Mormon Life - Primary tag

Activity Days idea: You Are Special

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:28:00 -0600

source: ldsactivitydayideas.blogspot.com/

This blog has been neglected! Holy cow! I took a break from doing activities to take care of my now 6 week old baby but now summer is winding down, I'm feeling great and we are back at it! We started off the new school year with a spiritual activity, ending with a lot of laughter. I guess you could say I'm a little rusty as far as activities go, so the first portion of this activity is an idea I got from my sister.

First of all, you will need the book You Are Special by Max Lucado. Are you familiar with it? I picked mine up on half.com for 99 cents but I believe you can also find it at Wal Mart.

If you aren't familiar with the book, listen to it here.

We prepared for the activity by purchasing gold star stickers at the dollar store and my partner cut out black dots about the size of a quarter (any size would do). You don't even have to do that, regular stickers would do just fine.

Kyiv Ukraine Temple: Primary Children Sing

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:42:00 -0600

source: ldschurchnews.com

September 2010 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 09:32:00 -0600

source: sofiasprimaryideas.blogspot.com

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?

All Colors of the Rainbow!! FHE

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 09:19:00 -0600

source: sofiasprimaryideas.blogspot.com

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!"

Cheryl A. Esplin: Always involved in His great work

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:15:00 -0600

source: ldschurchnews.com

Sister Cheryl A. Esplin looks forward to her new assignment as second counselor in the Primary general presidency as more than just a calling. She has a vested interest in Primary because 15 of her 18 grandchildren are primary-age.

This new calling is another way for Sister Esplin to help build the kingdom — because for her, service in the Church is a great work to be involved in.

"I love being a part of this work," she told the Church News.

One experience Sister Esplin shared was when she was sitting in a missionary training meeting in 1997 with her husband, Max. She was reading in the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament where the passage of scripture was talking about a stone being cut out of the mountain without hands (Daniel 2:34).

As she sat and read that passage referring to the gospel rolling forth and gaining great momentum, Sister Esplin recalls being filled with the Spirit as she reflected on the blessings of the gospel in her own life.

"I wrote in the margin of my notes that I always want to be a part of this great work," Sister Esplin said. "I remember then thinking, 'I don't care what I do, I want to be a part of this great work, of this kingdom of God rolling forth and gaining momentum throughout the world.' "

Orson Scott Card: Managing a class of 'problems'

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 11:01:00 -0600

source: MormonTimes.com

Mormon Life says: A Primary success story. It was 1980, and my wife and I moved to Orem, Utah. With one child, another on the way, and our first mortgage, we felt like grownups.

Since my wife radiates competence, she attracts callings like a magnet. Within the first few weeks she had four different assignments — even though she was coping with morning sickness.

I'm not sure what I radiate, but let's just say my name was still in the "unassigned" category on the bishop's organizational chart.

The Primary presidency came to my wife and asked her to fill in "for a while" with a problem class — the 9-year-olds.

And by "problem," they meant, specifically, that the last four teachers had quit within a week or two. There were some wild boys that simply could not be controlled.

I overheard the unfamiliar sound of my wife turning down a church calling — but I knew she was right. She simply didn't have enough non-sick hours in the day to add yet another assignment.

So I came into the room and volunteered.

August 2010 LDS Primary Sharing Time Ideas and Helps

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:56:00 -0600

source: sofiasprimaryideas.blogspot.com

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

LDS Primary Sacrament Meeting Presentation 2010

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 10:51:00 -0600

source: sofiasprimaryideas.blogspot.com

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!

A Chieko Okazaki Sharing Time Lesson

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 10:15:00 -0600

source: bycommonconsent.com

Mormon Life says: A great sharing time idea. Continuing with the theme of how awesome I am at my callings, I thought I would share one of the more successful Sharing Time lessons I’ve done in my current calling in the Primary presidency.

The theme for Sharing Time was “Family members have important responsibilities” (last year’s program). I was to do a week on mommies’ responsibilities, a week on daddies’ responsibilities, and a week on kids’ responsibilities to the family. Sis. Okazaki gave a great talk about the Japanese word kigatsuku, which means being aware of one’s surroundings and doing good without being asked, which fits perfectly with kids’ responsibilities in the family.

I have loads of Asian type decorations and stuff in my home so I brought a few things and decorated the room. We had all the kids take their shoes off at the door, then they entered a Japanese wonderland. I explained that Chieko grew up in Hawaii, not Japan, but that her family came from Japan.

