March 2010 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

Image courtesy creative commons license flickr.com by Michael Dawes 9/2009
All time favorite prophet: Jonah. Because really. He was swallowed by a whale. How about you??

Monthly Theme: God speaks through Prophets.
Monthly Scripture: Luke 1:70 "He spake by the mouth of His holy prophets, which have been since the world began."

Week 1 Prophets are called by God.

* When a phone rings, what can you do? You can answer or ignore. Have someone (like the bishop) call you on your cell phone and have a child answer. What would have happened if you ignored the call? Heavenly Father doesn’t use cell phones to call His prophets, He uses His voice, the Holy Ghost and sometimes angels! The Lord called many prophets to leave what they were doing and then follow him.

Have a presidency member outside the primary room door. Throughout primary, have them call your cell phone and let a child answer. They will give the child hints about a certain prophet. Have the child share the hints with the primary and then guess what prophet the call is about!

* On the chalk board have the words PROPHET, MY JOB, and MY CALL. Have a bag for the children to draw a word out of to describe the names and different jobs of the prophets (ancient AND modern) and act it out. Then have the primary come up with the responsibilities/ duties/how the prophet was called to list under MY CALL.

For example: Amos- Amos 7:14-16 “Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycamore fruit; And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel. Now therefore hear thou the word of the Lord…”

Act out: Picking fruit

* “Role Call” -Take role call and have the children answer you when you say their name. Have them think about what they would say if the Savior called them by name. Put up a picture of Christ and have them share. Prophets were often called by name, by the Savior. Have 6 different prophets and their names written largely on strips of paper. Have speaking bubbles (like the ones in cartoons) with the prophet’s response. Try to have pictures of the prophets if possible. Have the children match the names and responses of the prophets up front on the chalkboard.

If there is time, have the children draw a cartoon of the story of one of their favorite prophets. There are also lots of cartoon prophet examples found in the Friend magazine!!

* “Calling On…” This is a game of finishing the story. Children will pass around a cell phone. You start off the story of a prophet by saying how He was called, then pass the cell phone to another child and have them add whatever they know about that prophet. They pass it on to another friend who can add and so on. No one should have the phone for more than 1 minute, thus giving lots of children the chance to participate. Ask the children what prophets they would like to talk about! Have a GAK close by!

* Learn the 5^th Article of Faith song SPARKLE style. This is for SENIOR PRIMARY. To play sparkle each person will have to say one word in the article of faith, if they don’t know the word, then they are out. Then the last person says, SPARKLE! You keep on going until everyone is out except for 2 people, then they are the article of faith sparkle stars!!

Have the article of faith posted on the board and let them practice a couple of times with the words up. Go to each child up and down each row. Then take it down!! Have the children stand, if they can’t think of a word they sit and are out. So first child says, We… second child says believe… 3^rd child says that… 4^th child says a… 5^th child says Bubba Gump, he/she got it wrong so they sit and the 6^th child says man… If other children shout out, they have to sit. Always encourage good listening and good manners.

Week 2 Prophets testify of Jesus Christ.

* Reader’s theatre posted HERE.

Week 3 There is safety in following the prophet.

* 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 alll 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.

Week 4 God speaks through prophets.

* Bring in 4 pictures, 2 copies of each picture. Have the children match the pictures. Are the matches the same? Read D&C 1:38, “What I the Lord have spoken I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, IT IS THE SAME.” Now have a sign “voice of the Lord” and “voice of my servants”… according to the scripture are these 2 a match and the same?

* Have a large world map or globe. Have a bunch of small pictures (I would do 10-15) of different prophets. Let the children come up, name and tell different things about that prophet and then place him on the map. Maybe get some pictures of modern day prophets and where they served their missions.

Have there been prophets in every single country on earth?

Can most places today hear the words of prophets and if so how?

What do the prophets of old and of today say?

If the children could go anywhere in the world, where would they go and what would they say about prophets?

* Ask for a volunteer. Whisper something into the child’s ear and then have them tell it to the primary. Invite another child to come up and do the same. Just as you spoke through your primary friends, God speaks through prophets. Read Jeremiah 1:5-7, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Then said I, Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.”

* Sing Latter-day Prophets (CS p.134) and give each child (in their chairs) a picture from the GAK. When they hear their prophet they stand then sit down! Collect the pictures and try again with different friends!

