September 2008 Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

( Image found on Yahoo Search: Keywords Child Prayer)

WEEK 1 I learn about prayer from the scriptures.

*Ask for 2 volunteers. Have one stand outside the door and knock so we can let them back in.
Have the next one go out but tell them not to knock. Stand there for a 30 seconds or so. How would we know they were even there if they aren't knocking?

Matt. 7: 7 : "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you"

You could have different GAK (Gospel Art Kit) pictures and scriptures having to do with prayer on different doors around the room. The children could pick them and you ask questions or direct conversation about what they've chosen.

* 2 Ne. 32: 4 "Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock; wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must perish in the dark."
Have little black squares on the blackboard. A child will choose one and on the back will be a scripture about prayer and a picture having to do with light (like a sun, flashlight, lamps, campfire, stars, lanterns, night light) Turn off the lights, read 2 Nephi 32:4 and ask what brings us back into the light? Have a child turn on the light when everyone together answers prayer!

*Have an assortment of puzzles (1,000 piece, 200 piece, 5 piece) Are some puzzles harder to do than others? Do some puzzles need more time to do? Are some puzzles pretty short and simple? Can we have lots of people work on a puzzle? How are puzzles like prayers? Prayers are like puzzles...when we have the right pieces we can make a work of art.
(Matthew 6:9-15) Talk about the different parts of a prayer. Have envelopes with pictures or different scriptures inside cut up into simple puzzles. Have the envelopes taped under the children's chairs and then when the children put them together, talk about what their puzzle made.

Wonderful Scriptures on Prayer

1 Sam. 1:26-27, Daniel 6:10, Acts 7:59-60, Mark 1:35, John 16:23-24, Moses 1:17-18, D&C 46:7, 2 Ne. 4:24, James 1:5, Alma 8:10, Alma 34:27, 3 Ne. 12:44, 3 Ne. 13:5, 3 Ne. 18:16, Matt. 26:39, D&C 6: 22-24, D&C 10:5, D&C 19:28

GAK pictures having to do with prayer (blessings)

122, 225,227,305,403, 602, 603, 605, 606

*Have a child come to the front and use a cell phone to call the bishop. (Tell him in advance what you are doing... please) Put him on speaker, tell him we thought we'd just call to tell him we love him and thanks for all he does. Talk to the kids about phones. They are pretty amazing things. What if you told them there is something out there- where you don't need to push buttons or remember phone numbers, you'll never get a busy signal or have the call disconnected, and you can reach as far as heaven with no long distance charges. It's prayer!!!

Here is a very feeble/decrepit sketch (please re-draw your own, don't scar the children for life with my bad drawing skills) of a cell phone handout with "calling upon" scriptures on it. 2 options: As a primary look up the scriptures together (have the teachers or bigger kids help the little ones). Make sure everyone has a copy of the cell phone handout and when you find and read the scripture everyone can put a star (give stars to teachers to hand out to children) on the square. Or you could have a large posterboard of it on the blackboard and whoever finds the scripture first can come up and read it and put a star on the posterboard under the scripture. (I have 2 bonus stars for anyone who can use the index to find other scriptures about prayer)

Scriptures on cell phone: Alma 9:17, Alma 22:16, 3 Nephi 4:30, 3 Nephi 21:27, Ether 2:14-15, D&C 65:4, D&C 88:62, D&C 93:1, D&C 136:29, Moses 1:17-18


This image is courtesy Sister A. Peterson. She's gone all out and is obviously very talented! Insert my little soapbox- Those of us artistically challenged should not copy and paste this image until we have tried to make our own. How will we grow my fellow Rembrants if we don't try? This image would make a wonderful FHE... all I ask is that we not take the easy route, until we have put forth our best effort.

Yes, this activity is possible with sunbeams!!

They are perfectly capable of turning pages and looking for matches. Give them individual key letters or numbers like M and 6. Show them to look at the top of the page for the name of the book. Have them come up to read (you say it, they repeat). Have them point to the scripture while it is read. Show them pictures of people who wrote the Book of Mormon and those who wrote the Doctrine and Covenants. Just remember to have someone, anyone HELP THEM. Be excited too! Give them plenty of praise when they've found it!! They are important too!! Don't leave them behind in the page shuffle.

And it's not just this activity. With this week's theme especially, they should have their hands on the scriptures, feeling them, looking at them, touching and sensing the importance of the word of God. Make sure every child has a triple combination to use.

If you really want to go all out, here is a link to Family Fun Magazine for a fun treat to make for the kids to take home with a scripture of your choice attached.

Week 2 Heavenly Father wants me to pray to Him often- anytime, anywhere.

* President Monson has said, "Pray with purpose. With God, all things are possible. Remember the prayer of the Prophet Joseph, offered in that grove called sacred. Look around you and see the result of that answered prayer. Prayer is the provider of spiritual strength. Prayer is the passport to peace." (Thomas S. Monson, “Come Listen to a Prophet’s Voice: Follow the Signs,” Friend, May 2006, 2–3)

Have a large map with prayer cut outs (like a clip art of a little boy and girl kneeling in prayer). On the back of the cut outs can be scriptures, songs, quotes, situations or questions having to do with prayer. (E.g. Can you say more than one prayer at meal time? Can you say a prayer on an airplane if you are scared of flying? What is the difference between a sincere prayer and a repeat prayer?) Have the children come up and choose the cut outs. Also, make some paper clocks with different times and put prayer cut outs by those too... to reinforce the weekly theme.

Make passports for the children to stamp with their family at home as they read scriptures together about prayer. (See week one, above, for prayer scriptures)

* Dress up children as prophets from the scriptures and tell their stories. Ask the children what the prophets probably prayed for. Examples could include Joseph of Egypt put in prison after fleeing from Potiphars wife, Joseph Smith in liberty jail, Nephi building a boat, Noah building a boat. (They were the same types of places/situations, but different times.) We may never be put in jail but can we pray when we feel trapped or sad? What about when we need to do something big and need help?

Talk about 2 Ne. 27: 23, "For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith."

Just like the prophets of old, we can pray anywhere, anytime. God listened and answered them then, and He listens and answers us now.

* Share this story with the children. Put Alma 34:20-21, "Cry unto him when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your flocks. Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening." on the chalkboard. Have a cup with strips of paper with the following words (or words of your choice); farm, FHE, jungle, school, midnight, 8 AM, hospital, lunch, church, park, 6 PM. Have the children come up with as many ideas possible of things they could pray for having to do with that place or time. Tally up answers and see which place or time got the most ideas. Let them be creative, be supportive of their ideas. Prayer can be about anything that's in your heart whether there is a bomb in front of their house, they're hiking in a jungle and get poison ivy or they just want to say thank you for the food at dinner.

* Have a bell. Bring one child to the front turned away from the primary, covering one ear with their hand. Choose a child to ring a bell from a corner of the room. Have them sit down and have the child in front point to where they were ringing the bell. Repeat a couple times. Tell them that no matter where we are, God always hears our prayers and knows where we are and what we need. Matt. 6: 8, "For your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him." He never makes a mistake, he always knows where the bell is ringing.

* Invite a few ward members in to teach a couple prayer words in different languages. No matter where or what is said in whatever language or even silent, God will always understand.

D&C 6:14,16 "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, blessed art thou for what thou hast done; for thou hast inquired of me, and behold, as often as thou hast inquired thou hast received instruction of my Spirit... Yea, I tell thee, that thou mayest know that there is none else save God that knowest thy thoughts and the intents of thy heart."

*This idea is by Karen Ashton, “Sharing Time: Ponder, Pray, and Listen,” Friend, Apr 1996, 4 and could be suggested as a take home activity to do with families, just give them the bags with a few supplies inside.

