Handbook 2 – Guide to Revelation

image from lds.org

In reviewing the format of the new handbook during Auxiliary Leadership Training: Primary (see ChurchNews.  12 April 2011), Sister Wixom encouraged Primary leaders to let their calling become part of their lives. "Look around. Look at the children you are teaching and their families. Ask yourself, 'What can I do in my service to bless and strengthen those families?' Let that be the guide to your service."

 

Based on feedback from the audience, Sister Wixom cited several concerns Primary leaders may have, including reverence problems, special needs or behavioral problems of children or the commitment of teachers. Although there are no "black-and-white answers," the process for getting an answer is found in the Handbook - Prepare spiritually; counsel together; minister together and teach the gospel.

"[The Handbook] is for you to know with personal revelation what your children need," she said. "It's flexible and it's simple. Only you know the taproot [that which will anchor the children in the wind] for your Primary."

 

Let us all “diligently prepare spiritually, counsel together, minister together, and teach the gospel” so that we might receive revelation specific to the children and adults in each or our wards/branches.

Memorizing the Articles of Faith

The Friend, June 2011, has an article “All Because a Child Knew the Article of Faith” .  In addition to the message from President Monson there are several resources for memorizing the Articles of Faith.   Included below are those suggestions and others that will help children develop a life-long  testimony builder – knowing the Articles of Faith.

• Try the online Articles of Faith Memory Quest at lds.org.
•  Another great resource for memorization techniques is Teaching No Greater Call p 171-172, in “Methods of Teaching” 
•  Music is also a great facilitator in memorization.  The Article of Faith Songs are included in the playlist below and are available for download from the church Music site.  Find the songs in the alphabetical listing  with the title written beginning with “The [number written out ie. First] Article of Faith”.
• Key words are mentioned in the article.  The graphic on this post is from key words published in a past issue of The Friend.  Click on the graphic to enlarge.
• The Friend  in 2011 has been featuring an Article of Faith each month with learning activities.  Check out this month’s “Article of Faith 6". 

Be an example - make sure you too memorize the Articles of Faith.

Become As a Little Child

from lds.org

Sister Jean A. Steven, counselor in the General Primary Presidency, used examples of children living the gospel and their effect on others in her General Conference talk, Become As a Little Child. She followed these examples with this statement, “If we have a heart to learn and a willingness to follow the example of children, their divine attributes can hold a key to unlocking our own spiritual growth”.


In Primary we have the wonderful opportunity to help direct the faith and willingness of children to DO what the Savior wants, live His commandments. In the 2011 Outline for Sharing Time: Instructions for Sharing Time we are given three steps for gospel instruction; 1) Identify the doctrine, 2) Encourage understanding, and 3) Encourage application. We need to always include step three, “Encourage Application”. Helping the children set a goal and DO the things they are taught will not only bless their lives, but the lives of those who see them. Sister Stevens illustrated this principle through her story of a bishop who helped the entire ward live the law of tithing by first visiting Primary. “He taught the children about the Lord’s law of tithing and asked if they would be willing to pay tithing on the money they earned. The children said they would. And they did.”

Let us make a commitment to follow the Savior’s entreaty to “. . . Behold your little ones” (3 Nephi 17:21–23). Give them guidance and then follow their faithful example.

The Miracle of Loving Teachers

from lds.org

In a fireside on January 28, 2011, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf spoke about teachers.  He said that we live in a time when the gospel will be spread unto all the world.  "To accomplish this, we need something even more miraculous than modern technology. We need effective, loving teachers."  He then offered five characteristics of effective teachers:

1. Center all teaching on the Savior
2. Teach truth clearly and with courage
3. Teach by the Spirit
4. Teach from the heart 
5. Testify

President Uchtdorf reminded us, that as members of the church, we will all be teachers.  He said, "That is one of the beauties of this Church . . . The call to teach is an opportunity to follow Jesus Christ, the Master Teacher."  What a wonderful opportunity we have in the Primary to gather the children, as the Savior did, and teach them.  

Portions of this fireside address can be seen at lds.org.

Early Preparation

Ensign February 2011

In Primary we have the charge to assist parents in helping prepare children for what is ahead.  Not only to do we help them prepare to for baptism, the Aaronic priesthood and Young Women, we help them prepare for whatever the world brings into their lives.  Sister Wixom addressed this need in general conference.  She said, "What we want them to know five years from now needs to be part of our conversation with them today. Teach them in every circumstance; let every dilemma, every consequence, every trial that they may face provide an opportunity to teach them how to hold on to gospel truths". Rosemary M. Wixom, Primary General President, "Stay on the Path"  

In addition to this wise counsel there is an article in the February Ensign, "The Power of Early Preparation", by Ronald Errol Bartholomew that gives counsel in this mission of preparing children.  It is well worth the time to review his suggestion.  He quotes Henry B. Eyring, "Spiritual Preparedness: Start Early and Be Steady," "We will need to have developed and nurtured faith in Jesus Christ long before Satan hits us, as he will, with doubts and appeals to our carnal desires and with lying voices saying that good is bad and that there is no sin.  Those spiritual storms are already raging.  . . . Learning to start early and to be steady are the keys to spiritual preparation"

Let us do all we can by helping each child: 

1. Feel Heavenly Father's love for them.
2. Learn and understand the gospel of Jesus Christ.
3. Feel and recognize the influence of the Holy Ghost.
4. Prepare to make and keep sacred covenants. (Handbook 2:Administering the Church, 11.1)

Help from The Friend - February 2011

The Friend February 2011

Faith in God

• "Looking Different", inside front cover
• "Faith in God Challenge", p 13
• "Article of Faith 2", p 22

Activity Days for Girls, Scouting

• "We'll Carry You!: We Served Too", p 3
• "One in a Million", p 7
• "Bulletin Board:  Box of Love", p 12
• "Funstuf: Family History Fun", p 21 
• "Sharing Love with Families Far Away", p 24-25
• "Funstuf: Word Puzzles", p 26
• "Beautiful", p 44-45
• "Friends in the News: Winchester Hills First Ward", p 47
• "Friends in the News: Rochester Second Ward", p 47
• "Bringing Primary Home: The Scriptures Teach of Heavenly Father's Plan", p 40-41 - Remember that these pages do not replace the Outline for Sharing Time.  This article could be used for the girls to prepare a lesson to share in their families for FHE in their own homes. 

 My Gospel Standards

• "Choosing to Choose the Right", p 4-5 

 Music Leaders

• "One in a Million", p 7  
• "I Will Follow God's Plan", p 11 

 Lesson 11: Baptism," Primary 3: Choose the Right 

Lesson 6: The Baptism of Jesus Christ," Primary 7: New Testament

• "Jesus Is Baptized", p 14-15