;"

Bring in a construction hat and tool belt. Heavenly Father has commanded us to build temples. How do we build them? There is an article from the Ensign, Worthy to Enter By Elder Daryl H. Garn, where he talks about what is expected of the workers who actually build temples.

Have about 6 signs numbered 1-6 throughout the room. On the back of the paper, have a part of the Houston Temple (Just like they will be putting together a puzzle) All quotes come from the above talk. Choose a child to wear the hat and tool belt and choose a number. Read to them the following and have them answer a question to see what's on the back, and then build the temple picture. Tell the children that what we will be learning comes from a general authority who went to Houston to see how that temple would be built. He asked a lot of questions to the construction supervisor and this is what he learned.

1- "Contractors are told that there is to be no graffiti on the walls of the temple. Often, workers at construction sites will write inappropriate things on the walls. Brother Rowley shared an incident he had experienced a few days previously. He had noticed some inappropriate words written on a wall of the temple and reminded the contractor of their agreement. The following day, he noticed that the words had been painted over. He went to the contractor again and told him that the offensive words were still on the wall of the temple and needed to be removed. The next morning, the paint and the words were sanded off the temple wall." Now ask your primary friend- Why is it important that there is no graffiti in the temple?

2- "Contractors are told that all the rooms in the temple will be finished and painted. That day in the temple, every room was painted white. Even the storage rooms and mechanical rooms were white. There were no dark places in the temple." Why do you think the color white is so important in the temple?
3- "How blessed we are to have temples! The holy temple is “the place of [the Lord’s] throne” on the earth (Ezekiel 43:7). President Gordon B. Hinckley has told Church members: “Until you have received the sacred [temple] ordinances of the gospel, you have not received all of the wonderful blessings which this Church has to offer. The great and crowning blessings of membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are those blessings which come to us in the house of the Lord." How is the temple the Lord's throne?
And thank you very much, you are lovable and capable. You can come up with 3 other quotes and questions from the article :) Si? Si!!

* On the chalk board have a picture of the temple and the week's theme written, "God has commanded His people to build temples."
Have 5 chairs up front. Invite 5 children to come up and play Reverent Chairs. Each chair will be numbered and they will walk around the chairs while the primary sings songs having to do with commandments (Look up commandments in the topics section in the back of the Children's Songbook, there are about 10) Once the music stops, they sit in a chair. Have another primary friend come up and draw from a hat a number and from another hat a question having to do with temples. The person sitting in that number chair gets to answer the question and if they need help, they can choose another number to help them. After each question, choose another 5 friends to come up.

* Um, yeah.... This is another GREAT one from the Friend by Judy Edwards. Click HERE.

Week 2 Families are blessed through sacred temple ordinances.

* Sing My Eternal Family as a primary. How does a person build their family? Could we build a family if we didn't have temple ordinances? Have a bag of dress up clothes and build a family in primary! Choose children one at a time to come up front and represent mom, dad, brother, sister, grandma, etc. To earn clothes for dad the primary will have to answer a couple questions or read a scripture about temples. Next, we move on to mom, to earn clothes we'll have to sing I Love to See the Temple.... You'll need to come up with other questions and scriptures for the rest of the family members. Have each family member stay in the front as you build them. Have a picture of the temple on the chalkboard and end your lesson by singing My Eternal Family one more time.

* I LOVE this sharing time from the Friend. Click HERE. I would definitely use the gum drop idea and just tweak it by having a primary friend come to the front and name 2 or 3 things about temples or how to have eternal families to earn a gumdrop temple to place on a map. Read Pat's introduction about the hymn- The Spirit of God and then end your lesson by having the children sing it.

* Play Mystery Families. You'll need to get about 10 different pictures of different primary friend's families at the temple. When you call the families on the phone, ask them to share with you a special experience they've had at the temple, or just some thoughts they have on the temple (for your clues for the sharing time). Have the pictures covered with something with a big question mark. Tell the children today we're going to learn about temples and how they bless families. We have some pictures of some mystery families and you're going to share some clues with the primary to see if they can guess who that family is!

* Sing Families Can Be Together Forever (CS 188) Have an 11X17 piece of paper for each of the children. Use an 8 1/2 X 11 for them to draw a picture of their family. Then have a smaller picture of a local temple in your area (you can actually have a photo made for about 8-10 cents each). Have the children glue their family picture and temple picture on the larger sheet of paper. Then have a small square of paper to put under the temple picture where they can write (or a teacher can write for them) something they know to be true about temples. It will be a masterpiece they can hang in their home to remind their families the importance of temples and blessings!!

* HERE is a nice handout/activity children can do at home to reiterate this week's lesson. Make sure to print out the article of course as well as the cut out figures.

Week 3 The pioneers worked hard and sacrificed to build temples.

* HERE is a wonderful sharing time from the Friend entitled Pioneers and Temples by Vicki F. Matsumori

* In regards to the Kirtland temple (like the Sharing Time Outline says)... "In addition to their great personal efforts, the Saints spent from forty to sixty thousand dollars on the temple. Because they were so willing to sacrifice in building the temple, the Lord poured out great blessings upon them. From 21 January to 1 May 1836 probably more Latter-day Saints beheld visions and witnessed other unusual spiritual manifestations than during any other era in the history of the Church. Members of the Church saw heavenly messengers in at least ten different meetings, and at five of these gatherings different individuals testified that they had beheld the Savior Himself. Many experienced visions, some prophesied, and others spoke in tongues." (pg. 164 Church History in the Fullness of Times Student Manuel)

On the black board have a path of 10 squares leading to the Kirtland Temple- it could be as simple as drawing them in chalk. Have a paper pioneer you can move to each square. Read THIS, yes... all of it, and especially carefully the part "Building the Lord's House". Come up with 10 things you'd like to share with the children on the early saints and the construction of the Kirtland Temple. Have a primary friend come to the front while you share something and then answer a simple question or 2 about what you've said to move the pioneer closer to the temple...for example (Quote taken from above link)
"But the Saints were so poor, an early member recalled, that "there was not a scraper and hardly a plow that could be obtained among the Saints". Nevertheless, "unity, harmony and charity abounded to strengthen" them to fulfill the commandment to build the temple." Why do you think they needed a plow? Has there ever been a time in your life where you worked peacefully with another person that you'd like to share?

* THIS is the most awesome pioneer story ever. You could easily turn it into a felt story or have a couple children come to the front to dress up and act it out while you tell the children. I would start off asking the children if they've ever heard of a name that is a little strange. Well, you have the best story about a wonderful pioneer child named GOBO FANGO!!! But just as a side note, the article is incorrect. Gobo was a slave. He was also denied the priesthood and while I wouldn't delve into this complex subject with the primary children, I think our testimonies can be strengthened by the extreme hardships faced by early Black pioneers and their faith that was equal to that of Job's.

Week 4 I can prepare to be worthy to go to the temple.

*I know I said a Reader's Theater would be coming soon... but that didn't happen. Instead I went dental. I don't know whether I've been spending too much time downtown for our local Reno's festivities in Art, however, the amount of meth mouth is staggering. Also, the sheer quantity of men that wear shorts shorter than I do is disturbing. Ahh... the different flavors of life. I digress.

We've had this game for ages and it's a favorite.

Introduction Activity (1 minute): What do we do before we go to the dentist? Meet Anastassatos Alligator. He has teeth, we have teeth. We need to take care of our teeth and prepare for the dentist! Just like the dentist, there are certain things we need to do to prepare for the temple!

Activity: Using the chalkboard, make a path/curvy line to Jesus with small marks. Have a primary friend (boy or girl) magnet you can move along the path. Using Anastassatos Alligator, count each # it takes before he chomps you. If you’re able to answer the question correctly, then you can move our primary friend closer to the picture of Jesus. Make sure to have lots of temple pictures displayed.

Questions:
*What are temples? (houses of the Lord)
*Why can’t everyone go in the temple?
*What is the most important purpose or reason we go to the temple?
(The principle purpose is to provide ordinances necessary for the children of God to enable them to return to dwell with Him)
* How have you felt when you’ve been to a temple?
* What does endowment mean?
(Gift-The endowment focuses on the Savior, His role in Heavenly Father's plan, and the personal commitment of each member to follow Him.)
* What are other temple ordinances?
* Please read Isaiah 2:2-3
* Why should you want to go to the temple?
* What is written over the doors of the temple?
(Holiness to the Lord)
* Why are temples dedicated?
* How would you explain to a friend about baptisms for the dead done in temples?
* Are the things we do in the temple secret or sacred?
* Why do you think people wear white in the temple?
* How do you feel about paying tithing and why is that important for temple worship?
*How often should we go to the temple?
*What are the best things you can do to prepare now to go to the temple?

Conclusion: Just like we have to brush our teeth and floss and be consistent and constant in maintaining our dental health, we need to be diligent in our spiritual health! We need to prepare now to go to the temple!! Bear testimony.

You'll notice I didn't focus a lot on the things we need to do to prepare, which is the lesson theme. I just felt like there are a lot of basics that children don't understand about the temple. They know what they need to do, but sometimes the temple can be a little mysterious. These questions provided a basic framework. Of course, you can use whatever questions you are inspired to ask!

I also had some extra toothpaste and toothbrushes that I handed out to some reverent superstars. If you have My Gospel Standards posters to pass out to the children, that would be wonderful too!

June 2011 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

2011-05-21T21:57:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy creative commons license flickr.com byjlk Nov. 2009

Monthly Theme: The First Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel Make It Possible for Me to Live with God Again.

Monthly Scripture: “We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Articles of Faith 1:4).

Week 1 Faith in Jesus Christ leads us to love Him, trust Him, and keep His commandments.

* Whip out your Faith in God books! In it, it says, "An important part of faith in God is keeping your baptismal covenant and staying spiritually strong. To help you develop faith and resist temptation, do the following things:

• Pray daily to Heavenly Father.
• Read the scriptures regularly.
• Keep the commandments and live “My Gospel Standards” (see back cover).
• Honor your parents and be kind to your family.
• Pay your tithing and attend tithing settlement.
• Attend sacrament meetings and Primary regularly. "
Play a game of charades, acting out these things that our Faith in God books encourage us to do to build our faith! Under the learning and living the gospel section of the book, it has an activity to complete, "Tell a story from the Book of Mormon that teaches about faith in Jesus Christ. Share your testimony of the Savior." Have the children divide into small groups or pairs and do so!

* Bring in a fruit by the foot. Can we just eat this? If someone says yes, try stuffing it in your mouth with the wrapper. Doesn't work. What do you have to do to eat it? Unwrap it, unroll it, break it into pieces or roll around your finger or wad it into a ball, then of course throw out the trash.... Faith isn't just something that happens and bam, sweetness and yumminess! You have to work on faith. You have to open up your heart to faith, just like we opened the wrapper.... and you have to unravel it and work on it. Along the way of faith you will find love, trust and a desire to keep the commandments. Try to somehow hang the fruit by the foot up on the board. At the end of it, have a picture of Christ. Have the children brainstorm different ways to strengthen their faith and write it on the board, getting closer and closer to Christ. Ask the children if they can think of any stories from the scriptures that have faithful people in it. Always close your lesson with your brief testimony of what you have taught.

* I know I'm going to have some whack job tell me this idea is nuts, but here's what I have to say- If you don't like it, don't use it. I pray over everything I write, but I am not a prophet nor claim to be one. I don't have inspiration about what exactly you should do to teach your group of spectacular children. :) With that said, get out the transformer toys!! This will catch the children's attention. What do transformers do? They change from big hairy robots into cars. It almost seems impossible that a robot as tall as a building could change into a small little Camero, but it does. We know transformers aren't real. It's just a movie. But what we'll talk about today is very real. It is something that helps to change a person too.... does anyone have any ideas?? What helps change us?? (Remember, be supportive of all ideas given, even if it's not what you are looking for. For example, someone might say Baptism... to which you can reply, "You are absolutely right! Baptism does change people, what are some other ideas?") In general conference last year, Elder Scott said, "When faith is properly understood and used, it has dramatically far-reaching effects. Such faith can transform an individual’s life..." Then have questions, scriptures (Look at such examples like Alma the younger and Paul), and songs about faith attached to about 10 different transformer toys. Let the children come up and choose one. End with this quote by Elder Hales, "The first step to finding faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is to let His word—spoken by the mouth of His servants, the prophets—touch your heart. But it is not enough merely to let those words wash over you, as if they alone could transform you. We must do our part. Or as the Savior Himself said, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”In other words, hearing requires an active effort. “Faith without works is dead.”

* Watch part of Finding Faith in Christ, HERE is a link to it. The whole video is 30 minutes. It's a really good one. I especially like the beginning, because Jesus just wakes up and calms the storm... He doesn't complain, or say give me 5 more minutes, He just up and does it.

* Here is a Bible Crossword Puzzle (from The Friend) of people of great faith.

* Here is a great sharing time from the Friend focusing on Alma 32:21.

Week 2 Repentance brings forgiveness.

* Pass out some hearts to the children and let them make a quick note to the Bishop. Have them bring up to a box. Tell the children you are going to wrap it now. Do a really bad job, put the bow on your head!! Is this gift wrap worthy to be given to the Bishop? He deserves better right? And so it is with us and Heavenly Father. We don't want our lives to be messy and full of sin, we want to be neat and clean when we present ourselves to him.... and the way to do this is by repentance!! Read 3 Nephi 27:19 "And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end." Have a child unwrap the messy paper. Have 6 pictures of people in the scriptures who were good examples of repentance and forgiveness... invite a child to come up and tell the story, then help wrap a part of the present. And of course, have a couple children deliver the present to the Bishop after church!

* Have a child come up to the front and hold a "Can Not Enter" sign. Tell the primary you are going to whisper a special word in their ear. Happiness, heaven, and progress is to the right side of them. They can't let anybody past them unless they come up with that special word. Invite a few children to come up and say a word. Each time the child holding the sign can say, Sorry, that's not the word.
"Every principle and ordinance of the gospel of Jesus Christ is significant and important in contributing to the progress, happiness, and eternal life of man; but there is none more essential to the salvation of the human family than the divine and eternally operative principle, repentance. Without it, no one can be saved. Without it, no one can even progress." (President David O. McKay, Man may know for Himself: Teachings of President David O. McKay, 43)

* Never underestimate children. You can ask them hard questions and often be edified by their wisdom.
Why do we need to repent? Why can't we just repent right before we die? Why can't we repent after we die and just make sure someone has our name to do temple work for us? What does it take, what do we need to do to repent?

A quote I've often used to show how important our bodies truly are is this, "It is my judgement that any man or woman can do more to conform to the laws of God in one year in this life than they could in ten years when they are dead. The spirit only can repent and change, and then the battle has to go forward with the flesh afterwards. It is much easier to overcome and serve the Lord when both flesh and spirit are combined as one. This is the time when men are more pliable and susceptible. When clay is pliable, it is much easier to change than when it gets hard and sets." (Elder Ballard, in Bryant Hinckley's Sermons and Missionary Services of Melvin Joseph Ballard, 241) Give the children some play dough and let them create something for a few minutes.Then invite some children forward to share their creation and say something they know about repentance.