March 2010 Primary Sharing Time LDS Reader's Theater

March 2010 Week 2: Prophets testify of Jesus Christ.

Tips for a successful readers theater:

* choose your readers carefully!!!!, remember most Sunbeams can't read so don't get upset if you hand them the part and they're holding it upside down looking at you oddly

* Have plenty of scripts!! At least one for each part. Highlight the parts according to each script so it's easier for the children to follow and know when they're speaking.

* Give them a few minutes to look over their part, sing some songs while doing so.

* Bring in SIMPLE props or costumes. Ties for the modern day apostles. Shawl for Anna. Just go easy, you want their attention focused on the message and doctrine of the play!!!

* Have a script for yourself to follow to help prompt. Be familiar with it so you can direct the children in what they need to do, especially the non-speaking parts.

* Pace yourself. You only have 15ish minutes, don't try to squeeze too much in too little time.
* Italicized words are NOT TO BE READ

* Some preventative preparation: Pray, pray, pray... and pray some more that it will go smoothly and that the spirit will be there (throughout the week before)

Lunch With The Prophets: A Reader's Theater

By Sofia Lykes

List of Characters

Narrator 1

Narrator 2

Narrator 3

Waiter

Nephi

Jacob

Anna

Joseph Smith

President Hinckley & 12 Apostles

President Monson

Props

Table and Chairs, table cloth, vase, scriptures on plates for each narrator

3 Menus

Simple costumes and/or name signs for the prophets

A towel for the waiter to put on his arm

Doll for Anna

Picture of Jesus Living Christ Document

>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<

Narrator 1: Boy, I sure am hungry!

Narrator 2: Me too! A big juicy hamburger, french fries and a fruit salad sounds sooooooooooooooo good right about now.

Narrator 3: No way, try pizza with a big glob of ranch to dip it in. That’s what really sounds good!

Narrator 1: You guys, I’m not talking about food hungry! I’m talking about spirit hungry!!

Narrator 2: Huh?

Narrator 3: What?

Narrator 1: My spirit needs a good feeding by the Holy Ghost. I came to church today to learn about Jesus Christ, and I’m really excited!!

Waiter: (Brings narrators to a table that is set nicely with a tablecloth and vase of flowers, gives them their plates with scriptures) Why hello good friends, welcome and have a seat. Today we will be serving lunch with the prophets! (passes out menus) Go ahead and take a look at your menu and when you’re ready to choose a prophet, let me know!!

Narrator 1: This is awesome!!

Narrator 2: My menu says “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”i

Waiter: Why yes my friend, that’s from the bible… Amos Chapter 3 Verse 7.

Narrator 3: Oh man! There isn’t any pizza on this menu!

Narrator 1: No pizza, but Nephi sounds way more awesome than that!

Waiter: Nephi it is!!

Nephi: “And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.”ii

Narrator 2: What does remission mean? That’s a really big word!

Waiter: Can anyone in the primary answer? (call on someone in the audience) That’s right! It’s like getting your sins forgiven.

Narrator 3: Who is Nephi talking about when he says we… we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ….

Narrator 1: He is talking about the prophets! Prophets testify of Jesus Christ. Hmmmm… Jacob sounds good right about now!

Waiter: Jacob, Nephi’s younger brother it is!

(Jacob and Nephi high five, then they high five someone in the audience)

Jacob: “For, for this intent have we written these things, that they may know that we knew of Christ, and we had a hope of his glory many hundred years before his coming; and not only we ourselves had a hope of his glory, but also all the holy prophets which were before us."iii

Narrator 2: All the holy prophets before you!?!?

Jacob: “Behold, they believed in Christ and worshiped the Father in his name, and also we worship the Father in his name." iv

Narrator 3: That’s deep man.

Narrator 1: My spirit is being filled! I was hungry and I’m being fed! I’m so happy to be at church! I’m so grateful for the prophets. How would we know anything without them and their words?

Waiter: We wouldn’t! Their words are super important! It says in D&C Chapter 1 Verse 38, “Whether by mine own voice of the voice of my servants, it is the same.”v

Narrator 2: So the words of the prophets are the same as Heavenly Fathers?

Narrator 1: You got it! Woah… a girl prophet? What is this on the menu… Anna?

Waiter: Can all the girls raise their hands? Yes!! Thank you!! Hands down. The prophetess Anna it is! She was very old and a widow and did not depart from the temple. She served God with fastings and prayers night and day! Her story is in Luke chapter 2. vi

Anna: (Waves. Holds up 2 fingers.)

