July 2009 Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

This was a picture I took after visiting the Oakland CA visitors center. There was an art exhibit with pictures from the Gospel Art Kit. Out of 20 pictures, my 4 year old daughter could in detail tell me the stories of each picture. It was very humbling. My 2 year old could answer a variety of questions like Who did Jesus appear to after He was resurrected... she replied, "Mary Magdalene!" My children strengthen me. They strengthen our family.

Month Theme: I will strengthen my family.
Month Scripture: “And ye will not have a mind to injure one another, but to live peaceably”
(Mosiah 4:13).

Week 1 Family prayer strengthens my family.

*Have paper bag puppets to represent different members of the family.

What do I pray for?
When is my favorite time to pray?
I love to pray with my family because...
How does family prayer strengthen my family?

Pose one question at a time and invite a child to come up and pick a puppet to answer the question as that member of the family. (E.g. Child chooses father puppet and comes up with the answer "I love to pray with my family because after a hard days work it helps me relax.")

Here is a great link to prayer puppets (scroll down just a little) from the Friend with a short activity.

*How many of the primary children have family members that serve in the military? Would we ever want those family members to have to fight without armor?

Alma 43:19-21 "And when the armies of the Lamanites saw that the people of Nephi, or that Moroni, had prepared his people with breastplates and with arm-shields, yea, and also shields to defend their heads, and also they were dressed with thick clothing— Now the army of Zerahemnah was not prepared with any such thing; they had only their swords and their cimeters, their bows and their arrows, their stones and their slings; and they were naked, save it were a skin which was girded about their loins; yea, all were naked, save it were the Zoramites and the Amalekites; But they were not armed with breastplates, nor shields—therefore, they were exceedingly afraid of the armies of the Nephites because of their armor, notwithstanding their number being so much greater than the Nephites."

Our families are at battle against evil in the world. We need armor to protect our family! Special armor like family prayer.

* The bible dictionary says, "Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings."
Make a felt board of this WONDERFUL friend story. (Alma J. Yates, “Grandma’s Garden,” Friend, Jun 1995, 27)

Bring in different garden tools. Attach questions, scriptures and songs about family prayer to them. A garden takes a lot of work, so does a family! But it's all worth it! Have flowers for the children to smell at the end.

* Just food for thought--- Would the brother of Jared have seen the Savior if not for his brother? Ether 1:33-40. Jared encourages his brother to pray. "Cry unto the Lord." Can we do this also in our families?

Week 2 Reading the scriptures strengthens my family.

* This is a very comprehensive link to describe the golden plates. It's extremely interesting! You can discuss and show some pictures and quotes with the children on the size of the golden plates. Was Joseph Smith and even Emma! stronger for being able to physically lift these? When we read our scriptures as a family, our spirits are given a work-out and are stronger for it!

* Have different pictures drawn to sequence the events of Nephi obtaining the brass plates from Laban. Invite the children to come up and put them in the right order. 1 Nephi 4: 13 "Behold the Lord slayeth the wicked to bring forth his righteous purposes. It is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle and perish in unbelief." How important were the scriptures to the family of Nephi?

* Have a large clock drawn on the blackboard. Come up with 12 different things to write for each hour of things that you can do during the day. Read D&C 26 (the heading and everything). What did the Lord say we should spend our time doing? Have little paper clocks hidden throughout the room with questions, scriptures and songs written on them having to do with scripture study. When we use our time wisely and study the scriptures it's strengthens our family.

* This is an idea based off Henry B. Eyring, “Special Witness: How Can My Scripture Study Be More Meaningful?,” Friend, Feb 2008, 39

He gives 5 tips. Divide the primary into small groups with a teacher to supervise and lead discussion. Each group will get 1 tip and a question with each tip. After a few minutes rotate the tip.

The questions to go along with the tips are as follows: 1. When have you felt excited about reading the scriptures? 2. What can you do to make sure scriptures are read on a regular basis in your home? 3. Have you ever found an answer to a question you've had in the scriptures? Share. 4. What is your testimony of the Book of Mormon?5. What is your favorite scripture story and why?

Week 3 Family home evening strengthens my family.

*On a sheet of paper make an outline for a Family Home Evening. (For example have a spot for them to put who will say prayer, scripture story, song to sing... be creative!) Let the children fill out the outline and (especially for younger children) draw a picture/visual for the family home evening. This fulfills a Faith in God requirement under service (Plan and hold a parent-child activity, such as a dinner, picnic, hike, day trip, or service project.)

Here is a really basic outline the church website offers.

* Here are the best quotes on Family Home Evening you'll ever need. My favorite being "Family home evenings should be scheduled once a week as a time for discussions of gospel principles, recreation, work projects, skits, songs around the piano, games, special refreshments, and family prayers. Like iron links in a chain, this practice will bind a family together, in love, pride, tradition, strength, and loyalty."(Salvation; A Family Affair, Ensign, July 1992, p. 4 — President Ezra Taft Benson) To which you could have the children build paper links and write different ideas on each link for family home evenings! (Younger children can cut and glue, teachers/older children can help write for them)

* Bring in 10 dishes. (Plastic preferably so we don't have any bloody accidents). Retell this story in your own words to the children. Invite the children to come up and choose a plate and tell something nice about another person in primary. Doing little things (activities) brings us closer together. The same is true in our families. When we do things together we are strengthened.

* Hallmarks of a Happy Home is an excellent article by President Monson. It would be appropriate for the senior primary to read in small groups/pairs. Divide the blackboard into 4 sections. A pattern of prayer. A library of learning. A legacy of love. A treasury of testimony.
What are things we can do during family home evenings to strengthen our families pertaining to each category? For example, who can we pray for at FHE? What books/materials can we use during FHE? What are things we can do to show love during FHE? How do we bear testimony at FHE? Have older children write ideas down on the board.

Week 4 Reverence and keeping the Sabbath day holy strengthen my family.

* Have a picture of a boat on the board. Ask the children to come up with names for the boat.

Share the following with them, "An acquaintance of mine had purchased a lovely boat and had just finished varnishing it and painting it. When I stopped by, he was admiring it. I surmised that he was getting it ready to take it, with his family, to the reservoir the next Sunday. He said 'It is complete and in readiness except for one thing.' Then he asked me, 'Could you suggest an appropriate name for the boat?' I knew him very well. I thought for a moment, and then said, 'Well, perhaps you should name it 'The Sabbath Breaker.' He looked at me, and he understood." (ElRay L. Christiansen, in Conference Report, April 1962, 33)

You could have a tub of water with little boats floating in it. Invite the children to come up and choose a boat and say something that is not the best to do on Sundays and something that is good to do on Sundays.

* Have about 6 blank stone tablet made out of construction paper and 6 blank hearts. Big enough to write a few sentences on and be seen by the back of the room.

" It would appear that the reason the Sabbath day is so hard to live for so many people is that it is still written on tablets of stone rather than being written in their hearts..." (Kimball, Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, 217-18)

Have the children use their topical guide to find scriptures to look up about the Sabbath Day. Read then write the reference on the paper tablets. On the hearts write different ways how we can show reverence and keep the sabbath day holy. Have a picture of a family and invite a child to draw lines from the tablets and hearts to the family. All these things strengthen our family.