* "God is good. He is eager to forgive. He wants us to perfect ourselves and maintain control of ourselves. He does not want Satan and others to control our lives." (Spencer W.Kimball, The Gospel of Repentance, Ensign, Oct. 1982, 2) Have a picture of a remote control car cut into a 8 pieces. On the pieces have 8 questions, songs and scriptures having to do with repentance. As the children take down pieces of the controlled car, have the words "I WILL REPENT!!!" written, so it will be slowly revealed.

* Here is a rollerbox story about repentance you can prepare and share from the Friend.

* Here is the story of Miriam and her process of repentance. You could easily have a few children act it out. I always like to use fruit leather as edible leper spots.

Week 3 When I am baptized, I make a covenant with God.

(These have been recycled from a previous post)

*What is a covenant? A binding agreement or promise between God and a person or group of people.

Play Wheel of Covenants! Bring in a spinner with different values and earn points as a primary! Phrases to be solved: (Take out 2-3 words or have them fill in the word or guess a letter….) Have pictures to accompany the phrases once solved!
Take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ
Stand as a witness for God
Keep the Commandments
The Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands
Enter into the Kingdom of God
Have children come up at the end and hold the pictures. Bear testimony if we do these things like take upon us the name of Jesus, keep the commandments and stand as a witness for God by being baptized then He will keep up His part of the covenant and bless us with the Holy Ghost and let us enter into His kingdom.

* Bring in a large blue shower curtain (Dollar store!) or large piece of blue butcher paper or old blue sheet. Have tape!!, glue sticks, coloring crayons and plenty of sheets of paper. Make a primary mural depicting the story of Alma and the Waters of Mormon! (Mosiah 18) Show GAK picture 309 and BRIEFLY tell the story of what happened there. Invite the children to share what they know about the story. Children can draw people being baptized, Alma, plants, flowers, clouds…. Invite older children to find out…. Things We Covenant: and Things Heavenly Father Covenants when We are Baptized: (Gospel Principles outlines these perfectly… have them write down and add to the mural!) And voila! You have a great visual to use for other lessons on baptism!!

*Here is a great resource with ideas from Cheryl Esplin! The kids could do the mazes together in partners for Senior Sharing time.

*Here is a flannel board baptism story from the friend magazine.

* Here is a wonderful roller box presentation on covenants with additional ideas from Ann Jamison from the friend magazine.

* Here is a super duper board game you can enlarge and play called “Keeping My Baptismal Covenants” by Jennifer Rose and Beth M. Whittaker.

Week 4 The Holy Ghost comforts and guides me.

* "The gift of the Holy Ghost operates equally with men, women, and even little children. It is within this wondrous gift and power that the spiritual remedy to any problem can be found. 'And now, he imparteth his word by angels unto men, yea, not only men but women also. Now this is not all; little children do have words given unto them many times, which confound the wise and the learned' (Alma 32:23)." Boyd K. Packer, "Prayer and Promptings," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 45

Have a first aid kit. Invite the children to come up and choose items from the kit that have questions, songs and scriptures about the Holy Ghost on them.

* Have the word “Holy Ghost” written in about 10 different languages on the board.
“In every language, the Spirit of God—the Holy Ghost—guides, or can guide, every member of the Church.” Boyd K. Packer, "The Cloven Tongues of Fire,” Ensign, May 2000, 7

Have a globe with small numbers attached. Invite a child to come up and spin the globe, using their finger to stop it. Have the numbers correspond to questions, songs and scriptures having to do with the Holy Ghost.

* Hold up a blankie. Does anyone have a special blankie that they love, that gives them happiness and comfort? After Jesus was crucified, the apostles were very sad. Do you think Heavenly Father dropped blankies from the sky to help them feel better? Read John 14:26, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

* Has anyone ever stayed at a hotel when they've gone on vacation? What was it like? There is a hotel called The Comfort Inn... do you think if you stayed there forever you would have comfort forever? Maybe, maybe not. There is only one real way to have comfort all the time, and that is by having the Holy Ghost with you. He is the true comforter!! Have a hotel drawn on the board with the words, The Holy Ghost Comforter Inn. Have different pieces of furniture the children can add to the hotel with questions, scriptures and songs about the Holy Ghost.

Book of Mormon Reader's Theater/ Mini-Musical

2011-05-01T20:53:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy creative commons license flickr.com by Travis S. 2008

The Book of Mormon is Another Testament of Jesus Christ

By Sofia Lykes

(Feel free to use and distribute in church or private family setting. Please just don't sell to a publishing company as your own work because it's like big hair bangs of the 80's... Just. Plain. Wrong.)

Characters
Narrator 1               Narrator 2
Teacher                   Student 1, 2, 3 ( A couple more to sit around, even though they don’t talk)
Joseph Smith           Moroni

Props
Book of Mormon
Simple Costumes
Picture of Christ
Chair for the Teacher with children sitting around him/her - remember, no backs to the audience though!

****

(With piano playing softly in the background Book of Mormon Stories CS 118)

Narrator 1: In 82 different languages, the Book of Mormon can be understood. In 82 different languages, the Book of Mormon testifies that Jesus is the Christ.

Narrator 2: Over 150 million Books of Mormon have been printed since Joseph Smith translated it. 150 million chances have been given to others as a testimony that Jesus is the Christ.

(Piano stops)

Teacher: Hello class! I’m so glad you all could make it to church! Today we will be learning about the Book of Mormon. Can someone please read from the Introduction of the Book of Mormon! Thanks!

Student 1: “The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture”

Student 2: “The book was written by many ancient prophets”

Student 3: “The crowning event recorded in the Book of Mormon is the personal ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ among the Nephites soon after his resurrection. It puts forth the doctrines of the gospel, outlines the plan of salvation, and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come.”

Teacher: Thank you students! Let's all sing about Jesus coming to the Nephites in the song This is My Beloved Son.

(Primary Sings Verse 2 of This is My Beloved Son CS 76)

Narrator 1: Ancient Prophets were faithful in writing down the words of the Lord.

Narrator 2: Joseph Smith was faithful in translating the words of the Lord.

Joseph Smith: “I told the brethren 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.”

Student 1: I am so grateful for all the work of Nephi, Jacob, Alma and many others who shared their life and knowledge with us.

Student 2: I know! Where would we be if we didn’t have the Book of Mormon?

Student 3: Joseph Smith was a true servant to Father in heaven. We are very blessed because he was a humble person willing to do whatever God asked him to do.

Teacher: Being obedient is a principle that is taught a lot in the Book of Mormon. Jesus Christ is the perfect example of doing everything Heavenly Father asks.

Student 1: I want to be obedient and do His will too! Teacher, can we please sing a song about following God’s plan because I sure do love to sing!!

Teacher: Of course!

(Primary Sings I Will Follow God’s Plan CS 164)

Narrator 1: There is so much to learn from the Book of Mormon. Family and teachers can tell us all about it!

Narrator 2: We need to read our scriptures every day! Others can tell us all about Christ, but we need to learn for ourselves who He is.

(Piano plays softly in the background while Moroni speaks Search Ponder and Pray CS 109)

Moroni: “ Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.”

(Piano stops)

Teacher: In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

** All quotes are taken directly from the Book of Mormon Introduction and Moroni 10:3-5. Also, the beginning # facts are from HERE, a newsroom release from LDS.org.

TIPS

Choose your readers carefully!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go over what a good reader does (before starting)- speaks clearly and loudly!! Especially because in this reader's theater the piano will be playing while you speak, and everyone needs to hear what you are saying!!!

Have the primary listen carefully because the teacher will be asking for help and singing!!

You can invite children from the audience to hold up props or pictures for the songs you sing in the reader's theater. Then they can sit back down.

Have fun!!

Resurrection Eggs

2011-04-23T22:47:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy creative commons image license flickr.com by kanspice 2000

You can buy these online for $14 or make them for $1 or less. There are lots of ideas out there, but this was the first one I googled and liked from teachkidsthebible.com. (I don't support or endorse this website, I know nothing about it, just citing where I got the info) This is a great activity for FHE or to give as simple gifts to a special child.

First, number your plastic eggs with permanent marker. Then fill with the items listed and hide. Let children find and go over the story of Jesus and His resurrection.

Egg Number 1

Message: Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The people waved palm branches.

Passage: Matthew 21:1-11.

Item: A small plastic leaf or a piece of a palm branch or a blade of grass.

Egg Number 2

Message: Mary poured expensive perfume on Jesus' feet.

Passage: John 12:2-8.

Item: Cotton ball with perfume on it.

Egg Number 3

Message: Jesus ate the Last Supper with His disciples.

Passage: Matthew 26:17-19.

Item: A small piece of cracker to represent the passover bread.

Egg Number 4

Message: Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.

Passage: Matthew 27:3.

Item: Three dimes

Egg Number 5

Message: Jesus carried His cross.

Passage: John 19:17.

Item: A toothpick that is cut and glued in the form of a cross. (Or twist a pipecleaner)

Egg Number 6

Message: Soldiers placed a crown of thorns on Jesus' head.

Passage: John 19:2.

Item: A small thorny branch or a single large thorn

Egg Number 7

Message: Soldiers parted Jesus' garments and cast lots for His coat.

Passage: John 19:23.

Item: Miniature dice

Egg Number 8

Message: Jesus was nailed to a cross and pierced in His side.

Passage: John 19:18,37 and John 20:25-29.

Item: A nail or push pin

Egg Number 9

Message: They gave Jesus vinegar mixed with gall on a sponge to drink.

Passage: Matthew 27:34.

Item: A q-tip or small sponge

Egg Number 10

Message: Spices to prepare Jesus for burial.

Passage: John 19:40.

Item: a few whole cloves or other whole spices. (I used a tea bag)

Egg Number 11

Message: The stone covering Jesus' tomb was rolled away.

Passage: John 20:1.

Item: A small rock.

Egg Number 12

Message: The tomb is empty. He has risen!

Passage: Luke 24:6.

Item: Nothing

May LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

2011-04-19T22:34:00.000-07:00

Image Courtesy Creative Commons License Flickr.com by themanfromutah June 2006

Monthly Theme: The Church of Jesus Christ Has Been Restored.
Monthly Scripture: “I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other— This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him! ” Joseph Smith—History 1:17

Week 1 The Church of Jesus Christ has been restored.

* What does the dictionary define restored as? Ask a child to come and help you demonstrate. Give them a book or a toy. Now have them give it back and return it to you. Key words: "Give back and Return". Now have the child hold a picture of the earth. Have a sign that says "TRUTH". Have the child with the earth picture hold the truth sign, then you take it away. (Apostasy!!) Return the truth or restore it back.

* Have a large basket of rocks. On the rocks attach questions, songs, and scriptures having to do with Joseph Smith, the 6th Article of Faith and the Restoration. Try to have the children come up and choose rocks that get bigger in size.

"The restored gospel is the kingdom of God on earth, the stone cut out of the mountain without hands that would become a great mountain and fill the whole earth, as seen by Daniel (Daniel 2:34-35, 44-45). It is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which was organized 6 April 1830 in preparation for the Second Coming of the Savior." (Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manuel pg. 61)

* Have a few guests come to sharing time dressed up as ancient apostles who prophesied and foretold of the Restoration of the gospel in the dispensation of the fulness of times. (Such examples could include Isaiah 29:14, Peter Acts 3, Micah 4:2, Daniel 2:44, Paul Ephesians 1:10)

* "God knows the end from the beginning and is the author of the grand design of human history. He directed the affairs of history so that America was appropriately fertile soil for the seed of the restored gospel to be planted and tended by His chosen seer, Joseph Smith." (Church History in the Fulness of Times Student Manuel pg. 12)

Go through the events that led up to the Restoration backwards!!! God knows everything whether its the beginning or the end. Have a piece of tape from the back of the room to the front. Have envelopes evenly spaced on the side of the tape. Choose a child to start from the back of the room and walk backwards to the front, but they stop at an envelope. Have them open the envelope which has different events that led up to the Restoration. Of course have pictures also to correspond with the envelopes.

A timeline could include the following: (Again taken from the Church History in the Fulness of Times Student Manuel pg.1)
34-100 Apostles lead New Testament Church
60-70 Peter and Paul Martyred
1300-1500 European Renaissance (Exploration/Sailing, Religious Art, Martin Luther translates Bible into German making it easier for more people to read)
1438 Gutenberg refined movable type
1492 Columbus made first voyage to Americas
1620 Pilgrims arrived in Plymouth
1775 American Revolutionary War (Freedom of Worship!)
1789 American Constitution established
1790-1830 2nd Great Awakening (A religious revival in America that was big on missionary work!)
April 6, 1830 The Church is Restored!!

* Here is a roller box idea from the Friend.

Week 2 Joseph Smith is the prophet of the Restoration.

* Joseph Smith and Restoration Jeopardy!!
Categories and ?'s :
He was a child too!!
100 When Joseph was small (7 years old) he had to have surgery on this part of his body. He wouldn't drink alcohol to ease the pain and held his father's hand while enduring the hurt. His leg
200 What month was Joseph Smith born? December (right before Christmas, the 23rd!)
300 How many brothers and sisters did Joseph have? 10
400 What was the name of Joseph's mother? Lucy
500 True or False: Joseph had to work hard as a child on the family farm. True!

The Early Church
100 Sing the 6th Article of Faith Song
200 After the church was organized on April 6, a miracle happened! The Prophet Joseph met a man named Newel who was possessed of a devil. Acting on Newel's faith as well as his own, Joseph cast out the devil in this name? Jesus Christ
300 At the first conference of the church, the sustained leaders by doing what we do today. What do we do? We raise our right hand to the square in support.
400 Emma Smith, Joseph's wife was called "An Elect Lady" of the Lord. She was commanded to do something special and put together this book. A hint: It's often green! The first hymn book.
500 True or False: When Brigham Young was introduced to the church he immediately joined. False!! He studied and pondered the church for 2 years before joining.

Truth Restored!100 Read 2 Nephi 3:24
200 True or False: The church started in 1830. False!! The church started with Adam and was restored many times, including the last dispensation with Joseph Smith.
300 Sing the Priesthood is Restored (CS pg. 89)
400 Name a witness of the Book of Mormon. Answers can include the 8 witnesses from the beginning of the Book of Mormon, to prophets to even children who have a testimony it's true.
500 True or False: All truth has been revealed!! False: Much truth has been revealed, but there is a lot more that is yet to come!

Final Jeopardy Question: What is something you've learned about Joseph Smith or the Restoration?

* A good talk to read and personally study in preparation for this week's sharing time is Joseph Smith- Prophet of the Restoration by Tad Callister.