Waiter: Well, when Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus to the temple, Anna the prophetess was there and she said of Jesus….

Anna: (maybe holding up a baby doll) “of Him to all…that look for redemption in Jerusalem.”

Narrator 2: Boy! There are just so many prophets to choose from! We could be here all day getting fed!

Narrator 1: From ancient prophets, to modern day prophets… Prophets teach us about…

(hold up a picture of Jesus and have primary children answer)

Waiter: The prophets make it quite simple and quite clear. From Joseph Smith –

Joseph Smith: “When the light rested upon me 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!" vii

Waiter: To President Hinckley and the 12 apostles…

President Hinckley and 12 Apostles: (Holding up The Living Christ document) He lives!!

Narrator 1: To President Monson, our current Prophet…

President Monson: “How grateful we are that the heavens are indeed open, that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored, and that the Church is founded on the rock of revelation. We are a blessed people, with apostles and prophets upon the earth today… I bear testimony to you that this work is true, that our Savior lives, and that He guides and directs His Church here upon the earth. I leave with you my witness and my testimony that God our Eternal Father lives and loves us. He is indeed our Father, and He is personal and real." viii

ALL: Prophets testify of Jesus Christ!!!

i Amos 3:7

ii 2 Nephi 25:26

iii Jacob 4:4

iv Jacob 4:5

v D&C 1:38

vi Luke 2:36-38

vii Joseph Smith History 1:17

viii Nov. 2009 Ensign, Closing Remarks, Monson, pg. 110

Song Helps: He Sent His Son (CS 34-35)

Light from the Heart Nebula
Credit & Copyright: Matt Russell

Explanation: What powers the Heart Nebula? The large emission nebula dubbed IC 1805human heart. The nebula glows brightly in red light emitted by its most prominent element:hydrogen. The red glow and the larger shape are all created by a small group of stars near the nebula's center. A close up spanning about 30 light years contains many of these stars is shown above. This open cluster of stars contains a few bright stars nearly 50 times the mass of our Sun, many dim stars only a fraction of the mass of our Sun, and an absent microquasar that was expelled millions of years ago. The Heart Nebula is located about 7,500 light years away toward the constellation of Cassiopeia.

He sent His Son
Children's Songbook pg. 34-35

* What is a holiday celebrated in February? Valentines! Why do we send valentines? To make each other happy. Because we love each other. How do you feel when you think about Heavenly Father sending Jesus to save us? Have a valentine's box/ mailbox decorated "Sent with Love". Add large hearts with visuals on the hearts (to learn the song) to the inside of the box. Let the children come up to the box and pick out a heart. As a review, weeks following, you can mix up the children holding hearts and as the primary sings, the children have to get in the right order.

* When the children sing a question, have them draw a large question mark in the air. When they answer, have them draw a large exclamation mark in the air. Younger children won't know what punctuation is, so draw it on the board and tell them it ends a sentence.

* Would you want to go into the jungle, with hungry tigers and darkness and deadly diseases without having a plan? Would you send a friend or family member into this jungle without giving something to help them? So it is with Heavenly Father. He knew life on earth could get dangerous and hard at times, but He Sent His Son and has a plan for us to follow so we can get back to him. Introduce the "knowledge" backpack - inside have things to visualize parts of the song. The knowledge we have about the Savior will help us always!! He didn't just toss us down to earth, He sent us prepared!

* Dress up the children in simple outfits to depict different parts of the Savior's life that are in the song. Have them step forward when their part is sung. I would do Mary holding a baby, a couple children dressed as the disciples Christ walked with, one angel and Mary Magdalene to help remember the resurrection, and then one child who can carry the scriptures and a picture of Christ. And remember we're not supposed to dress children up as Deity. (Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, 279.)

* As a review and to reinforce the lyrics, have a mystery word. 6 pieces of paper on the board with the letters SAVIOR separated on each piece. As they are able to recall the words (question and answer phrase of the song ) invite a child to come up and reveal a letter. Bear testimony that Heavenly Father did indeed send His perfect Son to be our Savior.

* Pass out envelopes to the children. Have them think about one of the most precious things they have in life and write it on the envelope. Have a mailbox in front. Tell the children you are going to tap the shoulders of those singing nicely to come up and deliver their envelope during the song. Would it be hard to send away one of the things you love most in life? Yet that is what Heavenly Father did, He sent His Son. And He did this because he loves us, so we must love Him too.