July 2010 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:34:00 -0600

source: sofiasprimaryideas.blogspot.com

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.

Come, Follow Me (Hymns 116) LDS Primary Song Helps

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 08:37:00 -0600

source: sofiasprimaryideas.blogspot.com

Come, Follow Me (Hymns 116)

* Have a beautiful path drawn. Have a primary child cut out with a magnet attatched. Have another magnet to be able to move the child down the path to a picture of the Savior at the end. Let a child move the magnet as you sing!

* Have a 12 different footprints cut out. As you sing and review the song, have a few children who've been singing nice and bold come up and choose a footprint. Have 1 picture of the Savior under 1 footprint, if they choose that one they get a sticker! We can follow lots of different people and paths in the world but the most important is , Matthew 16:24 "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."

July 2010 LDS Primary Helps and Ideas: Week 1 Reader's Theater Jesus Christ always obeyed Heavenly Father.

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:05:00 -0600

source: sofiasprimaryideas.blogspot.com

Shining Stars of Obedience
by Sofia Lykes

Speaking Parts
Camper #1 Camper #2 Camper #3

Angel #1 Angel #2

Mary John the Baptist

Leper Centurian Man of the Company Blind Man

Elder Whitney

Possible Non Speaking Parts
A couple children can be bushes by the campers
A couple children can be non-speaking angels
A couple children can hold up stars above their heads and be stars

Props
!!!!Simple!!!!! Costumes Sticks with marshmallows Scriptures

Camper #1: Please toss me another marshmallow! Yummy! I'm so excited to be camping.

Camper #2: Me too! This summer weather is perfect and my s'more is almost done!

Song Helps "The Holy Ghost" (Children's Songbook page 105)

Thu, 20 May 2010 10:17:00 -0600

source: sofiasprimaryideas.blogspot.com

* Make the song into a paper quilt (comforter) with pictures/words. Let the children put the quilt together as they learn the song, then as it has sunk in, you can hold up different quilt squares and review different parts of the song randomly. Or if you're super ambitious, a real quilt with iron on pictures in the different sections. Then the children can wear it at the front as you learn the words! I bet they'd get excited about that!

* When singing, stand and then have the children get small (close to the ground) on the words whisper and still small voice.

June 2010 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

Thu, 20 May 2010 10:16:00 -0600

source: sofiasprimaryideas.blogspot.com

June Theme: The Holy Ghost testifies of the Truth of all things.

June Scripture: “By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know he truth of all things.” Moroni 10:5

Week 1 The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead.

* Play Holy Ghost Win-Guess-and Draw! Have little sheets of paper for the children to draw out of a sack. On the paper have the following words written separately:

Brain (Moroni 10:5)

Heart

Body (“The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. He is a Spirit in the form of a man. The Holy Ghost is a personage of Spirit, and has a spirit body only. His mission is to bear witness of the Father and the Son and of all truth. As a Spirit personage the Holy Ghost has size and dimensions. He does not fill the immensity of space, and cannot be everywhere present in person at the same time. He is also called the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of Truth, and the Comforter” (Joseph F. Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1:38)

Blanket (Comforter)

Teacher

Father and Son

Glue (The Holy Ghost seals upon worthy individuals the promises of God)

Nursery snacks: Climbing out of the pretzel rut

Wed, 19 May 2010 15:25:00 -0600

source: MormonTimes.com

Toddlers love finger foods, so nursery snack-time would seem to be a worry-free part of the job. However, a little diversity beyond dry crackers and lukewarm water served in miniature paper cups has the potential to enhance the entire experience for everyone involved.

Depending on the schedule of your ward's church meetings, hearty nursery snacks can make all the difference in preventing rumbling bellies from evolving into complete toddler meltdowns.

Food allergy-free zones

By the time an 18-month-old enters nursery, parents are most likely aware of food allergies their baby has developed. The usual culprits -- like bananas or peanut butter -- have been tried, tested and deemed dangerous and they'll let you know. So even if one child is sensitive to a food, ban it entirely from nursery just to be on the safe side. Make food part of the fun

How to Sincerely Enjoy Working in Nursery

Wed, 19 May 2010 13:58:00 -0600

source: bycommonconsent.com

Mormon Life says: Some really great ideas here. A friend of mine was recently called to be Nursery leader and solicited advice on how to run a successful nursery. (Actually, his question was whether or not I thought it was acceptable to teach the kids Klingon, but that’s another story.) I know this is a calling that many people dread, and may even turn down. It doesn’t have to be that way! Working in nursery can be fun, uplifting and educational, and needn’t lead to insanity. I’m probably too opinionated on this topic, both in number of opinions and how passionately they are held, but I wanted to share the advice I prepared for my friend with a wider audience in hopes of inspiring others with at least a few of my suggestions.