* Who was the greatest prophet sent to earth?
"The scriptures record that throughout history, on occasions of exceptional importance, God the Father’s voice has been heard. On repeated occasions Jesus Christ has personally appeared to select individuals. Yet there is only one supernal, singular instance of which we have knowledge that God the Father Himself appeared in person. This was done with His precious Holy Son, Jesus Christ, to an audience of one. That one was young Joseph Smith Jr., an extraordinary spirit prepared before the foundation of the earth. He would become the greatest prophet sent to earth." Truth Restored, Richard G. Scott, October 2005 General Conference

* Divide into small groups. Give each group a story about Joseph Smith (a teacher can read it to them) and have them draw a picture to share with the primary along with a brief summary of the story.

* Here is an idea from the Friend with an early church for the children to make.

Week 3 The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ.

* Click HERE for a Reader's Theater.

Week 4 The Priesthood has been restored.

* Here is an awesome sharing time from the Friend. You could easily attach questions, scriptures and songs about the priesthood to the puzzle pictures and have the children come to the front to answer and put together.

* Here is an awesome diorama idea from the Friend. You'd need lots of shoe boxes!! But it would be fun and memorable for the children!

* Here is a crossword puzzle about the priesthood. (Scroll past the bug search and find)

* Here is a sharing time on how the priesthood blesses our lives with a flannel board story.
* In my humble opinion, a lot of children don't understand what the priesthood is. Let every child draw a short fact about the priesthood from a brown paper bag. Have the room set up with 2 lines of chairs facing each other. Have younger children sit on one side and older children on the other. Each child may tell his/her fact to his/her partner and talk about it for 30 seconds. Then the younger children get up and move one chair to the right while the older ones stay seated. Repeat! Have pictures to go along with some of the facts. For senior sharing time, see if they can come up with their own facts to share about the priesthood! A good reference is HERE, Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual Chapter 25.

* Play musical chairs reverently. Have them in a circle with #'s taped to the back. It's actually more like a cake walk where you draw numbers and whoever is sitting on that number gets to answer a question or read a scripture about the priesthood.... don't take away chairs! Have them sing songs about the priesthood as they walk around the circle.

* Good scripture to know in case you're ever in the Bible belt and some "friend" wants to tell you there is absolutely no biblical scriptural fact to support the concept of the Melchizedek priesthood. Psalms 110:4, "The Lord has sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek" Am I in any way suggesting you argue back and be cantankerous? Absolutely not. I'm not even saying to stress the words FOR EVER, hence why I didn't use bold or italics on those extremely obvious words. A simple "Boo-Yah" will do.

Praise to the Man Song Helps (Verses 1 &3)

2011-04-19T21:15:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy creative commons license flickr.com by origamidon June 2004

Hymns #27

Can we get any more difficult and harder words in a song? The following is a list from the song that are just plain big words. I'm not a pessimist in any way shape or form, but a little bit of reality does seep in now and again. Most 4 year olds are not going to remember the definitions to these words.

communed

seer

dispensation

extol

revere

ascended

traitors

tyrants

vain

mingling

conquer

So what's the solution?? Only the Big Man knows. Ask Him. Sometimes it's not necessarily the words, but the feeling you get when you sing. So ask the children what they feel when you all sing.

A couple thoughts:

*Get a giant beach ball. Invite a child to come to the front and every time there is a big word they hold up the ball. Children in the primary can also hold up a big pretend ball. Enunciate and stress and sing a little slower on the big words. Do you ever notice we mumble? Articulate and help the children with proper pronunciation.

* You can have the junior primary hum the tune while the older children sing.

* Challenge the children and offer a small reward to anyone who can recite or sing the words by memory. Perhaps the reward could be the choir director coming in and giving them a music note with the words, "Note-able Singing Leader" that can pin or stick to their clothes. If anyone forgets a word, look to the note-able leaders for help!

* The melody reminds me of a parade. Invite 3 children to hold up pictures of Joseph Smith and 3 children to hold streamers or something of sort and march around the room as everyone sings. Parades usually are to celebrate something and this song celebrates Joseph Smith!

* Sometimes hero's get a medal of honor. Make a giant medal on a piece of posterboard with Joseph Smith written on it. Invite children who are singing boldly to come up to the front and add a little decoration to the medal -whether it's coloring or stickers. Also, you can sing a phrase leaving out a word and whoever can sing that word gets to come up and decorate.

* There's something about the priesthood singing. Invite a young men's quorum (Perhaps the 14 year olds??) in to sing this song and introduce it to the children. Joseph Smith was 14 when he received the First Vision. Invite any of the young men to share their testimonies about Joseph Smith or singing.

Tracing Paper FHE

2011-04-17T19:33:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy Might Art Demos.

Topic: Jesus set the perfect example for me to follow.

Introduction Activity: Hold up the movie Peter Pan. What songs are in this movie? Sing Following the Leader, stress the words, "Wherever he may go..." It's a nice song, but it depends on the leader. A bad leader could take you somewhere not safe. Now sing the song, "Come Follow Me." Jesus is our perfect leader and will never lead us astray.

Activity: Take different black and white coloring images of the savior, just search the friend archives online. Next put a piece of tracing paper (You can get a pad with 30 sheets for $1.60 at Michael's with a 40% off coupon) over the image.

Talk about tracing and following the lines. You need to do it carefully, not scattered. Just like when we follow Christ, we need to be exact- read our scriptures daily, go to church often, pray always.... not randomly here and there. Would it be hard to trace with a black piece of construction paper? The gospel of Jesus Christ makes it easier and clearer for us to follow the Savior.

Take turns tracing the image as a family. Each person gets 10 seconds to trace and has to share a favorite story about the Savior or a way to follow Him.

Scripture: John 10:27 "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."

End with Jesus is our perfect leader. He's NEVER going to lead us astray. He set the perfect example for us to follow. He is our shepherd who loves us. Bear testimonies.

It's that Time Again!!

2011-04-10T21:18:00.001-07:00

Did you miss April 6th? Celebrating the day the church was organized? Don't feel bad, I missed it too! But tomorrow is close enough so I know what I'm doing for Family Home Evening!!

Click to see!!
http://sofiasprimaryideas.blogspot.com/2010/04/april-6th-restoration-party.html

Adapting Regular Teaching Ideas to Fit Gospel Teaching

2011-03-24T15:01:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy The Mailbox.Com teaching site

This is an activity where children learning the different value and combinations of coins place real coins on the different sections of the umbrella.

How could we adapt this to teach different gospel principles? Let's challenge your brain because in all honesty watching Shedding for the Wedding isn't. (I am really entertained that there is a Wiki page for that)

My thoughts:

* At the top of each umbrella have the titles of different books of scriptures. Have the children write in the different sections of the umbrella the books within that book. (E.G. BOOK OF MORMON - 1 Nephi, 2 Nephi, Jacob, Enos... do you know your song??) There is safety from the storm in reading our scriptures.

* We have general conference in the spring. At the top of each umbrella, have a picture of an apostle. Then have different facts about that apostle. Quiz each other and try to guess what apostle's umbrella you have.

* Scripture mastery as a family!! Make a giant umbrella on posterboard. At the top put what book you'll focus on. Then divide it into sections and list the different scripture mastery scripture references as well as a short summary of the scripture. Have children draw a picture next to it. (E.G. BOOK OF MORMON- Alma 37:35 Learn Wisdom in Thy Youth, then lil' Mo draws a picture of a child reading the Bible)

* Have a topic on each umbrella. Use the topical guide to find different references, then share. Or family members can just share a story from the scriptures that relates. Write down each family member's thoughts on the different sections of the umbrella. I would use umbrellas with words that relate to umbrellas, like safety, shelter, protect, wind, storm, sanctuary, rain, water...

A thought from Primary 4 Manuel:

"Show the children an umbrella (or pretend to have an umbrella) and a Book of Mormon. Ask how the two items might be similar. Help the children understand that an umbrella will not protect us from rain unless we open it and stand under it. Similarly, the Book of Mormon cannot increase our faith in Jesus Christ until we open it, prayerfully study it, and live its teachings."

A thought from General Conference 1999:

"The word righteousness is a most interesting and unique word. It is an umbrella word that spreads out and covers all the attributes of God. A person, then, who is righteous is Godly or Godlike." William R. Bradford
So then, under the umbrella write all the words that are attributes of God.

An umbrella is something to be creative with... it even says so in the friend HERE!!

Just take 2 minutes... see what you can think of. Our minds are meant to be used.

"But I'm not creative" you might say.

Get over it.

Try.

I am a tiger mother blogger who won't let you have any water or food until you come up with an idea.

Ok. I'm sorry. I will give you water.

And crackers.

I guess I'm not as tiger as I thought.

How can you use paper umbrellas to teach gospel principles?

There's no right or wrong answer!!

Feel free to share in comments.

April 2011 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

2011-03-20T21:31:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy creative commons license flickr.com by angelofsweetbitter2009 March 2009

Monthly Theme: Jesus Christ Is My Savior and Redeemer.
Monthly Scripture: “We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved,by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel” Articles of Faith 1:3

Week 1 Jesus Christ was chosen to be our Savior.

* Have a lock and at least 10 different keys, 1 of course being able to fit and open the lock. Have questions, songs and scriptures having to do with the premortal world corresponding to the keys. Invite a child to come up and choose a key and answer the question or read the scripture (if it's a song, sing it all together). Explain that the lock is our happiness... what is the key that will give us happiness?? Whip out of your pocket the key that fits the lock and point to a picture of the Savior, invite a child to open the lock.

"When the great War in Heaven was fought, Lucifer, the son of the morning, came forth with a plan that was rejected. The Father of us all, with love for us, His children, offered a better plan under which we would have freedom to choose the course of our lives. His Firstborn Son, our Elder Brother, was the KEY to that plan." (Gordon B. Hinckley, in Conference Report, Apr. 2002, 107)

* Which make better pets- cats or dogs? Write CATS vs. DOGS and list on the chalk board the different ideas children come up with. Is there really a right answer to which one makes a better pet? Not really. But there was an important choice in the premortal world that did have a right answer!!

"There were no neutrals in the war in heaven. All took sides wither with Christ or with Satan. Every man had his agency there..." (Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1:65-66)

Break into small groups and have the children draw or write down something they know about the premortal world. Then gather back together and invite them up to share their thoughts one at a time.

* Have little lambs hidden throughout the room. Have questions about the Savior and the premortal world on them. Have the following scripture written on the chalk board-

1 Peter 1:19-20 "But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you"

Invite children to find the lambs and answer the questions.

* Can anyone remember the first thing they ate as a baby besides milk? Can anyone remember the first night they came home from the hospital as a baby? Can anyone remember choosing Christ in the premortal world?

" Because we do not recall the first few years of early childhood does not mean that we didn't exist, that we didn't play, laugh, and interact with family and friends. So it is with our premortal estate!!" (Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual, pg. 13)

* Have 2 colors of straws-red and blue. Have about 12 children come up to choose a straw. (Let's see if I'm competent mathematically. I dropped out of Calculus and got a C in Stats.... so no guarantees) Have 4 straws blue. Have the children separate according to color. This is to demonstrate that 1/3 of the host of heaven chose to follow Satan and 2/3 chose to follow Christ in the premortal world. How sad for the 1/3 that didn't get bodies and exist unhappy and miserable!! And how sad for us too, because they were our brothers and sisters!!

Week 2 Jesus Christ is the perfect example for me.

(Recycled from a previous post)

* Have a thin piece of masking tape for a child to walk across without touching any other part of the floor and then have them squeeze in between two chairs to finish. 2 Nephi 31:9, 16 " And again, it showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them"

* FOR SENIOR PRIMARY! In the topical guide are 19 scripture references to Jesus Christ as our Exemplar. Hide the references and scriptures throughout the room and have the children work together to make matches!

* Have the children come up with different things they can do this week to be more like the Savior. Then have them go to Relief Society or Priesthood (or both) and sing I'm trying to be like Jesus (Children's Songbook p.78-79) and give their parents their papers.

* Bring in a mirror and a lipstick for a child to write with. Have them come up with words that have to do with how Jesus lived. (For example- love, kindness, charity, humble, helpful, nice, giving) Let them write a couple words on the mirror and then look at the reflection as you hold a picture of Christ behind them.

Alma 5:14 "And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?"

As we follow the example of our Savior, we will reflect His goodness.

* Bring in a lantern. 3 Nephi 18:16 "And as I have prayed among you even so shall ye pray in my church, among my people who do repent and are baptized in my name. Behold I am the light; I have set an example for you."

Who would really want to go into a dark forest without a lantern? Not me! I still sleep with a night light! Break into groups and give the children strips of yellow paper. Have them come up with different rays/ways that Jesus taught us how to live by example. (For example- Be forgiving. Jesus forgave those that crucified Him. or Be bold. Jesus cleansed the temple.)

*Bring in a sewing pattern and something you have created from the pattern. D&C 52:14 "I will give unto you a pattern in all things, that ye may not be deceived.” Create a pattern on the board with different colored paper. Children earn the paper by singing songs, reading scriptures and answering questions based on the week's theme.

Food for thought: "When I looked for a definition of pattern, I found it had a Latin origin derived from pater or father, one who served as a model or pattern to be emulated. Our Savior Jesus Christ set the pattern and asked us to follow him. Nephi asks, “Can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?” 2 Nephi 31:10" Janette C. Hales, “A Pattern of Righteousness,” Ensign, May 1991, 83

Week 3 Through the Atonement of Christ all mankind may be saved.

Recycled from a previous post)

* SING the 3rd Article of Faith song. Have the children use their arms to raise or lower as they sing the notes. Notice how the ending of the song they must raise their arms, just like the Atonement will raise and save us in the end after all we can do!* "No doctrine in the gospel is more important than the Atonement of Jesus Christ. If the gospel were compared to a wheel, the Atonement would be the hub and all other doctrines would be the spokes emanating from the hub." (Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual , pg. 22) Draw a picture of this on the chalk board to illustrate.

* Pass out a sheet of blank paper and some crayons. Invite the children to draw or write whatever they feel as you sing them a song. Sing Hymn #193 I Stand All Amazed. (Or have a special guest come in and sing) Invite children to finish and share their work while the piano player quietly plays the song. In between children coming up to the front and sharing, read scriptures having to do with the Atonement like 2 Nephi 9:21, Mosiah 3:7, Matthew 26:39, etc.* Have a few items on a table for a child to buy. Give them 5 tickets. All items for sale cost 100 tickets. Can they buy the items with 5? Lo siento cuate... sorry man, it's a no go! This is called falling short. And likewise we, by ourselves, will never do or have enough tickets to get into heaven.

"Each of us lives on a kind of spiritual credit. One day the account will be closed, a settlement demanded. However casually we may view it now, when that day comes and the foreclosure is imminent, we will look around in restless agony for someone, anyone, to help us. And by eternal law, mercy cannot be extended save there be one who is both willing and able to assume our debt and pay the price and arrange the terms for our redemption... But know this: Truth, glorious truth, proclaims there is such a Mediator. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and me, the man Christ Jesus. (1 Tim. 2:5)" (Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, May 1977, 55-56)

* Here is a lesson on the Atonement from the Primary 3: Choose the Right B manual.

