May 2010 Week 1 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas : Reader's Theatre

Hwy 52 Manchester, Michigan Strong Tree Image courtesy Creative Commons license flickr.com by live w mcs July 23, 2009

Week 1 My faith in Jesus Christ is strengthened when I obey.

For TIPS on a successful experience read HERE. Seriously, read it!

You'll need to revamp for Junior Sharing Time!

A Faithful Exercise

By Sofia Lykes

Characters:

Narrator 1

Narrator 2

Helaman

Nephi

Joseph Smith

Non Speaking Characters:

Towel carrier

Friend to hold up Picture of Christ

Friend who can do a push up

Friend who can do a pull up

Props (Keep it simple!)

2 little towels

headbands for the narrators and Mr.Obedience

Picture of Christ

Simple costumes

A couple hand weights

Narrator 1: Coming to the gym and doing work outs sure makes me feel good!

Narrator 2: (pretend lift a weight) Me too! I’m totally pumped up!

Narrator 1: Hey! Who’s that?

Mr. Obedience: Well hello there friends! I’m Mr.Obedience! I’m here to teach you about true strength!

Narrator 2: Huh? Mr. What?

Mr. Obedience: Obedience silly! (pretend lift a weight) And I’m here to teach you about true strength! Boy, I feel like I’m repeating myself a lot.

Narrator 1: Well, I already know all about being strong. I can lift a 200 lb weight, see! (pretend lift a weight)

Narrator 2: That’s nothing! I can do 500 jumping jacks! (starts doing jumping jacks)

Mr. Obedience: Friends. You are strong I can see, but I’m talking about strength that doesn’t fade with age or sickness. It doesn’t have to do with your body muscles! It has to do with your spiritual well being! I’m talking about having a strong faith!

Narrator 1: Spiritual well being? Is there a special gym I need to go to? Because I really like the swimming pool they have at our gym here.

Narrator 2: Ah gee. Switching gyms? I like the fresh towels they give us here.

(Friend comes by and hands them each a towel)

Narrator 2: See! Aren’t they soft!?!

Mr. Obedience: You guys, this is all great. But you’re not listening! I have something very special to share with you. Maybe it will help if I bring in a friend.

Helaman: “…For behold, ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free.” (Helaman 14:30)

Mr. Obedience: We all have choices! Everyday we choose to follow Christ or not. If we choose to follow Him we are being obedient!

Narrator 2: So being obedient is following Christ?

Mr. Obedience: Yes! Sometimes it can be hard. My friend Nephi was commanded to get the brass plates. He had no idea how he’d do it, but he wanted to be obedient.

Nephi: “I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.” (1 Nephi 3:7)

Narrator 1: Wow. It takes a lot of exercise of faith to be obedient. I don’t know if I could obey every single rule I was commanded to! That just doesn’t seem fun. Rules, rules, rules! Blah!

Mr. Obedience: That’s not the attitude our Prophet Joseph Smith had!

Joseph Smith: “To get salvation we must not only do some things, but everything which God has commanded…. The object with me is to obey and teach others to obey God in just what He tells us to do. It mattereth not whether the principle is popular or unpopular, I will always maintain a true principle, even if I stand alone in it.”1

Narrator 1: He’s right! I need to obey always! After all, I want to be like my Savior. He was the greatest example of obedience. He got baptized even though He was perfect to show His willingness to do whatever Heavenly Father commanded.

(Friend holds up picture of Christ)

Narrator 2: D&C 93:1 says, “Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am;”

(read darker words strong and a little louder)

Mr. Obedience: You’re getting it now! Push ups are great (point to a friend doing a push up) Pull ups make rock hard biceps (point to a friend doing a pull up motion) but it’s exercising obedience that makes our faith strong! And we all know a little faith is stronger than any muscle, after all it moves mountains... come on everybody! Follow me!

(doing simple actions)

“If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed (hold up fingers like pinching a seed), ye shall say unto this mountain (make mountains with hands), Remove (push away hand) hence to yonder place; and it shall remove (push away hand); and nothing shall be impossible unto you (point to friends).”[2]

I can be obedient! (pump up arms like lifting weight) I can be obedient! (pump up arms like lifting weight) I can be obedient! (pump up arms like lifting weight)

All: We can be obedient! (pump up arms like lifting weight)

Everyone makes their best muscle man pose!!!

---

[1] Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 332

[2] Matthew 17:20

May 2010 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." Benjamin Franklin

May Theme: Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel Lead Me to Jesus Christ.
May 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)

Ways to help memorize the fourth article of faith:

* Sing the song!! CS page 124

* Divide the Article into 5 phrases. Hide those 5 phrases (add a little picture for those who can’t read) under 5 children’s chairs and let them come put on the chalkboard in order. Have the primary say the Article of Faith as they put in order.

* While saying the Article of Faith have the children draw a square with their fingers in the air- on the points of each square will be each principle or ordinance. You can have a child come up to front and point to a corner in their square and have another child say what principle or ordinance it is.

