Every year the general (worldwide) leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (otherwise known by the nickname “Mormons”) put together a theme to help bring Primary children (age 3-11) closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus. For 2008 the theme is “I Am a Child of God” and the scripture is taken from Psalm 82:6, “All of you are children of the most high.”
This theme and scripture are part of a booklet provided to Primary leaders to help guide them through the year in the lessons and songs they are to put together for the children. (For more on the Primary organization please visit “What Is Primary.”) The first thing we read in the booklet is a message to each Primary Presidency. I’d like to share with you a portion of this message.
“This year we will be helping each Primary child gain a testimony that he or she is a child of God…Our Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us. It includes the love and redeeming power of our Savior Jesus Christ, restored gospel truths, family, covenants, and temple blessings…They will learn to pray, keep the commandments, make and keep covenants, and express gratitude in word and deed. As leaders…you will be able to teach from the scriptures, bear testimony, and be an example.”
Included in this booklet we can find instructions and ideas for ‘Sharing Time,’ which is time set aside for the presidency to teach a quick lesson to the children. Each month has a separate theme to help magnify that of the year. For example, September’s Theme is ‘I can pray to Heavenly Father, and He will hear and answer my prayers.’ To help clarify this we have a scripture found in the Book of Mark.
“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” (Mark 11:24).
Next the leaders are given weekly gospel principles. In week one we read: “I learn about prayer from the scriptures (Matthew 6:9-15; Enos 1:1-18; D&C 88:63; Joseph Smith – History 1:14-20; Primary 7, lesson 11).” These help guide the leaders in what they are to teach the children for that week. Leaders can look for additional help in the Friend magazine, where other sharing time ideas are provided.
Along with guidelines for sharing time throughout the year, the leaders are also given guidelines for a Sacrament Meeting presentation (Sacrament Meeting is our main meeting where we all gather together to bless and partake of the Sacrament, as well as receive further instruction by fellow members and leaders). Once a year the leaders, teachers, and children of the Primary are invited to put together a special presentation all their own, centered around the main theme. Each child is given a chance to participate with a speaking part as well as songs they have learned throughout the year. For the most part these songs come from the Children’s Songbook, though many also come from our Hymnbook as well.
The presentation is probably my favorite of the entire year. There is something so amazing about watching children as young as three and four, going up to eleven, working so hard and feeling so pleased with themselves when it’s all over. Standing up in front of a congregation can be intimidating for adults. To watch our little ones find the courage to state such basic truths not only helps to strengthen their testimonies, they remind us about the beauty of our gospel as well.