* Here is a lesson on the Atonement from the Primary 7: New Testament manual.

* Flip through a magazine. Let children rip out a picture of a random person and stand in front holding the picture. Have them come up 2 at a time to do this. Can these strangers and random people be saved? HOW? Invite a child to recite the 3rd article of faith, emphasize ALL MANKIND.* 3 Nephi 27:19 "And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end."

Have a demonstration on how to get something clean... like having a white shirt and removing stains with a bleach pen. (Do it at home first to make sure it will work!!) Let the children use the pen to remove the stains as they answer questions, sing songs and read scriptures having to do with the atonement.

* Have the pianist play Hymn #339 My Country, 'Tis of Thee. What price was paid for our freedom here in this country? How many wars have we had? How much blood has been shed for us to live the way we do? Encourage children to look for special hats of Veterans and thank them for their service to our country. Invite some Young Men in to talk about the importance of showing respect for the flag.Even a greater blood was shed for our freedom. Display a picture of Christ in Gethsemane. Even greater reverence and respect should be shown for The Merciful One who has saved us.

Have an American flag. When we see our flag, we show reverence and think about what our great country means to us. Have popsicle sticks with white paper attached. Let the children create flags to help remember the Atonement of Christ. Have them share with their families and put in a spot where it will help them remember throughout the week of Jesus and His sacrifice to save us. As we sometimes stop and stand during the raising of the American flag... do so at home every time you walk by your flag and take the moment to thank Heavenly Father in silent prayer for our Redeemer. And for other countries, please tailor to your wonderful country's flag!

Week 4 Jesus Christ was resurrected and I will be too.

(Recycled from a previous post)

* Bring in a tank of helium and 10-12 balloons. Check with priesthood on this! We don't want to blow up any church buildings, so make sure to get pre-approval. Have a list of 10-12 total questions, songs and scriptures having to do with the Resurrection. Can a balloon rise without helium? So we can't rise without Jesus Christ!! As the children answer questions, sing or read scriptures, invite them to the front, blow up the balloon and let the child let go of it so all can see it rise.

Alma 11:41 "...For behold, the day cometh that all shall rise from the dead and stand before God, and be judged according to their works."

* Click HERE and scroll down to the week 3 ideas.

* Divide into groups and give each group 10 verses each in Luke chapter 24. Have a picture of the resurrected Christ on the black board, draw lines from it as the children share what this chapter teaches us about the resurrection, and briefly summarize their thought and write it down. Ideas might include:

"Jesus Christ is a resurrected being who is able to vanish and reappear, walk, reason, stand, speak, ask questions, respond, read the mind of others, command and instruct from the scriptures.... Jesus also has a tangible body of flesh and bones that can be seen and felt by others and that can eat the food of mortals." (Jay Parry & Donald Parry, Understanding Death and the Resurrection, pg.243)

So out of all these ideas what do you look forward to most as a resurrected being?

* Have a picture of a sign "Dead End". What does this mean? Have a plastic toy bulldozer. How is Jesus Christ like a bulldozer? To some it may seem like when we die, there is no where else to go. But we know that there is more beyond the grave and Jesus has cleared the way because of His atonement and resurrection! Have the bulldozer run over the dead end sign!

* A WONDERFUL short video to show "Sunday will Come", click HERE!!

* A wonderful idea from Cheryl Esplin, Jesus Christ Is My Savior,” Friend, Apr 2009, 10–12 "Beforehand and with approval of the bishop or branch president, invite a member who has experienced the death of a loved one to bear testimony of what the Resurrection means to him or her.

Put the following GAK pictures in a pile in the following order with 227 on top: GAK 227 (Jesus Praying in Gethsemane), GAK 228 (The Betrayal of Jesus), GAK 230 (The Crucifixion), GAK 231 (Burial of Jesus), GAK 233 (Mary and the Resurrected Lord), GAK 234 (Jesus Shows His Wounds), and GAK 316 (Jesus Teaching in the Western Hemisphere).

While the pianist plays “Beautiful Savior” (pp. 62–63), have the children pass around a small stone. Tell them it is symbolic of the stone rolled in front of the opening of Christ’s tomb. When the music stops, have the child holding the stone take the picture from the top of the pile and tell about it or choose someone to help. Continue for each picture, pausing after GAK 234 to sing the second verse of “On a Golden Springtime” (p. 88) and to read Luke 24:39 in unison.

Have the children feel their hands to help them understand that after Jesus was resurrected, the Apostles could feel His hands just as the children can feel their own hands. Continue with the rest of the pictures. Teach that because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, everyone who has ever lived on the earth will be resurrected. Have the invited guest bear testimony. Sing “Did Jesus Really Live Again?” (p. 64). At the end of the third verse, have the children stand when singing the words “Oh yes! And so shall I!”

President Monson Jeopardy- Fun FHE

2011-03-19T07:21:00.000-07:00

I recieved President Monson's Biography- To The Rescue, for Christmas and just started reading it. I'm not a big biography fan and often times find them really dry, but for some odd reason, I've been really enjoying this book. With that said, I've used that book to fill information for the Jeopardy game. (FYI- The biography is by Heidi S. Swinton)

Jeopardy Categories:
Childhood Dreams
Family & Friends
Work, Work, Work
“Whether by My mouth or the Mouth of My Servants, It is the same...”

Childhood Dreams
100 President Monson had 2 little pets, that he gave away to help a starving family. What type of animals were these pets? (bunnies)

200 Our prophet grew up in Salt Lake City, UT near something that made a lot of noise!! Often this loud thing brought homeless people to their neighborhood. President Monson’s family always helped those strangers by feeding them. What was the loud thing they lived by? (A railroad track)

300 When President Monson was a little boy his father and him would do something special for their Uncle who was crippled. His father would carry the uncle and President Monson would always give up his seat so his uncle could see better. He always said that His dad didn’t read him the story of the good Samaritan, he showed him. What did they do for their Uncle? (Go for rides in the family car)

400 He loved this instrument very much as a little boy. He joined a Marching Corps but didn’t know how to play the instrument so he’d just pretend!! One time a child in front of him said, “You’re blowing way out of key!” President Monson replied, “No I’m not!!! I’m not even blowing!!” He received the instrument for Christmas and still doesn’t know how to play. (Bugle)

Family and Friends
100 President Monson found a mangy dog wandering in a park. It belonged to a local sheep herder. The owner told Tommy that he wouldn’t want that dog, it was part coyote. Tommy did want the dog, but the owner wouldn't give him us. Tommy settled on another that his Uncle gave him. This dog had been left in the desert and was very sick. It had a cast on one leg, a splint on another and a broken tail. Tommy loved it and they were best friends from the moment they met. What did he name his dog? (Duke)

200 President Monson had an older sister he liked to play pranks on! One day his teenage sister Marge and a couple of her friends were lying out in the warm sun by a river. He and a friend hid some live frogs in mud balls and dropped them on the stomachs of the sleeping girls. There were some teenage boys also with the girls, when the girls started screaming, what did the boys do? (They picked up the girls and tossed them in the river calling, “Swim or sink!”)

300 President Monson had 2 friends who often worked together at church. One friend, Barry, had a lovely voice, the other, Jack, was hearing impaired and spoke unclear. On one Sunday, the 2 deacons needed to do this... but the white card wasn’t anywhere to be found. Barry was very embarrassed, because he usually received many compliments on the way he spoke and did this at church. Jack quickly grabbed Barry and spoke the words in his ear. Even though he wasn't as clear or his voice wasn't as "beautiful", Jack had this memorized. It was a good lesson in humility and what's most important. What were these 2 friends doing at church? (Blessing the sacrament)

400 When President Monson was ready to ask his beautiful girlfriend, Frances, to marry him... he first brought the ring home to show his family. On that night, before they went to go out, he brought Frances home for a quick minute. While there, his 4 year old brother, Scott, shouted really happy, “Tommy has a ring for you Frances!!!” Did President Monson forgive his brother for ruining the surprise? (Yes)

Work, Work, and More Work
100 “It is not the number of hours you put in, but what you put in the hours that counts.” President Monson has said. He worked very hard in college. A college education was something that was important to him. Where did he go to college and what was his favorite subject? (University of Utah and History)

200 WWII was a very scary war, and President Monson, being a healthy young man like so many others enlisted in the military. He was with his father and 44 other young men. The time had come for him to choose where in the military he wanted to serve. He was very unsure, then a thought entered his mind almost as clear as a vision... he was to ask the military recruiters what they chose. The both chose the Naval Reserve. Tommy said, “If that was good enough for you, it’s good enough for me.” Because of the choice he ended up not having to fight in battles of WWII. How long did he serve in the Naval Reserves? (1 year)

300 President Monson worked for a newspaper called the Deseret News. He was in charge of advertisements. The paper was not doing very well and he was asked to make the paper more successful. What did he do? (He did his best!! In fact he did so well many national newspapers wanted to know how to do what he did word for word!)

400 President Monson was called as a Bishop at a very young age. He had a wife and children. He often gave up one of his hobbies to work! Whether it was work, his calling, or being a husband and father... President Monson worked!! What did he often give up that he loved to work and serve others? (Fishing)

“Whether by My mouth or the Mouth of My Servants, It is the same...”
These are all quotes from President Monson
100 "_________ are everywhere to be found when priesthood callings are magnified. When faith replaces doubt, when selfless service eliminates selfish striving, the power of God brings to pass His purposes. Whom God calls, God qualifies." (Miracles)

200 "Let us open wide the windows of our hearts, that each family member may feel welcome and 'at home.' Let us open also the doors of our very souls, that the dear ________ may enter. Remember His promise: 'Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him' (Revelation 3:20)." (Christ)

300 “Be influenced by that still, small voice. Remember that one with authority placed his hands on your head at the time of your confirmation and said, 'Receive the ________.' Open your hearts, even your very souls, to the sound of that special voice that testifies of truth." (Holy Ghost)

400 "Life's journey is not traveled on a freeway devoid of obstacles, pitfalls, and snares. Rather, it is a pathway marked by forks and turnings. Decisions are constantly before us. To make them wisely, _________ is needed: the ________ to say, 'No,' the ________to say, 'Yes,' Decisions do determine destiny. The call for _____ comes constantly to each of us. It has ever been so, and so shall it ever be."
(Courage)

Final Jeopardy Question: We are led by a living prophet today. What is something you learned about our living prophet President Thomas S. Monson?

Sunday Sharing Time Ideas for Teaching Children About Differently Abled People

2011-03-03T21:57:00.000-08:00

Talking Silently Image courtesy creative commons license flickr.com by Vandan Desai

"Is it not possible to look beyond the canes, the wheelchairs, the braces, and the crutches into the hearts of the people who have need of these aids? They are human beings and want only to be treated as ordinary people. They may appear different, move awkwardly, and speak haltingly, but they have the same feelings. They laugh, they cry, they know discouragement and hope. They do not want to be shunned. They want to be loved for what they are inside, without any prejudice for their impairment. Can there not be more tolerance for differences—differences in capacity, differences in body and in mind?
Those who are close to the handicapped can frequently feel the nobility of the spirits who are confined in differently shaped bodies or who have crippled minds." -James E. Faust, "The Works of God", Ensign, Nov. 1984, 54

When I was 11 years I got to hold a baby for the first time in my life. My parents struggled with fertility and I was an only child. I was at a friend's home and with 6 children it was quite different from my home. At one point I ended up in a rocker holding a precious little baby. I can clearly remember how beautiful I thought she was. I held her and she went to sleep amid so much noise and chaos. I traced her face with my finger and was just so very grateful to be holding such an amazing blessing from God. That sweet angel had Down Syndrome. She died a few years later. Her and my son actually share the same death date (not the same year). God's timing is so interesting.

From that moment in my life, I've had a deep and profound respect for God's special children. They are perfect. They can learn. They are here to teach us. So let's love.

I feel very strongly about teaching my children the value of God's special children. In fact, so much that they both went through an "Integrated Learning Preschool" with our district. It was a program designed to have "typical" children help differently abled children adjust to a school setting. At 4 years old, my daughter was hugging a little girl in a wheelchair that couldn't talk, everyday. To learn about compassion, one must actually do it. Look for situations in which you can help enrich your children's lives by having them interact with differently abled children. It is a blessing, plain and simple.
I think THIS resource is excellent from the church website, dispelling some common myths about working with people "differently-abled".

What are some ideas on how to teach primary children more compassion, love and understanding when it comes to another who is severely handicap? (Specifically in Sharing Time)

* First off, parents need to teach their children the profound respect and love that should be shown to differently abled children. If there is a severely disabled child in primary that "scares" the other children with loud abrupt noises, invite parents in to sit with their children and reassure them that there is nothing to be scared of and that we are all God's children. We must show love! Parents can have FHE's with children and encourage card making, cookie baking for those friends they might be "scared" of. Often people just don't know what to do. You can spotlight a differently abled child in a primary newsletter- perhaps they really like being read too. You can invite others to read to the child anytime! Do they love flowers? Mention it and encourage people to stop in and bring flowers anytime... dandelions are flowers as far as I'm concerned, especially when a 3 year old picks them, it doesn't have to be a boquet from Costco. Of course, the parents of the differently abled child know best. See what they think and ask them ways the children can serve their friend!!

* Sing I'll Walk With You (CS #140). Have children hold up a variety of pictures of children who are differently abled while you sing. Invite the children to share one way they can show love for someone who is like the one pictured. (If it's a blind person, they could talk to them and describe what Disneyland looks like. If it's a deaf person, they can learn something in sign language!! If it's a person in a wheel chair, they can sit and talk with them. Brainstorm as many ideas as you can together!!)

* Involve the severely disabled child, show the other children they are of worth and can help with lessons. Even if it's just taping a picture to their wheelchair, you can thank them for their help and smile at them!!! Let the children see your love for that child and they will follow. Watch for timing, if you ask a question and the severely disabled child makes a noise, roll with it! Thanks Aidan!! You must be trying to say Nephi and you're exactly right!!! We're so lucky to have Aidan share his thoughts with us! Of course you can't do this every time, but once in a while it might fit.

* Jude 1:32 "And of some have compassion, making a difference"
Bring in a toy car that's bent. Bring in a toy tow truck. Both are ways to get from one place to another, yet they each work differently. We are like the tow trucks and can help others whose bodies don't work like ours. Have a little road on the ground and come up with 7 different scriptures, questions and songs based on compassion and charity. Invite the children to move the car forward a little each time they answer a question, read a scripture, etc. At the end of the road have a picture of the Savior. Both cars worked together to make a difference, just like the Savior.

* Have about 7 paper hearts that graduate in size. Love is a wonderful thing. We can show a little bit of love or a huge amount of love in life. The greatest and grandest love we can have is that of charity.
Turn to the Bible Dictionary which says, "Charity. The highest, noblest, strongest kind of love, not merely affection; the pure love of Christ. It is never used to denote alms or deeds of benevolence, although it may be a prompting motive "

Have hearts hidden throughout the room, invite the children to find them. Have questions, songs and scriptures having to do with compassion on them. Have them order the hearts in size. At the end, perhaps you can tape the heart on a severely disabled child's wheel chair. Bear testimony that you know loving all of God's children and praying for them and helping them will make us happy. It will make our Heavenly Father happy. (Of course, speak to the differently abled child's parents first. Perhaps they don't want extra attention drawn to their child. WORK WITH PARENTS and do what is best for the child.)

