God Loves You

Carrying on in the same thread as last month’s post and because it is February, a month dedicated to love; I have chosen to write about another aspect of love. In this month’s Friend magazine there is a “Bright Idea” poster that has a quote from President Uchtdorf that says,

“You are not invisible to your Heavenly Father. He loves you.”

www.lds.org/friend/2012/02/bright-idea?lang=eng)

It is based on his talk in last October’s conference entitled “You Matter to Him”. When I read the poster the thought occurred to me that not only was this one of the most important messages we must teach to our precious primary children but it is also one of the most important lessons we must learn ourselves. In fact, we must gain a testimony of this love Heavenly Father has for us so the children will feel our love and His love too.

Rather that writing a long blog post for you to read this month, I encourage each of you to read or re-read President Uchtdorf’s talk and then pray to strengthen your testimony of God’s love for you. Then pray for the inspiration to help each child feel this love from our Heavenly Father also. I have included the link to the talk below or you can go to LDS.org to read it. The talk is also printed in the November 2011 Ensign.

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/you-matter-to-him?lang=eng

by Sandy Blackwell

Plan Now for Success

by Tiare Fullmer

2012 is fast approaching and if you do some preliminary planning now, you will find things going much more smoothly and successfully in the coming year.

Here are some ideas you might want to consider:

• Outline / calendar – Look ahead and plan for stake and general conference, CSMP, etc.. Assignments can be made for conducting sharing time, giving gospel instruction, visit classes, greeting, etc...

Here is an example:

	Monthly theme and scripture			Monthly song		Activity/ Lesson
Jan	Agency Is the Gift to Choose for Ourselves “Wherefore, men are free... to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men” (2 Nephi 2:27)			As a Child of God (outline)		14th - Stake Aux. Training
	Weekly theme	Open Ex	Conduct	G Instruct	Visit	Lesson #
1	Introduce 2012 Theme	Talk - Bish	2nd C	1st C		1
8	Agency is the gift to choose for ourselves.	A of F, myGS	Presi	2nd C	1st C	2
15	Agency is the gift to choose for ourselves.	Talk - child	2nd C	1st C	Pres	3
22	In the premortal life, I chose to follow God's plan.	Pres message	Presi	Sec	2nd C	4
29	Jesus Christ created the earth as a place where I can learn to choose the right.	Talk - child	1st C	Pres		5

• Talks / scriptures / prayers for sharing time -– Figure out the way you will assign and remind the children [and their parents] Keep track so all can have a chance participate and of children and their talks that you might want to include in the CSMP.

• Sharing Time Agenda - Plan a basic agenda that you can use each week to conduct Sharing Time that has places to fill in the talks, prayers, songs, etc.
• Goals - Set long term goals to improve your effectiveness at accomplishing the purposes of Primary. This is the step-back, big-picture kind of planning. Periodically evaluate and track your progress. The Primary secretary can be great help here as well.
• Presidency duties – A list to define who is responsible for what – ex: 1^st Counselor - over AD for G and CTR classes and general teacher improvement...
• Presidency meetings – When and where will you have them? This council is very important to a properly functioning Primary – if you are having lots of difficulty – check and see if this meeting is happening effectively.
• Lesson schedule – make yearly schedule so all know which lesson they should be on – especially great for when you need last minute substitutes, etc. A list of approved substitutes is another thing you can include for teachers
• Class lists , teacher instructions and next year manuals [CTR and Valiant classes all change manuals]– Plan how you will get this information to the teachers. Remember, personal contact is always best so you can encourage, answer any ?? and determine what there needs are.
• Parent letter – Introduce parents to the yearly theme and give them any instructions such as picking up children promptly, making sure children go to the bathroom before coming to Primary, not allow children to bring toys, policy about food, etc...
• Nursery schedule– The basic Sunday schedule, possibly who does what each week, snacks...
• Nursery parent letter – Again, involve the parents and make sure they know the policies, etc.