* Have a set of 3 sequencing pictures for 3 children to hold. (For example, I’ll have a picture of a girl planting a seed, a stem growing with leaves, a full flower) Let a child put them in the right order. Can you get the flower before you plant the seed? (Be prepared, you will have someone say, “Yes, just buy one at the store!” to which you can respond, “Good thought, but someone had to plant a seed before the store could get it!” This is like the Gospel, you have to do things in order before you can get the full result of returning to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ! Have signs with pictures for faith, repentance, baptism and the laying on of hands for children to hold. Invite a child to put them in the right order as you all say the Article of Faith out loud.

* Bring white out! Print out the Article of Faith on a 8X10 piece of paper. Let a child white out a few words (like 6 total), you say the Article of Faith but stop at white out words and let the primary fill in the blank!

* Have words from the Article of Faith cut out and attached to paper clips. Let a child come and fish 3 words out. (Using a small stick with a string and magnet on the end of the string) Repeat the Article as a primary but leave out those 3 words!

The key with helping to learn and commit to memory is this: keep it short and simple. LESS talk from YOU and MORE participation from the CHILDREN. And don’t spend more than a couple minutes doing these activities, just do them often with the children perhaps every week during opening exercises.

Week 1 My faith in Jesus Christ is strengthened when I obey.

* Reader’s Theatre! See Here.

Week 2 I can repent.

* The Lord told Adam, “Wherefore teach it unto your children, that all men, everywhere, must repent, or they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God, for no unclean thing can dwell there, or dwell in his presence.” (Moses 6:57)
Have a dirty penny and a small cup of ketchup. Let’s see what will happen. Put the penny in the ketchup and go on with your lesson. At the end, take it out and wipe it with a wet wipe. Bear testimony that through repentance and the Atonement we are able to be clean!

Have a clothesline with dirty clothes clipped on. Divide into groups and give each group a question: How do we repent? What does it mean to forsake and confess? When do we repent? How does repentance help us? (All answers can be found in Gospel Principles pg.122-127-- highly recommend making little copies of sections that match questions to be read in groups, give 4 minutes time for the group to talk or just watch to see when most are done) Let a child from the group come up and share their answers and exchange a dirty piece of clothes for a clean one.

* Point to a child and ask them what is something they can do. Try to involve lots of children! I can jump. I can sing. I can name all my state capitals. Ask other friends to listen and if they can do that too, then stand up also! Say, I can repent. Can everyone else do that too?

* Again, the white out. Bring in a piece of paper and pen. Write down something like I love my primary friends a lot! Whoops! I made a mistake, I wanted to write I love my primary friends more than a 25 scoop ice cream sundae with whip cream and nuts and a cherry on top. How will I fix my mistake? White out! The atonement of Christ white’s out our sins when we repent. Isaiah 1: 18 "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

Let the children write down words or small pictures of mistakes we might make. Invite them to come up and share their words, then let them white out the words. Ask questions like: How do we repent? Why should we repent? What do you think it feels like after you have repented? Can you think of anyone from the scriptures that repented or didn’t repent? After a child answers a question, invite them up to white out a mistake.

* What would you do if you had 20 minutes to spend at Disneyland? What about if you had 2 minutes to play at a park? What are you doing with the time you’ve been given to live this earthly life? Alma 42:4 “And thus we see, that there was a time granted unto man to repent, yea, a probationary time, a time to repent and serve God.”

Have a large poster board clock with detachable numbers and hands for the children to turn. Let the children come and turn it to a certain hour and have corresponding (on the back of each number) scenarios for them to answer what they would do. For example, child turns it to 4, take off the number and read the scenario: You are at school and having an important test. You don’t know the answer to one of the questions but your friend does and you can see their test. Should you cheat? Now you find out that a person was looking off your test, what should they do?” You can also have the primary children point to their wrists (like a watch) if they think it’s time to repent!

* Have a picture of Christ. Would you rather be close or far away from Christ? Have a child come up and walk toward Him, what are some things that bring us closer to Christ? What are some things that turn us away from Him (have the child turn and walk away)? If we make mistakes, is that it? We’ll just be really far away from Him, end of story? Helaman 7:17 “O repent ye, repent ye! Why will ye die? Turn ye, turn ye unto the Lord your God…” Repentance can turn us back!

“The invitation to repent is rarely a voice of chastisement but rather a loving appeal to turn around and to ‘re-turn’ toward God.” (Neil L. Andersen, Repent . . . That I May Heal You,” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 40)

Re-Turn the child and have them walk to Christ’s picture!

*"We have felt [the Lord's] forgiveness, His love and comfort. [He] has said, 'I am he [who] comforteth you' (2 Nephi 8:12). The Lord's desire that we come unto Him and be wrapped in His arms is often an invitation to repent. 'Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you' (Alma 5:33)."(Neil L. Andersen,, "Repent . . . That I May Heal You," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 40)

Have little cards folded in half. Make invitations to repent! Have the children decorate the cards with pictures of Christ. Have them put on the envelope… If I’ve made a mistake, what can I do? (For children that can’t write, have this already written for them) On the inside you can have them write You’re invited to say sorry, pray for forgiveness and do better! The children can make as many invitations as they want! They can put these by their bed as a reminder what to do if they make a mistake. Encourage them to share with their families what they have learned about repentance!