* Luke 13: 10-17 shows that Jesus himself kept the Sabbath day holy. Have a little donkey on a rope and a watering hole. Have the children answer questions, songs and read scriptures on reverence. As they do so, lead the donkey to the water little by little. Water gives our bodies strength, just as reverence and keeping the Sabbath day keep our families strong.

* God bless you Sheila Wilson!! Sheila E. Wilson, “Sharing Time: The Lord’s Day,” Friend, Nov 2004, 17 has wonderful ideas that could be easily used for this week's theme.

LDS Primary Father's Day Gift

Bunched Crayons courtesy creative commons license flickr.com by cavitt April 2009

I feel like sometimes I'm a little repetitive, but I can't say this enough. KNOW YOUR CHILDREN. BE SENSITIVE to their needs. If there is no father in the home, change the words to grandpa or uncle or brother!!

You will need:
2 large sheets of paper for the child to take home
1 copy of the poem/instructions
1 ziploc bag full of crayons
2 rubber bands
** Manilla Envelope to put everything in or stapled file folders.... you decide what's best so they don't loose anything!
**Another addition could be a couple of gummy fruit snack bags for them to munch on while they talk and draw.

Brief Explanation:
This is a gift designed for time with daddy. A special art activity that is simple and encourages more love in the home. When they get home they are to divvy up the color crayons between dad and child. For each crayon they pass out they have to tell one reason why they love the other person. After the crayons are divided, put a rubber band around the ones you've got and let the inner Van Gogh out! Trade crayons if you need different colors, just make sure to give more reasons why you love your dad!

Poem/Instructions (by Sofia Lykes May 2009):

One crayon can make a drawing,
simple, straight and nice...
But put a bunch together
and there's something to entice!!

My Father is real special,
a man of many gifts!
Capable and loving,
he inspires and uplifts.

I love my daddy dearest,
he's strong and full of fun...
His qualities are many
and he's second next to none!!

Instructions:
1. Go home and pass out one crayon at a time to each other. As you do so, say a reason why you love each other!
2. Put a rubber band around the group of crayons and let your inner Van Gogh go wild!
3. Display your art proudly! Express your love often!
4. Have a very Happy Father's Day!!

Learning at the Feet of Apostles

Yesterday I had the opportunity to go to a fireside here in Reno, NV which was quite unusual. The featured speakers were 2 apostles and member of the seventy; Elder Bednar, Elder Anderson and Elder Zwick.

It was one of the most spiritual experiences of my life. They opened it up for questions. I was thinking to myself, here are men that have talked with or seen Christ and they are inviting me to ask a question. After careful consideration, I knew my question. I pass the thought along to you, what would you ask given the chance?

They shared many powerful words with us and while I've always known that these men were called of God as apostles and prophets, the confirmation again of the spirit cannot adequately be described. Afterwards we got to go up and shake their hands. There must have been hundreds of people there, yet they stood patiently while we each shook hands with those that may have touched Divinity. Elder Zwick told my husband that he was one handsome man. *Love you Elder Zwick, my sentiments exactly. Although if there is anyone out there who knows how to get purple chemical stains out from dredlocks, please... email me.*And I told Elder Bednar since He had given us so much this night that I wanted to give him something. He looked at me cautiously, but being a large pregnant woman perhaps he wasn't too threatened. I gave him a bottle of hand sanitizer and told him to share. So I pass the thought along to you, am I nuts or am I nuts?

But really, I don't want these good men to get the swine flu.

I'll Seek the Lord Early p.108 CS Song Helps

GAK 215 Jairus sought the Lord and the Lord healed his daughter.

* Make toilet-paper roll binoculars for the children. Whenever they sing the word "seek" they can put their binoculars to their eyes.

* Have phrases of the song hidden throughout the room, have a child "seek" and find the phrases. When found, sing it!

* You can dress up one of the children as a hiker/seeker. Have the song divided into parts as signs along a trail. As they walk by the sign, sing. At the end of the trail have a picture of Christ. Once the song is learned, a good review technique would be to have the hiker choose to stand by different signs (that of course have pictures on them!) and you sing the part he's standing by.

* Look through a parenting magazine and find pictures of young children. Attach to popsicle sticks with different ways for the children to sing. (E.G. Bold Forte!, Softly, Clicking your tongue to the melody...) We seek the Lord when? Early! In our youth!

Dirty Bare Feet - Gross, Symbolic, or Both?

Dirty Feet Image courtesy creative commons license flickr.com by DazMSmith 1/2000

Milo Mills, “Barefoot Fun,” Friend, Jul 1974, 39

Walking barefoot!

Isn’t it fun

To feel with your feet

When you walk or run

The cool green fingers

Of tender grass

That bend to your feet

As you softly pass?

Isn’t it fun

To feel on your toes

A trickle of water

Straight from the hose

And to paddle in puddles

And stamp around

Till your toes go squish

In the muddy ground?

Isn’t it fun

To feel the air

Blow on your feet

That are wet and bare?

Isn’t it great

When a girl or boy

Can have the thrill

Of barefoot joy?

At church a leader was teaching, with their shoes off.

I completely understand there are cultural reasons one wouldn't wear shoes. Perhaps one even has a blister that just cannot be described and one must take off their shoe.

I searched. And searched. And searched some more. And cannot find any statements by the prophets that say specifically "Wear shoes at church. Especially in Primary." There are not even laws (from my meager google attempt) that prohibit walking barefoot in public - except OSHA regulations do state employees must wear shoes at place of employment. I digress.

But what I did notice was a lack of the spirit there. Can it be blamed on the random taking off of shoes? I think it shows an attitude of casualness and lack of care. And perhaps it's not even the shoes. Perhaps the shoes are symbolic of a casualness over teaching.

How do we prepare for lessons?

Do we follow the sharing time outline?

Do we blame children for irreverence when our lessons/singing times were poor and lacked activity or enthusiasm?

D&C 84:45-47 "For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ. And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit. And every one that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto God, even the Father."

We can have the light! If teaching seems "too hard" then that is the moment we need to get to our knees the most. Our Father loves us and will help us. If there is a child that every week seems harder and harder, that is the moment we fall to our knees again. It'd be so easy to just take off our shoes, kick them up and lay back. But the answer is leaving on our shoes, lacing them tight and digging in our heals ready to work. We go to church to be closer to Christ and our Heavenly Father. Most importantly, Primary needs to be a place where the Spirit is felt. Do whatever you need to do to ensure that. Time is too precious.

LDS Primary Sharing Time June 2009 Helps and Ideas

Pipe Cleaner Body Builder image courtesy creative commons license flickr.com by bob.fornal January 2007

Monthly Theme: Faith, prayer, repentance, and forgiveness strengthen me and my family.

Monthly Scripture: “Successful . . . families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, [and] forgiveness” (“Proclamation,”paragraph 7).

Week 1 Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ strengthens me and my family.

* Have a shoe box and tape a picture of a mountain on it. Put about 12 pieces of tape evenly spaced on the floor. Ether 12:30 " For the brother of Jared said unto the mountain Zerin, Remove—and it was removed. And if he had not had faith it would not have moved; wherefore thou workest after men have faith." Have a list of 12 questions, scriptures and songs based on faith in Jesus Christ for the children to answer. As they do so correctly they can move the mountain one tape space at a time. Would moving a mountain make you pretty strong? So it is with faith in Jesus Christ, our families and selves become stronger and stronger.