* Have 7 small mystery boxes. Today we'll be talking about something very special. Something that Christ taught we should have in our lives. Invite the children to see what's under the boxes. Use 1 Corinthians 13 to fill up the boxes. For example one could have a large mountain- The Apostle Paul said "and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not.... (this??), I am nothing." Have the children guess, but don't answer right away. Another box could include a small horn. Sometimes when adults drive they get angry and honk their horn a lot. (This??)" is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil". In the end, have 7 children come up front holding the boxes, write C-H-A-R-I-T-Y (one letter per box). We've seen a couple different ways that Paul has described charity, now have the children draw pictures or write thoughts and share a couple if there is time.
1 Corinthians 13:13 "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."

If anyone has any other ideas, please please please feel free to share. This post is in response to an email I received. I hope it can be of some help.

And the winner is.........

2011-02-28T20:31:00.000-08:00

In all honesty, I'm not really sure what a widget is. I do enjoy the rhyming possibilities of the word... fidget. Digit. Bridgette. Whatnot.

Supposedly, I could add a widget to the blog to show the random number generator results. But I don't know how to add it to a post. There. I admitted it. I'm slow.

But some things are better slow in life. A moped ride. A scoop of Rocky Road ice cream. A day on the beach. A dance to Unchained Melody.

However, traffic is not. Living in the Bay Area (Bless you motherland California) was heaven on earth... but the traffic and high prices drove us out. Now we enjoy blue skies, sagebrush and an abundance of people who find it acceptable to wear sweats in public.... which I'm almost there... almost.... almost... So is that a moot point? Not too law savvy. Also, rewinding the kiss scene in Bend it Like Beckham and playing it

slow-mo was not that great. The roomies and I in college tried it and it just lost it's magic.

I'm just trying to stall.... keep the suspense going...

...

Are you suspended? I used the dot dot dot...

...

Ok. I'll just announce it. It's not like it's a trip to Hawaii or anything. Then again, it is always fun to win something.

One time when we lived in DC during the hub's internship I was having a rough day. 1st pregnancy, 21 pounds lost because we didn't have a car, I had to walk everywhere and couldn't keep food down. We'd go to the movies and have to evacuate because of bomb scares.... I kid you not, that happened 5 times. There was lots of concrete. Mind you, there were a lot of great things, but one rough day after I'd experienced Lucky Charms twice for one meal I was out and about and happened to stumble upon some sort of fair. I don't remember the details, I do know that I won a free dunkin' doughnuts shirt with a cup of coffee on it. Anytime I need a pick me up, I wear that shirt. I think it's one of the only things I've won in life.

Not that I hope you're having a rough day, but I hope these books can be your Dunkin Doughnuts shirt......

#42 Cherrybaby said... One of my favorite kids books is "If you were my Bunny." It is a bedtime book involving new words to well known lullaby's. I also really like "My Friend Rabbit." I would love to win Squids to Squids. It sounds fun and I've never read it.

I'll email you STAT!!! Thanks everyone for your comments and participation!!! Hope you have a wonderful week!!!

Do you want a free book?

2011-02-23T15:24:00.000-08:00

These are 2 of my very favorite books. Favorite doesn't even describe how much I love these books.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein is just all about what it means to be like Christ. I don't even think it's possible for me to read it without getting teary eyed. This book is a fine addition to any family home evening talking about Charity.

Squids will be Squids by Jon Scieszka is off the wall and just my speed. I refer often to this book when teaching my own children or if asked to do anything in Relief Society. Case in point, there was an "Organize and Revitalize" type activity and out of desperation I was asked to speak on how I organize my house. Because I will tell you flat out, our play room is clean maybe 10 times a year. (I mean really, what's a play room that isn't used?) After I laughed a good 20 minutes, I whipped out this book to the story of Duck-Billed Platypus vs. Beefsnackstik. They argue who has better the better stuff (Duc- Billed is a mammal that can lay eggs, Beefsnackstik has soy ethorobate and food coloring #42, Duck-Billed has webbed feet and fur....yada yada) and finally Beefsnackstik yells out, "OH yeah! Well I have beef lips!!" The moral of the story continues on: Just because you have a lot of stuff, don't think you're so special. Hence, I tried to make the point, clean out your garages and be at peace. I also made a big push for people to relax, if the house doesn't get clean, oh well. Whip out some Bob Marley and do it later, just make sure it gets done later. But the question is, why am I not getting to the point?

Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.... I'm having a giveaway and all you have to do is leave a comment with your name, contact info. and favorite book!

These are not brand new books, but they are in excellent condition. (They are hardback) I don't buy books new, I always buy used. It's not that I'm cheap, but I am.

Monday Night, I'll pick two random winners!!! Happy Books!! Woot Woot!

March 2011 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas: Heavenly Father Speaks To Us Through His Prophets

2011-02-17T16:00:00.000-08:00

Image courtesy creative commons license flickr.com by visual.dichotomy May 2009

March Monthly Theme : Heavenly Father Speaks to Us through His Prophets.
March Monthly Scripture: “What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, . . . whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same” D&C 1:38

Weeks 1 and 2 Prophets Speak for Heavenly Father.

* Have a list of cleaning chores around the home. Dusting, washing dishes, vacuuming, laundry, etc. Can mom do these all by herself? Sure! Would it be better if she had helpers? Heavenly Father could clean the world all by Himself, but He has prophets as His special helpers.

Have a bucket full of cleaning supplies. Invite children to come up and choose items. On the cleaning items have questions, scriptures and songs having to do with Prophets speak for Heavenly Father.
D&C 88:74 "...Yea, purify your hearts, and cleanse your hands and your feet before me, that I may make you clean"

* Exodus 4:12 "Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say."
Make a simple board game of Moses and His life. Have about 25 squares starting in Egypt and leading to the promise land. Make 5 of those squares red (if landed on you sing a song about prophets) To move forward the primary has to answer questions and read scriptures on how Moses spoke for Heavenly Father.
Such questions could include:
1. How did the Lord first appear to Moses? (Burning Bush)
2. Who raised Moses? (Pharaoh's Daughter)
3. Why did the children of Israel need to leave Egypt? (They were slaves)
4. What did plagues did Moses curse Egypt because Pharaoh hardened his heart against the Lord?
( frogs, famine, blood in water, locusts, death to firstborn sons, fire hail, etc.)
4. Moses was "slow of speech", who did Heavenly Father send to help him speak to the people? (Aaron)
6. What did Israel do while Moses was getting the 10 commandments? (made a golden calf)
7. How did God punish the Israelites because they would not listen to His voice? (wandered in the wilderness 40 years)
8. What do prophets often do to hear the word of the Lord- hint: It's something we can do too!! (Pray and read scriptures)
9. Did Moses enter into the promised land? (No)
10. Read Moses 33:11. What do we learn about Jesus? (Jesus has a face and a body and speaks to us like friends!)

* Mystery Prophets: Have the children divide into small groups. Let them draw the name of a prophet from a hat. They have to draw a picture of the prophet and come up with hints for the primary to guess what prophet they had.
No matter who the prophet, they all speak for Heavenly Father!

* Luke 1:70 "As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:"
Have a giant timeline. Have small cutouts of different prophets. Let children come to the front and put them in the right spot on the timeline. Have children say a couple things they know about that prophet.

* Have a guest come in, dressed as an ancient prophet. The guest will give a short 3-5 minute presentation as Enoch. Have the guest specifically mention:
“When Enoch had heard these words, he bowed himself to the earth, before the Lord, and spake before the Lord, saying: Why is it that I have found favor in thy sight, and am but a lad, and all the people hate me; for I am slow of speech; wherefore am I thy servant?” (see Moses 6:26–31).

“And the Lord said unto Enoch: Go forth and do as I have commanded thee. … Open thy mouth, and it shall be filled, and I will give thee utterance. … Behold my Spirit is upon you, wherefore all thy words will I justify; … and thou shalt abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me” (Moses 6:32, 34).
Have the children then draw a picture of what they think the City of Enoch looks like!

* For Senior Primary: Have the children find something a prophet has said. Have them make up a code and write the saying in code. Have them switch with another primary child and give them a couple minutes to try to figure out what the prophet said.
1 Corinthians 2:7 "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:"
How are the words of the prophets in "code" to the world?

Week 3 We are led by a living Prophet today.

* Write a letter to President Monson!!

* Watch a short clip from conference or a youtube message from President Monson.

* This is a great talk to send home with children to read with their families. (M. Russell Ballard, "Special Witness: Our Living Prophet", Friend, May 2003, 7)

* Have 4 different learning stations in the room. Assign 1 teacher per station. Have 4 different stories from the life of President Monson. At each station there should be some sort of visual. Have a simple little booklet the children can put together and add a coloring page at each station. They can then take it home and teach their families all about our living prophet today!!

* HERE are some wonderful ideas from Sister Vicki F. Matsumori!! Excellent!! Excellent!! Excellent!! I really love the mobile.

Week 4 There is safety in following the prophet.

(Note: These are recycled from a previous post)

* Prophet Safety Jeopardy

Personal opinion: I never (yes…never) had competitions in Primary. I never did teams or boys vs. girls. I always had the primary work as a family of friends, getting as many points as we could all together. The world has too many divisions. I’m for being unified and working together. But to each his own, just food for thought. I’ll step off the soapbox and encourage you to alter the following any way you like. DON’T BE LAZY. DON’T CUT AND PASTE this unless you are going to study the questions, prepare, ponder and pray if this is what the Lord wants for your primary this week.

Categories and questions:

Warning!!! Danger up ahead!!!
100 This prophet warned the people and they didn’t listen. He and his family were kept safe in an arc while the earth was completely flooded.
200 Read Mosiah 17:9-10 Abinadi warned this evil King, but was stilled burned by fire. He sealed his testimony with his own blood.
300 How does following the word of wisdom, revelation given to Joseph Smith, keep us from danger?
400 Jacob warned the Nephites of “… every kind of sin, telling them the awful consequences of them.” (Jacob 3:12) Name 3 sins and the results that can happen from making those bad choices.

Hear my Words, Learn of Christ
100 Sing Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus (CS p.36)
200 Show GAK The Prophet Isaiah Foretells Christ’s Birth. Who is this prophet?
300 Spencer W. Kimball said this quote. Fill in the blank “ The ……… prophets, from Adam to Malachi are testifying of the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. Jesus Christ was the God of the ………, and it was He who conversed with Abraham and Moses.” (Ensign, May 1977, p.76) (Answer: Old Testament)
400 What does the prophet Nephi teach you about Christ? (Encourage Senior Primary to find actual scriptures!)

Stay on the Path
100 This prophet saw a strait and narrow path leading to the tree of life. Who is the prophet or prophets and what can you do to stay on the path?
200 Sing We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet (Hymns p.19)
300 Read Mosiah 2:36-37 What can we do to have the Holy Ghost with us to guide us in wisdom’s paths?
400 DOUBLE JEOPARDY! DOUBLE POINTS!!! Name your favorite prophet and something that prophet has taught you to keep you safe.

Buckle Up with Modern Day Apostles
100 President Eyring has said, “Now, here is my counsel to children. The Lord gave you a commandment with a promise: “Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” It is the only one of the Ten Commandments with a promise.”(Ensign Nov. 2009 p.72) How can you show honor to your parents or adults in your life?
200 Show a picture of the first presidency. Name these 3 men.
300 Where do we read the words of modern day apostles?
400 Sing last verse of Follow the Prophet. (CS p. 111)

Final Jeopardy Category: Safety in Following the Prophets
Final Jeopardy Question: What is something you learned today and/or can bear testimony of?

* Bring in an umbrella stroller with a seat belt. Have a demonstration where a stuffed animal is placed inside without the safety belt and pushed. Try again with the safety belt on. Prophets keep us safe by securing us in the knowledge that Christ lives and strapping us in the strength of His revelations.

* Have a large paper drawing of a child. Hang it up and add things to make it safe like a helmet, knee pads, band aids, a coat, sunscreen, sunglasses… etc. On each of the safety items have questions, songs and scriptures having to do with prophets.

Stand for the Right (CS pg. 159) Primary Song Helps and Ideas

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Standing Figures Image courtesy creative commons license flickr.com by ChrisM70

My favorite songs in the Children's Songbook happen to be the short ones. I just love that they are easy to remember and the message is solid!!

* Put a picture of President Monson on the chalkboard with a speech bubble. What are 2 words that the prophet might say to us?? Let the children brainstorm. How about Be True!!

* Have a stuffed animal bee or puppet. Invite a child to the front, when the bee is high the children sing bold, when the bee is low the children sing soft. Give paper Bees with the word true on it to each of the children to take home. They can hold it high and low and teach their family the song like we did in Primary.

* Have about 30 little toys. Have them all laying down on a table. Invite a child to the front to see if they can stand up all the toys before the Primary finishes the song.

* Have a leg dice. On each side of the dice is a leg with a different way to stand throughout the song. For example:
1. Stand on left leg 2. Stand on right leg 3. Stand with foot on left knee 4. Sit on ground and very slowly stand up by the end of song 5. Stand on tippy toes 6. Stand with legs apart, one hand on hip, other hand in air

* Check with your bishop and see if you can record the primary singing this song to send to a missionary serving from your ward. Grab a sheet of paper and have the primary write them a letter about what it means to be true and how proud they are of their missionary willing to stand for what's right!! (Yes, I'm a child of the 80's and still use cassette tapes. Don't laugh. Ok. You can laugh. If anyone has another idea that's more up to date, feel free to share)

* The time signature is 3/4 which means there are 3 beats per measure. For the Senior Primary make a copy of the song and invite them to circle each part that comes on the 3rd beat. Before the first measure is an upbeat which can be considered a 3rd beat because it's the ending beat of the very last measure. Tricky, eh? Don't ask me, we'll have to take it up with Bach in the next world.

*** PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE be sensitive if there are any children in your primary who can't stand. Who are in a wheelchair. Speak with parents on how you can effectively teach this song to their child.
HERE is a youtube Mormon Message about a differently abled man who cannot stand physically, but proves you don't always need physical legs to stand tall. Being a witness of Christ and doing the best you personally can is Standing for the Right ***

Using The Friend to Teach the Value of Diversity

2011-02-16T10:49:00.000-08:00

(One of our favorite books on Diversity!)

I got asked a great question.... how do I teach my really young children the value of other cultures?

First, it helps if you yourself have a love and respect for other cultures. But obviously, if you want to teach your children this, you probably do. Oxymoron, right? But in all honesty, what have you done lately to appreciate what other people of the world have to offer? Do you try different foods?? (Rice bowls at Jack in the Box DO NOT COUNT) Do you listen to world music? Do you try learning different phrases in other languages? Have you read books about different countries?