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

*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 When I am confirmed I receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

* Have 5 different gifts that you’ve received. Let the children put them in order of what is the least to most worth. What is one of the greatest gifts we’ve been given? "John the Baptist said that while he baptized with water, Jesus baptized 'with the Holy Ghost' (John 1:33). Nothing in this life is of greater worth than the supernal gift of the Holy Ghost." (Lawrence E. Corbridge, "The Way, Ensign," Nov. 2008, 35)

* Have different hand prints on the board for the children to come up and choose. On those hand prints have questions, songs and scriptures having to do with the gift of the Holy Ghost. Remember, we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost by the “laying on of hands”!

* Lesson 13: The Gift of the Holy Ghost Can Help Me,” Primary 2: Choose the Right A, 61 found HERE is an excellent resource with activities for the children. When I taught this I told the story of Sara Jane and hid different rocks throughout the room. I let a child search for a rock and then we whispered/directed where that person should look. We talked about how the spirit whispers to us, guiding us and directing us.

There is a story at the end about a girl’s confirmation that could be made into a flannel board! (Flannel Board Tip: Let the children come up and put the picture on the board!!) We’ve also used this lesson for FHE! It’s a good one!

* The outline said the “focus of the sharing time in week 4 should be on the children sharing how the Holy Ghost has helped them”. Sit in a circle (have the room set up BEFORE sharing time, as the come in the room DIRECT them where to sit) and have the children pass around a bear and small blanket. The Holy Ghost comforts us, guides us, helps us to be happy. Just like the warmth we feel when we’re in a blanket, the Holy Ghost fills our hearts with joy and peace. Let them pass around the bear and blanket. If they’d like to share something they know about the holy ghost, they can do so when they have the bear and blanket. If not, they can hug the bear and talk about anything that makes them feel happy or just pass! Give the children 15 second warnings if they are telling an overly long story…

April 6th: Restoration Party!!

(Joseph Smith Image- Gospel Art Book)
We love reasons to celebrate and party at our house... so tomorrow will be no exception! Here is what we plan to do:

1. I will take a few items away from my girls. Then I will bring back the items and "Restore" them to the girls. This may sound scary, seeing as they are 5 and 3, but really my girls are game for anything!

2. Taking a calendar and outlining the April 6th with a bright color, laying it on the floor, I will have the girls toss bean bags and see how close they can get to the date! April 6th is a wonderful day because it was the day the church was organized again in the latter days... Quote April 6th was, "The precise day upon which, according to (God's) will and commandment, we should proceed to organize his church once again, here upon the earth." (Joseph Smith, "History of Joseph Smith," Times and Seasons, 1 Oct. 1842, pp.928-29.)

3. We are going to gather small twigs and leaves and make "Sacred Grove" art by gluing them onto the paper with a small clip art image of Joseph Smith praying.
(Small hint: Let children glue, then when they are done placing, you add a bit of hot glue for the sticks to really stay in place)

4. Taking small milk cartons, white frosting and preztel sticks we'll make log cabins like Peter Whitmer Sr.'s home (pictured below in Fayette Township, NY) where the very first church meeting was held!

5. I'm going to take some paper plates, cut them in half and let the girls paint them gold. I'll have some short scriptures for them to glue on when dry, and then punch holes and add them to binder rings... hence making their own set of golden plates.

6. Yes/NO Hop: Have 2 papers on the ground, one YES one NO. I will hold up some GAK pictures and say all the things they did in their very first meeting as a Church. The girls then have to choose YES or NO and jump on the right one answering this question: Do we also do that today in our church meetings? "Elements present at that meeting in 1830: exercise the law of common consent, singing, praying, partaking of the sacrament, sharing of personal tesimonies, bestowal of he gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, ordinations, personal revelation, and revelation through priesthood officers." (Our Heritage A Brief History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, p.15)

7. We have old Joseph Smith calendars that I got for $1 at Deseret Book. I plan on making a word wall with pictures from the calendars. (A word wall is basically a bulletin board that is smack dab in the living room where the girls can see it often and familiarize themselves with the words,letters, gospel vocabulary) Words/phrases to include for my little readers: Joseph Smith, Restore, True Church, Apostacy, April 6, JSH 1:25 "I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it..." Emma Smith, Doctrine and Covenants.

8. All in Favor Listening Activity: I will review with the girls what we do when we sustain/ law of common consent. In the very first church meeting on April 6, 1830 the prophet recorded, "Having opened the meeting by solemn prayer to our Heavenly Father, we proceeded, according to previous commandment, to call on our brethren to know whether they accepted us as their teachers in the things of the Kingdom of God, and whether they were satisfied that we should proceed and be organized as a Church according to said commandment which we had received. To these several propositions they consented by a unanimous vote."(Our Heritage A Brief History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, p.14) I will say some phrases and the girls have to listen to whether or not I say "All in favor." to then raise or not raise their hand. Questions to ponder:

What does it mean to be unified? How about seperate?

Why is it important to vote on things?

How can we show love and support for others?

When we sustain others, are we being one with Christ?