"Younger children would enjoy making a small lunch-bag puppet. The eyes should be under the fold of the bag so that they will appear closed when the bag is folded. This will remind the children to close their eyes while praying. Glue eyelashes along the corresponding parts of the fold. Draw a nose and smile below the fold of the bag, and eyelids and eyebrows on the top of the fold. A small heart could be drawn under the smile to remind the children that praying will make them feel good; ears could be placed on the sides of the bag to remind the children to listen for answers to their prayers. After they have assembled their puppets, have them use the puppets to show how a child closes his eyes before saying a prayer, then listens afterward for an answer. Remind the children that answers come in many ways."

Week 3 and 4 are here!

When I take the sacrament, I renew my baptismal covenants. August Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

When I take the sacrament, I renew my baptismal covenants.
Sharing Time Helps and Ideas for the 3rd Week in August 2008

( The Susquehanna River, where Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdry recieved the Aaronic Priesthood and were baptized)

** Bring in a license plate with your current car registration. Have a copy of The Friend magazine on the table or the Ensign or Liahona, etc. Have a gallon of expired Milk so the kids can smell. Tell the kids the importance of renewal. To renew means to make new (thank you merriam-webster dictionary). If you don't renew your car registration you can get fined or your car taken away. If you don't renew your magazine subscription you won't get them anymore. Things expire. And when they expire that stinks! (Bring a child volunteer milk sniffer to prove the point!) We never want the covenants and promises we made at Baptism to expire, so we renew them when we take the sacrament.**

** Bring in a runner's headband, wristbands, marathon T-shirt. Dress the child and tell them they are going to jog. Have them start to jog in place. Ask the primary members if they think the person could jog for 5 minutes without a drink of water or rest. What about all 3 hours of church? What about jogging for a whole day or week? It's impossible! Our bodies need to be refreshed by water, food, and sleep. Then it's jog on to Olympic glory we go! When we are baptized we make the promise to help others, keep the commandments, set a good example. Like the runner though, those promises need to be refreshed and sacrament is the time and ordinance to do so. Then it's on to Celestial glory we go!

I would bring in a little homemade torch and have one child come up at a time to jog next to you, pick a question about baptismal covenants and sacrament and then answer the question. Have them pass the torch on to another child (jogging). Again, there is a visual there of "renewal and starting anew, refreshing" like in a marathon. Questions could include:

!. Who will baptize us?

2. What are we baptized in?

3. What does it mean to take upon you the name of Jesus Christ?

4. How can you bear someone's burden, or help someone that's sad or in trouble?

5. What can I think about during the sacrament?

6. What can I do during the sacrament?

7. Have you ever felt the spirit during sacrament? What does it feel like? (I use this question OFTEN because it is sooooooooooo important for our children to be able to recognize WHAT and HOW the spirit feels like)

I would have about 20 questions and scriptures total prepared, it's always better to be over prepared than under prepared!!! Bring some GAK pictures (like 208, 309, 407, 601, 603, 604) too!! **

** Bring in about 25 Books of Mormon, Bibles, etc. And arrange them all over the room. If we read the Book of Mormon once, is that a good thing? You betcha! But are we done learning from the Book of Mormon because we've already read it. We know everything now and can just put in on a book shelf and be done. NO! We have to reread it!! Many times!! President Hinckley has said, "". . . I offer a challenge to members of the Church throughout the world and to our friends everywhere to read or reread the Book of Mormon. . . ." Explain that taking the sacrament is like rereading. We have to do it to learn and grow!

Have the children come up and pick a scripture book. On the backs of the books have pictures and stories that have to do with baptism and the sacrament. Personalize, perhaps you could even have pictures of some of the primary children who've been baptized and their feelings. **

**Invite some priesthood leaders to primary, to act out the very sacred experience of the restoration of the priesthood and baptism. Have a very simple vest or hat to wear and a white sheet for the angel... make it classy, but not over the top because it's the words here that speak with power. Read the following to the children while the brethren help the children visualize:

(From Church History in the Fulness of Times Student Manual Religion 341 through 343, 2nd edition p.55)

"Joseph and Oliver were thrilled as such doctrines as the resurrected Savior's visit to the inhabitants of the Western Hemisphere and his teachings about baptism were unfolded during the translation (see 3 Nephi 11:18-38). At this point their souls were driven to mighty prayer to learn how they could obtain the blessing of baptism. On 15 May 1829, Joseph and Oliver went into the nearby woods along the Susquehanna River to pray. Oliver described the scene that followed: "On a sudden, as from the midst of eternity, the voice of the Redeemer spake peace to us, while the veil was parted and the angel of God came down clothed with glory, and delivered the anxiously looked for message, and the keys of the gospel of repentance! What joy! what wonder! what amazement! While the world were racked and distracted... our eyes beheld- our ears heard."

The angel introduced himself as "John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament, and told them that he acted under the direction of Peter, James and John' (Joseph Smith history 1:72). He laid his hands upon Joseph and Oliver and said, "Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah, I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins" (Joseph Smith history 1:69; see also D&C 13:1). John explained that the Melchizedek priesthood would be bestowed upon them at a later time. For the first time in centuries the priesthood was again on the earth.

John directed Joseph to baptize Oliver, and Oliver to then baptize Joseph. They were then to confer the Aaronic priesthood upon each other. As they came out of the water from their baptisms, they were filled with the spirit of prophecy. Oliver predicted "many things which should shortly come to pass," and Joseph prophesied "concerning the rise of this Church and many other things connected with the Church, and this generation of the children of men." They were "filled with the Holy Ghost, and rejoiced in the God of their salvation" (Joseph Smith History 1:73)"

This was a magnificent event and because of it, we are here at church! The truth has been restored, baptism is very special and sacred. This is something we can think of often, especially during the sacrament, because at sacrament we renew our baptismal promises/covenants.

You can then have the children draw pictures that have to do with baptism, baptism covenants and sacrament. Make a book of these pictures and mail to a ward missionary who can use it to teach children in another part of the world. The senior sharing time can write their own testimonies and thoughts down also.**

** I found this idea in the Friend May 1997,by Karen Ashton:

"Discuss what it means “to bear one another’s burdens, … mourn with those that mourn, … comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places” (Mosiah 18:8–9). Divide the children into small groups. Each group leader begins by saying, “I am a member of Heavenly Father’s kingdom.” Then adds a statement (see examples below), which the next child in the group repeats, adding a statement of his or her own. Each child repeats all previous statements before adding his/her own. Continue until every child has been included. Examples of statements: I will obey the commandments; I will be kind to younger children; I will help my neighbor."

And if I may humbly add, when you divide the groups give them each a small picture of a sacrament tray. Explain that the things we are saying are the things we should remember during sacrament, because sacrament is when we renew our baptismal covenants. And please don't force the sunbeams to try to remember what was said before, if they can great. If not, no worries, let them just come up with ideas on what does baptism mean and what should we do before and after we are baptized. **

FHE Idea/Handout to send home with the children (As pictured above):
** Friend July 2005 Illustrated by Thomas S. Child See Here. Print the page in color for them to take home and review scriptures as a family. (You'll have to scroll down to the image, click on it... )

The Holy Ghost will prompt me to repent and live righteously after I am baptized and confirmed. August Sharing Time Helps and Ideas for Week 2

The following are some reader’s theatres I wrote for Senior sharing time based HEAVILY off the following articles from the Ensign:

1.Born Again by Elder D. Todd Christofferson (May Ensign 2008)

2.Elder Quentin L. Cook A Willing Heart and Mind by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (April Ensign 2008)

3.President Thomas S. Monson In the Footsteps of the Master by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (A supplement to the Ensign June 2008)

All quotes are from the apostles and are directly from these articles or from scriptures.

