Attention Master Scriptorians- Yes You!

(Image from February 2008 Friend Magazine, pg. 27)

Question: Are you semi forgetful when it comes to those good ol' mornings 10-60 years ago in seminary?

Question: Do you feel like you know the scriptures, but you don't really know them?

Question: How many scriptures can you recite from memory?

No, we're not playing 20 questions. If we were I would ask more creative questions as opposed to self reflecting.(E.g If you could compare yourself to one word, jungle theme, what would it be? I would say lush. Not because I'm a drunk, obviously... well, hopefully obviously- sometimes I do mumble and ramble, but because I enjoy diverse selections of literature.)

I digress though. 

My husband has always been able to ramble off scripture references and I finally decided I want to be cool like that also. A tool that has been super helpful is the seminary scripture mastery site:

http://seminary.lds.org/scripture-mastery/

I go on everyday and in the past month or 2 have been able to remember all the scripture references and key phrases for the Old Testament and 1/2 the Book of Mormon. It really is a great help in my quest to be more learned. Will I be a master scriptorian one day? Yes, I'll probably be dead but the Resurrection promises some awesome things. (Thank you T-Rex rides and talking to Kangaroos) In the mean time, I'll just try my best. I hope this can be of help to someone else too!

FHE: 14 Fundamentals A Prophet Hunt

(Conference Center Image from LDS.org)

Did you notice the following from conference that quoted this talk (Ezra Taft Benson, “Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet,” Tambuli, Jun 1981, 1)??

"I will ...invite you in your next family home evening to find these principles in the words and teachings of our living prophets, seers, and revelators during this general conference."
"Obedience to the Prophets" Elder Claudio R. M. Costa from General Conference Oct. 2010

"Our Very Survival" Elder Kevin R. Duncan also quoted ALL 14 fundamentals.

Maybe it's important, maybe it was just a coinky dink (not), maybe we should think about what we're going to teach this Monday!!

For us, we shall do the following:

Family Home Evening: 14 Fundamentals - A Prophet Hunt

Prayer

Song:

Follow the Prophet (CS 110-111)

Attention Activity:

We are going to have daddy do prophet push ups! Sit on daddy's back and for each prophet's name you say, he'll do a push up!

Question:

Are prophets important? Why?

Scripture:

 Luke 1:70 "As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began"

Activity:

Hide 14 different pictures of prophets around the house. Along with each picture have one of the fundamentals from President Benson's talk. Find each picture. Who is each picture of? Answer questions, sing songs or read scriptures at each picture and earn prophet points! If you get enough points as a family you get double treats for the night!!!

First: The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.

Can Daddy speak for the Lord in everything? What about Mommy? What about you?

Second: The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.

Share the following story (in your own words for younger children) :“When he concluded, Brother Joseph turned to Brother Brigham Young and said, ‘Brother Brigham I want you to go to the podium and tell us your views with regard to the living oracles and the written word of God.’ Brother Brigham took the stand, and he took the Bible, and laid it down; he took the Book of Mormon, and laid it down; and he took the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and laid it down before him, and he said: ‘There is the written word of God to us, concerning the work of God from the beginning of the world, almost, to our day. And now,’ said he, ‘when compared with the living oracles those books are nothing to me; those books do not convey the word of God direct to us now, as do the words of a Prophet or a man bearing the Holy Priesthood in our day and generation. I would rather have the living oracles than all the writing in the books.’ That was the course he pursued. When he was through, Brother Joseph said to the congregation; ‘Brother Brigham has told you the word of the Lord, and he has told you the truth.’ ” (Conference Report, October 1897, pp. 18–19.)

Third: The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.

"God’s revelation to Adam did not instruct Noah how to build the Ark. Noah needed his own revelation. Therefore the most important prophet so far as you and I are concerned is the one living in our day and age to whom the Lord is currently revealing His will for us. Therefore the most important reading we can do is any of the words of the prophet contained each month in our Church Magazines. Our instructions about what we should do for each six months are found in the General Conference addresses which are printed in the Church magazine." Sing Latter Day Prophets (CS 134)

Fourth: The prophet will never lead the Church astray.

Name some bad choices people make in life. Will the prophet ever ask us to make bad choices? NO!

Fifth: The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.

Read Amos 7:14 and Matthew 4:18-19

What were the jobs of these prophets?

Sixth: The prophet does not have to say ‘Thus saith the Lord’ to give us scripture.

Play a quick game of the prophet says (Like simon says) What the prophet says, we listen and do!

Seventh: The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.

Sing: Nephi's Courage  verse 2 (CS 120) Nephi's brothers didn't want to build a ship, but they needed to help!

Eighth: The prophet is not limited by men’s reasoning.

If you cut yourself, what should you do? Get a band aid! But sometimes, what we think isn't what the Lord thinks. Share the following from President Benson's talk: "Would it seem reasonable to an eye doctor to be told to heal a blind man by spitting in the dirt, making clay and applying it to the man’s eyes and then telling him to wash in a contaminated pool? Yet this is precisely the course that Jesus took with one man, and he was healed. (See John 9:6–7.) Does it seem reasonable to cure leprosy by telling a man to wash seven times in a particular river, yet this is precisely what the prophet Elisha told a leper to do, and he was healed. (See 2 Kgs. 5.)"

Ninth: The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual.

Sing The Prophet Said to Plant a Garden (CS 237)

Tenth: The prophet may be involved in civic matters.

Who is the president of the church? Who is the president of the country? Do they both love our country? Name 3 things you love about our country.

Eleventh: The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.

Hold up a needle. Read Matt. 19: 24 "And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." Try to fit your hand through the eye of a needle. What is more important, money or following the prophet?

Twelfth: The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.

Moroni prophesied that Joseph Smith’s name “should be both good and evil spoken of among all people” (Joseph Smith—History 1:33) Where do we find statues of the angel Moroni?

Thirteenth: The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency—the highest quorum in the Church.

Who are the members of the First Presidency of the church today? Where is their picture in our home?

Fourteenth: [Follow] . . . the living prophet and the First Presidency . . . and be blessed; reject them and suffer.”

Pinch your arm. Does that hurt? If we don't following the living prophet it's like our soul is being pinched really hard... it suffers and is pained because we aren't being close to Christ.

"May God bless us all to look to the Prophet and the Presidency in the critical and crucial days ahead is my prayer." says President Benson

Bear Testimonies

Prayer

Treat:

(Doubled of course because you all worked so well together as a family!!)