9. We'll eat some Johnny cakes, jerky and apples for lunch... similar to what they ate during that time!

10. The girls can play dolls with the wagon I found at Goodwill for $3 and dress up in pioneer clothes... also goodwill finds :)

Teaching Differently Abled Children

We all have certain people in life that we admire and love. People that emulate the Savior to a T. This little lady is one of them! While small to the eye, she is a spiritual giant and I hope one day to even be a smidgeon as wonderful and kind as she is. A while back she gave a beautiful presentation and was thoughtful enough to let me share with you. The following is written by Sister B...

"Kathie Snow said,
But what do apples have to do with disability?

One of the five apples is green.One American in five is a person with a disability.
(Which makes people with disabilities the largest minority group in the nation—and
it's the only group that anyone can join at any time!)

A green apple is more like red apples than different.

A person with a disability is more like people without disabilities than different.
Apples are natural . . . and having a disability is a "natural part of the human experience"
(as expressed in the U.S. Developmental Disabilities Act).
The sun shines equally on all the apples in the bowl,
and it's time for the light of inclusion, opportunity, freedom, and dignity
to shine equally on all people—including people with disabilities.

I was asked to share insights this evening in regards to inclusive education for children in our primary with disabilities. I have thought long and hard about this. In our home we are truly grateful for those who have taught, nurtured and included our family. I moved into our ward when I was 9 years old. My dad had died 2 years before, my mom was remarried to an awesome guy and we had moved here from Utah. There was a lot of transition in my life at that time. I was fortunate to have a wonderful primary teacher not long after we moved here by the name of Peter. Peter was a young man preparing to go on a mission. He did not make any special accommodations to help me be a part of the class but he did walk with me down the halls of the Prater Way Chapel to our classroom and he required the same of the other members of the class. He spoke to me with respect and most importantly, he helped me to feel loved and accepted. I needed that from him and from my peers. After receiving his mission call, Peter wrote letters to me ( He was a 19 yr old boy and he took time to write letters to me-a little 9 year old girl with cp.) It meant so much to me. I still have those letters as well as his wedding announcement to sweet, Laura. I still know that I can count on Peter over 30 years later. Every child in the church deserves to have a person like Peter in their lives.

My family is unique in that we all have diagnosed disabilities and health conditions. I even have concerns for our pug, Zeus because he has behavior issues that we cannot seem to extinguish no matter what we try.
I was born over 3 months prematurely and weighed 1lb13 oz at birth. As a result, I have cerebral palsy. My husband has bipolar disorder. Our oldest son, Denver has Asperger’s Syndrome (high functioning autism) Our second son, Jordan has celiac disease and our daughters whom we adopted from foster care both have the diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and other challenges related to their traumatic beginnings.

In thinking about what has worked for my children in attending church.
1. Greet the children by name

2. Establish rules for class
a. Routine (kids with autism need to know what to expect-difficult to be flexible
b. Role play
c. Responsibility
d. Revere-love
e. Room to move-just because a child is wiggling doesn’t mean they are not learning (rocking chair for Heather helped her to move without distracting others)
f. Reinforce positive behavior

3. When calling on children with disabilities, ask a typical peer the same question first-if the child with a disability repeats what is already said it is ok…always validate answers

4. Model respect

5. Sit child with disability near the teacher

6. Give positive prompts

7. Spotlight children in class-it helps them to feel important and helps the children to get to know one another, focus on commonalities

8. Get to Know you games

9. Expand a child’s social circle

10. Praise for sitting reverently even for 3 seconds

11. Focus on strengths

12. Praise improvements even if they are slight

13. Learn from children

(if a child uses sign language or a communication device, learn a song in sign language)

14. Find out what the children want

15. All kids can learn with the correct supports-have high expectations-they will rise to it

16. Teach behaviors using puppets, etc…

17. Pre-teach expectations, find out about children from their parents

My son Jordan has celiac disease. We are so grateful for our primary presidency and their efforts to ensure that he can eat what is served at activities. I appreciate the phone calls asking me to bring food items for him that are similar to what the other children are consuming.

Denver as a deacon passed the sacrament to the same rows every week. It was an accommodation made for him that no one even knew about. We did not have to draw attention to it but it was a way for him to participate without feeling uneasy. When Denver was in primary he was mortified to stand up and sing with the other kids for the primary program. It was not ideal but he would hold a picture in front of his face and sing. At least he was up there, right?

We cannot simplify children as just a boy in a wheelchair; he is a complete person with a disability. People with disabilities don’t just want to glue Popsicle sticks together, we want to learn to do math and to learn about history. We want to change history. We want to enjoy friendships, gain testimonies, serve missions, get married, have families, pets and jobs and have a sense of belonging.

Inclusion is best for every child. Inclusion is an easy thing to do poorly. When all children are included appropriately, everyone benefits. Teachers become better teachers by inclusion. We should constantly think of how each child can be included in all activities.

The Monument

God,
Before He Sent His children to earth
Gave each of them
A very carefully selected package of problems.

These,
He promised, smiling,
Are yours alone. No one
Else may have the blessings
These problems will bring you.

And only you
Have the special talents and abilities
That will be needed
To make these problems
Your servants.

Now go down to your birth and to your forgetfulness.
Know that I love you beyond measure.
These problems that I give you
Are a symbol of the love.