*Reminder NO ONE READS ITALISIZED PARTS, they just do what it says.

*You will need a script for everyone one or two people.

*Simple costumes always a plus!

*With a reader’s theatre it’s more reading than acting out, so I always have the children sit in a circle and encourage energetic reading.

*Be aware of children who might not read as well. There are smaller parts incorporated for them.

*Our children really need to know who our current apostles are. They teach us this week's principle beautifully. Let's get to know them!

*The children could be divided in groups and then asked to read to the primary, or you could just read them through all together. Pray for guidance.

Reader’s Theatre #1

By Sofia Lykes

Parts Needed:

Narrator #1

Mystery Apostle #1

Elder Boyd K. Packer

President Joseph Fielding Smith

Alma

Nephi

Narrator 1: I have been baptized and was confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I look to the Savior and His servants the prophet to teach me. Which apostle is this?

Mystery Apostle #1: “My patriarchal blessing, received at age 13 from a beloved grandfather, includes this statement: “(Your Heavenly Father) sent you forth in this last and glorious dispensation that you might be born under the new and everlasting covenant by goodly, righteous parents.”

Narrator 1: Wait a second, I’m confused. What is the new and everlasting covenant?

Elder Boyd K. Packer: Hello. I’m Elder Boyd K. Packer and I think I can answer your question. But first, let’s see if anyone here can answer what is the new and everlasting covenant?(Let the primary children have a shot at this question)In the book I wrote, The Holy Temple, I quote President Joseph Fielding Smith, “The new and everlasting covenant is the sun total of all covenants and obligations… baptism is A new and everlasting covenant.”

President Joseph Fielding Smith: Well said. Well said.

Narrator: Thanks! I know now that baptism and all the covenants we make were very important to our mystery apostle.

Mystery Apostle #1: “Alma pled, “O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death” Alma 36:18. Forgiveness came to him and he stood and publicly confessed: “I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit.”

Alma: Well said. Well said. My friend Nephi also has some wise words on the subject.

Nephi: Alma, you are too kind! All the words we speak are wise because they are given to us from Heavenly Father. I’d just like to add, “For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.”

Narrator 1: By fire?

All: By fire AND by the Holy Ghost!

Mystery Apostle #1: “Let us not be content to retain some disposition to do evil. Let us worthily partake of the sacrament each week and continue to draw upon the Holy Spirit to root out… impurity within us.”

Narrator #1: That is so deep. The Holy Ghost will prompt me to repent and live righteously after I am baptized and confirmed. Thanks… but one more question. Who is our mystery apostle?

Mystery Apostle #1: (Holds up Picture) I’m one of the newest apostles, Elder D. Todd Christofferson!

Ask the children to think of 2 things they learned from this script. Call on a few to share their thoughts. If there is dead silence:How does the Holy Spirit root out impurities?Why are you grateful for the Holy Ghost?What was your baptism like?How has your baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost influenced your life?

Reader’s Theatre #2

By Sofia Lykes

Parts Needed:

Narrator #2

Joe

Mystery Apostle #2

Concerned Girl

Narrator #2: The Holy Ghost will prompt me to repent and live righteously after I am baptized and confirmed.

Joe: I sure do love my little brother! He has a big heart and is always thinking of others. Once when we were in elementary school in Logan UT we had a fire drill. I was the fire drill captain and I was in 6th grade.

Mystery Apostle #2: “I was in first grade.”

Joe: Everyone was out and I thought we were going to set a record and “Go down in history. Then just as fame seemed within…” my grasp someone said….

Concerned Girl: Oh no! This is terrible! Someone is still in the building! Hey, is that Joe’s little brother?? Boy, Joe, you sure do look mad.

Joe: Mad? Mad? “What on earth were you doing!!!”

Mystery Apostle #2: I “held up a pair of large worn boots and said, Joe you know that (I mentioned a friends name) sometimes has to wear hand me down shoes that are too big for him. When the fire drill rang, he took off running and ran right out of these. He didn’t want to ruin the drill, so he left them and ran outside barefoot. I went back to get his boots for him because I didn’t want his feet to be cold in the snow.”

Narrator #2: Our mystery apostle learned at a very young age how to be kind. When we listen to the Holy Ghost he encourages us to do things that are kind and charitable. The Holy Ghost helps us to make good choices.

Concerned Girl: In D&C 18:18 it says, “Ask the Father in my name, in faith believing that you shall receive, and you shall have the Holy Ghost, which manifesteth all things which are expedient unto the children of men.”

Joe: Later on in life, I had a difficult choice to make on whether to serve a mission or go to medical school.

Mystery Apostle #2: “I was 15 years old.”

Joe: I talked with my brother well into the night. My obligation was clear and I left for a mission soon after.

Concerned Girl: That conversation profoundly affected our young Mystery Apostle. He had always had a testimony of the Savior… but he had yet to receive a spiritual witness that confirmed their certain reality. After he and Joe parted that night, our mystery apostle knelt in prayer, a witness he desired with all his heart. And it came in a way so powerful that any doubts he had were swept away forever.

Mystery Apostle #2: I am Elder Quentin L. Cook.

Narrator #2: From these times in Elder Quentin L. Cook’s life, we can see the Holy Ghost can have a lot of good influence in our lives if we allow him in!

Ask the children to think of 2 things they learned from this script. Call on a few to share their thoughts. If there is dead silence:Can the Holy Ghost be with us even though we are not apostles?What would you have done if your little brother or sister ruined something important to you to show kindness to another person?Have you ever had a witness that came in a way so powerful that you don’t have any doubts? Would you like to share what that felt like?

Reader’s Theatre #3

By Sofia Lykes

Parts Needed:

Narrator #3
Narrator #4

Melissa Georgell

Tommy

YM Advisor

Narrator #3: Prepare yourselves. This is an awesome reader’s theatre. You will be amazed by the talented readers! By the good looks of our charming actors! And I even give an amazing fact about hawks!

Narrator #4: But more importantly, you will learn about the Holy Ghost. How it can help us repent and live righteously after we are baptized and confirmed.

Narrator #3: Right! Now on to the action.

Melissa Georgell: (crying into hands)" Oh Tommy! I am so sad because the boys in particular do not behave during primary."

Tommy: “I had a lot of energy and found it difficult to sit patiently in a class.” Narrator #4: But still, the young Tommy asked…

Tommy: “May I help, Sister Georgell?”

Melissa Georgell: “Would you??”

Narrator #3: she said with a smile on her face. "Young Tommy agreed and the Primary’s disciplinary problems ceased that moment.”

Narrator #4: He repented, stopped that behavior and was guided by the Holy Ghost to do great things the rest of his life. He helped many inactive young men come back to church because of a leader who knew of his love of birds.

YM Advisor: “How would you like me to give you a pair of purebred Birmingham Roller pigeons?”

Narrator #3: "The female of the pair was special and had one eye, the other damaged by a cat. Tommy kept the pigeons for 10 days and then let them free to see who would come back. The male pigeon came back but not the female, she went back to the advisor’s home. When Tom went to get the pigeon back the advisor told him…."

YM Advisor: "There’s a boy in our teacher’s quorum who isn’t active."

Tommy: “I’ll have him at quorum meeting this week.”

Narrator #4: The next time Tommy released his pigeons, the same thing happened. The male pigeon came home, but the female flew to the advisor’s home. This happened many times and each time Tommy went to get his bird the advisor would talk to him about a boy that was inactive.

Tommy: “I was a grown man before I fully realized that indeed, Harold, my advisor had given me a special pigeon, the only bird in his loft he knew would return every time she was releaed. It was his inspired way of having an ideal personal priesthood interview with the teachers quorum president every two weeks. Because of those interviews and that old one-eyed pigeon, every boy in that teacher’s quorum became active.”