If you have any other ideas on how to present a Family Home Evening on this talk, please share!!

Highlight: The Children Sing

I know there are a lot of talented people out there. You'll notice I don't link. It's rather complicated and involves meeting my husband who at the time had all the possessions he owned from his entire life in one suitcase. Well the better half taught me about the freedom of decluttering and actually instilled a little phobia about too much junk. So as neurotic as it is, I don't link because I don't want to clutter up my blog. Not suggesting talented people are clutter, because they aren't. I wish I could blame my freaky notions on not having an apendex, but I do have an apendex so there is no reasonable explanation. Please forgive me if I've never linked your awesome and super website.

With that said, I did want to feature one blog that has really helped me. I love all the ideas, I love how she presents them and I love that her blog is Christ centered. It's simple and easy and well presented. If you are a Primary Chorister or just love to sing or want to learn how to make singing more of a blessing to children.... check her out.

www.thechildrensing.blogspot.com

October 2010 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

  Fancy Invite Image courtesy Lovelymorning Kristina

Monthly Theme: The Mission of the Church Is to Invite All to Come unto Christ.

Monthly Scripture: "Yea, come unto Christ, and be ye perfected in him" Moroni 10:32 

Week 1 Following the prophet will help us come unto Christ.

* Make 14 paper keys and 14 locks. Have a small picture on the key and lock to match of different prophets. HERE is a wonderful talk given by President Ezra Taft Benson. Each time a child makes a match, have them read one of the 14 fundamentals. Have pictures and songs to go along with different fundamentals. For example, you can have 2 children hold up a picture of President Monson and the Book of Mormon. Both are important but which is more vital (remember to define vital!)? Have the primary children vote by touching their noses for President Monson or their head for the Book of Mormon. According to President Benson "Our living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works."

* "Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper” 2 Chr. 20:20 Have a picture of a little miner on a popsicle stick. We're going to pass the miner and dig in the mine to see if we can prosper! On the board have a cave with 10 different jewels. Would a miner go to the ocean to dig for jewels? Where would he prosper the most? In a cave! Just like we prosper the most when we believe in His prophets! Have scriptures, questions, and songs on the jewels having to do with following the prophet. Give bonus jewels for people that can name things they learned at conference. Let the children pass the miner after they have come to the front to pick a jewel and answer, to another child.

* Break out the hymn books! Divide into groups and let them choose a song having to do with prophets from the hymn book. (They can look it up in the back!) Have the pianist play the hymn while they hold up their pictures and say the line they illustrated... or they can sing it as a group if they like too!

* Make a rice crispy foundation type building. Use each treat as a foundation block. Let the children place blocks as they name different principles or stories they learned from conference. The treats should be fairly sticky so that the foundation won't fall apart. " Ephesians 2:20 " And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone." Of course, it's up to you if you let the children eat them.... follow the spirit! Following the prophets is a treat especially because their words lead us to Christ!!

* Have 3 children come to the front. Ask the primary if the children's mouths are the same. Show some teeth, perhaps stick out a tongue. Look at your neighbor, do your mouths look alike. Does anyone have the exact same mouth as Heavenly Father? I don't know, but let's put one finger on your lips and listen to this scripture: “Thou shalt give heed unto all his [the prophet’s] words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me; For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith” D&C 21:4–5

Does this mean the prophet has the same mouth? Not exactly, but what he says we need to listen to! Break into groups and have them come up with as many things possible they learned about conference on a piece of paper. Let a group spokesperson come up and share with the whole primary. Have a piece of paper on the blackboard, let them put on some tinted lip gloss and kiss the paper. Then next to that the number of how many things they learned. Add up all the numbers! Spectacular!


* HERE are some great ideas from the Friend by Linda Magleby, “Sharing Time: Follow the Prophet,” Friend, Mar 2006, 18–20

*HERE are more ideas from the Friend by Judy Edwards, “Sharing Time: Follow the Prophets,” Friend, Aug 1993, 36

*HERE is a fun tube idea. Kind of out of the regular type activity! From the Friend by Vicki F. Matsumori, “Sharing Time: Follow the Prophet,” Friend, Nov 2003, 15 There is also a good little necklace idea when you scroll down!

Week 2 Sharing the gospel helps others come unto Christ.

* Have the children guess where your favorite place to vacation is. Would they know unless you told them? Ask another child to come to the front. Have the primary guess who is their favorite prophet. Would they know unless the primary friend shared their answer? We have to talk. We have to share for others to know!!!

* Have 2 cell phones and 2 children come up front. Have one call the other. Is this how Heavenly Father calls us? Not quite! Write on the board, HOW, WHY, WHAT. Brainstorm ideas on how Heavenly Father calls us, why and what He calls us to.
"You are called to represent the Savior. Your voice to testify becomes the same as His voice, your hands to lift the same as His hands. His work is to bless His Father's spirit children with the opportunity to choose eternal life. So, your calling is to bless lives. Your call has eternal consequences for others and for you. In the world to come, thousands may call your name blessed, even more than the people you serve here. They will be the ancestors and the descendants of those who chose eternal life because of something you said or did, or even what you were. . .You see, there are no small callings to represent the Lord."
Henry B. Eyring, "Rise to Your Call," Ensign, Nov. 2002, 76
Have a cell phone up front. Have 10 different questions, scriptures and songs on missionary work. Here's the fun part- Leave the door open and send a member of the presidency outside. Invite a child up to the front, then have the presidency member call the phone for the child to answer. Have the presidency member give them the question, scripture or song over the phone. (Which means you'll have to give them a list in advance!) Let the child share what they heard and then answer with the whole primary.
Heavenly Father calls us to the work! We must share the gospel so others can come to Christ!!

* Do you have a boomerang or a picture of one? Show the children and ask what this is and what it does.
What is another word for share? How about give? Look up Luke 6:38 "Give and it shall be given unto you."
If we share the gospel and help others come to Christ, what will be given to us in return? Since I don't live in beautiful Australia (sigh... don't get me wrong, I heart the Biggest Little City in the World aka Reno, it's just I can't randomly sing Men at Work's 1981-ish pop hit I Come from a Land Down Under when people ask me where I from, sigh again)... I would take a frisbee and put a picture of a boomerang on it. Then invite 2 children up front to help. Invite them to toss it back and forth (to demonstrate giving and returning) and see how many times they can do it before it drops. (Choose your children wisely and remind them we can have fun learning while showing respect in Heavenly Father's house) Now divide into groups and have frisbees (Our pretend boomerangs) for everyone to pass around. To do so though, they must first share a way on how to share the gospel and be a good missionary. When finished have them do it again, this time sharing something they can testify to be true.
Yes, it's important to share about Christ. But lets not forget in sharing we receive quite a bit in return also!
 