The monument you make of your life
With the help of your problems
Will be a symbol of your Love for me,
Your Father. "

Thank you so much Sister B for sharing. (I love you and your sweet mother and family forever and always!) The Church has THIS PAGE to help and guide you, entitled Teaching All Children, Including Those with Disabilities. Food for thought people. Click around, they have especially helpful suggestions for teaching children with ADD and Autism. Hope this message from this amazing sister can be of help!

The Church of Jesus Christ Song Helps and Ideas (CS pg. 77)

Yellow Umbrella Image Courtesy Creative Commons License Flickr by //soliedether Aug. 11,2007

* Joseph Smith received this revelation on April 26, 1838 "That the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be 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) Bring in a colorful rain poncho, umbrella and rain boots. Being members of our church helps protect us from the storms of life! How can we keep each other safe?? Let a child who is singing very nicely dress up in the rain attire and lead the song with the umbrella (make sure it's a small and short one!)

* Have the church logo nice and large on a piece of poster board. Cover it up with a bunch of other logos/brands. We live in a world telling us to buy that, be part of this, wear this, shop at that place... none of those brands or logos matter! Sheri Dew said, "But though we don't always see beyond our hair and the labels on our clothing, the Lord does. For he 'seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.' (1 Sam. 16:7)" ( No Doubt About It, Sheri Dew p.47) Like the song says, "I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ.... I know who I am!" Nothing else matters, except what is in our hearts... We love our Savior! As the children sing boldly, let them come up and take off the other brands to reveal what is really important!

* Have a picture Alma baptizing in the waters of Mormon, Christ and His apostles, and a sign that says YOU and I! What do they all have in common? We all belong to the same church! Though different times, it's the same gospel! Have different costumes from different times for the children to wear. This would also be a good time to review Article of Faith number 6!

In Gospel Principles it says, 'Christ is the head of His Church today, just as He was in ancient times. The Lord has said that it is 'the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased.' (D&C 1:30)" (p.111)

* Have a large sheet of butcher paper. Have a child come up front and lie down. Trace the child on it. Who are we? This song helps us realize important truths! On the outline of the child write lines from the song in different places- for example the I know phrases could be by the head, I'll follow phrases by the arms or legs, I will proclaim by the mouth... etc. And of course, I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ could be right by the heart!

Happy Monday!

Because what could be better than a singing pegasus/unicorn to brighten up your day! Have a wonderful super fantastic amazing week!!!!

"You have nothing in this world more precious than your children. When you grow old, when your hair turns white and your body grows weary, when you are prone to sit in a rocker and meditate on the things of your life, nothing will be so important as the question of how your children have turned out."
-President Hinckley

What can you do for your primary children today and this week?

April 2010 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

Image courtesy Primary Nursery Manual: Behold Your Little Ones

Woah. Am I behind the times or what! I didn't even know about this AWESOME RESOURCE that the church has!

Week 1 Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith.

* Here is a gathering of testimonies of Joseph Smith in different languages. Have a laptop handy and invite a couple children to choose different people from around the world and listen to those testimonies in the people's native language. Have a globe or a map with the numbers 1 through 12 posted in different areas. Attach questions, songs and scriptures having to do with the story of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appearing to Joseph Smith. All over the world, the truth is the same - the gospel is restored!!! Hooray! (Need help with questions, click here!)

* Here is a BEAUTIFUL multimedia presentation, with great pictures and short quotes! I didn't hear any music, but I think it would be a great way to start off primary by showing this and having the pianist play O How Lovely Was the Morning softly in the background as you read the quotes. (For some odd reason, there is a video at the very end but it's short and not really finished ??)

* President Uchtdorf shares his testimony of Joseph Smith and personal story when he was a boy. Click Here to read. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The First Vision,” Friend, Jun 2008, 2–3) Share the story and take the above picture from the Nursery Manual. With a pen, draw slanted lines to make it into a mosaic like stained glass. Make a copy for each child and have them color with lots of different colors and answer the questions in the magazine article.

* 3 cheers for Diane Nichols!! She shares Grrrrrrrrrrrreat activities found here!!! (Diane Nichols, “Sharing Time: Joseph Smith—Prophet of the Restoration,” Friend, Jul 2001, 14) Especially love this quote/idea from her, "Display a bouquet of four artificial flowers and one real flower. Ask how the flowers are different from one another. Point out that the main difference is that only one is a true flower. Explain that though there are many churches in the world today, only one of them is the true Church of Jesus Christ."

* This is an outline of songs and artwork telling the story of Joseph and His life. It would be great for older children who know the songs. Thanks for putting it together in one spot Sister Karen Robinson! (Kerri Robinson, “Sing a Song of Joseph,” Friend, May 2007, 4–6)

* Have different questions written on the chalkboard. What ocean can you find blue whales in? How do you make chocolate cake with buttercream frosting? What is the largest city in the world? Next, ask the children where or what they could do to find out the answers to these questions. Erase the questions and put up a final question, What is the true Church here on the earth today? What would they do to find the answer to this question? Help children memorize James 1:5, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." by doing hand movements to the words. Also, the best way to help them memorize is not spending 10 minutes repeating over and over!! Throughout the lesson, say the scripture for them, whoever knows it- join in! Leave out certain words, let the children fill in the blank. Tell the children you have lots of questions that need to be answered! Have them check under their chairs for questions, then quietly walk around and talk to each other to find out the answer to their question. (Good opportunity for older children to help younger children with their questions!)