February 2010 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

Gospel Art Book Jesus Calms the Storm

Monthly Theme: Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer.
Monthly Scripture: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Ideas are seperated by *'s. I'm not saying to use all *'d ideas in a lesson. Pick and Choose my friends. Pick and choose. AND DON'T FORGET TO BEAR TESTIMONY!!! Of all subjects these are most important for you to BEAR TESTIMONY at the end of your lesson!!!

Week 1 Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer.

* Have __________is my Savior and Redeemer. written on the chalk board. As children come in write their names all over the chalk board. When it's time to start, talk about some of the beautiful names on the board. Add a few more names to the list that they can think of. But what is the name that fills in the blank of our sentence?

Read Mosiah 5:8 " ....There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives."

* Foam Finger Pointer. ($1 at the Dollar Store or you can make a large one out of a grocery paper bag) Invite a child to come to the front and wear the foam finger. Sing -you can do it by yourself, invite the other adults or have the children open up page # 103 in the Hymn book and sing too! In Hymn # 103 Precious Savior, Dear Redeemer, there are some words that are repeated. Have the child wearing the foam finger point to a picture anywhere in the room that these repeated words describe. Children sitting down can also use their pointer finger when the repeated word is sung.
What were the repeated words?

* Have a few children come up to the front. Have a blue towel, an airplane, a large rock... Sing Hymn # 104, Jesus, Savior, Pilot me. Have a child fly the airplane through the stormy waters (children waving towel) while holding the hand of another child who is holding a picture of Christ.
Talk about THIS story (Captain Sullenberger and US Airways Flight 1549) with the children. It even has pictures! Was he a pretty awesome Pilot? Just as that pilot saved the lives of so many people, Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer ready to lead us and pilot us to safety.

* Turn off the lights. Is anyone afraid of the dark? Has anyone had a scary experience in the dark? Joseph Smith sure did! Yet we know Jesus Christ saved Joseph Smith from the dark and that "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalms 27:1) Turn on the lights.

* Look at the church logo. What stands out? How important is Jesus Christ to us and the church?

"There cannot be any doubt in the heart of a Latter-day Saint regarding Jesus Christ's being the Son of the living God... Any individual who does not acknowledge Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world, has no business to be associated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." (Heber J. Grant, Gospel Standards, 23-24) Woah!Pretty important!!

* What does Savior and Redeemer mean? Those are big words!

* Show the children a picture of a boat round life saver. Ask them what is it? How is this picture like Jesus Christ? Have the GAK picture of Jesus stilling the storm. Prepare questions, put songs to sing and scriptures to read based on Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer on different paper life savers around the GAK picture for the children to come choose and answer. At the end of the lesson life saver candies might be appropriate to pass out! AT YOUR DISCRETION!!! Remember " What is the policy for food in Primary? Food should only be provided when it is included as part of a lesson or as a snack for the children in the nursery class. Be sure to consult with the parents of each child about any dietary restrictions that may be caused by conditions such as diabetes or allergies" (see Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, 239).

* Click HERE and scroll down to week 2 ideas

Week 2 and 3 Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all mankind may be saved.

* 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.

* 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 and draw lines from it as the children share what this chapter teaches us about the resurrection. 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!”

Controversy?

Did you see and thoroughly read this?

It's important and you should definitely take the time to read it.

I have never questioned myself in doing this blog and I'll tell you why.

Moroni 7:16 "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."

I FIRMLY BELIEVE IN TEACHING WHAT OUR SHARING TIME OUTLINE SAYS!!!

I in NO way am saying, "Hey man... go do your own thang, come up with your own ideas and party on." I'm not a Latter Day hippie intent on free lessons and bare foot (shiver....) fun with the kiddos. Please. Shoes on. Say no to athlete's foot.

True Story: Week after week I was at the Primary Piano. FAVORITE CALLING EVER. (Although I say that about every calling...) Being there gave me a unique perspective to see what worked and what didn't. Week after week I would see teachers struggle to keep the attention of Primary students. I would see teachers frustrated and crying. I would see nervous teachers who didn't plan enough or planned too much and then got really discouraged. Isn't Sunday and church supposed to be happy? What was going on?