* D&C 65: 2 - "The keys of the kingdom of God are committed unto man on the earth, and from thence shall the gospel roll forth unto the ends of the earth, as the stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands shall roll forth, until it has filled the whole earth." Have the children decorate rocks to give to your ward/branch missionaries or friends. These rocks should be decorated with gospel principles or ideas. Write letters to the missionaries serving from your ward as a primary and have the kids share some thoughts on how they can be good missionaries!
 

Week 3 We come unto Christ by repenting when we make a mistake.

We have a solemn responsibility this week and always as teachers. Moses 6:57 "Wherefore teach it unto your children, that all men, everywhere, must repent, or they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God, for no unclean thing can dwell there, or dwell in his presence."


Please pardon, some of these ideas are recycled from previous posts.
*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? So it is with Heavenly Father, sin makes us dirty and we need to repent to return to him clean. If you have a bleach pen, now would be the time to use it to show how repentance works. (Make sure to try it at home first!! So you know what to use to stain the cloth and remove it completely!!!)


* Ask a primary friend to tell you exactly what they were doing 3 years and 4 days ago at exactly 12:56PM. Ok, try another friend. What were they doing 3 weeks ago on Tuesday? Did they forget? Sometimes it's easy to forget things! Sometimes it's not. When it comes to sincere repentance though the Lord has said, "he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven and I the Lord, remember them no more." D&C 58:42

* 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. Demonstrate this with the silver.

* In Elder Robert D. Hales new book Return, (So awesome, so far one of my top 10 favorites!which I wish I could quote verbatim but copyrights prevent so pardon my paraphrasing) This would make a good visual diorama! He tells the story of the first time he went for flying lessons. He had always wanted to be a jet fighter pilot. When he got in the plane, he was somewhat prepared, but his instructor forgot to tell him where and how to use the brakes!! He started speeding down the runway before he realized this fact and crashed into a hanger! It was very scary for him and he had a lot of fear afterwards, but even though this had happened, he kept his goal in sight. He wanted to be a jet fighter pilot. He was very embarrassed, but he didn't let the mistake keep him from his goal. He compares this to repentance in that we will make mistakes and it's hard, but repentance makes it possible to reach our ultimate goal of Christ. Don't let mistakes keep you from Christ.

*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 Temple work helps me and my family come unto Christ.

* Have you had a primary activity day at the temple where you took pictures of the children? Time to whip them out!! Have about 12 different pictures from that day and have the children pass them around as you sing I love to See the Temple (CS 95). If there are any temple workers in your branch or ward, invite them in to BRIEFLY SHARE why temple work helps us and our families come unto Christ. It's NOT RUDE to tell guests they have a 1 1/2 minute time limit. Sometimes people forget that learning isn't "talking at" it's sharing and letting them absorb and respond.

* Handout Idea: I know, it's a simple one- a picture of the temple!!
 President Howard W. Hunter has said "A Temple Motivated People, "Ensign, February 1995,5 ,"Let us share with our children the spiritual feelings we have in the temple. And let us teach them more earnestly and more comfortably the things we can appropriately say about the purposes of the house of the Lord. Keep a picture of a temple in your home that your children may see it. Teach them about the purposes of the house of the Lord. Have them plan from their earliest years to go there and to remain worthy of that blessing."

* Bring in a bunch of wedding magazines. Sometimes girls love to pour over these to get ideas for that perfect wedding! Show some pictures of flowers and cakes. Now show the OCTOBER 2010 Ensign - it's a special edition of the temple. Which magazine is more important in planning your wedding? Make a primary Temple Magazine to give to your Bishop. Divide into groups and have each group in charge of different articles and illustrations. Article topics could include "Baptism for the Dead- Questions answered" "Temples, Are they important? The scriptures say so!" (then have the children give lots of references from the topical guide- look up house of the Lord) "My Family is Eternal" (thoughts children have about being together forever and how it makes them feel), etc.

* IF it's possible (if there is internet in your building whatnot), bring in a lap top and screen and show the lds.org Temples Around the World site HERE. Invite a couple children to come up and choose a place, any place, to see a temple. Talk about how some look the same, others different. (If not, head to the building library and get all sorts of different pictures of world wide temples. Let the children guess where these temples are. Have a map to show them.) Have a large shoe box, wrapped and with the words, "I HAVE A QUESTION??" on it. Invite children to write down questions (no names on the papers) they have about the temple and put it in the box (Little children can have teachers or other children help them write) Shake up the box and do it! Encourage all the children to help answer each other's questions.

* D&C 2:2 "And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers." Make a posterboard of a plant with no petals, growing out of a pot. Have A LOT of paper hearts for the children to write thoughts and scriptures or songs about the temple on them. Gather the hearts with ideas and share them with the primary as you glue/put them as petals on the plant. If there are scriptures or songs on the hearts read and sing! If there are pictures make sure to hold up so all can see!!

Honor Our Covenants

Many of you, I'm sure, have heard about a tragedy that has struck in Visilia, CA. It is heartbreaking.

Sometimes we wonder, what can I do? May I encourage you to mourn, to pray, to fast, to send a card or to donate (only if you can).

The Sannar Family Trust Fund, PO Box 3328, Visalia, CA 93278 is where cards can be mailed. Let's overflow that mailbox with our love and support.

This is a site where you can get more information. http://pledgie.com/campaigns/12975

Never underestimate your power to do good. You have the opportunity to give comfort. Words don't have to be grand or prophetic, just a simple "You are loved. You are prayed for."

Our world is filled with turbulence. (Understatement)

 6 boys are now without a father.

 A mother is without the love of her life.

What will you do to help your sister and her children?

All Colors of the Rainbow!! FHE

Isn't it nice to know that God loves color!! All we have to do is look in the world around us, whether it be nature or our fellow brothers and sisters!!

Show a picture of Christ with children of all different colors.