* Do you know a family with toddlers? Fisher Price makes a toy called Little People Noah's Ark that would be a great visual. Or you can use a picture of an ark and different animals. Hebrews 11:7 "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house." Divide the primary into groups. Have children come up and choose an animal from the ark that has different stories attached to it about faith in Christ. After they discuss with their group, have them come to the front and share with the whole primary.

* Have a bare tree. (It could be made out of paper or drawn on the chalkboard) Who has ever heard of a family tree? Pass out paper leaves and fruit for the children to write or draw on. What are things we can do to make our family stronger? Put all the leaves and fruit on the tree. Alma 32:41-42 "But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life. And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst."

* Place a child 3 feet away from the piano, tell them not to move but to play the piano. Impossible. Have a hair dryer, unplugged and tell a child to blow dry their hair. Impossible. James 2:17-18, 20 "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" We can have faith in Jesus Christ and it is by doing the things He commands that makes us and our families stronger. (Put the child closer to the piano to play. Plug in the dryer. When you combine the two things it becomes possible) ** As a side note this idea is really similar to the one published in the friend. I promise I'm not trying to copy the idea off as my own. I really have better things to do with my time than plagiarize. Plus, I just don't like to mess around with Heavenly Father. (Thank-you Lev. 26:27-29) It just happened I wrote this and then the friend came out and it was similar. **

Week 2 Prayer strengthens me and my family.

* "It is precisely to address the struggle Paul identified that I return to a subject that I believe would do MORE THAN ANY OTHER SINGLE THING TO STRENGTHEN US for the inevitable challenges ahead. It is a time-honored and time-tested but increasingly neglected principle: the practice of prayer... Are we forgetting the Almighty, who in times of last resort is our greatest strength?" President Gordon B. Hinckley Standing for Something pg. 135 Find a bunch of other quotes/scriptures and pictures of the people quoted. Make a simple memory matching game for the children.

* Who are some people we listen to and do what they say? Would we listen to Jesus and do what He says? After He was resurrected and visited the Nephites He said in 3 Nephi 18:21 "Pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed." Divide the black board into 3 sections. Have teachers there for younger children to write their ideas. One section can be How do we pray? What can we pray for? Prayer strengthens me and my family by... Brainstorm all the ideas you can. Also see if they can come up with families in the scriptures that were blessed by prayer or personal examples from their own home life (for the last section). For the Senior Primary you can make copies of Lessons from the Lord's Prayers by Elder Russell M. Nelson from the last General Conference and have them use that talk to fill in the sections.

* This idea IS NOT FOR CHURCH, more for a family home evening. Bring in a XXL pair of sweatpants and a bag of blown up balloons. Have questions, scriptures and songs on prayers prepared. As the children answer the questions and participate they earn a balloon to put in the sweatpants and make the person "buff". Prayer strengthens me and my family! Show off those muscles!

* Make some simple "privilege coupons". Privileges could include 5 minutes with the Bishop, a hug, a pat on the back, a muffin in the morning.... Sing some songs. Explain that as you sing you are going to watch for reverence and great singing effort and in turn pass out a privilege. Another word for privilege is an honor. Elder David Bednar said, "Prayer is a privilege and the soul's sincere desire. We can move beyond routine and 'checklist' prayers and engage in meaningful prayer..." Ask in Faith," Ensign, May 2008, 97 Prayer is a privilege and is something special. Have a long checklist on the board of standard things we say during prayer and invite the children to erase it as they come up with ideas to make prayer more special. If prayer strengthens us, then we should strengthen our prayers and make them meaningful.

Week 3 Repentance helps me return to Heavenly Father.

* Take a white piece of cloth. Have a child help by gently squeezing ketchup, mustard or whatever else on the cloth. Ask the children if they would ever wear something this dirty to the temple? So it is with Heavenly Father, sin makes us dirty and we need to repent to return to him clean.

* Have a dark black painted piece of wood. Invite a child to come up and paint over it white. One coat of paint isn't going to work to turn it white. We make mistakes often and need to repent often to return to Heavenly Father.

* Do you have a tarnished piece of silver? Bring it in with some silver cleaner and basin of water. Repentance makes us clean to return to our Heavenly Father.

* Karen Ashton brilliantly writes “Sharing Time: Repentance—Turning from Wrong to Right,” Friend, Apr 1997, 36

"Discuss with the older children what the word poison means. Tell them that it is like sin. Just as poison destroys the body, sin destroys the spirit. Explain that if you were to take poison, you might immediately realize what you had done, be sorry, tell someone, and not take any more. But that would not save you from the effects of the poison already in your body. Help the children understand that when you have sinned, or taken spiritual poison, Jesus has commanded you to repent. You must feel sorry for the sin, confess it to Heavenly Father, try to pay for what you have done, and try to not do it again. Jesus Christ suffered and paid for all our sins so that we can repent. This is called the Atonement. Just as taking an antidote (medicine that works against poison) can eliminate the bad effects of poison in our system, repentance and the Atonement together can eliminate sin from our lives.

Have the children look up the scriptures, then verbally fill in the blanks in the following sentences with repent, repentance, atone, or atonement. Discuss each scripture as you fill in the blank. Give each child a copy of the activity; suggest that he/she share it with his/her family. Sentences: And he commandeth all men that they must ________________ (2 Ne. 9:23). For the ____________ satisfieth the demands of … justice (2 Ne. 9:26). For according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an ____________ made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish (Alma 34:9). We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, ____________ (A of F 1:4). Now this is the commandment: ____________, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name (3 Ne. 27:20). For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would ____________ (D&C 19:16). For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might ____________ and come unto him (D&C 18:11)."

* Great-Wonderful-Fantastic-Superb repentance sharing time ideas from the friend magazine HERE

Week 4 As I forgive, I will be forgiven.

* Have a small child and a large sack of really heavy rocks. Have them try to get across the room pulling the rocks. Now have them let go of the rocks and see if they can get across the room. Sometimes we need to just let things go. As you forgive, God will forgive you.

* Have a bunch of scrambled names of people from the scriptures who were examples of forgiveness. Have GAK pictures and briefly discuss the stories with the children of these people. For younger children, they obviously won't be able to spell or figure out the proper letter order of the word. So I would ask them questions and as they answer correctly give them some letters from the word until it's correct then say, you spelled it right! Let's say the letters together! Now let's sound it out together!

* Make a list of different situations. Ask the children to give you a thumbs up or down on whether the person should be forgiven. For example: A boy stole an apple from you and then lied, should you forgive him? A little girl hit you really hard in the arm and said sorry, should you forgive her? At the end of all the situations ask everyone to hold up a thumbs up. This should have been our answer to EVERY single situation because D&C 64:10 says, "I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men."

* To fulfill a requirement under the "developing talents" section of the Faith in God program, have the children write a poem about forgiveness. For different type of poem formats the children can use click HERE. (scroll down a tiny bit) I would of course write a couple of poems myself as examples for them. Have them share!!

Happy Mother's Day!