Second, teach your children how to compliment others. I am often shocked that children can't come up with something nice to say on their feet. When I student taught in 5th grade, we'd always take the last 10 minutes of the day to share something we learned and a compliment for a fellow classmate. It built unity. It made children feel happy. It built friendships. It made children smile. It ended our day on a happy note. I also do this often in Primary. However, most children aren't being taught to look at each other. They are being taught to look at the TV or play a video game. So we need to take the time in our homes to teach our children to be observant and watchful. (Mormon 1:2 Talks about Amaron noticing that Mormon was a child "quick to observe") It's in the scriptures!! It's our duty. And on that note, it's not just our children.... it's us too. When is the last time you waved at a person in the car next to you at a stop light? When is the last time you told the grocery store clerk you liked their haircut? Complimenting and kindness make the world go round. By the way, have I ever told you how awesome YOU ALL ARE for even coming to my ramblings and being patient enough to read through. I love you and I don't even know you!!! You are a great listener!! Thanks!!!

Now for a FHE idea.
Have a world map. Cut out a bunch of pictures from the "Friends in the News" section of the Friend. See what you have in common with these Primary Children. Take the time to make a couple compliments for each child. It doesn't always have to be physical! Sometimes they have statements on their information like, Sarah loves cats. A compliment could include "I'm grateful and love that Sarah is kind to God's animals." Put their picture on the map. (If you don't have a friend to cut out pictures, online they have an interactive site "One in a Million" that has video clips of a few children from around the world. It's excellent!!)

Questions for the FHE:Does everyone in the world live in one spot?
Did God create every person the same?
Where would you like to go in the world and why?
If you could meet one of the Primary Children from the Friend, who would you want to meet and why?
How are we different and how are we the same as other people all over the world?

Scriptures to include:1 John 4:7 "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God."

Doctrine and Covenants 38:16 "And for your salvation I give unto you a commandment, for I have heard your prayers, and the poor have complained before me, and the rich have I made, and all flesh is mine, and I am no respecter of persons."

Matthew 5:45 "That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."

Songs to include:
As I Have Loved You (Hymns #308 & CS #136)
Children All Over the World (CS #16)
We are Different (CS #263)

FHE: Black History Month

2011-02-09T20:38:00.000-08:00

I love African American Heritage. It is a culture rich with perseverance, solid Christianity and hope.

I married a black man. He has dreadlocks. When we were first married, he had corn rows. His hair has changed more than I'd financially like to talk about.

My best friend has a rich chocolate skin color. She is Sri Lankan. In high school we were Ebony and Ivory. She's not a member but if my husband and I die we have a pack that she'll get baptized and raise my kids. There, it's in writing. Is it legal now?

My best friend from college is African American and has lighter skin than me. Her initials spell HAM and every night I'd sing Oh Holy Night to her as obnoxiously possible.

Some of the people I love most in life deal with things you and I could never possibly imagine. Has our country come a long way, you bet! However, the need for compassion and understanding is great.

Especially within the church.

Just the other week a member from a former stake presidency was making fun of my husband, and in essence really calling him a liar when he brought up a time he was unfairly pulled over. Am I bitter, no! Just irked because this happens more often than it should. He had 3 black kids in back, driving back through rural NV from Scout Camp!! The church member said, "I'm pulled over just as much as you are. Don't whine." It's simply not true. And my husband isn't a whiner. Racial profiling exists and it's wrong. My husband was called the N word by bishops on his mission in Texas. He was beat up in the church parking lot as a child by kids screaming "Get up Jamima." The list goes on and on, but my point is MORE COMPASSION!!! Why can't we just listen to each other and support each other? Why can't we say, Wow- you've been through a lot and I admire your strength and courage?

Now, praise the LORD!!! The scriptures have been revised online to take out some of the rather confusing nature of "curses" and "skins of blackness". God loves all His children. To see more click HERE.

In honor of Black History Month, here is a lesson from blacksinthescriptures.com that one could do with their family for FHE. Please pardon all my babbling. I just know how important it is to teach our families the importance of God loving all His children.

Purpose

1.To help class members understand that God is truly no respecter of person

2.To help class members understand and become prepared to teach truths regarding skin color

3.To help class members become more dependent upon continual in depth study of all scripture and reliant upon the spirit of the Lord to receive truth and help others

Note: This outline is designed to be a brief but significant introduction to the subject matter. For more thorough scriptural coverage, play segment 2 of the Blacks in the Scriptures DVD series.

Object Lesson 1

Ask for a volunteer (Caucasian) wearing a white shirt. Ask class members what color is the shirt. Ask them to now imagine a color scale with white on one end. Now ask what is on the other end. (Black) What color is in the middle of that scale? (Gray) Now ask the class what color is the volunteer’s face. They can’t say white, because there’s a stark difference between their face and the white shirt they’re wearing.

Now ask, if you were to gradually darken volunteer’s face, what color would it become? (Brown) Yes. We are all just different shades of brown. There are no actual black or white people. Those are terms of separation created by man and used to justify elevating ones self and to degrade his brother.

Now show the unity wristband and the different shades of brown and deliver its message. There are no black or white people. We are all simply various shades of brown. We are truly all one and are commanded to be of one heart, of one mind and to be one.

Alternative Object Lesson

Pass around several unity wristbands and ask class members to find the shade closest to their skin color and then pass it on to those sitting near them. Once they’ve all had a chance, explain to them that all of the colors in the wristband are in the “brown” color scale. This demonstrates that there are no black or white people, that we are all various shades of brown.

Scripture Discussion and Application

SKIN COLOR

•1 Samuel 16:7

Discuss how the Lord is teaching Samuel not to look on the outward appearance to judge one’s worthiness. And that the Lord does not see as man does, as He only looks upon the heart, but man judges by outward appearances. Ask - if the Lord is teaching the prophet Samuel not to look upon the outward appearances to judge worthiness, would it be in keeping with His own law if the Lord were to change someone’s skin color (Suggest Cain, Ham or Lamanites) encouraging man to focus on the outward appearance to judge one’s worthiness? Encourage each in attendance to think about this single gospel principal for themselves in relation to perceived skin color references in all of the standard works.

•Alma 55:4-8

Discuss how Moroni had to search among his people for a descendant of Laman because none of them stood out because of their skin color. This is much like not needing to conduct a search for African Americans in a Salt Lake City ward. There are so few and stand out so much so that searching would not be necessary. Discuss how Laman and the small number of Moroni’s men had to identify themselves as Lamanites because the Lamanites could not look at them and tell whether they were Nephites or Lamanites. Also, even in their presence, the scripture says “and they received them with joy” they could not tell that they were being deceived by Nephites posing as Lamanites.

•Jeremiah 8:21 & Jeremiah 14:2

Read, discuss and follow each footnote for the world “black” demonstrating that they refer to the spiritual state and not the literal color of skin (LDS edition of the standard King James Bible). Help class members to recognize that the footnoting of Hebrew Idiom reminds us that the Bible text is a translation from an ancient time and foreign language. That it was not given after the manner of our language, and that many times there is no direct translation from the original language. So it is critical to increase scripture study and prayer in order to come to clearer understanding. (See and read D&C 1:24)

•2 Nephi 5:21

Read and ask what is meant by “skin” in this passage? Depending on their answers, remind them of the law taught by the Lord to the prophet Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:7. Read the following quote by Bruce R. McConkie given to CES instructors in August 1978, just two months after the revelation extending priesthood to all worthy males:

“Forget everything that I have said, or what President Brigham Young or President George Q. Cannon or whoever has said in days past that is contrary to the present revelation. We spoke with a limited understanding and without the light and knowledge that now has come into the world. We get our truth and light line upon line and precept upon precept (2 Ne. 28:30; Isa. 28:9-10; D&C 98:11-12; 128:21). We have now had added a flood of intelligence and light on this particular subject, and it erases all the darkness, all the views and all the thoughts of the past.

Explain that with the additional light and knowledge, we received a new edition of the LDS scriptures 3 years later in 1981, which helped to clarify all that was misunderstood, and if they’d follow each new footnote added, that they will find that there are no loose ends, that all have been accounted for.

Follow new footnote “d” on the word “skin” to 2 Nephi 30:6. As you or a volunteer read this passage aloud, encourage the class to ask themselves individually, “what does the Lord want me to understand about “skin” that He inspired a new footnote to be put on the word and directed me to this passage?

•2 Nephi 30:6

Read and point out that before the 1981 edition, the word “pure” was actually “white”. Then point out the new footnote on the word “scales” and follow it to the bottom of the page where it states clearly that “TG darkness spiritual, TG spiritual blindness”, indicating that the “skin” being spoken of is spiritual and not a literal, physical skin color, which is consistent with everything we’ve covered thus far.

•Jacob 3:8

Read and ask – What is taking place when we are brought before the throne of God? (Judgment) After receiving verbal response, ask if the Lord is going to judge us on our physical appearance? After receiving resounding “no’s”, explain that the skins being spoken of in this passage cannot be literal then, and must be spiritual. Read passage again. Explain that this is consistent with all that we’ve read thus far.

•3 Nephi 2:15

Read and ask class members what does “skin” mean in this passage? Ask them to follow the new footnote on the word “white”, where they will find 2 Nephi 5:21, 2 Nephi 30:6 and Jacob 3:8. Explain again that there are no loose ends. All that made us believe that the Lamanites actually had a darker physical skin than the Nephites, now all have new footnoting or word changes to help us to understand that the passages are actually referring to spiritual darkness or spiritual blindness.

Special note for instructors

It’s important to be spiritually sensitive to your audience when teaching this issue. There will most likely be at least a few who struggle as they attempt to reconcile this new light in the scriptures with all that has been taught on these issues prior. You’ll want to manage your time to leave at least 10-15 minutes for this segment of the class which is design to help adjust the unrealistic expectation for church leaders to be perfect. We have found that the following help to ease their anxiety:

The Lord knew that errors would be made and that leaders would even sin. And if its ok with the Lord, who are we to judge? Christ was the only perfect one to walk the earth and all others must use the blessings of the atonement to overcome our human frailties.

D&C 1:24-28 – "Behold, I am God and have spoken it; these commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants in their weakness, after the manner of their language, that they might come to understanding. And inasmuch as they erred it might be made known; And inasmuch as they sought wisdom they might be instructed; And inasmuch as they sinned they might be chastened, that they might repent; And inasmuch as they were humble they might be made strong, and blessed from on high, and receive knowledge from time to time."

One of the difficult struggles Joseph Smith had came from Saints who were so married to their traditions, that they could not fully embrace the marriage to the Lamb of God.

“I have tried for a number of years to get the minds of the Saints prepared to receive the things of God; but we frequently see some of them, after suffering all they have for the work of God, will fly to pieces like glass as soon as anything comes that is contrary to their traditions: they cannot stand the fire at all. How many will be able to abide a celestial law, and go through and receive their exaltation, I am unable to say, as many are called, but few are chosen [see D&C 121:40].” Joseph Smith

Brigham Young had great concern about the members falling into blind obedience or failing to seek their own spiritual confirmation regarding the pronouncements of church leaders:

“What a pity it would be, if we were led by one man to utter destruction! Are you afraid of this? I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by him. I am fearful they settle down in a state of blind self-security, trusting their eternal destiny in the hands of their leaders with a reckless confidence that in itself would thwart the purposes of God in their salvation, and weaken the influence they could give to their leaders, did they know for themselves, by the revelations of Jesus, that they are led in the right way. Let every man and woman know, themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates, or not. This has been my exhortation continually.”Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 9, p. 150

Conclusion

Encourage each class member to study and pray about each of the passages of scripture covered today in order to receive what God would have them know and understand. Remind them of our sacred covenants to help edify those around us and to help share the joy of the gospel with others, and that as they seek the Lord to know these truths, He will fill their lamps with oil that they might light that pathway to the gospel for others. Let them know that there is a wealth of information on the Blacks in the Scriptures website that they can simply read to aid in their study.

Share your testimony of your own personal journey to understand these truths and the witness of the spirit that came to you.

February 2011 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

2011-02-01T12:42:00.000-08:00

(Gospel Art Book)

Monthly Theme: The Scriptures Teach of Heavenly Father's Plan.

Monthly Scripture: "For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal llife of man” Moses 1:39

Week 1 Heavenly Father has a plan for me.

* HERE is an Ensign Article on how the Apostles suggest we teach our children about the plan of salvation. Definitely suggest you read it and pray over what they suggest to do!

* Divide into groups and use play dough to form different parts of the plan of salvation, then have everyone share.

* Have the children make their own "life map". It's great to set goals and visualize our future. They can illustrate what they would like to do in 10-20 years! Will they get married in the temple? Where will they serve a mission? What would they like to have as a job? Will life turn out exactly like we plan?
2 Samuel 22:31 "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried...."

Recycled ideas from a previous post:
* Have a small box of Lincoln logs. Invite a child to come up and build a house. Ask them questions like, why don’t you put the green roof sticks on the bottom? Why do you put long logs on the bottom and shorter ones on the side? How will you make room for windows? How long will it take you to finish? Thank the child and ask if anyone has ever built a real home or knows what goes into building a real home? Show a picture of a real house. Do they just stop by home depot with $100 and window shop for things that look good or do you think they make a list of supplies they need? When you build a real home do you need a plan? What is a plan? What is Heavenly Father’s plan for me?At the end of the lesson, come back to the idea that you are grateful Heavenly Father took the time to carefully think out each piece of our lives (hold up Lincoln logs). He didn’t throw us together and hope for the best, but He perfectly designed (hold up a picture of the real home) a plan that would bring us happiness.

* Invite a child to come up that can read. Have 6 strips of paper of things they need to do. For example brush teeth, do homework, help neighbor mow lawn, play a board game with my sister, put away dishes/finish chores, spend time with Fish the family dog. Ask them how they would plan their day and to put the paper in the order they would feel is best for the day. Why wouldn’t they help their neighbor mow the lawn at the end of the day when it’s dark? Why would they do homework before playing? Is it good to have a plan for your day, why? What about having a plan for life? What might that include? Hold up a diagram of the plan of salvation and ask, who’s plan do you think this could be?

At the end of the lesson, come back to the idea that we can make plans to help our day go smoother. Heavenly Father has created the ultimate plan that gives happiness to each day and we should follow it with all our hearts.

*Bring in a 3-D book and pair of 3-D glasses. Ask a child to come up and look at the book and tell them what they see. Now put on the glasses. Is that pretty cool?
President Eyring has said:
“You can think of the plan of salvation as a set of eyes (hold up the 3-D glasses) that allow you to see what the natural eye does not see” (Mission Presidents’ Seminar, June 2000, 2). Is it pretty exciting to know where we have come from, where we are going and what our purpose here on earth is? The plan of salvation helps us see life as the happy and wonderful thing it is!