• Music plan – The outline has basic songs to teach listed under several months, but gives plenty of room for you to chose songs. If you have a plan of specific songs you want to teach and make sure the children know well this year, it will focus your singing time. You can also have a plan for opening exercises songs. If this is planned and given ahead of time to the presidency, they have time to make sure it's correct on the agenda and opening exercises will flow smoothly.
• Music practice CD – audio files of all the Primary songs are available on the church website. Making a Cd for each child of the songs you will learn and emphasize this year can really be helpful, especially to children who don't attend consistently.
• AD for girls & cub scouts and 11 yr scouts – Expect the leaders of these groups to plan ahead and have a basic calendar for the Presidency to approve. The scouts should each have a rotating calendar to make sure all requirements can be met during the year. [Get LDS scout training if you don't understand this!]

Get your lists and schedules set up ahead, and make sure all who need it have a copy. Then you just simply execute the plan each week. Remember, you can tweak if needed, but the basics are in place. Many of these lists and schedules are great to post on the inside of your closet door, etc. Remember to plan with prayer and purpose. You will have greater success when you plan ahead and are prepared at the beginning of the year. Then, you will have much more time for the real work of Primary – people!

If you want it to happen – plan for it!

Planning Calendars, Budgets and Curriculum Orders

This is the time of year to start planning ahead for 2012. Check with your bishopric or branch presidency as to a deadline for these things to be turned in to them.

Calendar -

Things that will need to go on the unit calendar-

Activity Days for Girls - dates for 2x per month

• including at least 2 times for sharing what they've learned and recognition

Cub Scouts, - including weekly meetings, and pack meetings

• blue and gold dinner, pinewood derby...

11 Yr Old Scouts – includes weekly meetings, activities and campouts

• remember scouting and activity Days for girls are year round

Children's Sacrament Meeting Presentation – once during the 4^th quarter

Priesthood Preview – see handbook 11.5.5 – to be held yearly for boys 11 years of age and their parents

Budget-

You might want to consider the following steps in submitting your 2012 budget request to your bishopric or branch presidency.

• Ask your unit clerk what you budgeted and spent last year.
• Ask the leaders in each of the following areas to come up with a proposal for what they think they will need for next year. They should be planning their preliminary calendars and budget with some specifics in mind as they submit that to you.
• Also see handbook 11.8.7

Areas	To consider
General Primary	Supplies,,. music CD's...
Activity Days for Girls	Supplies for activities...
Cub Scouts	Awards, trips, pack meetings... [boys responsible for own manuals and uniforms - chartering and registration costs are paid @ stake level and reimbursed from SL]
11 Yr old Scouts	Activities, campouts, awards... [boys responsible for own manuals and uniforms - chartering and registration costs are paid @ stake level and reimbursed from SL]
Nursery	Snacks, including paperware, wipes, tissues or other supplies, toys...

Plan to keep track of what is spent. This is part of each leader's stewardship – to use the Lord's money wisely. Primary Presidents must sign the budget request form before it goes to the bishopric or branch presidency for payment. If this is followed, then the president [or secretary] can keep track of how much is being spent.

Curriculum Orders for 2012 – normally submitted Sept or October - see your unit clerk.

• Take an inventory of what you have and what you think you will need for next year – you can order just picture packets separately if missing from manuals.

Ages (on Jan 1st 2012)	Class	Item	Item #	Cost
Ages 18 mo.– 2 yrs born in 2009-10)	Nursery	Manual – Behold Your Little Ones	37108	$5.50
Age 3 (born in 2008)	Sunbeam	Manual – Primary 1: I Am a Child of God (includes picture packet) and music CD	34969	$11.50
		Primary 1 Music C only	50004	$.75
		Primary 1 picture packet only	35232	$4.00
Ages 4-7 (born in 2004-7)	CTR	Manual – Primary 2: Choose the Right A (includes picture packet)	34484	$7.25
		Primary 2 picture packet only	35236	$4.00
Ages 8-11	Valiant	Manual – Primary 4: Book of Mormon (includes picture packet)	34594	$7.25
		Primary 4 picture packet only	35238	$4.00
Ages 3-11	Sharing Time	2012 Outline –Choose the Right (3 copies will automatically be sent to each unit.)	8710	$0.00
Ages 4-7	CTR	CTR rings – (given during lesson 1 for each child in CTR classes)	31362	$1.00
Girls -8-11		Faith in God Guidebook for Girls	36813	$0.00
Boys - 8-11		Faith in God Guidebook for Boys	36812	$0.00