It's a hard thing to go in front of 40 or however many children. This is part of their spiritual education. You want them to love church. You want them to come to primary and enjoy it. You want them to be able to feel the spirit so you can all be closer to Christ. Different ages have different learning needs. How do you meet these needs?

True Story: Sometimes... Ok... at least 2 times a month (for about 6 months) I would be asked to do a sharing time the morning of or the night before. How is that fair to the children? I had to be prepared!

I want to help people. I want to help children. I am my brother's keeper.
You'll notice these aren't full out lesson plans. They are little ideas BASED on the weekly theme.

I will say I've prayed and felt many blessings from doing this blog. In fact, in my very hour of need, this blog became a miracle ... an absolute miracle from God that raised my soul from the depths of despair and gave me hope when I thought the pain was insurmountable. I know it's inspired. I hope you too can feel of my heart's intentions.

LDS Primary 101 Quiz

Image courtesy creative commons license Flickr.com by Billaday April 2008

This is a quiz. You will not be graded. However, if you answer *'d questions incorrectly, imagine me taking a rubber band and flicking your arm with it... repeatedly.

*1. It's Sacrament Meeting and a primary child is sitting behind you. Do you...

A. Ignore the child
B. Say Hello and smile at the child
C. Pretend the child isn't there
D. Why would I notice a child behind me?

2. I don't know all the names of the Primary children yet. What do I do?

A. Learn the names quickly
B. Use phrases like "I'll call on my beautiful friend in the pink polka dot dress or I'll call on my handsome future missionary friend with the really awesome blue striped tie."
C. Don't sweat it. The children won't even remember in 5 years.
D. Both A and B

3. Do I need to know the songs the children are learning if I'm in the Primary Presidency?

A. Yes
B. No
C. Maybe So
D. WWJD?

4. Where should I sit during Primary if I'm in the Presidency?

A. In the back, far away from the children with other adults
B. By the Pianist, after all, you don't want her to get lonely
C. Right smack dab in the middle of the action with the kiddos
D. Did I need to be in the Primary room during Primary?

5. I'm the Primary Pianist, how often should I sit by the piano?

A. Always
B. When I need to play, otherwise I can sit by children too
C. When I need to play, otherwise I can sit in the back and talk to adults

6. The children are talking while I'm talking and don't seem to be paying attention. I should...

A. Give up and cry, and then go home and cry some more
B. Just keep on going with the lesson
C. Pretend I'm on a beach with luscious pineapple juice listening to the calming waves, zone out and let them (as in the Primary children) do their own thing
D. Wait... and wait... and wait... until they look up... what's 15 minutes of waiting?
E. Have them do a 10 second motion activity to redirect their attention like "Get out your pencils please! (Taking your finger) Let's write in the air, I'm getting all my wiggles out. And sign your name... S-O-F-I-A! Great job, pencils down but hands up if you can answer my next question..."

*7. I should prepare my lesson...

A. At least a week in advance
B. 2 nights before
C. When it comes to me it comes to me

8. Sharing Time lessons should be...

A. Cute
B. Fun
C. Very calm
D. Engaging

9. I'm teaching a lesson, but it's a little hard to hear because the adults are talking. I should...

A. Ask the adults to please show respect and reverence during your lesson and promise you'll do the same for them. After all, how can you expect that of the children if the adults aren't being good examples?
B. Flick them with a rubber band afterwards
C. Why worry about it! End the lesson early and go get the scoop on the latest news.
D. Bang fist on the wall and yell, "You guys are being real pills! Shut it! NOW!!!!" Good thing those anger management classes are working out.

*10. Primary should be a place where children AND adults...

A. Learn about Christ
B. Feel the Spirit
C. Enjoy themselves and Feel Safe
D. All of the above

Answers:
1. B!!!!!!!!!! 2. D 3. I'll take A or D 4. C 5. B 6. E 7. A 8. D 9. A possibly B - although violence is never the answer 10. D

President John Taylor said, “It is true intelligence for a man to take a subject that is mysterious and great in itself and to unfold and simplify it so that a child can understand it” (“Discourse,” Deseret News, Sept. 30, 1857, 238)

YOU ARE TRULY INTELLIGENT!!!! You may feel intimidated at times times and unsure of what you are doing. It may even feel impossible, but remember... " With God ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE." (Matthew 19:26) He will guide you as you prayerfully prepare and adhere to the Sharing Time Outline topics for each week.