Narrator #3: Wow! I never knew that about President Thomas S. Monson! That is way too cool! I personally prefer Hawks and Eagles to pigeons. Don't get me started. Did you know that the Hawk is the fastest creature on earth and has been clocked at speeds of 200 MPH during a dive?
Narrator #4: Ok. Focus Narrator #3. More importantly we learn about how the Holy Ghost helped the Young Men’s advisor in an inspired way. The Holy Ghost also helped President Monson to make good choices and help his inactive friends. I am so grateful for baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost!

All: We are too! The Holy Ghost will prompt me to repent and live righteously after I am baptized and confirmed.

Ask the children to think of 2 things they learned from this script. Call on a few to share their thoughts. If there is dead silence:How do you know President Monson is a true prophet?Can we read 1 Nephi 13:37, 2 Nephi 33:1, Article of Faith 1, Moses 5:58, Amos 3:7

Junior Sharing Time
You will need write the stories into your own words and have the kids act it out. Have them be animals, trees, the apostles... Have plenty of props! You can even have them say certain things, just be sure to PROMPT them.

No One Likes to Be Talked At

May I first start this out by thanking Liz, who commented on the August Sharing Time Helps post. It brought to my mind an experience I had and a few thoughts.

Let's just picture a primary where there are neon signs, guitar music and the kids are cheering! This is great! They are having a blast! The primary pianist can even rock out using her toes on the keys! They want more, they want to come to primary, they want to come to church and can feel.... Hmmm. What are they feeling?

Let's picture another primary. The sharing time teacher has prepared a lesson and on the board lies a make shift drawing of the temple and a pathway to it. She obviously isn't a Picasso, but we get the point, there are certain things we need to do to get to the temple. She starts to teach, asks questions, involves the kids physically and mentally, and is energetic and enthusiastic. She is using the scriptures, you can see them on the table when they aren't in her hands. What are the children feeling?

And finally, let's picture another primary. The kids are sitting perfectly still. As they ought to be, or the sharing time teacher will say, "Why aren't you being more reverent." She is talking, she telling about gospel truths and the kids are sitting there quiet as a mouse. One sunbeam stretches and says they miss their new puppy who is at home. The puppy's name is Gerald. The teacher proceeds, ignores the comment and continues with the lesson that has to be finished. What is that little one feeling?

I'm not an expert. Please don't ever think I am. I am, though, very aware of children. I love children!!

May I ask 2 questions: What type of Primary do we have? What type of Primary should we be striving for?

Our Church Handbook Book 2 Section 5 Primary (under sharing time p. 234) says, "This is an opportunity for them (members of the Primary Presidency) to INTERACT with the children and TEACH them gospel principles." It also uses words like, "ACTIVELY INVOLVE. BEAR TESTIMONY. PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES that allow STANDING and MOVEMENT."

Our Church Handbook Book 2 Section 16 Gospel Teaching and Leadership also gives 2 very important suggestions when teaching the gospel (pgs. 300-304)

1.TEACH BY THE SPIRIT.
2. FOLLOW THE SAVIOR'S EXAMPLE AS A TEACHER.

Liz said, "I agree Sofia that it shouldn't be flashing lights and all, but it does need to capture their attention. No child just wants to sit there and be taught and not be drawn in...Primary can be fun and reverent at the same time. Keep it up." Well said, and if I may Liz, add no child (or adult for that matter) wants to sit and be talked at.

I'll share an experience I had in a Primary where my husband and I were called to teach the 6 year olds. We loved those children! There were 4 total, 2 boys and 2 girls all coming from very solid homes where they were taught properly the gospel. They were smart. They were amazing! As all children really are.

One week the sharing time lesson was just not going well. The teacher was trying to get the kids to memorize the 13th article of faith. There were no pictures. There was no energy in her and she was actually getting upset when the kids weren't pronouncing the words right. This was after a 5 minute "talk to" the children about reverence and sitting quietly. This was after a 10 minute (no questions, no involvement) "talk to" the little ones about why we need to know our articles of faith. I zoned out. I just couldn't do it. And then, all of the sudden she was done with 15 minutes left for sharing time and the music leader was missing.

I made my way up to the front and said thank you sister. Who's ready to shake like Solomon! We shook our hands. Who's ready to move like Moroni! We wiggled our legs and wielded a pretend sword. Who's ready to... I invited a child to come on up and pick an action and see if we could think of a person that started with that letter from the scriptures.

I don't know what we did after. But I remember how livid I was.

NO ONE LIKES TO BE TALKED AT.

"Bueller? Bueller? Bueller? Anyone? Anyone?" Thank you Ben Stine.

This is primary!! It is my humble desire that we as Primary Teachers (this including the presidency, as we teach sharing times) will be prepared, prayerful and the gospel message presented with power.

May we find balance and harmony in our Primary atmosphere. May it be a place where the spirit is felt. May it be a place of learning. May our children have positive experiences with primary. May our children come closer to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ because of each Sunday in Primary.

I bear these thoughts humbly in the Name of my Master and Gracious Lord, Jesus Christ.

Here are a few scriptures as food for thought and the soul. How do these apply to what has been said above?

D&C 52: 15-17 " Wherefore he that prayeth, whose spirit is contrite, the same is accepted of me if he obey mine ordinances. He that speaketh, whose spirit is contrite, whose language is meek and edifieth, the same is of God if he obey mine ordinances. And again, he that trembleth under my power shall be made strong, and shall bring forth fruits of praise and wisdom, according to the revelations and truths which I have given you. "

John 5: 1-2 " Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments."

Galations 4: 28-31 "Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free."

FHE (Family Home Evening) Ideas for 4 and Younger

I have an almost 4 year old who is brilliant, see here if you don't believe me, and a 17 month old who is just as quick. We have good times at our FHE's and I think there are a couple factors at work for success, as follows:

1. We pray for the spirit to be with us at Family Home Evening.

2. We keep it short.

3. We keep the girls moving.

I'm going to 2 baby showers within the next couple weeks for ladies that are having their 3rd child. I wanted to do something different so I'm giving them FHE ideas that would last for a month. Perhaps these could help you! They are specifically designed for 4 and under. Prayer is not included in the format because I usually assume that is a given to do!

I Have A Body FHE

Song: I am a child of God (p.2 CS)

Opening Activity: Have the children point to their eyes. Nose. Ears. Shoulders. Have them choose a body part to point to. Ask them why bodies are important. We have bodies, just like our Heavenly Father and Jesus!

Scripture: Read Genesis 1:27. Show GAK 403, picture of the first Vision. We have bodies, just like our Heavenly Father and Jesus! To be created in His image means that you look like your Heavenly Father. It also means you can become like Him.

Poem: Have the children do what they hear in the poem.
Jacqueline Schiff, “My Busy Body,” Friend, Nov 2007, 7

My face can smile.

My hands can clap.

My feet can dance.

My toes can tap.

My eyes can blink.

My knees can bend.

My nose can sniff

The garden scents.

My arms can reach.

My head can nod.

My body’s busy.

I thank Thee, God.

Activity: What was your favorite thing to do with your body in that poem? Now as a family go to each room in your house. Bring a camera! Take a picture of each person’s favorite thing to do with their body in that room. (E.G. The kitchen. Mom poses cleaning the counter. Dad poses doing the dishes. Children pose eating. Take pictures of each pose. Go to the living room. Take a picture of Mom playing the piano. Dad reading the newspaper on the couch. Etc. Be creative!)

Read 1 Cor. 6: 19 (Bodies are temples of God) Bear Testimony of the importance of our bodies.

