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.

Help from the Friend – September

Friend - September 2010

Activity Days for Girls, Cub Scouts, 11-year-old Scouts
     “Family History Library”, p 6-7; “ Family History 1-2-3”, p 24-25; “Guide to the Friend: FHE, # 2”, p 48
     “A Golden Friend”, My Gospel Standards, p 9
     “Friendship Challenge”, p 10
     “Bulletin Board: Simple Service”, p 12
     ”Bulletin Board: Making a Difference”, p 13
     “Kitchen Crafts: After-School Mini Pizzas”, p 16
     “A New Commandment”, p 17 (Gathering Activity)
     “Word Scramble”, p 43 (Gathering Activity)
     "Guide to the Friend: FHE, # 3”, p 48

11- year-old Boy Scouts
     “What Is a Priesthood Quorum?”, p 11; “Guide to the Friend: FHE, # 1”, p 48

Activity Days for Girls
     “A Faithful Girl Named Emma”, p 28-29

Primary 2 and 3
     “Choose the Right Way”, p 34-35

Primary 6: Old Testament, Lesson 40
     “Jehovah Saves Faithful Daniel”, p 14-15; “Coloring Pages: Daniel Chooses the Right”, p 46

Activity Days for All Children
     “Friends in the News: Albany Ward and Crescent Park Fifth Ward”, p 47

Music
    “For Teachers and Leaders: Songs in ASL”, back cover

Tell Me the Stories of Jesus

In the April 2010 General Conference, Elder Neil L. Andersen spoke of the importance of children hearing the stories of Jesus to build their personal testimonies. (Tell Me the Stories of Jesus)  He said:

“The stories of Jesus can be like a rushing wind across the embers of faith in the hearts of our children. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”  The stories of Jesus shared over and over bring faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strength to the foundation of testimony. Can you think of a more valuable gift for our children?

Are the life and teachings of Jesus Christ embedded in the minds and souls of our children? Do they think about the Savior’s life when they wonder what to do in their own lives? This will be more and more important in the years ahead”.

He included this promise:

“As you reverently speak about the Savior . . . the Spirit of the Lord will accompany your words.

As you do your best, the testimony of Jesus will gently distill upon your children’s hearts. They will go to their Heavenly Father in humble prayer and feel His influence through the power of the Holy Ghost. A stronger personal faith in Jesus Christ will prepare them for the challenges they will most surely face”.

We have the opportunity to share the stories of Jesus in every aspect of Primary; nursery, Sunday classes, sharing time, music, closing exercises, Activity Days for Girls, Cub Scouts, patrol of 11-year-old Boy Scouts, and Activity Days for All Children.  As we faithfully endeavor to bear witness of the Savior by telling the children stories about Him, they will be strengthened for a lifetime.

Help from the Friend - August 2010

The following are just a few ways that The Friend can be used in Primary:

Faith in God - My Gospel Standards
     "Birthday Standards", p 4-5
     "Trying to Be Like Jesus: Skipping for Good", p 31 

Faith in God - Learning and Living the Gospel
     "Faith in God Challenge - A "Learning and Living the Gospel" Activity", p 23 Teaching, Activity Days for all Children, Activity Days for Girls
     "Investigating the Scriptures", p 13 

Primary 6, lesson 38
     "Queen Esther Saves Jehovah's People", p 14-15, "Coloring Page", p 46 

Primary 1, Lesson 7; Primary 2, Lesson 13
     "A Special Feeling of Peace", p 17 

Activity Days for Girls
     "Cooking Up Activity Day Fun", p 22-23 

Activity Days for all Children
     "Who Wants to "Play"?", p 24-27

11-year-old Scouts "A Scout is kind"
     "Trying to Be Like Jesus: A Good Goalie" p 31

Cub Scouts, 11-year-old Scouts, Activity Days for Girls (Gathering Activity)
     "Funstuff: Partial Pictures", p 43

Help from the Friend - July 2010

The following are examples of how this month’s Friend can be used in Primary:

Activity Days for Girls, Scouting

                “Funstuf”, p 17

                “A Quilt that Tells a Story”, p 24-25

                “Friends in the News: Westchester First Ward”, p 47

                “Possible Ideas for Family Home Evening”, p 48

Faith in God, My Gospel Standards

                “Courage”, p 16

                “He Told Me, No Way”, p 28-29

Example of Application of July Sharing Time Theme

                “Trying to Be Like Jesus”, p 30-31

Primary 1: I Am a Child of God, lesson 5 and 6

                “For Little Friends: Who is Jesus?”, p 32-33

Behold Your Little Ones, lesson 8

                “Brigham’s Right-Way Feet”, p 35

Primary 6: Old Testament, lesson 28

                “Coloring Page: David and Goliath”, p 46

Love - Not Judge

While counseling with my priesthood leader, he pointed out a message from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf in the Sunday session of the April 2010 General Conference that he hoped all of the stake’s Primary leaders and teachers would take to heart.  It discusses the need for us to not judge, but love every child.  It is easy to be put off by the behavior, dress, language, or cleanliness of a child, but we need to look past those and love that child as the Savior does.  We may be the only source of love and connection with gospel teachings that child may have during the week.  Here is part of the message from President Uchtdorf:

“I hope that we welcome and love all of God’s children, including those who might dress, look, speak, or just do things differently. It is not good to make others feel as though they are deficient. Let us lift those around us. Let us extend a welcoming hand. Let us bestow upon our brothers and sisters in the Church a special measure of humanity, compassion, and charity so that they feel, at long last, they have finally found home.

When we are tempted to judge, let us think of the Savior, who “loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. . . . “[And] he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, . . . [for] all men are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden.” 2 Ne 26:24-25, 28, emphasis added. . . Christ knows how to minister to others perfectly. When the Savior stretches out His hands, those He touches are uplifted and become greater, stronger, and better people as a result.

If we are His hands, should we not do the same?”

President Uchtdorf continues with this promise:

“As we extend our hands and hearts toward others in Christlike love, something wonderful happens to us. Our own spirits become healed, more refined, and stronger. We become happier, more peaceful, and more receptive to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit.” Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “‘You Are My Hands’,” Ensign, May 2010, 68–70, 75