*Dress up a child simply and have them act out the words while you sing The Sacred Grove. (CS p.87) Have another child be a sun, another hold up a picture of God the Father and Jesus appearing to Joseph and lastly a child holding a big heart.

* Have the children hold up their pointer fingers. How are the fingers different, how are they the same? (On different hands, one might have a shorter nail, etc. Yet they are both fingers.) John 17:21, "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." We learn a very important truth from the first vision in that Heavenly Father and Jesus are separate, different bodies and persons, yet they are the same -Gods- and one in purpose.

“Yes, God does live. The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three separate personal beings, alike in form, in whose image man is made. In order that these basic fundamental truths, lost to the world through centuries of erroneous teachings, might again be available to people of our day, a new revelation was necessary, and this was given to the fourteen-year-old Joseph Smith in the form of the most glorious vision ever given to mortal man, so far as the records indicate—a vision in which Father and Son appeared simultaneously” (Joseph F. Merrill, in Conference Report, Oct. 1948, 59).

Week 2 Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by the power of God.

* Here is great reading from Chapter 5 of the Church History in the Fullness of Times manual. Highly recommend reading it and seeing where inspiration will take you!

* Here is a matching activity in the friend that would be great for older children to do in pairs. (Scroll down a little)

* Have a bunch of copies of the Book of Mormon in different languages. Ask the children to try to come up and read. Sometimes it's even hard enough in our own language that we know! Have different bookmarks in the Books with scriptures, songs and questions having to do with Joseph Smith and the translation of the Book of Mormon attached. Let the children come up and pick a book mark! If there is time, perhaps they can even make a book mark with Joseph Smith on it, and give to the missionaries to give to investigators!

* Have a blow dryer unplugged and invite a child to press the on button. What happens? Now plug it in and get the power going!(Make sure the adult does this, not the child...say no to pain and lawsuits) What happens? And so it is also by the power of God that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon.

* Sing The Books in the Book of Mormon. (CS pg. 119) Invite the children to turn to the Table of Contents in the Book of Mormon. Ask the children to share favorite stories from the Book of Mormon, then decide where you would find those stories. We only know those stories because Joseph Smith translated them by the power of God!

* I really liked the idea in the sharing time outline! I would expand it by dividing into groups and having different messages and codes for each group to figure out. Then have someone come to the front and share what their message was. All messages would be based on the week's theme. For example, "Joseph Smith had help translating from Oliver Cowdry." or "Joseph Smith used the Urim and Thummin to translate."

Week 3 Jesus Christ restored the gospel through Joseph Smith.

* This is a wonderful poem! Callie Buys, “Thank You, Brother Joseph,” Friend, May 2005, 7
You could divide a paper in half, have this poem on one side and have the children take home to illustrate a picture of Joseph Smith or event from his life.

Thank you, Brother Joseph,
For reading in James,
For translating plates,
For suffering pain.

Thank you, Brother Joseph,
For teaching the way,
For preaching the gospel,
For laughter and play.

Thank you, Brother Joseph,
For helping each hour,
For receiving restored
Priesthood power—

Power to hope
And help and heal.
Power to pray
And baptize and seal.

Power to preach
And translate and learn.
Power to teach
Of kingdoms to earn.

Thank you, Brother Joseph.

* For Senior Sharing Time, you can enlarge this crossword puzzle (click HERE) and do for sharing time.

* For Senior Sharing Time,click here for a time line activity for the children to do.

* Click here for a puzzle of the picture of Joseph Smith and highlights from his life.

“In many ways the gospel of Jesus Christ is like a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle. When Joseph Smith came on the scene, perhaps 100 pieces were in place. Then Joseph Smith came along and put many of the other 900 pieces in place so that people could say, ‘Oh, now I understand where I came from, why I am here, and where I am going.’ As for Joseph Smith’s role in the Restoration, the Lord defined it clearly: ‘This generation shall have my word through you’ (D&C 5:10).” (Tad R. Callister, Joseph Smith-Propher of the Restoration, Ensign, Nov. 2009, 36)

* Have 3 cups. Put a ball under one cup and mix them up. Invite a child to guess where the ball is. Do again a couple times with different children. Heavenly Father would always know where the ball is because He is omnipotent (Big Word!!) He knows all things! And just as He knows all things, he carefully chose Joseph Smith to restore the gospel.

“It was decreed in the counsels of eternity, long before the foundations of the earth were laid, that he, Joseph Smith, should be the man, in the last dispensation of this world, to bring forth the word of God to the people, and receive the fulness of the keys and power of the Priesthood of the Son of God. The Lord had his eyes upon him, and upon his father, and upon his father’s father, and upon their progenitors clear back to Abraham, and from Abraham to the flood, from the flood to Enoch, and from Enoch to Adam. He has watched that family and that blood as it has circulated from its fountain to the birth of that man. He was fore-ordained in eternity to preside over this last dispensation” (Young, Discourses of Brigham Young, 108).