As you enjoy your treat, look at the pictures you took on your computer or TV. You could even make a posterboard attaching some photos of the FHE and the words “We love (draw a big heart) our bodies!” and hang it up in the kitchen to enjoy over the week.

The City of Enoch FHE

Song: Give Said the Little Stream (p. 236 CS)

Opening Activity: Display GAK 600, the world. Ask the children if the world is a perfect place? Is the city we live in a perfect place? Ask the children if everyone in the world is happy? Are there some people who are sad? Have the children tell you what a perfect place would be like.

Scripture: Moses 7:18-19 Show GAK 120, city of Enoch. Summarize the story. “When Enoch was a young man the Lord told him to tell the people to repent. Enoch told the people what the Lord had said. Many believed Enoch's words, repented, and were baptized. These people built a city, Zion, where they lived together in peace, sharing all they had. The people in Zion became so righteous that they were taken up to heaven to live forever in the presence of God.” (From GAK Summary)

Activity:
Joyce Grisham, “The City of Enoch,” Friend, Apr. 2002, 41 click here for the print out page then

1. Trim the page along the heavy solid lines. Cut out the city on the broken lines.
2. Using the pencil point, punch small holes through the circles at A, B, C, and D. Thread one end of the string into B, down the back of the city, and out C. Then thread one end of the string through A, the other end through D, and tie the two ends together behind the page.

Play the Zion game. See if we can get the city up to heaven little by little by answering the questions.

1.In Zion people share all they have with each other. Can we share in our home?
2.In Zion there was no poor. What can we do for poor people?
3.In Zion they listened to the prophet Enoch. Who is our latter day prophet?
4.In Zion there was repentance and baptism. What can I do when I make a mistake? Who will baptize me and through what power?
5.Zion was full of righteous people. Can I be that good too?
6.Zion was taken up to heaven. What can I do to get to Heaven?

Song: I’m trying to be like Jesus (p.78 CS) Jesus was perfect. Zion was a place that lived as Jesus would live and made choices like Jesus would make.

Bear testimony of Jesus as our perfect example and of Zion. For treat, suggest sharing some with a neighbor, after all isn’t that what the people of Zion would do!


The Prophet Job FHE

In opening prayer, have a blessing on the treat, as it’s incorporated into lesson.

Opening Activity: Hold up a box of band-aids. Ask the children if they have ever been sick? Have they ever felt sad? Tell them tonight we will talk about a prophet who got really sick and really sad! But band aids, doctors, even his own friends- could not help him! Only His faith and the power of Jesus Christ could.

Song: Follow the Prophet (p.110 CS) with this made up verse
By Silly Ol' Me

Job was a prophet, tested, tried and true!
Faced with boils and blisters, just to name a few!
Even though he suffered, he would not give in.
Our Redeemer liveth! O’er trials we shall win!

Activity: Dress up a member of the family as Job. Have lots of props corresponding to the story. Have fruit by the foot to attach to the body as boils and sores. Act out the story.

Jane McBride Choate, “Scriptural Giants: Job—He Would Not Deny God,” Friend, Jun 1987, 48(See Job 1–42.)

In the land of Uz lived a faithful and obedient man named Job. Job had been greatly blessed by the Lord. He had seven sons and three daughters, whom he loved very much. He owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yokes of oxen, five hundred donkeys, and a great deal of property.

Job was grateful to God for all the blessings that he had received, and he worshiped God.
Satan was displeased because Job was so obedient and humble. So Satan complained to God, saying that Job was only righteous because he was so rich. If his riches were taken away, Satan argued, Job would quickly deny God. Then Satan challenged, “But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that [Job] hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.”

Because of His faith in Job, the Lord allowed Satan to test Job. Everything Job had, including his children, the Lord would allow Satan to destroy, but he was not to physically harm Job. Satan agreed.
One day a messenger came to Job and reported that all his oxen and donkeys had been stolen and that his servants had been killed. A second messenger immediately followed the first, carrying the news that Job’s sheep and shepherds had been struck by lightning. While Job was still speaking to the second messenger, a third arrived and said that Job’s camels had all been stolen and their caretakers killed.
Finally, a fourth messenger arrived and told Job that all his children had been killed when a wind blew down the house of Job’s oldest son while all Job’s children were inside.

Heartbroken, Job tore his clothing and shaved his head, as was the custom then, to show his great sorrow. But despite his grief, Job did not blame God. Instead, he continued to worship Him, saying, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Job’s faithfulness angered Satan. He now claimed that if Job were to suffer physically, he would deny God. But the Lord still had faith in Job. He allowed Satan to afflict Job with pain and suffering, but not death.
Satan caused boils to break out all over Job’s body, and they pained him continually. His friends told Job that he must have sinned terribly, or such a punishment would never have been sent from heaven. Even Job’s wife told him to curse God and die. But Job knew that he had been obedient, and he would not deny God. He held fast to his faith and said, “I know that my redeemer liveth, …

“And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.”
The Lord was very pleased with Job’s faithfulness. He healed his sores and blessed him with another seven sons and three daughters and with twice as many animals as he had previously owned.

As you enjoy your treat, (the fruit by the foot boils that came off when God healed him) ask the children what they’ve learned about the prophet Job. Listen to the hymn, I know that My Redeemer Lives while looking at different pictures of the Savior.

Bear testimony that even though we are sad and have problems, God is watching over us and we should always have faith in Heavenly Father, just like Job.

I Can Have Peace FHE

Song: I feel my Savior’s Love (p.74 CS)

Opening Activity: Turn on the radio loudly and the TV and anything else that can make noise. Ask the children if they can hear you? Should we have FHE with all this noise? Turn off everything. Sit and listen to the silence. Isn’t that more peaceful?

Activity: Have a couple cardboard boxes and tell the children they are boats. Show them the picture of Jesus Stilling the Storm (GAK 211). Talk about that story. Tell them we are in a storm and we’re going to have to find stories about peace and calm. Take some masking tape with you also. You can make X’s on things that are noisy and that can distract us from peace. (Like the TV or radio or video games... talk about Why too!) Take them in their boats to different parts of the house where the following pictures and scriptures are hanging up;

GAK 307 (King Benjamin “The Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ who should come” Mosiah 4:3)

GAK 311 (Anti-Nephi-Lehites “And thus we see that, when these Lamanites were brought to believe and to know the truth, they were firm, and would suffer even unto death rather than commit sin; and thus we see that they buried their weapons of peace, or they buried the weapons of war, for peace” (Alma 24:19).

GAK 602 (Gift of the Holy Ghost) “Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you” (2 Cor. 13:11).

A picture of Mommy and Daddy at the temple. Talk about what it feels like in the temple.**

A set of scriptures (on a table). Talk about how the scriptures can help us feel peace.

End with the following scripture D&C 19:23. Bear testimony that though storms can happen in life and it can get really noisy at times, we can find happiness and joy through the peace of Jesus Christ.

** I know not everyone has had the opportunity to be sealed in the temple. Please, I do not mean to offend or hurt anyone. One of my favorite scriptures of all times is Isaiah 55:8-9, God's ways are higher than our ways! It will all work out in the end, Heavenly Father knows what he's doing.

August 2008 Primary Sharing Time Ideas and Helps

August Theme: I will show my faith in Jesus Christ by being baptized and confirmed.

August Scripture: “And their children shall be baptized for the remission of their sins when eight years old, and receive the laying on of the hands” (D&C 68:27).

( Scarlet White Image courtesy Flickr by Marie Eve)

Sharing Time Ideas

Week 1. I will show my faith by being baptized and confirmed and keeping my baptismal covenants.