Image courtesy creative-commons license flickr.com by Pierro Sierra April 2007

Some odd years ago, my mother was told she had polycystic ovaries. She struggled with the idea of never having a child of her own. 4 years later, after loads of medication, heartbreak and countless prayers, my parents were given one child and one child only. Me. I always grew up knowing motherhood was not a sacrifice but a privilege and honor.

But having just one child of her own didn't stop my mother from being a mother to others. She adopted countless angels that she would give everything she had to. She is a teacher, a feeder of missionaries, a listener for the discouraged girl in the single's ward, a constant care and support to the abandoned, a home to the homeless, a seeker to those lost... the list goes on and on.

There are so many good women out there. Mothers. Grandmothers. Women married who can't have children. Women not married wishing for the blessings of companionship and motherhood. Women who have lost children. Aunts. Sisters. And most important women who are mothers by adoption.

There are so many good children out there too. Children without mothers. Who need someone in their life to show the kindness and love of a mother. I feel like adoption could possibly save the world. When I read this blog http://www.therhouse.blogspot.com/ I was truly inspired to do something more, so I started this blog. Perhaps adoption is for you. Perhaps this site can help you. Perhaps adoption of a child into your home isn't part of what you're meant to do in life. But we can all adopt children in our hearts and do everything in our power to show them a Christ-like example.

Everyone can be a mother. There are children who need women to stand up to the plate and be there for them. Whatever our circumstances in life, I pray that children in the world can be blessed to feel the love of God through our good works. I bear testimony that Jesus is the Christ. Our Heavenly Father knows us and watches over us. Happy Mother's Day to all!

Jr. Primary Adaptation: Baptism Reader's Theatre

It’s as Clear as Water, I know Jesus Christ was Baptized.
By Sofia Lykes

Jr. Primary Adaptation
Think simple! Simple costumes!! Simple everything... you don't want to distract them from the meaning of this reader's theatre which is CHRIST. Know your readers! MOST SUNBEAMS CAN'T READ so DON'T give them Narrator 1. Encourage and direct, let them be creative! Have fun and still be able to feel the spirit strongly!!!

Speaking Parts:
Narrator 1 (Adult or Super Excellent Reader)
Narrator 2 (Good Reader)
Nephi
Joseph Smith
Nicodemus
John the Baptist

Non- Speaking Parts:
2 Trees
Dove
2 Jewish Followers (Come up with Nicodemus)
Special Helpers 1,2,3,4

Special Helper #1 holds up picture of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus.

Narrator 1: Reading from the Bible Matthew 3:13-17 “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying,

John the Baptist: “I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?”

Narrator 1: “And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove (2 trees stand by, have dove flap their wings and come very close to the picture), and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Narrator 2: If Jesus was standing right outside that door, that one right there, wouldn’t we want to open it and walk through!

Narrator 1: To see Him, to feel the prints of the nails in His hands! To hug Him! To ask Him our questions and thank Him for all He has given us?

Narrator 2: Could Jesus really be outside that door? gestures to door

Narrator 1: He could. Anything is possible with God. Nephi said there is another door, or rather a gate, that if we enter we will surely find Him.

Nephi: (Reading His scriptures) “Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. 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.” (2 Nephi 31:17)

Narrator 1: Nephi was a witness and actually saw Jesus Christ baptized. I wonder what other prophets received visions and revelations about the immersion of Christ by John the Baptist.

Narrator 2: Woah. What is immersion? I thought we were talking about Baptism.

Narrator 1: Our prophet Joseph Smith can help us out with that one!

Joseph Smith: “The word baptize is derived...

Narrator 1: Which means comes from.

Joseph Smith: "from the Greek verb ‘baptiso’, and means to immerse or overwhelm.”[1]

Narrator 2: Let’s see what Baptism by immersion would look like.

Special Helper #1 and #2 hold up a blue sheet. Special Helper #3 goes completely down behind the blue sheet, stands up and rings out hair. Special Helper #4 (A boy) stands behind the blue sheet and pats the back of Special Helper #3 after he/she stands up.

Narrator 1: I know a great story found in the Book of John, chapter 3. There once was a man named Nicodemus who was a ruler of the Jews. It was night time and Nicodemus came to Jesus and said….

Nicodemus: (Standing by a picture of Christ, Special Helper #2 can hold, 2 Jewish followers come up also) “Rabbi”

Narrator 1: Which meant Master or Teacher.

Nicodemus: “We know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.” (John 3:2)

Narrator 1: Jesus answered and said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)

Nicodemus: “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?” (John 3:4)

Narrator 2: Silly Nicodemus! He was supposed to be a teacher and ruler to the Jews and yet He had no clue what Jesus was talking about! (2 Jewish followers can giggle)

Narrator 1: One of my favorite scriptures is what Jesus told Nicodemus, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” (John 3:5-7)

Narrator 2: So when we follow the example of Jesus and are baptized it’s like we are starting a new life. A life where we try our hardest to keep the commandments, repent and endure to the end!

John the Baptist: ”The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life” (John 3:36)

All: We know that Jesus Christ was baptized. We will follow His example always!!

Narrator 1: In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

[1] (Smith, Teachings, 262)

Sharing Time Baptism Reader's Theatre - Jesus Christ was Baptized. (Week 2 May 2009)

Some tips on reader's theatre can be found here . PLEASE READ THE TIPS. A rule that I followed very carefully when writing was - "God the Father, the Savior, and the Holy Ghost should not be portrayed by children. The only exception would be for children to portray Jesus in a nativity scene." (See Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, 279.) I do not have anyone representing or playing the part of Christ. Our Savior is quoted though by narrators and scripture references are given as I find His words extremely important to share.

* See HERE for an adaptation of this for Junior Primary.

As Clear as Water, I know Jesus Christ was Baptized.
By Sofia Lykes

Speaking Parts:

Narrator 1

Nephi

Missionary
Narrator 2

Joseph Smith

John the Baptist
Narrator 3

Paul
Narrator 4

Nicodemus

Non Speaking Parts:
Special Helpers #1, #2, #3, #4

(Have narrators roll up their pants and dip toes in the river, perhaps a blue sheet with a couple plants around. On the other side have the different prophets, etc. When the prophets speak, have them step forward or perhaps you can have chairs for them to sit in then stand when it's their turn. Have the special helpers sit back in the primary when done. If you find there are too many people up front, just have the narrators. Other parts can come up when it's their turn. Gage your primary! Direct as you see fit!)

Special Helper #1 holds up picture of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus.

Narrator 4: Reading from the Bible Matthew 3:13-17 “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Narrator 1: We have all come to church today to learn about Jesus Christ and be closer to Him.

Narrator 2: If Jesus was standing right outside that door, that one right there, wouldn’t we want to open it and walk through! To see Him, to feel the prints of the nails in His hands? To hug Him? To ask Him our questions and thank Him for all He has given us?

Narrator 3: Could Jesus really be outside that door? gestures to door

Narrator 2: He could. Anything is possible with God. Nephi said there is another door, or rather a gate, that if we enter we will surely find Him.

Nephi: Reading his scriptures “Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. 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.” 2 Nephi 31:17

Narrator 1: Nephi was a witness and actually saw Jesus Christ baptized. I wonder what other prophets received visions and revelations about the immersion of Christ by John the Baptist.