Scripture: 4 Nephi 1: 15-18 "And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people. And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God. There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God. And how blessed were they!"

Song: We Are Different (CS pg. 263)

Questions: Why do you think God created so many colors?
Is one color more important than another?
What does the color red remind you of? Green? Blue?
Why do we love people who are different colors than us?

Activity: We made skirts, but the Dollar Store sells T-shirts or you could do old pillow cases too. See here (yes, I wish I could be her best friend!!) for instructions. Thanks Filth Wizardry!! Here is how our one of masterpieces turned out.

Christina said, "Mommy if she had more arms, then she could make pancakes and play barbies at the same time and vacuum." My thoughts exactly!!!

September 2010 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

Image of Mother Teresa, one of God's greatest examples of love and obedience.

Monthly Theme: I Obey Jesus Christ Because I Love Him
Monthly Scripture: "If ye love me, keep my commandments." John 14:15

Weeks 1 and 2: I show love for Jesus Christ when I keep the commandments.

* Have a child hold GAK picture 303. Ask the primary children to share what they know about Nephi. Did he love the Lord? Sing Nephi's Courage (CS pg. 120). What did Nephi do and what can I do? Have swords cut out of posterboard (or cardboard... something sturdy!) and let the children wrap with aluminum foil. Have sharpies or permanent markers out for them to write on their swords, "I show love for Jesus Christ when I...." Of course little one's can draw pictures of what they do to show their love.

* Bring in puppets! Have the children use the puppets to act out different scenarios on how to keep the commandments and show their love for Jesus. Some different scenarios could include:

-A friend really wants a toy from the store. She doesn't have enough money. It is one awesome toy and she really really wants it, what should she do?
-A friend watches TV every single day for 5 hours straight. It's so entertaining and easy to just plop down after school and zone away! Plus, those Ninja turtles are kung fu masters! Is this friend breaking the commandment about idols? What can they do to keep the commandment and show love for Jesus Christ?

* Ask the children if they could get a gift for Heavenly Father and Jesus, what would they give them? A horse, a toy, a book, a sweater?? A wise man once said, "Your life is a gift from God, what you do with that life is your gift to God." (Leo Buscaglia) Invite a child to come to the front, someone who can stand very still. You'll need wrapping paper, tape, scissors and a bow. Have questions, scriptures and songs having to do with keeping the commandments. As the children answer the questions and participate, invite them up to wrap the primary friend! (For example a child answer's a question, so they get to cut the paper. Another child answers another question and gets to tape. Another child reads a scripture and gets to tape some more, etc...) Bear testimony that as we keep the commandments, we truly give Jesus all our love and you can't get a better gift than that!

* What are different ways we show love? Have the children give themselves hugs, blow kisses, high five each other, softly cheering hooray... can we show our love for Jesus these ways? In heaven, but not right now... so then how do we show our love for Jesus now? Break into groups and give a large sheet of butcher paper. Let them brainstorm and write/draw ways we keep the commandments. Let them come up with scriptures and songs that have to do with the topic and add to their papers. Have a member from each group share a few ideas they came up with to the whole primary.
3 Nephi 11:9 "And Nephi arose and went forth, and bowed himself before the Lord and did kiss his feet."

While we can't show Jesus our love for him with kisses and hugs yet, we can do so by keeping the commandments.

Pass out ziploc baggies with Hershey's Hugs and Kisses and a piece of paper with 1o squares on it. Challenge the children to do 10 things this week to follow the commandments and show their love for Christ, as they do so they can check a box.

(This is food in primary, yes, I realize... but it does have to do with the lesson, so feel free to use your personal discretion)

* Make a board game entitled "To Prosper or Not To Prosper". How do we show love for Christ? By keeping the commandments! And what do we get in return... more than we really deserve! "And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep His commandments; and he has promised you if ye would keep his commandments ye would prosper...." Mosiah 2:22

Have a dice, some sort of child figure with a heart to move on the spaces and little cards with questions, scriptures and songs on keeping the commandments for the children to choose when they land on a spot. Where is the final destination on the board game? Right by the Savior of course!! (You could have also little cards that say something to the effect of, "We're all human! Today you sinned... you will not prosper, move back 1 space.")

* The Sharing Time Outline suggested having the children review "My Gospel Standards". Here is a link from The Friend magazine for printable cards the children can take home to practice with their family.

* Here are a couple different ideas from The Friend magazine by Karen Lofgreen on obedience. I really like the button idea and will be trying that at Family Home Evening!

* Here are some ideas on how obedience makes us happy by Sheila Wilson. There is a great little book for the children to make on the beatitudes.

Week 3: My love for Jesus Christ grows when I pray.

* Bring in a tape measure. Have about 5 different stories (with a picture for each) from the scriptures on prayer. Ask the children to tell you the stories and after each one ask, "How did their love grow for Jesus Christ when they prayed?" Then invite them to stretch the measuring tape a couple feet after each story. Try to get the measuring tape to stretch across the whole room (you'll have to use the special button to make it not retract) and bear testimony that you know your love for Jesus Christ will grow even longer and more than what we see on the measuring tape when we pray!

* Bring in a watering can and a paper flower. Have about 10, 2" strips of green paper than can be the stem. Have the children come to the front and answer questions, scriptures and songs on prayer. As they do so, let them water the flower and add a stem to see it grow. Our love for Jesus Christ grows when we pray!! (As a little twist, you could actually bring in a pot, soil, seeds and watering can and plant a real flower as they answer questions, sing songs and read scriptures on prayer... then perhaps have someone take it to a friend who wasn't in primary)

* Bring in a manual air pump and beach ball. When we pray our love for Christ grows. Let the children come up and take turns pumping. Notice how we have to keep doing it often and work hard at it!! Mosiah 4:12 "And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of Him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true."

* Have a gigantic paper ice cream sundae bowl on the blackboard. Let the children have scoops of ice cream and write (or draw) different things they can pray for on the scoops. Senior Sharing time can also add scriptures about prayers, or examples from their own life about times they've prayed. Add all the scoops to the Sundae! Wow!! Just as this sundae went from an empty bowl to completely full, so will our love of Christ grow as we pray.