On the same note, with a little variation: Bring in a pair of glasses. Have a child come up and put them on for 5 seconds. Can they see? Is it blurry? Is it clear?“Some of us at one time or another let the pressures of life or the false teachings of men cloud our vision, but when we see with clarity, the difference between the plan of God and that of Satan is unmistakable” (Richard G. Scott, Ensign, Nov. 1981, 11)

Week 2 Jesus Christ created the earth for me.

* If possible, go outside with the children and have them write down or draw all the things they see. Let them share with each other what they wrote/drew once you return inside. How do they feel knowing that Jesus created the earth for them?

* Invite 4 different return missionaries or members of the ward who have lived in different places to come to primary. Have them bring items from that place and let the children ask them any questions. The earth is huge, full of lots of different places and people. Have the children share about any places they've been with a partner and where on earth they'd like to visit someday.
Psalms 115:16 "The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men."

* Have a bag of blocks. If you shake the bag of blocks will it turn into a tower? Many people believe that the earth just kind of shook a lot and was created. We know that doesn't make sense and isn't possible. Jesus created the earth for us because He loves us! Make a rollerbox of the creation. Click HERE to see how to make a roller box.

* Do a simple acting out of Moses 1. Remember, children shouldn't play Deity, but they can hold a picture while you quote what exactly the Lord says. Most children probably do not know this story!! While it can be a little scary thinking about Satan, we need to especially remember that God protected Moses - as verse 26 says, "And lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days". You can make large circle worlds for children to hold, because we know the earth isn't the only place Jesus created. Have a simple costume for Moses. Quote as much as possible from the scriptures as you tell the story!

Week 3 Families are central to Heavenly Father's plan.

* “We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.” From The Proclamation
Have a "safe" "kid-friendly "dart board.Invite the children up to answer questions and read scriptures on the family. Then they can take a turn throwing a "safe" dart and see how close to the center they get on the dart board.

* Take a piece of chalk and some string and attach one end to a small stick and the other end to the chalk. (Like you're making a make-shift compass) Use the stick to make a strong center and pull the string tight and go around on the black board to make a nice even circle. Invite a child to come up and draw the same size circle but without the firm and steady center. What's the difference? What is the difference in life when we have strong families as opposed to nothing?

*President Henry B. Eyring, “The family unit is fundamental … to our hope for eternal life. We begin to practice in the family, the smaller unit, what will spread to the Church and to the society in which we live in this world, which will then be what we practice in families bound together forever by covenants and by faithfulness. We can start now to ‘promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family.’ I pray that we will. I pray that you will ask, ‘Father, how can I prepare?’ Tell him how much you want what he desires to give you. You will receive impressions, and if you act on them, I promise you the help of the powers of heaven” (“The Family,” Liahona, Oct. 1998, 23; Ensign, Feb. 1998, 18).

Have a tub of water and let a child drop in something. Watch the ripples. What we do in our families spreads, just like a ripple to the world as President Eyring talks about.

* Ask the children what the center core of the church is? To demonstrate, you can hold up an apple and ask if the church was an apple, what would be it's core?
"The center core of the Church is not the stake [center]; it is not the chapel. … The most sacred place on earth may not be the temple, necessarily. The chapel, the stake [center], and the temple are sacred as they contribute to the building of the most sacred institution in the Church—the home—and to the blessing of the most sacred relationships in the Church, the family” ( Elder Boyd K. Packer "That All May Be Edified” [1982], 234–35). (I HEART Boyd!!)

* Have the primary children do a simple dramatization of Adam and Eve and the first family. Have GAK 119 showing and you can even read the back if you need help coming up with the specifics of the story.

* HERE is an old Reader's Theatre on Nephi and His family.

Week 4 I will follow God's plan.

Here are a few recycled ideas from a previous post:
* Have a small box of Lincoln logs. Invite a child to come up and build a house. Ask them questions like, why don’t you put the green roof sticks on the bottom? Why do you put long logs on the bottom and shorter ones on the side? How will you make room for windows? How long will it take you to finish? Thank the child and ask if anyone has ever built a real home or knows what goes into building a real home? Show a picture of a real house. Do they just stop by home depot with $100 and window shop for things that look good or do you think they make a list of supplies they need? When you build a real home do you need a plan? What is a plan? What is Heavenly Father’s plan for me?At the end of the lesson, come back to the idea that you are grateful Heavenly Father took the time to carefully think out each piece of our lives (hold up Lincoln logs). He didn’t throw us together and hope for the best, but He perfectly designed (hold up a picture of the real home) a plan that would bring us happiness.

* Invite a child to come up that can read. Have 6 strips of paper of things they need to do. For example brush teeth, do homework, help neighbor mow lawn, play a board game with my sister, put away dishes/finish chores, spend time with Fish the family dog. Ask them how they would plan their day and to put the paper in the order they would feel is best for the day. Why wouldn’t they help their neighbor mow the lawn at the end of the day when it’s dark? Why would they do homework before playing? Is it good to have a plan for your day, why? What about having a plan for life? What might that include? Hold up a diagram of the plan of salvation and ask, who’s plan do you think this could be?

At the end of the lesson, come back to the idea that we can make plans to help our day go smoother. Heavenly Father has created the ultimate plan that gives happiness to each day and we should follow it with all our hearts.

*Bring in a 3-D book and pair of 3-D glasses. Ask a child to come up and look at the book and tell them what they see. Now put on the glasses. Is that pretty cool?

President Eyring has said: “You can think of the plan of salvation as a set of eyes (hold up the 3-D glasses) that allow you to see what the natural eye does not see” (Mission Presidents’ Seminar, June 2000, 2). Is it pretty exciting to know where we have come from, where we are going and what our purpose here on earth is? The plan of salvation helps us see life as the happy and wonderful thing it is!

On the same note, with a little variation: Bring in a pair of glasses. Have a child come up and put them on for 5 seconds. Can they see? Is it blurry? Is it clear?“Some of us at one time or another let the pressures of life or the false teachings of men cloud our vision, but when we see with clarity, the difference between the plan of God and that of Satan is unmistakable” (Richard G. Scott, Ensign, Nov. 1981, 11)

A couple new ideas:
* Write on the board the following words, Maybe, We'll see, I don't know, I guess, Uh- I'm really not sure if I want to. These are all words that are weak. Have the children come up to the board, erase a weak word and replace it with a strong word or phrase. Yes! I will! Of course!!
When it comes to following God's plan should we use weak words or strong words?

* Have a map to find something special in the primary room... was the map important?

"Not all will follow the map [Heavenly Father has given us]. They may look at it. They may think it is reasonable, perhaps even true. But they do not follow the divine directions. Many believe that any road will take them to a 'happily ever after.' Some may even become angry when others who know the way try to help and tell them. They suppose that such advice is outdated, irrelevant, out of touch with modern life. Sisters, they suppose wrong." Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Your Happily Ever After," Ensign, May 2010, 127

I Will Follow God's Plan For Me LDS Primary Song Helps

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(From Margaret Lifferth, "Sharing Time: The Plan of Happiness", Friend, Jan. 2005, 14)

* To review this song, have the different sections of the plan of salvation cut out. Click HERE for the sections pictured above. Invite a child to come to the front and arrange in the right order- and see if they can do so before the end of the song. For older children, make this more complicated by having them arrange on a table only using their chin or elbow.

* This song almost has a march sound to it. Invite a child who has been singing extra boldly to hold a picture of the plan of salvation. Have that child choose 3 primary friends who have also been singing super. They will "follow"(the 3 friends) "God's plan" (the child holding the plan of salvation), marching around the room during the chorus.

* Have pictures of the children to hold up of themselves on the words, "I" "My" and "Me". This song isn't about telling others what to do, it's about what I WILL DO!! You can also review by having everyone sitting and then holding up their picture- when you do so up front, they need to stand up by their seat and march reverently in place and start singing, so basically it will start off soft with one or two children, then add up to the whole primary singing boldly. If it isn't feasible to have pictures of the children they can sure point to themselves on those words!! Or draw an I in the air (line down and dot it!) on that word!!

* Have different objects to represent lines of the song hidden throughout the room. You have to sing that line over and over again until the object is found!! Rotate different children to find the objects while singing... but if that child who is looking stops singing, then another person gets to come up!!
For example:
My life is a gift, my life has a plan, my life has a purpose in heaven it began
- a small wrapped gift
My choice was to come to this lovely home on earth, and seek for God's light to direct me from birth
- flashlight with picture of Christ taped to it
I will follow God's plan for me, holding fast to His word and His love
- scriptures
I will work, I will pray, I will always walk in His way
- pair of shoes
Then I will be happy on earth, and in my home above
- small globe

If I Listen with My Heart LDS Primary Song Helps

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Image courtesy creative commons license flickr.com by Lel4nd Jan. 2010

* Have ear muffs with hearts on the ear part. (You can make these easily with a regular pair and paper and tape) Invite children who are singing nicely to come to front, wear the ear muffs and lead the next verse of the song. Yes, children can lead songs!!

* Have heart stickers and put them on the inside of the children's palms. When you sing the chorus have them put their sticker by their ear like they are listening.

* Invite one child to the front to be blindfolded. We're going to focus on listening! Silently choose 5-10 volunteers to stand and sing a verse of the song. Then have them sit and see if the primary friend blindfolded could name a person who had sang the verse. Sometimes listening is tricky, sometimes easy- when it comes to Heavenly Father though, we should always listen with our heart!

* What does it mean to listen with our heart? Have a very silly picture of a heart with giant ears and legs on it. As the children learn the words to the song, take off the silly parts and turn the heart over to reveal a picture of Jesus with a smiling child. When we listen with our hearts, we are feeling the spirit. Feelings of happiness and warmth!

* Sometimes all people can do is listen with their heart. Some people don't have the ability to hear with their ears and are deaf. Think about possibly learning a verse of the song in sign language and singing in sign language for someone who can't hear.

January 2011 LDS Primary Sharing Helps and Ideas

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GAK 617

Monthly Theme: The Scriptures Are the Word of God

Monthly Scripture: "Feast upon the words of Christ, for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do." 2 Nephi 32:3

Week 1 The scriptures are the word of God.

* Mystery Scriptures! Have a large box with a question mark you can hide a book of scripture under. Have clues for which book is under the box. Invite children up to read a clue or hold a picture clues. Read all the clues before they can guess!!

For Example: (Hide a bible under the box) Clue #1 This book of scripture is the word of God.

Clue #2 This book of scripture takes place many years ago.

Clue #3 This book of scripture is divided into 2 parts, NEW and OLD.

Clue # 3 The first 3 books in this book of scripture is Genesis, Exodus and Leviticus.

Clue #4 Jesus is often referred to as Jehovah in this book of scripture.

Have children come up and hide a book and make up their own clues too!

* Have 5 different stations in the room. One for the Bible, Book of Mormon, D&C, Pearl of Great Price, and Ensign. Have a piece of posterboard at each station as well as pictures and an adult to guide the conversation (and of course the actual book of scripture). Divide into small groups. Have the children brainstorm as much as they know about each book of scripture and write on the poster board at each station!! Rotate quickly, about 3 minutes at each station.

Why do we include the Ensign? When holy men of God write or speak by the power of the Holy Ghost, their words “shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation” D&C 68:4

* Have the children say the 8th article of faith. Have 1/2 of the room stand on the word "Bible" and the other half on "Book of Mormon". If they have their scriptures they can hold them up in the air too! Repeat a couple times, have boys stand on "Bible" and girls on "Book of Mormon". Have children with brown hair stand on "Bible" and children with all other color hair stand on "Book of Mormon" etc.

* Hold up a sword and the scriptures. How are they different? Which one is more powerful and why?

Alma 31:5 "And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God."

Sing Scripture Power!!!

Week 2 We are to feast upon the words of Christ.

* This is one of my favorite FHE's that can easily be adapted to sharing time. Click HERE for it. It's especially rememberable when you start off by asking what feasting on the word is... do we actually rip out pages and eat them from the Bible? When we read the scriptures it feeds our soul!!

* Have the children decorate their own scripture reading chart.

* FEED FRED. Have a box with a picture of a boys face. Have the mouth with an opening into the box, so a child can put their hand in it to feed him. Have tons of pictures of different fruits, veggies, meat, etc. On the back have questions, songs and scriptures having to do with "feasting on the words of God". Let the children come up and pick the food, do what it says then feed it to Fred!! We're helping his body grow by giving it food and we're also helping his spirit grow as we talk about the Word of God.
For example, some things on the pictures of food could include:
How often should we study our scriptures?
Who can we study our scriptures with?
What is your favorite story from the scriptures that has nourished your soul?
How do you feel after you read your scriptures?
Please read 2 Nephi 9:51
Please read Jacob 3:2
(You can also use the topical guide to look up FILL)

* Just as we nourish our bodies, we must nourish our spirits!!! Invite the children up to build a sandwhich for the Bishop. Have REAL bread, turkey, tomatoes, lettuce, etc. For them to come up and help make the sandwhich they have to answer questions about different scripture stories and from what book of scripture they come from. The more we read our scriptures the more we feast for our spirits!!

Week 3 The words of Christ will tell us all things we should do.

* HERE is scripture study Sam. He's great. He uses the scriptures in case scenarios to decide what to do! You could have children come up and act out a scenario, then the primary looks up the scripture and everyone helps to decide what to do! (From Karen Ashton, "Sharing Time: The Words of Christ", Friend, Mar. 1996, 46)

* Matt. 7:24 "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it."

Have a list of 10-15 scriptures that tell us something we need to do. Give the children a paper with an outline of a house. Let them choose a scripture, then draw a picture to illustrate what that scripture says we should do. Challenge older children to find their own scripture not on the list that says what we should do.

Send the children home with small rocks and a note that says, "The words of Christ will tell us all we should do. And when we do, we're like the wise man who built his home upon the rock!"

* Play charades!! Find simple scriptures the children can act out and have others guess, then read that scripture!

* Bring in cookies where you didn't do as the instructions said. Ask for a volunteer to taste. If we don't do as the words of a recipe says it turns out babester. Yes, you heard me right. I'm a child of the 90's, babester! Hence, the words of Christ tell us all things we should do and if we don't we'll end up like an unfabulous cookie!!!

* Psalms 119:105 "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."
Have a path through the room. Turn off a few lights, don't make it too dark!! (And of course if little children are scared, just leave the lights on and have everyone pretend it's dark) Invite children to come and walk along the path with a lantern. In order to walk a few steps on the path, they must answer questions, sing songs and read scriptures having to do with the words of Christ. See if as a Primary you can all work together to get to the end of the path!

We live in a world that is dark and full of sin, but the scriptures are a light and will lead us to the Savior!!

Week 4 I can know the scriptures are true.

* Invite a few members from the different auxillaries to briefly share HOW they know the scriptures are true. Ask them to share what they did to know or any personal experience that is brief. As in 2 minutes brief. Have the children point to all the adults. Are they the only ones in the room who can know the scriptures are true? Have the children point to who can know the scriptures are true. EVERYONE!!!