Narrator 3: Woah. What is immersion? I thought we were talking about Baptism.

Narrator 2: Our prophet Joseph Smith can help us out with that one!

Joseph Smith: “The word baptize is derived from the Greek verb ‘baptiso’, and means to immerse or overwhelm.”[1] “Baptism cannot be by any other means than immersion of the entire body in water, for the following reason…It is in the similitude of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ…”[2]

Narrator 3: Let’s see what Baptism by immersion would look like.

Special Helper #1 and #2 hold up a blue sheet. Special Helper #3 goes completely down behind the blue sheet, stands up and rings out hair. Special Helper #4 (A boy) stands behind the blue sheet and pats the back of Special Helper #3 after he/she stands up.

Narrator 1: Just like Joseph Smith, the apostle Paul from New Testament times has said…

Paul: “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4

Narrator 3: Woah. That’s kind of deep. What do you think Paul means? I think the key words are newness of life! (See if anyone in the Primary can explain this scripture, Paul may need to repeat what he has said)

Narrator 4: I know a great story found in the Book of John, chapter 3. There once was a man named Nicodemus who was a ruler of the Jews. It was night time and Nicodemus came to Jesus and said….

Special Helper #2 holds a picture of Christ

Nicodemus: Standing by a picture of Christ but not speaking to it, speaking to the audience/primary "Rabbi"

Narrator 4: Which meant Master or Teacher.

Nicodemus: “We know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.” John 3:2

Narrator 4: Jesus answered and said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3

Nicodemus: “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?” John 3:4

Narrator 4: Silly Nicodemus! He was supposed to be a teacher and ruler to the Jews and yet He had no clue what Jesus was talking about!

Missionary: As a missionary one of my favorite scriptures is what Jesus told Nicodemus, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” John 3:5-7

Narrator 2: So when we follow the example of Jesus and are baptized it’s like we are starting a new life. A life where we try our hardest to keep the commandments, repent and endure to the end!

Missionary: I see a lot of people change when they learn about Jesus Christ and are baptized. Because Jesus Christ was baptized, we need to be baptized. Another powerful witness to add is that of John the Baptist. Listen to what he said before he was sent to prison and eventually beheaded.

Narrator 3: Woah. That’s really sad.

Missionary: I know. Jesus said in Matthew 11:11, “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist.” We can see why. motions hands to John

John the Baptist: With passion and zeal “A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.

He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.

He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.

For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life” John 3:27-36

All: We know that Jesus Christ was baptized. We will follow His example always!!

Narrator 1: In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Footnotes

[1] Smith, Teachings, 262

[2] Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:323-24

Primary Mother's Day Idea

Forever M&M's courtesy creative commons license flickr.com by vernhart 10/2007

For Mother's Day this year I am gathering materials for a "Mother's Day Date Night Kit". I will have all the items ready for the children to put into their bag and take home. We have a few children whose mothers have died so I'm labeling the bag "Special Lady Date Night Kit".

The kit will include:
- A DO NOT disturb sign to hang on the door
- Bag of Popcorn
- M & M's
- Activity Description Sheet
- Fill in the blank on nice card stock You are one special lady because ________________!

The Activity Description Sheet says:

You're one special lady and I'm one special child!
Let's play a game with M&M's bright and wild!
Pick a candy, any color will do.
And answer the question through and through!

Then once you're done, toss in the air.
Can the other one catch? Or will it land in her hair?
Have fun and be silly - get to know each other well!
And to each other - I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, don't forget to tell!

Red- What is one of your favorite things to do with me?
Orange- Where would you want to go anywhere in the world with me and why?
Yellow- What do you see us doing together in 10 years?
Green- Name 3 reasons why you love me.
Blue- Ask me any question you like!
Brown- Hum a tune and see if I can guess it!

* Are you having fun and there's still more time? Pop some popcorn and whip out a board game!

This activity/poem is copywrited by me and only to be used by individuals who want to encourage unity, love, and a little more fun in the home.

Junior Primary Verses Senior Primary Tidbit

Image of "The Hoff" courtesy a google search. He sang in 1989 on the Berlin Wall. Was he instrumental in helping end the cold war? I don't know. Perhaps those from Germany who read this blog can tell us.

One day I'll die and my children will have this blog to teach their children. Am I morbid? Yes. But teaching is important to me. And so I share my thoughts.

Here is a tidbit. If you push down on a bug, even slightly (And I'm not talking about Texas sized bugs, just normal Nevadan bugs) you will kill it.

Question: Is it necessary to put down Junior Primary to Senior Primary? For example- Oh, you learned the song soooooo much faster than Junior Primary! Or Junior Primary doesn't listen as well as Senior Primary does!

Really. What is the point of that? The only good thing that we tore down was the Berlin Wall. We don't need to do that to our children.

Point: THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK.

Baptism Song Helps May 2009

Blue and White- the colors of Baptism Image courtesy creative commons license flickr.com by Alaukika April 2006

"Baptism" page 100 Children's Songbook

* Fill an envelope with pictures having to do with Baptism. Have a paper little boy or girl who are going to be baptized earn items from the envelope as you sing this song and learn the words. Items in the envelope could include white clothes, water, font, towel, mirror for above the font, etc.

* Have pictures of different places having to do with the song like Judea, River Jordan, Father's Kingdom, Places where we are witnesses in faith (home and school), Modern Baptismal Font. Have a child walk from picture to picture corresponding to the verses. Jesus set the example for us and we will follow and be baptized.

* Fill The Font - A visual from the Friend magazine you can use as you learn the song, color up a water level.

* Have you ever seen those things at the dollar store you can put into water and they will grow into something? They look like little pills and then they turn into wash rags or large sponges when immersed in water?? You can demonstrate this for the children and make the point that baptism is a covenant that will help our souls grow bigger and we will be better because of it! Is this too off the wall? Maybe. You decide.

* This is a fun song to tap your leg or top of hand to. Divide the room in half, one side tapping to a triplet beat (3 taps for each beat) and the other side tapping the melody of the song. Then switch!

"I want to Be Baptized" Words by Gary Croxall

Music by Kathleen Holyoak

July Friend 2005

* "I want" is a phrase we hear a lot in life. Have different pictures of things "we want" mixed with pictures having to do with baptism. You could have chocolate cake, a nintendo, a doll, etc. Then you could have pictures like white clothes, 8, font (to represent gate), soap with fire on it... (These pictures can be the visuals you use for the song for the children to hold) It's Ok to want different items in life, but the most important want we have should be to return to Heavenly Father and Jesus. This want is done in part by baptism.

* After you are baptized, you are wet! Bring in a basket full of towels. As you learn the song, see how many towels the primary can earn! Make a large stack as they sing boldly and energetically!

* My little 2 year old beauty often says "I need" in the place of "I want". For example "I need candy please." or "I need a dog from Pet's Mart." From what I gather this is a common practice for sweet 2 year olds. (Yes! Sweet! You will NEVER EVER EVER hear me say terrible twos!! They are TERRIFIC twos!!! Sorry. Tangent.) You can explain this to the primary children and ask them to think about the word "need" when they sing "want". It is true we "need" to be baptized but we will always have the choice, so we sing the word "want" because we want exactly that! To be baptized!