* The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “You might as well baptize a bag of sand as a man, if not done in view of the remission of sins and getting of the Holy Ghost. Baptism by water is but half a baptism, and is good for nothing without the other half—that is, the baptism of the Holy Ghost” (History of the Church, 5:499). We were baptized by immersion in water for the remission of sins. We must also be baptized by and immersed in the Spirit of the Lord, “and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost” (2 Ne. 31:17). (This has been taken from a talk from Elder Bednar 2006, see here for the full talk)

Have a small container half full of sand. (I'm thinking the size of a shoe box... we don't want sand all over!) Hide small objects in the sand having to do with baptism. The objects could include a white cloth, a plastic tube of water, a piece of wood (because gates are built out of wood and baptism is the gate), a packet of seeds (to represent our faith as we commit ourselves to baptism), a CTR ring (because the Holy Ghost helps us to choose the right), a key (to represent the keys of priesthood as the proper authority wherewith to baptize), a small soap. I'd also intersperse some scriptures on baptism and songs on cardstock folded up (or in a small plastic egg) in the sand.

Remind the children that when we get baptized we don't want to be like a bag of sand! We need to know what covenants we will be making (or have made) for baptism and be faithful to obedience! We need to live worthy of the Holy Ghost!

AND this activity can be done without a MESS, but of course all Primary's are different! Know your children and what they are like. You could put a small plastic table cloth under the table if you felt you really needed it. Just tell the children before you start that they need to be very very careful to keep the sand in the box!! Gentle touching to find out more about baptism!

* Make up a reader's theatre of the experience of Alma and the waters of Mormon (found in Mosiah 18).

* "Covenant Catch". Have 2 pictures of baseball mitts posted on opposite ends of the chalkboard. It's all about the give and take to win!

Have the words My Baptismal Covenants under one and The Lord's Covenants When I'm faithful. Have the following on individual baseballs:

1. Come into the fold of God (become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ).

2. Be called his son or daughter (take upon me the name of Christ).
3. Bear others’ burdens, that they may be light; mourn with those that mourn; and comfort

those in need of comfort (help others).

4. Stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things an din all places (testify of Christ

and set a good example at all times).

5. Serve God and keep his commandments.
1. Forgive my sins.

2. Pour his Spirit more abundantly upon me (give me the companionship of the Holy Ghost).

3. Redeem me that I might be numbered with those of the first resurrection and have eternal life (permit me to enter the celestial kingdom to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ).

Have the children come up and match the baseballs to the mitt. You could throw a soft ball (Or beanbag) to a child for them to come up to choose a ball. For older primary you could use only scripture references on the balls.

I got the specifics of the baptismal covenant (-the balls- from here, Primary Manuel 4, which would also make a great handout or visual aid)

Week 2. The Holy Ghost will prompt me to repent and live righteously after I am baptized and confirmed.

* Bring in a battery powered weather radio (if possible). Show the kids that even though we can't see the radio signals, they are there telling us what's going on outside. Wouldn't this be very important if there was a tornado or hurricane!! Bruce R. McConkie in the Promised Messiah, p.16, has said, " 'And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.' (Moroni 10:5) He is broadcasting all eternal truth out into all immensity all of the time."

The radio can help us to safety and so can the Holy Ghost. He's there, we just need to be in tune!!

* "The Holy Spirit of Promise is the Holy Ghost who places the stamp of approval upon every ordinance: baptism, confirmation, ordination, marriage. The promise is that the blessings will be received through faithfulness." (Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1:45) Make up some case studies (e.g. Sherry was with friends who were drinking alcohol. They told her to try some. She thought, well... a little can't be too bad? So she drank.) Post them on the black board so children can come up and choose. Bring a stamp and ask the children if this would merit/get a stamp of approval. Was she making a righteous choice? How could she repent? Once they give answers on what she should do, stamp the paper and the primary friend who came up to choose it.

Another example, Tim saw an old man crossing the street. He was carrying a large bag of groceries. Tim offered to help him even though it meant he would be late to Cub Scouts. What he making a righteous choice? Did he honor his baptismal covenant? How? Do you think the Holy Ghost was with him?

* Drop a pin to the floor. See if the children can hear it drop. Tell them that the Holy Ghost whispers to us truth and can prick our hearts right to the center!

* Have a "whisper walk". Invite a child to come up to the front of the room and as you whisper, direct them to a picture of Christ. If the room is a little noisy, all the better to the point. Invite another child to come up, by now the room will be a little quieter to see what you are doing. Tell the children, the Holy Ghost softly directs and leads us to Jesus Christ. His chief mission is to testify of the Father and the Son. (Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual p.11) But he also does many other things. Brainstorm all the things the Holy Ghost does and scriptures pertaining to it. Try to see if you can fill up the entire black board. (And as a tip, have kids who can write come up to the board to help. For Jr. Primary have 2 or 3 adults up to write down all the children's ideas... just keep it moving! Standing with your back to them is stagnant, enlist other's help to keep the flow)

Week 4. Heavenly Father forgives all who truly repent.

* Off of sugardoodle.net I saw this science type experiment. See here for visual aid, scroll down a bit to Wednesday. You bring in dirty pennies, stick them in ketchup and after a while, they are clean. Hmmmmm, Atonement anyone? Ps. 51: 7, 107 " Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."

* Have GAK 220 (The Prodigal Son), 227 (The Atonement), 309 (Alma baptizing in the waters of mormon), 310 (Ammon defends the flocks), 311 (Anti-Nephi-Lehies), 321 (Conversion of Alma the Younger). Divide the children into groups with a teacher. Have them answer the following questions:

1. What is the story behind the picture?

2. What does this picture tell us of repentance?

3. How does this picture/story bear testimony of Heavenly Father truly forgiving those who repent.

Close with Isaiah 1:16-18. Power scripture.

* Have the words sin, iniquity, wrong, evil doings written in chalk on the board. Then make a big sign, REPENTANCE. Have the words prayer, sincere, humble, forsake/give up on separate paper on the board. Talk about true repentance. Read the following scriptures and have the children demonstrate with the eraser what happens to the words sin, iniquity, wrong evil doings when we truly repent. Great scriptures to go along with this lesson. Nice and short too for the children to read! And you can never get too much repitition of a good thing!

Heb. 10: 17
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Heb. 8: 12
12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

Jer. 31: 34
34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Alma 36: 19
19 And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.

D&C 58: 42
42 Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.

August 2008 When Jesus Christ Was Baptized Song Helps and Ideas

What a beautiful song! Hope the following can be of some help.

1. To introduce the song you could have a glass basin/bowl of water (when Jesus was baptized), a large #3, some sort of 3-d heart to represent love,a play microphone (Because Heavenly Father had spoke from heaven announcing to the world This was His Son and to hear Him), a small dove (I think that you can find these at Michael's craft store), mirror (for when I am baptized and also you can turn the mirror so you are seen as well as a picture of Jesus in the reflection on the words for I'll follow His example), a can of Mr.Clean (for sacred priesthood power... because through the power of the priesthood and ordinance of baptism we become clean), a crown (because Heavenly Father and Jesus are our Kings and we will belong to their kingdom when baptized), and a clock.

Without explaining to the kids, see if anyone can guess what the song will be about? As the children learn the song, have them choose things to take away/hide to solidify the words.

2. Display the GAK of Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist. Have a pieces of paper with the letters J-O-R-D-A-N. (or O-B-E-D-I-E-N-C-E) Children can come choose letters which will have a short description of someone who has been baptized in your Primary. They can then guess whose baptism experience it was. (E.G. " This person was baptized in December. They said that they were a little nervous to have to go under water. But when they entered the font, they were no longer afraid. They had to be baptized twice because their toe came out of the water.") You will of course have to call up some of your kids and get quotes from them to make this work. As children sing the song well, they get to come up and choose a letter.