* Bring in a lock and a couple different keys to try to open it. Have a child try the different keys and figure out which one works. "Learn to pray. Pray often. Pray in your mind, in your heart. Pray on your knees. Prayer is your personal key to heaven. The lock is on your side of the veil. And I have learned to conclude all my prayers with ‘Thy will be done’ (Matthew 6:10; see also Luke 11:2; 3 Nephi 13:10).”Boyd K. Packer, “Prayer and Promptings,” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 46 Hand out different hearts with questions on prayer and keys with answers. Let the children walk around and find the matches, then have them share with the Primary.

Week 4: My love for Jesus Christ grows when I study the scriptures.

 

* Tailor the above ideas with scriptures instead of prayer.

 

*Half an hour each morning privately studying, pondering, and communicating with your Heavenly Father can make an amazing difference in your lives. It will give increased success in your daily activities. It will bring increased alertness to your minds. It will give you comfort and rock-steady assurance when the storms of life descend upon you." (M. Russell Ballard, "Be Strong in the Lord, and in the Power of His Might" (CES fireside for young adults, March 3, 2002), 3–4)

Let the children find different numbered rocks (1-10) throughout the room. Have 10 questions, songs and scriptures (total) on scripture study for the children to answer and do. Let's study the scriptures and get that rock steady testimony! As we do so our love for Christ will grow!

 

* Bring in 2 mirrors. Have a couple children help. Hold up a Book of Mormon and Bible in between the 2 mirrors. What do the children see?

"My works are without end, and . . . my words . . . never cease" Moses1:4

 

* Do you find our primary children don't know where the different books in the scriptures belong? Do you wonder why? Wonder no longer, it's because they are children and we need to teach them. Take the time to learn the names of the books (Thanks Children's Songbook for making this easy!! Pages 119,116,114) and the different stories that go in the books. As we do so our love for Christ will grow!!! If you have graph paper, you can have senior sharing time choose 3 books in the scriptures and have them make a mini-cross word puzzle. Have them switch with other children and let a couple children share clever clues with all the primary.

August 2010 Week 3 Jesus Christ Has Power Over Death: A Reader’s Theatre

(Lazarus Image from Gospel Art Book)

Jesus Christ Has Power Over Death: A Reader’s Theatre
By Sofia Lykes

**This is more geared toward Senior Sharing Time**

Characters:

Student #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6 (You can add more or less, just change to suit your needs)

Teacher (As in having a child be the teacher)

Props:

GAK pictures (Lazarus image above, 233, 315)

Table and Chairs, small wrapped gift

Scriptures

(Whole Primary Sings I Know That My Savior Loves Me)

Teacher: Wow students, thank you so much for teaching us through song and music. Jesus does live!

Student #1: But didn’t Jesus die a long time ago?

Student #2: Yeah, I thought he was crucified.

Teacher: Good point. If Jesus died, how could He live again?

Student #3: I know! I know!! He has power over death!!

Teacher: That’s right, thank you! Jesus Christ has power over death.

Student #4: Is that what John 12:47 means?

Teacher: Well, let’s turn to it and see! “…For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.” Hmmm… that’s a great thought. In His lifetime, Christ saw quite a few things! He met quite a few people who loved Him and even more who hated Him. Why do you think He would, as the scripture says, save them anyways?

Student #3: I don’t know! I don’t get it. Sometimes when people are rude to me, all I want to do is ignore them and pretend they aren’t there!

Student #5: I don’t understand either. It seems like there are so many wicked people in the world, why should they get to be saved?

Student #6: Jesus loves us more than anything. His love is from sea to sea, from here to there to everywhere. It is humbling to know of His love for us.

Student #1: Ok, are you ready for some deep doctrine? We had Family Home Evening last Monday and my mom gave me this quote to put in my scriptures, it's from our latter day apostle Elder Dallin H. Oaks. "The love of God is so universal that His perfect plan bestows many gifts on all of His children, even those who disobey His laws. Mortality is one such gift, bestowed on all who qualified in the War in Heaven. Another unconditional gift is the universal resurrection: 'For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive' (1 Corinthians 15:22). Many other mortal gifts are not tied to our personal obedience to law. As Jesus taught, our Heavenly Father 'maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust' (Matthew 5:45)."

Student #3: Woah, totally deep man.

Teacher: (holding up gift) Boys and girls, what if I told you there was a gift out there that has been given to every single person. It doesn’t matter what age you are, what color you are, whether you are good or bad, if you have green or blue eyes… everyone will get the gift.

Student #4: I’d say that’s pretty cool, that person must be super rich!

Student #1: Is the gift something you can eat, because I’m sure hungry!

Student #2: I think I know what the gift is. Is it life after death?

Teacher: Let’s turn to John 11:25. Can you read it please?

Student #5: Sure, it says, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.”
Teacher: The gift is The Atonement. And because of The Atonement, all men- and women too- will be resurrected. Their bodies and their spirits will come back together.

Student #6: That seems impossible!

Student #2: There’s nothing impossible about it. It’s very real, as real as you and me talking right now! A way better way to describe it would be a miracle!

Student #3: I think you’re right. Christ having power over death is nothing but a miracle.

Teacher: Class, I’m going to put some pictures in front of you and then you can choose the right one for the question I ask. Who was Mary and Martha’s brother, from the New Testament?

Student #1: (Holding up picture) His name was Lazarus. While Jesus was away, Lazarus died. 4 days later Jesus came back and everyone was weeping. In the book of John is the shortest scripture, 2 words. Those 2 words were, “Jesus wept.”(John 11:35) Everyone was really sad about him dying, but it was God’s will and Jesus was able to raise him from the dead. Lazarus came out of the tomb with all his bandages on, even his face was covered.

Student #4: He was dead 4 days?

Student #2: Yup. But it didn’t matter because Jesus Christ has power over death.

Teacher: Excellent. Who was the first to see Jesus after He was resurrected?

Student #5 (Holding up Picture) Mary Magdalene! We learned about that last Easter. This is one of my favorite pictures ever because it helps me to remember that Jesus really did live again. I think we should sing that song.

Teacher: Great idea, let’s sing Did Jesus Really Live Again?

(Primary sings Did Jesus Really Live Again? CS p.64)

Student #6: I’m so happy that I can live again too.

Teacher: Me too! Who else were witnesses to the resurrected Christ?

Student #3: I know! I know! (Holding up picture) The Nephites! I wish I had been in the ancient Americas to hear Heavenly Father say, “This is my beloved Son in whom I’m well pleased. Hear ye Him.”