* Ask the Ward Mission leader if you can sing this song for Gospel Essentials class one week once you've learned it for the people investigating the church!

May 2009 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

River Jordan image courtesy creative commons license flickr.com by Cajie march 2006

May Theme: Baptism and confirmation are ordinances that bless my family.
May Scripture: “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” ( John 3:5).

Week 1 Baptism is the first ordinance of the gospel.

* Call up a couple families before hand and write down some interesting "birth" stories of some of the children in primary. (You can also get pictures from the parents of the primary children's first picture when they were a newborn) Have children hold the baby pictures while you tell the stories. Can we come into this world any other way than being born? Can we fly a spaceship from the pre-existence down to earth? "Just as we cannot have mortal life without physical birth, so we cannot enter the kingdom of God except by being born of the water and of the Spirit. John 3:5" (Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual p.42 Introduction) Being born is the first thing we do in life as Baptism is the first ordinance of the Gospel.

* Gather a bunch (or make out of paper) 1st place ribbons. (Scratch out the word place so it will just be a large 1st on the ribbons) Hide the ribbons throughout the room and attach questions, scriptures and songs to them. When the child finds one they can come to the front and answer/read on a special podium (Sturdy box). The first ordinance is Baptism and all who follow God's commandments are winners!
- Another adaption to this idea is having them do something physical to earn a ribbon, like 10 push ups or 5 jumping jacks. Then answer the question on the ribbon. How many ribbons can you earn as a primary? Baptism is the first ordinance of the Gospel and starts us out "strong" on our path back to Heavenly Father and Jesus.

* Hold up a piece of paper. Will this paper stay the same always? Have a child come up and crumple it. It's not the same anymore, it's wrinkled and you can't draw on it. Hold up a flower. Will this flower stay the same always? How will it change? Hold up a piece of fruit. How will it change? Is there anything in life that doesn't change?

Read 2 Nephi 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."
Baptism is the first ordinance of the gospel and has been taught since the days of Adam. Divide into groups and have them draw pictures of the following people who taught/practiced baptism. Have them hold up their pictures and read the scriptures. Helpful scriptures for groups include Moses 6:64-66, Moses 7:11 (Enoch was also commanded), Noah preached Moses 8:23-24, Ancient Israelites 1 Nephi 20:1, Nephites/Lamanites Alma 19:35-36, Jesus Matthew 3:13-17, Philip Acts 8:37-39, Joseph Smith D&C 13.
Give their pictures to the missionaries to help new investigators learn about baptism.

* Definition of Ordinance: "In the Church, an ordinance is a sacred, formal act performed by the authority of the priesthood. Some ordinances are essential to our exaltation. These ordinances are called saving ordinances. They include baptism, confirmation, ordination to the Melchizedek Priesthood (for men), the temple endowment, and the marriage sealing. With each of these ordinances, we enter into solemn covenants with the Lord." (From Gospel Library- Gospel Topics)

Have a children see how well they can listen and follow directions. Give each child a piece of paper (Or just have one come up to the front to demonstrate) and pencil. You say slowly, giving them time for each step: Draw a vertical line from the top of the page down to the bottom. Draw another vertical line 4 finger spaces to the side of that from the top of the page down to the bottom. You will have 2 lines on your paper now. Add 6 small horizontal, side to side lines in between the two large lines. Have them hold up their papers in the air and look around. Does everyone have ladders? Have them do one more thing, circle the bottom line- the first step on the ladder.

" The first saving ordinance is baptism. Thus, with baptism, to use the Prophet Joseph Smith’s metaphor, we step onto the ladder. Once on the ladder, there are more steps to take. Climbing the ladder requires many things: the saving grace of our Savior, our own faith and repentance and good works, and the assistance of the priesthood... Of course, this journey up the ladder was not destined to be traveled alone: we have others to assist us. The righteous family unit is destined to last forever." David E. Sorensen Member of the 2nd Quorum of the 70, “Why Baptism Is Not Enough,” Ensign, Apr 1999, 16

Week 2 Jesus Christ was baptized.

* See HERE for a reader's theatre.

Week 3 I will be baptized and confirmed.

* Invite 2 or 3 new converts to BRIEFLY (As in 2-3 minutes each) share their conversion story when they were baptized and confirmed - to the primary children.

* Have a glass of water half full. Explain that this is like baptism. We also need to be confirmed!! Pour in more water until the glass is full. "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” Joseph Smith (History of the Church, 5:499)

* Make Family Home Evening Kits to take home. Have them choose from a couple different 8 X 10 baptism pictures; GAK 108, 208, 309, 601. (You can make $0.35 color copies or print off your computer) Another possibility is these pictures (Scroll down to baptism and click) from the friend (They are black and white and the children could color them, then cut them into 12 pieces) On the bottom of each picture have "I will be baptized and confirmed."

Have the children cut the pictures into 12 pieces, then on the back write the numbers 1-12. The FHE is putting together the puzzle and answering the questions. This article from the friend has 12 questions/answers you will have to number and then make copies to put in the kits. While the children are putting things together, discuss the questions and possible songs they could sing for the FHE.

For the kits you could put the pieces in Ziploc bags and have a manila envelope or file folder for them to contain everything.

* Plain Words About Baptism An excellent felt board presentation from the friend!!

* Vicki F. Matsumori is brilliant and writes, "Sharing Time: Example of the Believers,” Friend, Aug 2003, 47 "Display GAK 208 (“John the Baptist Baptizing Jesus”) and have the children help retell the events of the Savior’s baptism. Sing “Baptism” (pp. 100–101).

On word strips, write categories about things related to baptism, such as THINGS FOUND AT A BAPTISM, PEOPLE FROM THE SCRIPTURES WHO WERE BAPTIZED, ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH, THINGS I PROMISE WHEN I AM BAPTIZED, REASONS TO BE BAPTIZED, WAYS I CAN HONOR MY BAPTISMAL COVENANT.

Divide the children into groups. Display one of the category papers and have a child in the first group give one example that fits the category. For example, for THINGS FOUND AT A BAPTISM, items might be an eight-year-old child, the parents, the missionaries, white clothing, water, a font, the bishop or branch president, witnesses, speakers, and music. Have each group suggest one thing for the category. If a group is unable to give an answer, it drops out of the game until the next category. Have the remaining groups continue until there is one group left. Repeat the process with the remaining categories.

Sing “When I Am Baptized” (p. 103). Bear testimony of the blessings received at baptism, and express gratitude for your membership in the Church."

Week 4 My family is blessed as we follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

* Come up with different case scenarios. As the children answer the scenarios have them come up and build a home out of legos or lincoln logs. We build our homes and our families are blessed when we follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost. A couple examples of case scenarios could include Matt and his brother are going camping. They get a feeling they shouldn't go into the woods alone. What should they do? Where does that warning feeling come from? How is their family blessed? Or Linda is out shopping with her mother. There is a really cute skirt she'd like to buy but it comes above the knees and is a little tight. What would the Holy Ghost probably tell the girl or mother? How would they be stronger as a family by following the promptings of modesty?