* Invite someone to leave the room. They are gone, now send someone to bring that person back. So it is with the restoration, The Church of Jesus Christ had left the world and Joseph Smith brought it back, restored it by the power of God!

* The Restoration DVD might be appropriate to show! I haven't seen it in a while and am not sure how easy to understand for children it is. So keyword then is "might".

Personal Sacrament Meeting Talk Jan. 2010

Pardon the interruption. This doesn't have to do with Primary but I do want it on record one day for my little chickies pictured above.

Brothers and Sisters, it’s a pleasure to be here with you this Sabbath day. I want to tell my parents I love them and thank you for always being there for us. I’m just going to come right out and say it, it might be a little sacrilege, it might be a little un-American but it’s who I am. I dislike hotdogs. I don’t even remember the last time I had a hotdog. I refuse to cook hotdogs for any of my family and whenever a family member eats a hotdog, I make sure to give looks of horror and disapproval, if not vocal gagging sounds. When someone told me what was in a hot dog, they changed my life. They proclaimed truth. They proclaimed knowledge of very important value. It’s changed the way I eat and live. It may sound like I’m babbling, but I do have message to share this day, and it’s my prayer that the spirit will be with us and that we can grow closer to God by it’s divine power.

A person spoke up and told me about hot dogs. It changed me. How often do we share messages that can change the lives of others? The Bishop asked my husband and I to speak on “Proclaiming the Gospel”. The word “proclaim” is situated in an interesting spot in the topical guide, coincidence- I think not- between the words “proceed” and “procrastination”. Do we proceed and go forward sharing our testimonies often, or do we procrastinate sharing our beliefs?

I was born and raised in Sparks. Home means NV to me. My husband and I met at BYU. It was at the Black Student Union and my roommate and I were debating whether I should go after Joe- who was gaunt and starving looking or another guy who was meatier but had different sized eyes. The choice was fairly easy. I was 200 pounds lighter with a dashing personality he couldn’t refuse and snagged him right up. I had dated quite a bit but Joe was the first guy I met that just could not talk about anything other than his mission. He was obsessed. He served in Dallas TX… God bless Texas! Spanish and English speaking. He talked about the different families they taught, he talked about his love of Mexican food, he talked about the weather and dogs trying to kill him in the ghettos, he talked and talked and talked… and I actually listened. I’m pretty attention deficit and bore easily, yet his love for the gospel enthralled me. He even continued his mission a few months after his 2 years were up, because he loved proclaiming God’s truth to others. Besides his stunning good looks and rock hard biceps this was what attracted me most to him. He was a man of God. He was worthy of the sacred priesthood he held. He made the world a better place by proclaiming the gospel. And he does so to this day!

I want to break up the word “proclaim” into 3 parts. Declare, Preach, and Publish as found in the topical guide.

First, Declare. We have a popular phrase we like to quote in our house. It’s by the Godfather of Soul, Mr. James Brown himself and is slightly modified. “Girl…Say it loud, say it proud.” Declare. State it - whether it’s in your home, school, testimony meeting, the grocery store or King’s Chinese Buffet. Abinadi didn’t shrink before King Noah, he told it like it was. Mosiah 12:33 “I know if ye keep the commandments of God ye shall be saved.” Same chapter 12 verses 25 and 26 “Have ye taught this people that they should observe to do all these things for to keep these commandments? I say unto you Nay; for if ye had, the Lord would not have caused me to come forth and to prophesy evil concerning this people.” He declared this most important truth in Mosiah 15:1 “I would that ye should understand that God himself shall come down among the children of men, and shall redeem his people.” The modern day apostles don’t beat around the bush either, in the document The Living Christ they say “We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.”

Now there is a small clause with this that should make sense, D&C 11:21 “Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men.” What is your testimony? What do you know to be true? Do you have to be a scriptorian and know the family histories line by line in the book of Numbers? This scripture isn’t meant to scare anyone off, but just before you go declaring the word of God make sure you know who Joseph Smith is and that we don’t go boozing around town as part of the word of wisdom, young adults aren’t forced to go to BYU, etc. Except for my girls, you will bleed blue.

Preach on sister. No really, the second part of my talk is about just that “Preaching”. First we declare, then we preach and further expound. How important is it to preach? Jonah 3:2 “Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee…” And Jonah didn’t and he was swallowed by a whale and had to live inside it for 3 days. The apostle Paul probably echoed Jonah’s sentiments when he stated “…Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel.” 1 Corinthians 9:16 We have been told by President Spencer W. Kimball, “Every member a missionary.” We have resources all around us to help. The scriptures, modern day revelation, prayer… to be used often, daily, not sparingly…even a book called “Preach my Gospel.” One scripture that is a theme within this book is D&C 112:28 “But purify your hearts before me; and then go ye into all the world, and preach my gospel unto every creature who has not received it.” Do we as members take the place of missionaries? Absolutely not!!!! We don’t have discussions on our own and baptize in the pond in the backyard. Missionaries have been called and set apart by God to specifically preach the gospel as ordained servants. But we can sure open our mouths to our neighbors and friends or complete strangers and teach and testify. Opening mouths is only one part, we need to remember actions speak louder than words. Follow Christ, do as He did.