3. As the children learn the song, you can walk around holding a dove (it could even be a paper dove on a popsicle stick) to children that are singing especially well. You could have a child walk around with the dove and if the singing isn't as strong or clear the dove will stand until the singing is heartier.

(Image courtesy flickr by knowhimonline)

**As the primary leadership manuals say, food should not be at church unless it has to do with the lesson! On that note, I think that a Dove chocolate would help them to associate and remember some words to this song. Please, take these ideas at your discretion. As the (adult) dove walks around, they can hand out the chocolates. And if memory serves me correct (Thank you Iron Chef) I think the word Dove or a picture of the dove is actually on the chocolates. Could be wrong though... must go buy chocolate to check! Yum! My thighs will thank me for it in the morning. Why do I babble so!

4. As the children learn the song, you can fill up a glass square basin with water. As they sing well you can pour water inside from a pitcher. By the glass basin you could also have a clip art picture of a priesthood holder and a child ready for baptism (to compare water level and see if there would be enough water for them).

5. THIS GREAT PICTURE is from the Friend Magazine (January 2000). It could definitely be adapted to use with this song. Try to white out all the lines on the signs and blow it up as large as you can. Then in the signs, put pictures that have to do with words in this song. Or you could go the other route and make it a normal 8 1/2 X 11 paper and give it to the kids as a help while they sing. Try to have them point to each picture as they sing. Explain BRIEFLY (no more than 1 minute!!) that Baptism is the gateway to the path of eternal life. As we learn this song, we can feel the spirit and understand a little better what eternal life will be like... very joyful and happy!

Monthly Primary Newsletter Ideas

In our Primary we have a monthly newsletter. Our newsletter is called "Primarily Yours". The basic parts of the newsletter include:

1. The month's theme and scripture (From the 2008 Sacrament Meeting and Sharing Time Booklet)
2.Presidency Message
*** 3. Children of God, Children of the scriptures ***
4. Monthly Birthdays
5. Spotlight on a Primary Child or sometimes an adult member of Primary
6. Some sort of activity they can do with their family based on the month's theme
7. A song to learn (what the month's song is to learn)
8. Any contributions from Activity Day Girls or Scouting, any announcements for the month

I think doing a newsletter can seem overwhelming, but really it's not. Here are a couple tips that help me out a lot.

*Take pictures of the children at church in January for the spotlight section so you don't have to ask parents to email you and have all that technical fun. Of course, to do so you need all parent's permission!

*Don't sweat it if you don't get it done the first week. There's always the next.

*LDS.ORG-searching the Friend, using "Fun Stuff" as key words with the theme you want, always produces an activity that is suitable to do with their parents.

*If possible, have the Primary Secretary make copies of the newsletter at church while you give sharing time. If not possible, learn to love Kinko's for the magnificent place it is.

My favorite part of the newsletter is by far "Children of God, Children of the Scriptures". What I do for this section is ALWAYS keep my eye out for experiences having to do with children in the scriptures or church history. It is an ode to children and their EXTREME importance. It is a good food for thought section that also includes reference to our yearly theme of "I am a child of God."

So here are a couple examples of what the section would include:

(This image and following information taken directly from the GAK 420)

** “Wherefore, all children are alike unto me; wherefore, I love little children with a perfect love.” Moroni 8:17
Joseph Smith tried to keep all of Heavenly Father's commandments. He wanted to be kind to everyone, especially children. Joseph knew that Jesus Christ wants all His disciples to have the faith and humility of little children (see 3 Nephi 9:22). Joseph taught the people about God's love for children (see Moroni 8:17) and showed them, through his example, how to treat children.
Joseph loved to be around children and often took time to play with them or help them. One girl, Margarette Burgess, remembered a time when Joseph Smith helped her and her brother, Wallace. They were walking to school on a very muddy road when they got stuck in the mud and could not get out. The harder they tried to get loose, the deeper they went in the mud. They grew very frightened and became worried that they would be forever stuck in the muddy road. They began to cry.

The children saw Joseph coming from his store. He pulled them out of the mud, put them on drier ground, and cleaned the mud from their shoes. The prophet talked to them kindly and used his handkerchief to wipe the tears from their faces. Soon Margarette and Wallace stopped crying and were able to go off to school.

** Jacob, Lehi’s firstborn in the wilderness, grew up to be an awesome prophet! He wrote many things that are of great worth to us in the Latter Days. He was the first Nephite prophet to deal with an Anti-Christ named Sherem. What else do you know about Jacob? Read 2 Nephi:1-4 (especially verse 4) to see what made Jacob a very special Child of God.

**(This taken directly from the Friend. Pictures go along with the story, but alas, my computer is going really slow tonight... sorry!)

Jesus feeds 5,000 thanks to the help of one selfless little boy.

Some friends of John the Baptist came to Jesus and told Him that John had been killed. He had been killed because he had told the king to repent. Matt. 14:1–12

When Jesus heard this, He went to a place near the Sea of Galilee to be alone. Many people knew He was there and went there, too, hoping that He would teach them. More than five thousand people went to hear Him. Matt. 14:13; Mark 6:44

After He had taught them, it was time to eat, and most of the people did not have any food. His disciples wanted the people to go to the villages, where they could buy food. Mark 6:36

The Savior, however, told the disciples to see if anyone had brought food with them. They found a boy who had five loaves of bread and two small fish. Mark 6:37–38; John 6:9
Jesus told all the people to sit down. Then He blessed the bread and the fish and divided the fish and broke the bread into pieces. Mark 6:39–41

When the disciples gave the food to the people, there was more than enough for all of them! Mark 6:41–44

How can you be like the boy who helped feed 5,000?

** Are you 10 years old? Are you close to 10? When the prophet Mormon was only 10 years old he had a special experience. In Mormon 1:2-4 it says, "And about the time that Ammaron hid up the records unto the Lord, he came unto me, (I being about ten years of age, and I began to be learned somewhat after the manner of learning of my people) and Ammaron said unto to me: I perceive that thou are a sober child, and art quick to observe... And behold, ye shall take the plates of Nephi unto yourself... and ye shall engrave on the plates of Nephi all the things that ye have observed concerning the people." Because of Mormon and his obedience as a child of God we now can enjoy the Book of Mormon!!

Newsletters are a great way to involve parents and keep kids updated. Do what you can! Keep it simple. Include pictures of Primary Activity Days. Have fun with it. Newsletters are not mentioned in any official Church Primary documentation, so don't feel like it's necessary.

----Pioneer Songs---- Music Teaching Helps and Ideas

( Picture From the Friend July 1984)

(Picture From the Friend July 1982)

These ideas could be used for either sharing time or a fun family home evening.

Pioneer Children Sang as They Walked p. 214 Children's Songbook (CS)

Make finger puppets where 2 holes can be cut out and fingers are used as the pioneer children's legs. As the children sing, they walk their pioneers! You can decide whether you only want them to walk on certain words or let them have fun the whole song.

Pioneer Children Were Quick to Obey p.215 CS

Find as many pictures as possible of pioneers. Plaster the wall with all the pictures. Sing a line, then see if a child can find a picture having to do with that phrase. Sing the next line, find a picture. In my head I see this as a "where's waldo" type activity. Make the pictures so it's like a collage. A pioneer search and find!!

Divide a piece of paper into a bingo type sheet. With about 12 squares have a picture in each square. The pictures (clip art) you will need are: pioneer children, wagon, fire, kneeling in prayer, pot of water (some sort of water carrier), pile of wood, no picture-the word BEST, modern day children, smiley face, path, picture of Jesus. (This is going above and beyond... but make a popsicle stick pioneer person with a picture of the child's face glued on. It's quite easy, find a clip art pattern you like. Color. Cut it out, put on popsicle stick. Use as a marker.) Use some sort of marker or they could just use their fingers to point to the picture that they sing about in the song.