Student #1: I feel another song coming on! Boy, there sure is a lot of songs about the Resurrection.

(Primary sings This is My Beloved Son CS p.76)

Student #2: I think I know why there are so many songs about the Resurrection. Because it’s just happy to think about!

Teacher: You’re right! And thank you everyone for singing so beautiful and helping with the lesson today!

ALL: We know Jesus Christ has power over death!

Student #4: In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Soapbox: Art, Winning and Self Expression

Title: First Steps (after Millet, detail), c.1890 by Vincent Van Gogh

Today I had an interesting day, and when I say interesting I mean I was almost ready to take a paint brush and paint a woman's forehead. Not really. Ok, maybe. In my mind it sounded good.

Will this have anything to do with primary? Yes. But patience my friend, patience. I need to build up the emotions and anticipation.

We go to the library for a free painting activity. Background, I love art. My girls have been to many a museum and have done many a project. I am a firm believer in art as an expression not a science, especially for little ones. Art should be enjoyable not something where the adult does it for them or criticizes their technique. So here's when the drama started, the art teacher took the paint brush out of my child's hand and said, "No. It's an OK sun but I want the whole paper yellow."- to which she then painted over my daughter's exceptional (not merely OK) sun. Well, mama bear came out, and believe me, I'm a laid back person. It takes a lot to get me to the point where I'll go postal. I listen to Bob Marley and dance to 80's music with my girls on a daily basis, we're free lovin' spirits.

The pointer finger and hand on the hip came out as I told the eccentric that Christina's art is her art, not the teachers. She is allowed to do it herself, how she wants. Because art is subjective, the beauty of art is different to everyone. The teacher told me that my daughter would never win any competitions if she didn't learn how to paint with technique. (Gagging sounds, anyone? Anyone?) She suggested I make her paint with one color, then let it dry for 10 minutes, have her come back and paint with a different color, then let dry for 10 minutes, repeat, blah blah blah etc. I guess I should add the fact my child is 5. Doesn't that sound really fun for a 5 year old to do? She just sat for 10 minutes of "talking at" and now she's going to sit some more! And be told how winning is just so important in life!

Where do we get off telling kids not to discover or learn for themselves?
Who are we to answer questions that kids can answer for themselves?

CHILDREN ARE CAPABLE!!!!
What was that?
CHILDREN ARE CAPABLE!!!!

We should never take a paint brush from a child and paint over their masterpiece. Sheesh, and here comes the connection now.... Just like we should not talk over children in sharing time. I would like to state clearly, Sharing Time is a time where children should be allowed to express themselves and enjoy feeling the spirit. They have so much to share and we need to facilitate opportunities for them to do so!

My pet peeve in life is when people gab. Children don't need 10-20 minute long explanations or talking at's. They learn quickly and they do so best when they aren't sitting bored out of their gourd.

Children can write their own talks, as early as they learn how to speak! Let them discover early on what it's like to pray, receive inspiration and then teach others by the spirit. I mean really, Mormon was 10 years old when he was told to witness the downfall of the Nephites and then record it on the plates later on down the road. Really? I'm convinced we have tons of little 10 year old Mormon's around us, but we're not giving them the opportunity to speak, because we're speaking over them.


POINT: LESS TALK, MORE CHILDREN.

Jeremiah 1:6-7 " Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak."

Now before I get some off the wall comment, yes I realize there needs to be balance. We talk and teach, bear testimony etc. I'm just redirecting our attention to the fact it's called "Sharing Time" not "Adult Lecture Series" time. And in life too- are you really listening to children? Are you hearing what they are saying and trying to talk with them not at them?

Van Gogh was never fully appreciated until after he was dead.
Let's discover the color, the life and the unique expression of each of our dear sweet children so they don't end up one day hacking off their ear.

Can I get an amen?
Amen, sista.
Amen.

** And as I was talking with my brilliant little star about how the teacher was bonkers, how winning is not what is most important about art, but finding the joy in creating- she said, quote "I know mommy. We need to go back and tell the lady I already won a coloring competition. And I won by coloring how I wanted to color not by how she told me to do it."

Way to make a point child, way to make a point.

August 2010 LDS Primary Sharing Time Ideas and Helps

California Quail Image courtesy creative commons license flickr.com by Peter Baer March 21,2009
I don't know why, but this bird reminds me of me. The dove led the glorious life and the quail was used, well, for dinner. At least I don't feel like a crow. Perhaps I feel like I resemble a quail because secretly I long for the poof bangs of the 90's to return to style.

August Theme: Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and He is a God of miracles.
August Scripture: "For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles;...and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith." 2 Nephi 27:23

Week 1: Jesus Christ is a God of Miracles.

* Have a small box of feathers with a picture of a quail on front. Briefly ask the children if they know why quails are miracles?

"The book of Exodus reports that quail were miraculously provided to feed the hungry people of ancient Israel (see Ex. 16:13; Num. 11:32; Ps. 105:40). The pioneers had an equivalent experience. After the last of them had been driven out of Nauvoo, many were sick and some had died. Their provisions were meager. On the river bottoms near Montrose, Iowa, on 9 October 1846, many quail miraculously flew into camp. The quail were cooked and fed to some 640 destitute people (see Stanley B. Kimball, "Nauvoo West: The Mormons of the Iowa Shore," BYU Studies, winter 1978, 142)." Russell M. Nelson, "The Exodus Repeated," Ensign, July 1999, 9

Have about 10-12 TOTAL questions, scriptures and songs having to do with Jesus Christ and His many miracles on little scraps of paper. Put these in the feathers and invite the children to come up and pick a paper. For children that have been extra helpful, let them choose a feather to take home!

* Play Miracle charades! Break into groups, give each group a miracle Christ did, have them come up with actions and then come to the front to let the primary guess away! The groups can come up with 3 hints also if our primary friends need help.

* Pin the Pointer on the Liahona: Have a poster board with a large liahona drawn on it. Have 15 black arrows for the children to "pin" on with tape. Have a blindfold and spin them. BUT BEFORE you do this, they have to tell a story from the scriptures or from their own life about how Jesus is a God of miracles. If the younger kids need help, have them choose an older child to come up front to help them tell a story. I would also have a variety of different Gospel Art Kit pictures posted all around to help jog their memory.