In no particular order, here are my tips for running a happy, nurturing, enjoyable nursery for all involved:

1. You can make a slide out of a conference-size standard church building table by folding down the legs on one end and leaving the other up. If your tables are the current standard issue plastic top ones, the children won’t be able to pick up enough speed to require any kind of cushioning at the bottom.

Thoughts on Reverence

Tue, 18 May 2010 11:11:00 -0600

source: sofiasprimaryideas.blogspot.com

I have a friend who recently wrote:

"I am in a Primary Presidency in MA and absolutely love all your ideas. Our primary is about 80 kids which naturally brings a lot of enthusiasm and energy. Our reverence, while never fantastic, has recently plummeted. I am trying to find ideas or techniques and tools that might help us bring a little more reverence into Primary so the kids have more opportunities to feel the Spirit. I have found a few ideas online but the majority involve bribing the kids. Our kids already get candy--and lots of it--from their teachers (despite requests to limit it). I don't think providing them with more sugar would be too helpful. I am okay bribing them with experiences or priviledges but don't want to do more treats. On the other hand, since it is something I would hope that we could have more routinely than not, setting up the expectation for benefits for polite behavior gives me pause. Anyway, I wondered if you would feel like doing a post about any reverence thoughts you have. Thanks."

Sigh. Reverence.

Can you relate?

I pray for the spirit to guide me.

Let me preface first with this, if you are struggling and sometimes come home after church with a headache and feelings nothing short of frustration and sorrow... I want you to know you are doing a great job and everything will work out. If we had star trek technology I'd beam on over and give you a big hug and kiss on the cheek. Maybe split some watermelon and just relax together listening to Bob Marley. But more importantly, the Savior knows you and is ready to give you a big hug and tell you the exact same thing and help out however you let Him. Perhaps, sans Bobby.

May 2010 LDS Primary Sharing Time Helps and Ideas

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:08:00 -0600

source: sofiasprimaryideas.blogspot.com

May Theme: Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel Lead Me to Jesus Christ. May Scripture: “We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Articles of Faith 1:4)

Ways to help memorize the fourth article of faith:

* Sing the song!! CS page 124
* Divide the Article into 5 phrases. Hide those 5 phrases (add a little picture for those who can’t read) under 5 children’s chairs and let them come put on the chalkboard in order. Have the primary say the Article of Faith as they put in order.
* While saying the Article of Faith have the children draw a square with their fingers in the air- on the points of each square will be each principle or ordinance. You can have a child come up to front and point to a corner in their square and have another child say what principle or ordinance it is.

Auxiliary training: Primary

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 08:50:00 -0600

source: ldschurchnews.com

Primary children are the rising generation and the hope for the future, Sister Cheryl C. Lant, Primary general president said during the auxiliary training meetings held in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square on Wednesday March 31 and April 1. "We need to help them and teach them how to build a firm foundation of faith and testimony," she said.

During the training meeting, which was held in conjunction with the 180th Annual General Conference of the Church, the Primary general presidency — Sister Lant, president; Sister Margaret S. Lifferth, first counselor; and Sister Vicki F. Matsumori, second counselor — joined with other members of the Primary general board to teach how to be more effective in Primary meetings and responsibilities.

During the trainings, presenters focused on four leadership principles that help in Primary responsibilities.

1. Prepare spiritually. "When we live consistently to qualify for the Spirit, the Lord makes up the rest," Sister Lant said. By praying, reading scriptures, going to the temple, pondering, fasting and living in a way that invites the Spirit, the Spirit is accessible, Sister Lant said.

Primary General Presidency News Conference

Sat, 03 Apr 2010 19:08:00 -0600

source: bycommonconsent.com

We just got finished attending the press conference for the new Primary Presidency. A few photos are below, as well as a few bits of information from the Q&A session we attended.

Each woman was asked in turn to describe their feelings at having been sustained in the new call. Sister Wixom spoke gratefully of the past presidencies, and testified that teachers and families can bless and strengthen children. In a surprisingly touching gesture, Sister Wixom held both counselors’ hands and said that the only requirements for this calling are to love the Lord and to love children. Sister Stevens spoke of the passages in 3 Nephi in which the Savior demonstrated his love for children, while Sister Esplin affirmed their intentioned to go forward with “much” prayer.