Little Pioneer Children p.216-217 CS

Have the senior primary prepare this song to present to the younger primary. Use costumes and actions and props! As they learn the song invite a few of the younger primary members to be included in the act!

Westward Ho! p. 217 CS

Make a large map and at the top put Westward Ho! Add a winding trail, a large rattlesnake (for dangers are many), a wagon, different cutouts of pioneer people that are sad, mountains, grass for the prairies, big heart. And of course, I'd recommend lots of marching in place and sally ho! motions!

Also, you could use the first picture in this post and make a circle to go underneath with corresponding pictures as mentioned in the above suggestion for Westward Ho! (Like the rattlesnake, etc.) As they turn the wheel, they see the pictures in the hole. Make sure to add a brack in the middle (where the black dot is) so it turns easy.

The Oxcart p.219

Bring in a measuring tape to show how big an Ox is. See if all the kids together weighed as much as an ox. For Ox statistics see here. (scroll down a bit)


Covered Wagons p.221 (CS)

This will be noisy. Prepare yourself and the kids. (As in forewarn the kids if anyone is whacking each other with sticks or putting the plastic where they could get hurt like over the face, it's bye bye to the wagon cover) Take a plastic bag and attach a couple sticks so it's like the cover of a wagon that they can put over their heads. Not by their faces! You could arrange the chairs so there is a make shift wagon in front. Children can each get a turn in the wagon as they sing!

Whenever I Think about Pioneers p.222 (CS)

I think this would be a fun song to make a slide show presentation out of. If you could gather a bunch of pictures from any pioneer activities of the kids dressed up or doing the activities, or pictures of their parents dressed up... etc...and then use Microsoft Power Point to put it all together. Of course, you'd need a lap top to bring to church to show the kids.


Come, Come Ye Saints Here is a link from the friend magazine! Wonderful ideas!

10 Tips for Making Nursery a Happy Place

The first time I took my daughter to Nursery, I was a bit overwhelmed. We lived in Northern California and there were about 800 kids in the nursery. Ok. I exaggerate. But it was a small area for about 30 kids. The nursery leaders were wonderful. But I was afraid... of the biters. Of the snotty noses. Of the screaming. I decided that the handbooks said nursery was optional, so off to gospel doctrine we went. I think a week later I was called as an assistant. In we went. I didn't know if we'd return. But we did! And it was awesome!

So here are some thoughts on one of the most wonderful callings I’ve ever had in the church. How do we make nursery a happy place?

Benjamin Bloom (from Stability and Change in Human Characteristics. New York: Wiley, 1964.) has said, "...from conception to age 4, the individual develops 50% of his mature intelligence, from ages 4 to 8 he develops another 30%, and from ages 8 to 17 the remaining 20%. ...As much of the development takes place in the first 4 years of life as in the next 13 years."


1. Pray for Nursery to be a happy place.
Pray for Nursery to be a place where children will want to come. Where children will have their first formal experiences with the gospel and the spirit will attend. PRAY!

2. Try, try, try... and if you don't succeed, don't force the kid.
Some children are tender souls. They love their parents, and with good reason they want to stay close by! Often, you can find a child who doesn't want to go to nursery and will let the whole nursery know so.
*If you have enough workers, try taking the kid out for a walk to the drinking fountain. Let him (I know perfectly well it could be a girl, I choose not to write him/her though every single time I use a pronoun) play with the handle and squirt some water. Show him the pictures, have him touch the wall and try to pick out some of the loose stringy things... DEVELOP a RELATIONSHIP!! DEVELOP TRUST!! It will take time. Often parents will stay, this may help, it may make things worse. If you are a nursery leader, pray and ponder about it. Decide what you want while you are in nursery, then make sure the parents know. I think at one time there were about 5 little ones in our nursery that just couldn't handle other mommy's and daddy's being around and their's weren't there. 1 little one crying = Woah. 5 little ones crying = I am a child of God singing time! Here's my point, in the Primary 1 manual (ix) it says, "Children who are at least 18 months old but who are not yet 3 years old on 1 January may attend nursery a
the discretion of their parents." Try the best you can. Use all the resources and creativity you can muster. Pray! Fast! (Don't forget those 2 very important things!) And then if you have exhausted every single means possible and the child still does not want to come-Don't force him. Hello, remember the little thing called agency that Heavenly Father gave us?

3. BAN DISEASE!! BAN PESTILENCE AND SICKNESS!
Post notes, send notes home to parents, bear testimony of the importance of spreading the gospel, not the snots. I cringe when I see boogers handing down to a kids toes and the nursery leader is wiping their nose. In one nursery we were in there was an outbreak of German Measles and Roseola.... BABESTER! Make it known that nursery is not a festery. Keep sick kids at home or with parents.

4. Be organized. Have a schedule and a plan.
The best nursery experience is one that has purpose. DO LESSONS! Have singing time- wands with ribbons, instruments, carpets for them to sit on. Have some sort of activity they can participate in. Bubbles, sticker art, book time, puppets, a stroll around the church using rope for them to hold on to. See what they like. Ask parents for suggestions. Personalize the nursery. READ your Primary Manual!!

5. Invite the elderly once in a while to read a story or do a puppet play or sing a song.
Ahhhh the lessons we can learn from those of the aged and matured. How sacred an experience to watch as children develop respect and love for those senior in life.

6. Talk to the children not the other adults.
Perhaps you are tempted to catch up on all the happenings in Sister Excitement's life, but really at what cost. Am I saying never talk to the other adults? NO. Please. Read on. All I'm saying is watch that you are interacting PLENTY with the kids. Joy is found through them, and the key to it all is talking and acknowledging them. They have wonderful things to say, listen. And if they don't talk, well teach them!

7. Make sure there is enough space and room to play.
No one likes to be caged or trapped. We had a nursery in an overflow and I guess a few people complained that it distracted from Gospel Doctrine. Our 1st counselor in the bishopric said if anyone had a problem with the placement of the nursery they needed to A-stop having kids or B- deal with it. The nursery was to stay in a place where the kids could have an open and free experience.

8. Check yo' attitude.
Do you dread going to nursery? Does the screaming and crying just make you want to not come to church? 3 words. Check yo' attitude. I feel like if I have to explain the meaning of check yo' attitude, it just loses all meaning and flavor. So.... check yo' attitude.
* And as a side note to this, what can you do to magnify your calling. Send home letters with FHE ideas for young children!! Tell the parents what they learned so they can reinforce at home!!

9. Ban the biters.
This is personal to me. My baby was bit. Hard. There was red teeth marks. My daughter cried for a minute, I cried for 5 in the bathroom. I say biting warrants immediate attention and banning to outer darkness. Nursery needs to be a safe place and parents need to teach their children not to bite. Since the handbook doesn't specify whether muzzles can be used in nursery, I won't comment further.

OK. I will. Muzzles completely out of the question and aside, hitting, kicking, biting DO need to be addressed. It happens, you are a teacher. Decide what your policy will be on things like that (like will you ask the kid to leave nursery for the rest of the day or allow him back in), but make sure to ALWAYS teach proper behavior and kindness, don't ignore it. It's not just going to go away magically. And it's not fair to the victims.

10. Love, love more, then love until your heart is so full you can't love any more, but you still love more.
This is charity. This is the key to nursery, this is an opportunity to come closer to the Savior and grow in wisdom and knowledge. Beauty is when you can look at a child and feel the spirit whisper to your heart, "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the young lion and fatling together; and a little child shall lead them."