Alma 37:38-40 "And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball, or director—or our fathers called it Liahona, which is, being interpreted, a compass; and the Lord prepared it. And behold, there cannot any man work after the manner of so curious a workmanship. And behold, it was prepared to show unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness. And it did work for them according to their faith in God; therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day."

* As a visual- Have an apple. Ask the children if this apple will just up and change into a banana. Let's watch it for 10 seconds, just in case. Nope, not changing! Maybe if a primary friend holds it, it might change? Hmmm.... Kind of like Heavenly Father and Jesus, they don't just up and change out of the blue!!

Mormon 9:17-19 "Who shall say that it was not a miracle that by his word the heaven and the earth should be; and by the power of his word man was created of the dust of the earth; and by the power of his word have miracles been wrought?And who shall say that Jesus Christ did not do many mighty miracles? And there were many mighty miracles wrought by the hands of the apostles. And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto you he changeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles.

* During Singing Time, have a child come to the front and wear and overly large t-shirt. Have their hands barely sticking out. As you sing a song, have the child move their arm out (lengthened) or in (shortened) and correspond with a way to sing. (They might have to do this by pulling up the sleeve or letting it down depending on the size of the shirt) For example, if the arm is outstretched, sing boldly, if it's shortened sing softly. They will have to watch their primary friend carefully! Boy, talk about miracles, what beautiful singing!!!

D&C 35:8 "For I am God, and mine arm is not shortened; and I will show miracles, signs, and wonders, unto all those who believe on my name"

* For Senior Primary: Have copies of this talk by Elder Dallin H. Oaks for each child. Have them break into pairs or small groups and read together. Have highlighters for them to mark anything that sticks out to them. After reading let the children share how they know Jesus Christ is a God of miracles or any thoughts they had about the article.

Week 2: Jesus Christ can heal the sick.

* Have a poster board of an outline of a person. Time to break out the quarters and splurge for a box of band aids at the $1 store. Let the children come up and add band aids to the paper person as they answer questions, sing songs and read scriptures having to do with Jesus healing the sick. We're going to do this for a FHE!

* Have a first aid kit with different scripture stories of Jesus healing the sick attached to the items inside it. Have children pick out an item and discuss the story in groups, then rotate the items.

* Have different stations with special guests! Is there anyone in your ward with a medical background? Have any doctors or nurses come into primary and share with the children stories of Christ healing the sick. Perhaps they could even bring in something they use at work to help others feel better for the children to look at! Make sure each station has a picture to go with the story or a flannel board. Kindly remind guests to be enthusiastic and encourage primary friends to share any knowledge they have of the different stories! I would do probably 3 stations, rotate and then finish with the guests bearing testimony of Christ as our Divine Healer.

* Here is a lesson from the Choose the Right A manual. The enrichments are great for little ones.

* Here is another lesson from Primary 7 manual. I especially like the attention activity with the coat.

* Here is a great crossword of Jesus healing the lepers (from The Friend)

* For FHE play the game operation! Put a gospel twist on it by reviewing stories of Christ healing and singing songs on faith to earn the opportunity to perform surgery! End with the fact that Jesus is the doctor of all doctors! He heals!

Jeremiah 17:14 "Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise."

Week 3: Jesus Christ has power over death.

*Reader's Theatre HERE . Did you notice the tip in the outline "As children act out scripture stories, they are able to remember and understand them better."
Excellent.

Week 4: Miracles come to those who have faith.

Be prepared- miracles accompany the faithful, but even the faithful are tried and tested and sometimes don't get the miracle they want no matter how very faithful they are! God knows what's best when it comes to the "when" and "who" of miracles. Make sure the children understand sometimes they will receive miracles and sometimes not, and that's OK because Heavenly Father and Jesus know what They are doing! The key is to trust them and pray to develop a testimony of Their wisdom and mercy.

* "...Faith precedes the miracle. It has ever been so and shall ever be. It was not raining when Noah was commanded to build an ark. There was no visible ram in the thicket when Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac. Two heavenly personages were not yet seen when Joseph knelt and prayed. First came the test of faith—and then the miracle."Thomas S. Monson, “The Call to Serve,” Liahona, Jan 2001, 57–60

Have different scripture stories and pictures on faith and miracles. Click HERE for the different books that you can then choose specific stories from. Print out the stories, cut apart and put into envelopes. Have the children divide into groups and sequence the stories in the right order. What came first? What came last? Have them share with the Primary.

* Ether 12:12 "For if there be no faith, among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith."

Have about 6 different items hidden under 6 different small blankets. These items should have to do with stories from the scriptures having to do with faith and miracles. Have different clues to help the children guess what is hidden. They can come up to the front to read different clues.

For example, I would have small crystal rocks under the blanket. Clues: This miracle takes place in the Book Of Mormon. This miracle only happened because of a very faithful man. This man had a really long name. He prayed very faithfully and often to know what God wanted him to do. This miracle helped the man and his family and friends cross the dark and deep ocean with light. This miracle had to do with a people that rhymes with Marednites. Show a picture clues from the GAK 318. The brother of Jared and the sixteen stones!

* Have the names Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas written on the board. Does anybody know who on earth these people are? What do our primary friends think about these names? Tell the children, to find out more, we're going to go back in time. Have the children pat their laps twice and put their thumbs back in the air. Keep on doing this rhythm as an invited guest comes in, dressed in ancient robes. Great job friends, we've made it back in time and it's my pleasure to introduce you to.... (Then using chalk circle the name Stephen). Have your special guest give children scriptures to look up to learn more about him. (Acts 6:4, Acts 6:8, Acts 6:9-10, Acts 7:54-60) Have Stephen answer any questions and talk about how he was the first martyr after the death of Christ. While he was faithful and performed miracles, he still was stoned. We might not understand the "why's" of life, but that's OK because

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not unto thy own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

* Have a large map of the world. Have small flags from different countries around the world that you can attach to the map.

2 Nephi 26:13 " And that he manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost; yea, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, working mighty miracles,

signs, and wonders, among the children of men according to their faith."

Have questions, scriptures and songs on miracles and faith corresponding to the different flags and as they answer, let them place on the map where it belongs.

* Why do missionaries serve missions? Where do you want to go on a mission? Invite the missionaries in to ENERGETICALLY talk about faith for A COUPLE MINUTES (AS IN A COUPLE MINUTES, 2 MINUTES). Can you really be a missionary without faith? Is serving a mission a miracle? According to our apostle President Boyd K. Packer (I heart Boyd) Yes!!