* Draw a maze on the chalkboard. Have a family on one end and on the other a picture of the temple. Blindfold a child and give them a piece of chalk, ask another child to quietly help them get the family to the temple. The Holy Ghost leads and guides us and when we follow it's promptings our families are blessed.

* 2 Nephi 32: 2 "Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the Holy Ghost? "

Ask the children to come up with as many kind words they can say to family members. Make a list on the chalk board. All these words come by the Holy Ghost and bless our families. Have the children make thank-you notes using words from the board for different family members

* Have a stick that a child can come up to break. Have a bunch of sticks, can a child break this? When we follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost we add sticks to our family and make our family stronger.

"Nothing in this life is of greater worth than the supernal gift of the Holy Ghost. It is the source of joy, peace, knowledge, strength, love, and every other good thing. With the Atonement, it is the power by which we may be changed and made strong where we are weak. With the priesthood, it is the power by which marriages and families are sealed together eternally." Lawrence E. Corbridge, "The Way," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 35

* Ask the children how they are doing. Is today a special day or holiday? Do they have any reason to rejoice today?

"Through the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, every member of the Church can receive 'the words of Christ' directly (2 Nephi 32:3), at any time or place. This personal divine guidance helps us to remain valiant in the testimony of Jesus Christ and endure to the end of our days. Isn't this wonderful! "Have we not reason to rejoice?" Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Have We Not Reason to Rejoice?" Ensign, Nov. 2007, 20

So today is a special day! Everyday that we follow the promptings of the spirit is a special day and our family will be blessed!

Praise the Lord! Praise the Children! Language and Vocabulary in Primary Part II

Applause Bus Image Courtesy Creative-Commens license flickr.com by Laughing Squid March 8, 2009

On page 242 of the Hymn book is one of my favorite songs. It's short, simple and to the point.

"Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye Heavenly Host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost."

The song reminds me of the D6 bus in Washington DC. More than once someone would get on the bus and say, "Praise the Lord." and we'd all shout back, "Praise the Lord." and clap, shaking our heads with an "Amen Sister." It made me not want to leave the bus, a little community of believers of different races, backgrounds and religions with one moment shared in gratitude to our Supreme Creator.

We need to praise our Lord in Primary. This is done by:

1. Making sure all lessons focus on Him.

2. Bearing testimony of Him.

3. Making singing time happy, because Psalms 135:3 says,
"Praise the Lord; for the Lord is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant."

Another great hymn is on page 232 "Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words."

Verse 1 says "Let us oft speak kind words to each other At home or where’er we may be; Like the warblings of birds on the heather, The tones will be welcome and free. They’ll gladden the heart that’s repining, Give courage and hope from above, And where the dark clouds hide the shining, Let in the bright sunlight of love."

[Chorus] "Oh, the kind words we give shall in memory live And sunshine forever impart.Let us oft speak kind words to each other;Kind words are sweet tones of the heart."

Verse 2 says, "Like the sunbeams of morn on the mountains, The soul they awake to good cheer; Like the murmur of cool, pleasant fountains, They fall in sweet cadences near. Let’s oft, then, in kindly toned voices, Our mutual friendship renew, Till heart meets with heart and rejoices In friendship that ever is true."

One of the accompanying scriptures for this song is Proverbs 16: 24, "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones."

When we talk about praising God, it's more to the effect of glorifying. When we talk about praising children, it's to the effect of being positive and giving them merit and value.
"Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." Mark Twain.

In my previous post there were some "do not's". Now I give you the "do's". Here is my challenge to you : Use 20 of these positive and kind phrases to children, teachers and whomever happens to be in your primary NEXT WEEK. Have someone tally for you and then ask yourself the questions Did primary go smoother? Was the spirit felt stronger? Do I feel closer to Christ because of this challenge?

The following are quoted/adapted from http://www.sd40.bc.ca/kelvin/compliments.htm

" You are:
Great! Phenomenal! Superb! Cool! Out Of Sight! Excellent! Terrific! Wonderful! Special!

Unbelievable Answer! Two Thumbs Up! You've Got It! Way To Go! Outstanding Singing!
You've Outdone Yourself! Marvelous! Your Help Counts, thank you! Amazing Effort!

Bravo! Exceptional! Breathtaking! Keep Up The Good Work! First Rate Work! Fantastic Work!

You Should Be Proud! I Knew You Had It In You! Very Good! Stupendous! Sensational!
What a wonderful Imagination! Awesome! You're A Great Example For Others! You Made It Happen! You're A Real Trooper! It Couldn't Be Better! Good For You!

You're A Good Sport! You Made The Difference! Take A Bow! Super Job! How Thoughtful Of You! Nice Going! You're A Class Act! Well Done! You're Inspiring! How Artistic!

You Go The Extra Mile! Hooray For You! Great Answer! You Deserve A Hug!
High Five! Wow! You're Getting Better! You're Tops! You're Amazing! What A Great Idea!
You Figured It Out! You've Got What It Takes! You're Neat! You're A Joy! You're A Shining star! Spectacular!

You tried hard singing, thank you! The Time You Put In Really Shows! Remarkable! Far Out!
How Extraordinary! You're A Winner! You Came Through! That's Incredible! 5 Star Job!
You're Super! You Can Do It! You're The Greatest! Sweet! Great Effort! How Original!
What A Genius! You're A Natural! Very Brave! You're A Pleasure To Know! Way To Go!

You're Sharp! Congratulations, you got it! I'm Proud Of You! Thank You For Caring!
I'm Impressed! You're Very Talented! Great Discovery! You're A Champ! Right On!
You're So Kind! Thanks For Helping! You're A-OK! Magnificent! You've Earned My Respect!

You've Made Progress! Outstanding Effort! Neat job! I Love It! Beautiful! Clever! Brilliant!

That's Perfect! Right On! Your Best Singing ever! Expressive! You've Improved so much!
Keep It Up! Nice One! Incomparable! Incredible! I Appreciate Your Help! Good Leadership!
Great Job! Stunning! You Rule! That's Very Kind! You Make Me Smile! You Rock! You're An
Angel! That's The Way! Good For You!

A Job Well Done! You're A Good Friend! Way To Use Your Head! Radical! Alright! You're Very Patient! Wonderful! Way To Be Responsible! Getting Better All The Time! Worthy Of An Oscar!

Better Than Ever! Super Duper! Great Dedication! Top Notch! Hats Off To You! Spectacular!

Good Try! Very Courageous! I Like It! Great Enthusiasm! Lovely! Very Resourceful! You are a masterpiece!"

Proper. Proper. Proper. Language and Vocabulary in Primary Part I.

I'm going to make a point. It will be a good point, hopefully. For this point to really come alive though and make sense I will need to refer to Cranford, a PBS Masterpiece Theatre program that aired in April 2008 and can be checked out at your local library.

Cranford is a small town in England and the time 1840. Women are proper. Women have manners. Women are dignified.

My husband who wears dreadlocks and thinks Vin Diesel is awesome... cough cough... watched this Cranford series with me and loved it. I loved it. It made me want to be more of a "lady".

I have had experiences in Primary and even Sacrament Meetings where language was used that didn't invite the spirit. I would like to throw out a couple of questions for you to ponder:

1. At the last General Conference did you hear an apostle or any other speaker use the word "crap"?

2. Have you ever read an Ensign article where someone said "shut up"?

3. When Alma refers to his persecuting the church or mistakes he has made does he ever use the phrase, "Man, I really screwed up"?