Thirdly, I chose to focus on the word publish. When is the last time you wrote down your testimony? Will generations to come have a record of what you believed in? Isaiah 52:7 “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” I never served a mission. I wanted to, but my husband said if I left he wouldn’t wait for me. I’m smart, I thought Ok, we’ll just serve one together! So while I’ve never had that official experience I have published my testimony and through the miracles of God and the internet, people in 208 different countries can witness that I know that Jesus Christ lives. From Ireland to Nigeria to the Cayman Islands, Sofia Lykes has said it loud and said it proud. I bring this up not to toot my own horn,because really... I am nothing!!... but to just state that if we wish to share and humbly ask God for help, He will help!

I know my daughters Christina and Maria know this – Mommy loves you very much. You are my angels. You are perfection. You are heaven here on this earth. We share our testimonies together weekly in Family Home Evening. I also know that one day I’m going to be on the other side of the veil and I don’t want there to ever be a question to their children or the world for that matter that I know Heavenly Father loves us all. That Jesus Christ atoned for our sins and sicknesses. I declare, preach, publish. I proclaim we will one glorious day be resurrected and stand before our maker.

My son is also proclaiming the gospel. I am often asked how many children I have. I have 3. I don’t skirt around the question, even though I know sometimes it makes others uncomfortable. Our son died of SIDS almost 5 months ago now. His life and death serve a very important purpose and God’s will always be done. We don’t see it as a trial or great tragedy, it’s part of the plan and we’ll be reunited in the resurrection. Besides, I know his sweet perfect spirit is very close by me each day. The veil is thin. I would really be remiss if I didn’t thank you all for the wonderful support and charity you have shown us in our hour of need. Words will never do justice for the gratitude that is in my heart. Food, prayers, visits, hugs, listening ears, Kleenex, an outstanding and amazing visiting teacher, a home teacher who shoveled our snow… you name it, it was given. And we are eternally grateful. May you be blessed with heaven’s highest blessings for mourning with those that mourn. We are very humbled to be part of such an outstanding ward family. And to be led by such fine priesthood leaders like the bishopric. (Small insert to blog readers- you too are wonderful, I don't know where I'd be without all your prayers and love so THANK YOU!!!)

I’ve been told often that now I really have a reason to work hard since my son is waiting for me, but this is absolutely false. I valued being sealed to him when he was alive just as much as now. I’ve always had a reason to work hard and that is because I love my Savior. I love my God. I desire nothing more than to enter into Their presence and have Them say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.” What are the desires of our heart? Do we desire others to have a part of this glorious gospel and happiness?

Don’t be discouraged, we may not convert by the 1,000’s every week and that’s OK. In Isaiah 27 verses 12 and 13 “…ye shall be gathered one by one… they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the Lord in the holy mount at Jerusalem.” Never judge a person, just share. Listen to the Holy Ghost. President Lee says it much more eloquently- “The Gospel of Jesus Christ was not intended just for a continent or a segment of the earth. The gospel is intended for every soul that walks the earth, they are all children of God… Our responsibility is to bring to the world the message of truth, to show the world that within the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ are to be found the solutions to very problem that afflicts mankind… No matter where they live, whether they are rich or poor, no matter what their station in life, their color or their background, they are loved by us and we desire to help them to achieve their highest expectations…”

We never know when we will be called to proclaim the gospel. I bear solemn testimony we must be ready at all times to witness the divinity of Christ. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true church on this earth, this day. We must declare, we must preach and we must publish. Have I done any good in the world today? Have I helped anyone in need? We must proclaim the change that the world needs. We must help gather His children and keep them safe. All things are possible with God through the Atonement of His Son. Of this I bear testimony of, in the name of my Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ Amen.

LDS Primary Follow the Prophet Song Helps and Ideas (CS p.110-11)

GAK 506

* School of the Prophets - Make a large poster board school. Have neat rows of different pictures of prophets. Maybe 10? Have children come up and choose a prophet to either sing a certain verse or have a "way" attached on how to sing. (Like an opera singer, super soft, sing while moving your arms in small circles, etc.)

* Choose a friend to be the prophet at the front. He/she does motions and everyone follows them while singing.

* Have a poster board. Cut 2 slits, one at the bottom and one on top. Have a picture of Enoch the prophet and the City of Zion, attach on a ribbon, thread the ribbon through the slits and tape the ribbon ends together. Make it so Enoch can move up and down. As the children sing robustly, have Enoch rise up to heaven! See where singing can get you!!

* Have a large sack and picture of Nephi. For each verse the children learn, put an arrow in the sack. Every time you see a child trying really hard or singing nicely, put an arrow in the sack! See how many arrows you can get! On the bottom of your picture have the words, “I will go, I will sing!!!”

* Make necklaces for the children. Have little papers with pictures to help remind them of the different prophets they are singing about. For example, you can have a picture of different plants for Adam, an Ark for Noah, a penny for Enoch because there was no poor in Zion, an ear for Samuel because he heard God speak his name… etc.

* Encourage older children to think of another prophet and write a verse for that prophet to share with the primary. This can fulfill a faith in God requirement under Developing Talents.