My First Giveaway!

I love getting free things! And I realize I've been stingy, I mean really... it's Christmas!

So I'm not really going all out.

Forgive me.
I drive a 95' Buick and 2 of the windows don't roll down. Or up for that matter.
If I had more I'd giveaway a $1,000 shopping spree to Barnes and Noble.
Please re-read that sentence, key word if.
But the giveaway is for one of my ALL TIME favorite books!

What does this book have to do with primary?
Absolutely nothing!

However, the main character in this book reminds me of all the many wonderful and kind souls who leave such beautiful messages and thoughtful words! You are all Stargirls to me! Except the men, obviously. I will try to figure out the whole random number generator thingy, but if not, I'll be honest and just choose a number from a hat. I'll choose a winner on January 1, 2010!

So just leave a comment on what you're looking forward to in primary for the upcoming year and a way for me to get a hold of you when you win!

And I just thought I'd mention, I'm actually no longer in Primary. I'm the Relief Society Meeting Coordinator... I know, mouthful right? But I still plan on doing monthly ideas, so yeah. That's it. Thanks!

Update Jan 1. 2009 10:10 PM:

** THE RESULTS ARE IN **

I went to random.org and used their number generator thingy...

the winner is (poms poms up!)

Katie !!

" What I am looking forward to this year in Primary is everything being new and exciting. I was just called to be the Primary President (I have never served in Primary and was the RS President right up until I was called to Primary) and I have great counselors. Our Branch just split and we are part of the new Branch that was just organized in our home town...we're so excited not to have to make the two hour round trip to church every Sunday. We've had one Sunday in our new callings and two weeks to think, read, plan, study and pray about things and I am so happily overwhelmed at where to start. I had no idea how much work goes into Primary- it is unfathomable. What a blessing Primary workers can be in the lives of children. I am so grateful and humbled to be a part of this work. This is going to be an amazing year."
December 26, 2009 9:11 PM

And can I just say I love your phrase "happily overwhelmed"! It's vocab fresh!

but because I just happen to have a extra, I again punched into the number generator thingy and....

Michelle !!

"I am truly looking forward to teaching sharing times focused around Christ and his love for us. I love the gospel and desire to share it with the children in our ward. We have such wonderful, precocious children in our primary that every week is a new adventure to find."

Thanks everyone for participating! We'll have to do this again soon! God be with you the upcoming year as you teach and inspire by the spirit!

"I Know That My Savior Loves Me" Primary Song Helps and Ideas

Jesus Loves Me image courtesy creative commons license flickr.com by Gtol Aug. 13, 2009

I Know That My Savior Loves Me

Words and Music by Tami Jeppson Creamer and Derena Bell

First off, do you not love ALL the tips given in the sharing time outline for how to use music in primary!! (Found on page 26-27)

Did you notice my personal favorite sentence of all times, "ALWAYS SING THE WORDS OF A NEW SONG TO THE CHILDREN - DON'T JUST READ OR RECITE THEM." (pg. 27) Thank you!! Amen!! Pet peeve addressed and made clear. Phew! But I admit, this sentence also fills my soul, "To teach a song effectively, you must know the song yourself." (pg. 27) Preach on!! It's been said, so either we'll follow or be mediocre. Boo mediocrity! We will do great!

To learn a song, visuals always help! Let your artistic side go wild! These are ideas more for once the song is learned.

* I Know that My Savior Loves Me - spinner! Have a large poster board with a circle divided into 8 sections. Attach an arrow that can spin. In each section write a word that shows how the Savior loves us and that can be doubled as a way to sing the song. For example "Rain. Sing Staccato/short and choppy." or "Mountains. Sing big and grand!" or "Small kittens. Sing soft and gentle." or "Missionaries with Books of Mormon. Sing valiantly while marching." Invite children who sing to come up and spin!

* Have a picture of the Savior. Tell the children that as you hear them singing you are going to put up some pictures of friends who know that the Savior loves them. They might know a few of these friends!! Close your eyes and reach into a can and draw out a few pictures of children from the primary! Wow! The primary sang so well you'll draw out another 5 pictures!! Have a child come up, close their eyes and draw out some pictures! Keep it positive! See if you can get all the primary children pictures up!

* Invite 2 children to come to front while everyone is singing this song. Give them white boards/ dry erase boards (you can get at target for $1 or the dollar store) to draw on. They will draw something that helps them know that the Savior loves them. They can call on a few children to guess what they have drawn. Then they show their pictures! Sing again and invite a couple more children up!