Tip: Read slowly as some of the words are big. "What kind of miraculous persuasion is it that would have a young man, vigorous, active, interested in life itself- at the one time when he, by virtue of normal appraisal, ought to be more interested in material things- be willing to respond to a call to serve on a mission, pay his own way, give a tithing of his life, 2 years, preaching the gospel? Miracle? Oh, yes; but we have over 25,000 of them." Boyd K. Packer, "Called of God by Prophecy," New Era, Sep 1978, 33

Then take the time to write letters and draw pictures for the faithful missionaries/miracles serving from your ward!

*What is one of the greatest miracles that has happened in the past 200 years? What example of faith led to the only recorded time in history that God the Father and His Son miraculously appeared? Show a church video of the account of Joseph Smith and the first vision. (Remember you only have about 10-13 minutes to do so as you need to incorporate singing and time for them to share their thoughts.)

LDS Primary Sacrament Meeting Presentation 2010

Image courtesy imagingtheheavens.co.uk

With billions and billions of people on the earth, who am I?
How is it even remotely possible that God will answer my prayers and help me receive revelation? Where does He find the time to help everyone?
Why do I even matter?

Woah people... we're getting a bit deep and I wish I knew that answers, but I don't.

Time to step out on the porch, sip some Mug's and look at the stars.
Relax.
It doesn't matter that we don't know the "hows" or "huh's?".

All that matters is this:
Did you know there was a topical guide topic of God-Access to??
Now, in this section of the study helps, we find 44 different references to the fact that
God is there for us.
4. Bam. 4.

What does this mean? You don't need to worry, you don't need to stress! Take another swig of that root beer, wink at the stars and take it to the Big Man. Primary Program here we come!

For first time Primary Sacrament Meeting writers, here is my advice: Get ready for a treat!! Get ready for an experience of true happiness!! Get ready to be closer to your maker.

Tips:

1. First things first- Make sure your spirit is healthy. Read those scriptures, pray and attend the temple. Do the standards and the standard will be unfolded unto you. I really have no clue what I meant by the last sentence. It sounds like a Mountain Dew* commercial gone awry. Most important of all, pray, pray, pray, pray, pray for guidance and that the Holy Ghost will guide you.

2. Know your children! Who is shy, who is not? Who is a confident reader, who needs special attention? Who could write their own part? Plan parts that are appropriate for each child. Sunbeams (for the most part) do best with 1-3 sentences. Older children should be given a time frame on what they are expected to fill.

3. Give the children plenty of time to practice their parts at home. (At the very least 2 weeks) If they are able to memorize, fantastic!

4. See here for some more of my ramblings. Details of a practice run in the chapel.

5. Take the Sharing Time Outline and use the weekly topics as basis for your parts. Use parts of the children's talks they've given. Use the scriptures in the outline. Have the children tell stories from the scriptures. Group your program into different topics followed by a song that emphasizes that topic. And if that doesn't work for you, that's OK! Do your thang and just be open to what Heavenly Father has in mind for His primary and children.


Still nervous? See here for even more of my ramblings.

Best of wishes as you realize the truth of this scripture: "And that he manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost; yea, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, working mighty miracles, signs, and wonders, among the children of men according to their faith." 2 Nephi 26:13

* Despite my 3 references to soda, I rarely drink it. I feel like you really just can't beat water.

Puffed Up With Pride- A Visual

I love to do this for a simple Sabbath Day Activity or Family Home Evening Visual.

Ask: What is pride?

Take a balloon and start puffing/blowing it up. As you do so, talk about some different examples from the scriptures of people "puffed up with pride". Use pictures from GAK (Gospel Art Kit) if possible.

*Laman and Lemuel

*King Noah

*The Nephites over and over and over again!!

*Oliver Cowdery

*Satan and what he did in the pre-mortal world

Scriptures: (Pick and Choose depending on the age of your children)

2 Nephi 28:12-13, 15

Alma 5:53

Alma 31:27

3 Nephi 6:15

What happens when there is too much pride? Keep on puffing up!

POP.

When's the last time you've read this? Beware of pride indeed!

July 2010 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

British Artist Ford Madox Brown Jesus Washing Peter's feet at the Last Supper (1835)

July Theme: I can Follow Jesus Christ's Example.
July Scripture: Jesus said, "Come, follow me" (Luke 18:22)

Week 1 Jesus Christ always obeyed Heavenly Father.

* See Reader's Theater here. Hey, ever wonder why I post so many reader's theaters? Me too. Not really though. I like reader's theater because it involves a lot of kids and gets them completely involved in the learning process.

Week 2 Jesus Christ went about doing good.

* Have a bunch of words/pictures of things we can do with our time. Playing video games, watching TV, eating, reading a book, playing soccer... Ask the children to come to the front and share with the primary something they can do. Sing Do as I'm Doing (CS p. 276) and Fun to Do (CS p.253). What was a special word that was the same in both songs? DO! There are lots of things we can do with our time, but we should DO what Christ did. Have the children come up with stories and experiences from our Savior's life to replace the things we can "do" on the board with the things we should do.

* Sing Tell Me the Stories of Jesus (CS p.57). Show the children Elder Andersen's recent talk at conference... what is the name of His talk? How important is it that we know what Jesus Christ did? Very! Make books of the different stories of Jesus and how He went about doing good. Give the children different GAK (gospel art kit) pictures and have them draw out the stories. Staple and share! This is a good way to have the older and younger work together as the little ones will draw pictures and the older children can write the words. Teachers can help also! Have them write verbatim what the children can recall of the things Jesus did here on this earth.

* Have the children look at the Bible Maps!! Especially Map 11 The Holy Land in New Testament Times. Here is a nice link to show and give in detail all the different places Christ went about doing good. Don't forget a map of the America's too! Have the children create their own maps not with places, but different things they can remember about the life of Christ... different things He did to help others. Make sure to let children share their work!

* "Do" drops. Take a turkey baster and let the children fill up a glass of water one or two "do" drops at a time. To earn a "do" drop they have to sing a song about Jesus, read a scripture or identify a GAK picture of something Jesus did in His life.

John 4:13-15 "Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw"

Let us always remember Jesus, our living waters who always went about doing good!!

Weeks 3 and 4: Jesus Christ's example teaches me how to live.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

* This handout from The Friend would be wonderful to send home with children to do with their family!!!