Other supplies as needed -

Children's Songbook – Hardcover - Spiral	35395	$20.00
Children's Songbook – CD set – Music Only	50505	$6.50
Children's Songbook – CD set – Music & Words	50428	$6.50
Teaching No Greater Call	36123	$2.00
Teach the Child, DVD and Training Guide	00380	$4.50
Primary Leader Training DVD & Guide	00382	$4.50
My Gospel Standards Poster 11”x17” (nice to give at baptism)	35718	$.50
Article of Faith Card (50 per pkg)	33240	$2.00
Articles of Faith Chart 8.5”x11”	64370	$.25
Articles of Faith Chart 17”x22”	65014	$1.00
Articles of Faith Posters 1-13	65001-65013	$1.00ea
Gospel Art Book	604809	$3.50

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.

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)

Victory Tunnel

Sister Rosemary M. Wixom, Primary General President, included the following experience and insight in her talk in General Conference:

“Last spring my husband and I attended a soccer game of our four-year-old grandson. You could feel the excitement on the field as the players ran in every direction chasing the soccer ball. When the final whistle blew, the players were unaware of who won or who lost. They had simply played the game. The coaches directed the players to shake hands with the opposing team members. Then I observed something quite remarkable. The coach called for a victory tunnel. All the parents, grandparents, and any spectators who had come to observe the game stood up and formed two lines facing each other, and by raising their arms they formed an arch. The children squealed as they ran through the cheering adults and down the path formed by the spectators. Soon the children from the opposing team joined the fun as all the players—the winners and the losers—were cheered on by the adults as they ran the path of the victory tunnel.

In my mind’s eye, I had another picture. I had the feeling I was seeing children living the plan, the plan Heavenly Father has created for each individual child. They were running the strait and narrow path through the arms of the spectators who love them, each one feeling the joy of being on the path".    Rosemary M. Wixom, Primary General President, “Stay on the Path”

Isn’t it wonderful to be a one of those “spectators” who are marking the path for these children to follow.   Give yourself and the children a cheer!

Callings to Serve

Sister Jean A. Stevens, First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency visited with the primary leaders in our area on Saturday, September 11, 2010. One of the topics she discussed was the responsibility of ward/branch Primary Presidencies to recommend individuals to serve in callings in the Primary. She used the following quote from the 2004 Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting. Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles instructed auxiliary and priesthood leaders in their relationship in extending callings:

”. . . Bishops are responsible for all Aaronic Priesthood callings and for the calling of all ward auxiliary officers.  

Each auxiliary president is asked to recommend, after prayerful consideration, individuals to serve as counselors. When a presidency has been approved and called, recommendations for other officers, such as secretaries or teachers in a specific organization, should be made after prayerful evaluation by the full auxiliary presidency.  Because of the keys they hold, stake presidents and bishops can receive confirming revelation to proceed with such callings in accordance with the fifth article of faith. 

This inspired pattern maintains order in the kingdom. . . . an auxiliary president should seek the guidance of the Lord as to who should be recommended to specific positions while recognizing that it is only a recommendation.  

While the stake president or bishop often receives a confirmation that the individual recommended should be called, that is not always the case. Each recommendation will be carefully evaluated, recognizing that it has been conscientiously considered and prayerfully identified. A stake president or bishop will normally consult closely with auxiliary leaders on individuals recommended to ensure that the full picture of an organization’s needs is obtained before he prayerfully seeks confirmation of a calling. . .

Stake presidents and bishops, when you call a new presidency of an auxiliary organization, give them guidance and vision to orient their service. Meet with your counselors, and develop a statement of direction that you hope that they will follow to fulfill their assignment and to meet local needs. Share this vision with the new presidency. Ask them to prepare a plan for its implementation. A member of the presidency or bishopric should meet with them periodically to give further guidance and help them resolve any challenges they may have. . . “ p 6-7.

Following this pattern of prayerful recommendation and priesthood confirmation will bring blessings to each of you and success to your efforts to serve the children according to the Lord’s desires.