* While singing the song have a large letter L , R, and B. When you hold up the L, R, or B they will either have to stand on their left, right, or both feet.

* Invite 2 children up. One boy can wear a stone necklace and a girl can wear a flower headband for verse one. For verse 2 have them switch to him wearing a tie and ribbon in her hair. The song has different times, places, and children - but the same love from our Savior! Sing the song and have the children listen for the different times (a long time ago - now), places (beautiful place gathered round' Jesus - here in a beautiful place) and children (each saw the tears on His face - lighting my path)

January 2010 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

(One of the greatest "proofs" that Heavenly Father and Jesus love me is this good looking(understatement) guy pictured above. And yes. That is MC Hammer's original Can't Touch This outfit circa 1990. Long story, friend of a friend, yada yada. The day before we were to be married, I lost my purse at a casino buffet. This purse had my temple recommend and I was going to get my endowments out within the next 5 hours. I thought it was a sign from above that we were just not meant to be. I was heart broken, devastated and confined to utter agony as I sat crying in the car. We had searched all over, my bishop was gone... it had all just stacked up. But not to what I thought, to a miracle! Something sweet to remind me that God had a big hand in our being together. For you see, my sweetheart didn't panic or give up. He went back to the casino, checked the buffet who didn't have the purse, checked the lost and found who DID happen to have the purse - which is absolutely nothing but a miracle, because if you lose something in a casino, it's gone, hasta luego man - and voila, there was my temple recommend with 1 hour to spare. Does God love me? I know so. Does He live? Absolutely. Can you see His miracles in your life?)

Monthly Theme: We Believe in God the Eternal Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ.
Monthly Scripture: "We Believe in God the Eternal Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ." (Articles of Faith 1:1)

* Before you teach anything this month, I HIGHLY recommend you read THIS!! It is modern day revelation having to do with this month's theme.

* Here is a simple experiment/demonstration. I think it can easily show that when we fill our jars with faith and knowledge that Heavenly Father, Jesus and the Holy Ghost are there, then do our very best to live how they have shown us.... we won't fall down!

Week 1 God is the Father of my spirit.

* Pass out a piece of white paper and have the children fold it into fourths. Give them each a pencil. Sing O My Father (Hymns pg. 292) and have them draw what they hear for each verse in each section of the paper. Older children can write down words that stick out to them as they listen. Have the children share what they heard or felt.

* Is it a good idea to listen to your father? What are some things your fathers ask you to do?
Did Laman and Lemuel obey their father Lehi? What about the Father of their spirits?

Hebrews 12:9 "Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?"

* Ask the children to turn to the topical guide in the Bible and look under "Man, A Spirit Child of Heavenly Father" Count as a primary how many different scriptures tell about this truth. Have a couple children volunteer to look up whatever scripture they like from this list in the topical guide and read to the primary.

* Brigham Young said, "I want to tell you, each and every one of you, that you are well acquainted with God our Heavenly Father, or the great Elohim. You are all well acquainted with him, for there is not a soul of you but what has lived in his house and dwelt with him year after year; and yet you are seeking to become acquainted with him, when the fact is, you have merely forgotten what you did know. There is not a person here today but what is a son or a daughter of that Being. In the spirit world their spirits were first begotten and brought forth, and they lived there with their parents for ages before they came here."(Brigham Young, Discourses of Brigham Young, 50)

Have a large poster board of an outline of a house. Have cut outs of things like stairs, chairs, furniture, family members for the children to tape on the house. Have questions, songs and scriptures that have to do with God as the father of our spirits attached to the back of the cut outs for the children to answer before they put them on.

Repeat the emphasized part of the Brigham Young quote and bear testimony that you shall return one day again to the home of our Father who so lovingly created our spirits!

* "All of you are children of the most High." Psalm 82:6

Pass out little paper crowns. Have the children write down a name of a primary friend and what makes that friend so special. (A faith in God requirement under service could be filled by doing this • "Make a list of the qualities you like in a person. Choose one quality to develop in yourself. Discuss how showing respect and kindness strengthens you, your family, and others") Teachers will have to help little ones. Let them bring it up and put in a jar. Throughout your lesson pull out crowns and read what was written. This would be a great way to help encourage reverence... for example you could say, "Everyone is singing so nicely, I'm going to pull out 2 crowns to read!" or " This little sunbeam has kept his legs so still, I'm so proud of him I'm going to read another crown!" Also, repeat the scripture frequently and see if they can learn it by heart! Leave out certain words and motion for them to fill in the blank.