"What a glorious blessing! For when we want to speak to God, we pray. And when we want Him to speak to us, we search the scriptures; for His words are spoken through His prophets. He will then teach us as we listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit." Holy Scriptures:The Power of God unto Our Salvation Robert D. Hales October 2006 General Conference

* Have the children act out the story of Nephi getting the brass plates. Why would Nephi risk his life? 1.Because God commanded him to and 2. Because the scriptures are important!!!

1 Nephi 5:21 "And we had obtained the records which the Lord had commanded us, and searched them and found that they were desirable; yea, even of great worth unto us, insomuch that we could preserve the commandments of the Lord unto our children."

* Ask the children to share experiences of things that have been too hard for them to do. Does reading the scriptures sometimes seem hard? What about knowing they are true? Sometimes things seem impossible... but the scriptures tell us over and over again the opposite.
Mark 10:27
Matt. 19:26
Mark 9:23
Mark 14:36
All things are possible with God!!! We can know the scriptures are true!

* Have 5 fascinating facts. Have the children give a thumbs up if the fact is true or a thumbs down if what you say is false. How do we know if something is right or wrong?

Moroni 7:15-16 "For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night. For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God"

Divide into pairs and have them come up with a true or false statement about a scripture story. Have them share with the primary and do thumbs up or down....

Challenge the children to go home and see if when they read the scriptures, do the scriptures invite them to do good? Pass out simple invitations with the children to write down at home what the scriptures invite them to do.

2011 Primary Bulletin Board Ideas

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Let me first preface this post with a motto I would have tattooed on my bicep/arm flab if tattoos weren't breaking commandment, if I didn't think tattoos were fabulously not fun and really... why am I talking. I would never have this tattooed on me, but it is a motto I live by when it comes to church- BAN THE FLUFF.

I like simple. I like effective. I like spending time with my hot husband even though his dreds smell rather than fretting over stuff that really doesn't make much difference. Which brings me to bulletin boards. Am I saying they are fluffy and not important? Absolutely not. Bulletin boards can definitely add to the spirit of the room. However, they can detract from a lesson the attention of a child if they are over the top. Find the balance. Don't stress over it, as with anything in life. A bulletin board doesn't make you or break you in your calling.

I like boards where there are spots to change the monthly theme and scripture. Some boards you can use to display reverence reminders. If you're stuck, pray over it.

* Have a large drawing of a jar you can add paper hearts to. Write down the childrens' favorite scriptures or scripture heroes on the hearts as well as their names. Have the Primary yearly theme and scripture posted above and below the jar "For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them." 2 Nephi 4:15

* Alma 32:33 "And now behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth and it sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good."

Have a really large flower with this scripture. Or as time goes, you can start with a seed, then add a stem, then leaves, etc and by the end of the year have a flower.

* Have a really large iron rod. Take a picture of the primary that you can gradually move along the rod as the year goes on. Only move the picture though if the primary children are reading their scriptures!! At the end of course you can have a picture of the Savior.

The Iron Rod is "the word of God, and whoso would hearken to unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it they would never perish." 1 Nephi 15:24

* Let the Primary Chorister use it for songs!!

* Have large pictures of the different books of scripture. Have a Bible, a Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, JS History, Ensign. Space them around Moroni 10:4-5. You could even have a few GAK pictures having to do with the different books to help them identify what goes where.

* Have a large map with different pictures of the Book of Mormon in different languages by the places where that language is spoken. "The time shall come when the knowledge of a Savior shall spread throughout every nation, kindred, tongue, and people." Mosiah 3:20

You could also have pen pals with different primaries throughout the world and share testimonies of what the children have learned about the scriptures throughout the year.

* When holy men of God write or speak by the power of the Holy Ghost, their words “shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation” (D&C 68:4).

In October or April you could have this quote and all the pictures of the current apostles and first presidency. You could also have a challenge for the children to learn all their names!!

* John 5:39 "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me" Have a large magnifying glass with this scripture. On the other side of the board you could have the word "Findings!!" Throughout the year you can put up words the children have said they have found to be true in the scriptures.

* John 20:31 "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." Again, have pictures of the different scripture books and then a picture of the Savior in the middle.

* Romans 15:4 "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."

Divide the board into 2 sections. On one half have a bunch of different pictures of different ancient prophets. On the other side have all the pictures of the children in primary with the words "They wrote the scriptures for us!!!" and then the scripture on the bottom.

Hope these can help! I'd love to post pictures of anyone who wants to share!!

Prepare Yourself: Best Merry Christmas EVER

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This is my sweet lil' Maria. She's 3.

I feel like there is no better way for me to wish you a Merry Christmas than to share this fantastically awesome home video with you. I hope your holiday season is filled with the love of Christ and the joy of the knowledge that we are so blessed to have. Thanks for reading this blog. I hope it can help you. God bless you always!!! Merry Merry Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!

Success and Failure

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Have I ever mentioned that Honest Abe is my favorite.

I mean really, he did it - He said, slavery is wrong, let's do this.

Let's end it and be a nation.

And yet, his courage and bravery and brilliance came in the face of much failure.

Our most successful president, faced defeat often. (Thank you google search)

•1831 - Lost his job

•1832 - Defeated in run for Illinois State Legislature

•1833 - Failed in business

•1834 - Elected to Illinois State Legislature (success)

•1835 - Sweetheart died

•1836 - Had nervous breakdown

•1838 - Defeated in run for Illinois House Speaker

•1843 - Defeated in run for nomination for U.S. Congress

•1846 - Elected to Congress (success)

•1848 - Lost re-nomination

•1849 - Rejected for land officer position

•1854 - Defeated in run for U.S. Senate

•1856 - Defeated in run for nomination for Vice President

•1858 - Again defeated in run for U.S. Senate

•1860 - Elected President (success)

And why would I bring this up. Especially right before Christmas, thank you happy happy joy joy. It's because on Sunday, I bit it hard. I had one of the worst sharing times ever.

Pause and rewind 8 years. BYU, I'm student teaching at a title one school with the urban education cohort.

Wait. I promise I'm not quite at dementia yet, rewind 20ish years ago when I'm in 6th grade. I have a reading buddy, Mary who is in 1st grade. She can't read. And yet with our time spent together she learns. Granted, was I the one who taught her, no. But I felt like I had. It was my first inkling that my purpose in life was to teach. I loved her joy as she learned a new word or could sound out a difficult word. It was so crystal clear to me, even then that teaching children would be for me.

OK. Back to the cougars. I'm student teaching and I have a boy who is bipolar, ADD, and prone to violence. And he disliked me. A couple lessons were rough and I always ended up in tears when I got home. It got to me and I vowed I would never have bad lessons again. I worked through it and ended up confident that one day I'd be a good teacher.

Fast forward to last Sunday. Chaos. 10 nursery kids coming in to see what primary is like, 1 eating the microphone on the pulpit. At least 3 children scattered throughout the room crying. 30 others were completely done with sitting. I have exactly 7 minutes to teach about the 2nd coming. We're doing pictures so children are in and out through the door.

Did I not pray? Did I not spend time preparing? What did I do wrong?

I tried to do too much with too little time. I tried to get too many children up and out of their seats. I was talking over the children/adults talking (who were only talking because they were trying to calm children) and trying to move on without everyone's attention. I was forgetting names.

BUT I'M OK WITH IT.

I feel so peaceful about it, is that weird and strange?

I know I can do better, I know I can learn from my mistakes, I know I am far from perfect and most importantly... I know God loves me.

I've learned it's OK to laugh at yourself everyone once and awhile.

President Monson of course says it much better, "Our responsibility is to rise from mediocrity to competence, from failure to achievement. Our task is to become our best selves. One of God’s greatest gifts to us is the joy of trying again, for no failure ever need be final." (Thomas S. Monson, "Never Give Up", New Era, Sept. 1994)

Now is it OK to cry. Of course! Failure can be so annoying and frustrating!!!! Our prophet continues on and says, "We are success-oriented, striving to become “wonder women” and “super men.” Any hint of failure can cause panic, even despair."

But you know what, at least we're trying. At least we're there and doing our calling to the best of our ability.

"U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt said, “It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena” (The American Treasury: 1455–1955, ed. Clifton Fadiman, New York: Harper & Brothers, 1955, p. 689). Unfortunately, too often we're our own worst critic.

The beautiful talk is ended with " Each of us is a runner in the race of life. Comforting is the fact that there are many runners. Reassuring is the knowledge that our eternal Scorekeeper is understanding. Challenging is the truth that each must run. But you and I do not run alone. That vast audience of family, friends, and leaders will cheer our courage, will applaud our determination as we rise from our stumblings and pursue our goal. Let us shed any thought of failure. Let us discard any habit that may hinder. Let us seek; let us obtain the prize prepared for all, even exaltation in the celestial kingdom of God."

So this post is for me and all my fellow sisters who have failed miserably. I'm cheering for us. We can do it, because God will help us! Next week will be awesome! Next week will be fabulouso!!!

We may not end up Presidents of a great nation, or freeing a noble people... but we are important. We are the instruments in the Lord's hands. We are His children who will help gather and usher in His glorious reign on earth. Life is good. Keep on truckin.

Week 3-Jesus Christ will return to the earth someday. LDS Primary Sharing Time Reader's Theater

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Sun over Earth image courtesy creative commons license flickr.com by NASA'S Marshall Flight Space Center Oct. 2003

Copyright: You may use this for private non-commercial purposes. If you try to sell this or say you wrote it, when I hit the lotto miraculously (seeing as I don't buy tickets) I will not take you to enjoy poy and pineapple turnovers in Hawaii. And they are the bomb. Yes. I said the bomb. Because there is more to the 90's than just Seattle Grunge. There has to be. There. Has. To. Be.

Tips for a successful reader's theater experience:

1. PRAY. PRAY every single day and ask for the Holy Ghost to be present.

2. Know your readers. A good rule of thumb is most children under 7 aren't fluent readers. Choose who you give certain parts to carefully!!! Readers come to the front of the Primary to read and simply act out the script.

3. ADAPT FOR JR. PRIMARY!!!! I would give little strips of paper to each child of what I wanted them to read. I would have a script for myself of course and be the narrator/director. I would have all characters sit in their chairs except for the one's needed at the moment and then switch out.

4. Make it a fun and positive experience. Don't go overboard and keep things simple, especially costumes!!! Use your manners and thank children for their help.

5. Involve as many children possible!!!

6. End with YOUR TESTIMONY. If there is time ask the children to share what they liked about the activity or what they've learned or to compliment someone they liked in the reader's theater.

When Will He Come Again?
A Reader's Theater

by Sofia Lykes

Speaking Parts
Peter                   Friend #1, 2, 3
Angel                  Samuel the Lamanite
Clock                 Calendar
D&C
Nephi

Non-Speaking Parts
3 Apostles

** Italicized words ARE NOT TO BE READ. They are directions to do. Also, the pianist can reverently play I wonder when He comes again as actors move from their seats to the front.

Simple costumes :White sheets for the friends and angel, paper headbands with a picture of a D&C, clock and calendar, etc. You can always have bushes too!! Children make great bushes by holding leaves!! Also other children who can't read can hold up pictures of things being talked about like Nephi, Samuel the Lamanite, a picture of the Savior coming again....

Peter: (to apostles) That was amazing! It has been 40 days since Jesus was resurrected and here we are on the Mount of Olives being taught by Him. Him who once was dead and is alive again!!! And now He must leave us.

(Apostles and Peter look up into the sky and an angel comes)

Angel: “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go” Acts 1:11

Clock: Hi. I'm a clock. I know about the time Peter and the apostles saw the resurrected Lord return to heaven... Because I'm a clock and I know my time. I can tell you lots of other times too where we learn Jesus Christ will return to the earth someday. Meet my friend Doctrine and Covenants.

D&C: Hello. Yes, you may think books of scripture can't talk, but you'd be absolutely WRONG!

Nephi: I'm Nephi and I wrote down in the Book of Mormon "Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do." 2 Nephi 32:3

D&C: So as you can see, the scriptures do talk to us and tell us all things what we should do. Now, onward ever onward. Our friend the clock knows all about time. I was written a little over 100 years ago. I am not in the Book of Mormon or in the Bible because I'm my very own book. I talk a lot about the time that Jesus will come to earth again. One of my favorite scriptures talks about how when Jesus comes to earth again, He will cleanse the earth. Nephi, would you be a dear and help me read.

Nephi: Why of course my friend! D&C 101:25 "And also that of element shall melt with fervent heat; and all things shall become new, that my knowledge and glory may dwell upon all the earth."

D&C: We know when Noah lived, Heavenly Father cleansed the earth by water. The 2nd time around it will be by fire.

Clock: That sounds pretty scary.

Nephi: Oh no no no! You don't need to be scared! (gives clock a hug) I wrote down what Jesus told me. Turning to 1 Nephi 22:22 , "And the righteous need not fear." Pretty simple and very much true!

Clock: I better do my best to make good choices then! Another time having to do with Jesus returning to the earth is called the Millennium. Let's say it together... Millennium. It will be 1,000 years long and comes after Jesus has judged everyone.

(Friends are pretending to be a part of the Millennium)

Friend #1: I'm so happy!

Friend #2: I am too! The Millennium is so peaceful and everyone is working together under the reign of our glorious King Jesus!

Friend #3: I'm so grateful He has come to earth again to rule and reign in righteousness. But speaking of work, let's get back to the temple!

Friend #2: You're right, we've only got 1,000 years to make sure everyone who is supposed to be sealed is sealed!!

Friend #3: Families are forever thanks to the life and mercy of our Savior. This millennium is the best!! It's like Disneyland but only a gazillion billion trillion times better!!!

Clock: It's kind of a hard word to say, Millennium. Can you say it for me? (The Primary says, Millennium)
Thanks! Millennium! Another time I know about is the First Resurrection. It started with Jesus as the very first person resurrected and will continue when He comes again. Some other people besides Jesus have been resurrected. Samuel the Lamanite told us so.

Samuel: I "testify that there were many saints who should arise from the dead, and should appear unto many..." (3 Nephi 23:9)

Calendar: Clock, there is so much to know about the time that Jesus will return to earth. I am a calendar and also know a lot about time, but for some reason, I can't find the date our Savior will come.

Clock: My dear calendar.... I don't know the exact time the Savior will come. No one does, except for Heavenly Father and Jesus!!

Calendar: (sigh) I was hoping to mark it down so I could be prepared. I guess I'll just have to read my scriptures and watch for the signs the prophets have spoken about.

Nephi: Yes, search my words!

Samuel: And my words too!

D&C: Don't forget me and all Joseph Smith has written down! Heavenly Father will give us signs to help us know when Jesus comes again!!

Clock: Smart idea!! We all should read our scriptures and do the same. I know I will try my best to live righteously so that when the earth is cleansed, the Millennium begins and the time finally comes when I can be resurrected... that I can fall down at the feet of Jesus and say thank you. I know my Savior lives and that He will come again!!

All: We know that Jesus Christ will return to the earth someday!!