These words in quotation may seem like small words and perhaps they are, pray and judge for yourself. May I suggest that there is a problem though, when those words are used more often than words like "Jesus" or "Savior" or "I bear testimony" in a 2 hour time period.

John S. Gholdston, “Words of Darkness, Words of Light,” Ensign, Jan 1992, 57 says:

" What is it that we should be teaching our children to avoid?

Blasphemy is only one element of the profanity problem that President David O. McKay described as “all too prevalent” in society, and “though we say it with embarrassment, all too frequently used in the Church.” (Improvement Era, Nov. 1948, p. 686.)

Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained that profanity “embraces any language that shows contempt for holy things, that breathes a spirit of irreverence or blasphemy, or that is vulgar in nature, thus leaving a mental impression of unclean and unwholesome things. Profanity,” he emphasized, “is an evidence of a diseased soul.” (“Profanity,” Mormon Doctrine, 2d ed., Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, Inc., 1966, p. 602.)

We know that the brain controls what words are spoken, but when we or our children allow a profanity to find a place in our vocabularies, the profanity, and not the brain, often seems to be in control. Profanity is a cyclic problem. The Spirit of the Lord withdraws from the presence of profanity, leaving the user with no spiritual guidance. Consequently the profanity may increase. (See Ensign, May 1986, p. 51.)

We must work closely and carefully with our children to help them choose to avoid that cycle or break the cycle if they have already begun. We cannot keep them from ever being exposed to bad language, but we can keep much of it at arm’s length. Our care in making the effort, if we do it in the right spirit, can have a positive effect as our children realize how important we consider the matter to be." End quote.

Now I'm not calling the people who use mildly crude language lepers. Elder McConkie is. So if you're offended, take it up with him in heaven. My point is WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE. It's simple.

We should be more like the ladies of Cranford. I leave you with their reaction to the word "suck" which I also believe should not be used at church.

[Mary has brought oranges as a present for Matty and Deborah]

Miss Deborah Jenkyns: I would prefer it if I did not enjoy oranges. Consuming them is a most incommodious business.

Miss Matty Jenkyns: There is not such a lot of juice, Deborah dear - only when they are sliced with a knife.

Mary Smith: At home we make a little hole in our oranges and we suck them. [Deborah looks horrified]

Miss Matty Jenkyns: That is the way I like to take them best, but Deborah says it is vulgar and altogether too redolent of a ritual undertaken by little babies. My sister does not care for the expression [whispers]

Miss Matty Jenkyns: "suck".

Miss Deborah Jenkyns: [primly] We will repair to our rooms... and consume our fruit in solitude. [embarrassed, Deborah gets up and leaves the table]

Keeping Christ in Easter - Family Traditions

Image courtesy Creative Commons License on flickr.com by kassandrapoised April 2007

I receive lots of friendly emails from people. What a ray of sunshine you all are!! You restore my faith in mankind and I hope that God will bless you forever for the kindness you've spoken to me. I really don't deserve it! After I pray God gives me ideas and I write it down. He does all the hard work!

Of recent, I received an uber polite email from Sister Frost. I'm not sure where she's from but if I had to guess I'd say the motherland, dear Great Britain. She was just so proper and well-spoken. She is looking for thoughts and ideas for new family traditions she can start to make Easter more meaningful.

Melanie, who runs sugardoodle.net has an exceptional page with different ideas for Easter. Click here to see. In fact, I saw one on having a candle lit dinner that I'm going to try this year! You really cannot get better than this assortment and gathering of ideas found on her site. Isn't she wonderful? She really reminds me of someone who emulates the Savior gathering resources so our homes can be happier places.

Additional Ideas

* In the April Ensign 2009 on page 40 starts an article called "He is Risen". Take a jar and cover it with gray clay, making it look like a rock tomb. Make the lid into a rock. Cut out the scriptures and pictures from this article and put them in a jar. There are 20 pictures/scriptures total. They are short scriptures, perfect for young children. Along with some of the pictures, add small service projects that can relate to that scripture or picture. A week or two before Easter have your child draw one or two out each morning. Display the pictures where they can be seen. Plan so that on Easter the jar will be empty (just like Jesus' tomb) but our hearts aren't because we served others and read our scriptures!

For example: The picture "He is not here" Scripture Matthew 28:6 - Make a loaf of bread to take to someone. The picture "Easter Morning" Scripture John 20:16 - gather some flowers or do a flower art project to give to someone (When I see the picture it just makes me think of beauty, beauty makes me think of flowers... could there have been a more beautiful moment in history?). The picture "The Disciples Peter and John Running to the Sepulchre" Scripture John 20:3-4 - Run up and down your neighborhood block dropping off pass along cards of the Savior in mailboxes. The picture "Feed my Sheep" Scripture John 21:16 - make a pizza and salad to take to a family. Ask your children what does the picture or scripture make them want to do for someone?

* I made a chart for my little ladies with all the commercial aspects of Easter and how they relate to Christ. The pictures are simple and the words too. I titled it "When I think of Easter I think of My Savior". I have a picture of the Easter Bunny with the phrase, The Easter Bunny shares and gives just like Jesus shared and gave His life for me. Another picture is of an Easter basket with the words Easter baskets are open just like the open and empty tomb of Jesus. I have about 5 pictures and phrases total. My daughter's favorite is a picture of baby chicks with the words Baby chicks, baby bunnies and duckies... who gave us all our animals? Jesus! We go over this every other night and I have it posted next to the GAK picture 233 of Mary and the Resurrected Lord (Although He wasn't quite fully resurrected yet... the whole "touch me not" bit)

* Easter Caroling. I mean... why not? There are some great Easter songs and a lot of elderly people out there that need some happiness in life!!

* Our family is Greek. Out of the 8 brothers and sisters that came from Cephalonia, my Yaya was the eldest. My mother and father are the only LDS members. What is my point? Oh how I babble so. We have the tradition of dying some eggs deep red. To remember the blood of Christ. We then crack it against other people's eggs, which really doesn't have to do with Christ, but it's fun.

* Paper Palm Leaf and Clothes count down. Have a picture of Christ on the donkey your children can move each day towards the empty tomb. On the palm leaves and clothes have scriptures or small acts of service you can do as a family each day.

* I know that in the Jewish religion, for the celebration of Passover Seder Feast an empty chair is left for the prophet Elijah. Why not leave a chair empty for the Savior at your Easter dinner? Jesus and the Holy Ghost are always welcome in our homes and are very much needed so! At dinner you could talk about things you would ask the Savior, share favorite stories of Him and discuss what it will be like when we are all resurrected. You could even have a box with questions to draw from and answer as you eat, all of course relating to Jesus.

* I also think that visiting the grave of a loved one could not be more appropriate than doing so on Easter.

Soooooooooo Sister Frost, I hope this could be of some help. Really, the site to check though is sugardoodle.net! Happy Happy Easter!! You have one blessed little daughter to have a mother so caring and concerned for her spiritual well being. If only all the mothers in the world could be so impressed and motivated to teach their children of our Savior!!