* Very similar is this wonderful idea by Margaret Lifferth, “Sharing Time: I Am a Child of God,” Friend, Feb 2005, 16

Week 2 Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

* Here is a resource for this week from the Primary 1 manual.

* Pass out envelopes to the children. Have them think about one of the most precious things they have in life and write it on the envelope. Have a mailbox in front. Tell the children you are going to tap the shoulders of those singing nicely to come up and deliver their envelope while singing He Sent His Son (Children's Songbook pg.34). Would it be hard to send away one of the things you love most in life? Yet that is what Heavenly Father did, He sent His Son. And He did this because he loves us. We must love Him too.

* Ask the children this simple question: Who is Jesus Christ?

Show a picture of Peter and share his response to that same question, found in Matthew 16:13-16, "When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Hand out paper (BLANK!!!) for the children to make a picture of their Savior . Help them write down their testimony of who Christ is.

* Hand out pass along cards to the children and encourage them to give these to friends. Have a computer set up and show them THIS video off of Mormon.org . Many friends do not know who Jesus Christ is. We can help by testifying and giving out pass along cards so they can go to that website and find out! Invite the missionaries in to bear their testimony's of who Christ is.

* Shrink a bunch of GAK pictures from the life of Christ to the size of an index card. Print out and tape on the children's back. Have them go around and ask questions to other Primary children to find out what picture they have. The life of Jesus is amazing and perfect - and that's because He is the Son of God!

Weeks 3 and 4 Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love me.

* Have the children divide into small groups. Give them each a small bag with simple objects in them. Have them create a skit using those objects to teach how Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love me.

* “The eternal truth that our Heavenly Father loves all his children is an immensely powerful idea... Love is the most powerful force in the world.” (Dallin H. Oaks,"Powerful Ideas," Ensign, Nov. 1995, 25)

Bring in 2 really strong magnets. Show how hard it is to pull apart. What happens if you put them close together again? Just like the magnets, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us and when we love them too, few things can separate us!!!

* John 15: 9 "As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love."

Make a circle and pass around 2 bean bags (let's say they are green and blue). Ask, does a circle have an end? No! And neither should love! Have the pianist play songs that have to do with love. When she stops the music whoever is holding the blue bean bag answers How do I know Heavenly Father and Jesus love me? and the child holding the green bean bag must answer How can I show love for my Heavenly Father and Jesus? Continue playing on!

* Pass out some small paper hearts. Read 1 John 4:7-12, 16-21 and ask them to hold up their heart every time they hear the word love.

Ask the children to write or draw on their hearts how they know Heavenly Father and Jesus love us. Have them make as many as they like! Give the hearts to the activity day girls, or a couple volunteers, to go heart attack (tape hearts all over their house door) the Bishop or an Elderly Friend in the ward!

* Have a few adults come dressed up as Alma, Ammon and the sons of Mosiah. Have them talk about their life story and how through the Love of God and Jesus, they were able to turn their lives around and help convert thousands! Perhaps they can even quote Alma 26:15 emphasizing "the matchless bounty of His love".

* Here is a lesson from Primary 1: I Am a Child of God, Here is a lesson from Primary 2: Choose the Right A, Here is a lesson from Primary 3: Choose the Right B, (1994), all having to do with this week's theme.

* Have a stick figure drawn on the board... Sad Sammy. Explain that Sad Sammy is a great friend of yours, but he is utterly sad. He has asked you a question and you were hoping the Primary could help him by answering. Write this statement and question on the board, "Heavenly Father and Jesus love me. Why do bad things still happen though to make me so sad?" Let the primary children SHARE their thoughts.

Invite one child up to be Job. Here is a very readable narrative of the story of Job. Have simple props and a costume for Job. I love putting fruit-by-the-foot (the chewy fruit rolls) on Job "making boils" and then nibbling a little.

Did Heavenly Father and Jesus love Job? How do you know this? How do you know that they love you too? Make sure to tell the primary children thanks, they have really helped out Sad Sammy. Now that they've answered his question and he knows that Heavenly Father and Jesus love him - he's Satisfied Sammy!