i was so proud of the primary kids. they really did a great job with the program, although i truly believe i got the very most out of the program. i thought about it so much over the past few months. i feel a need to help the kids know how to liken the principle to their lives. i was so excited with the christmas challenge the church put out and all the amazing videos of service they can do to be like the Savior. Christ did it, and so can you! What a great message!!! my heart was touched by my primary kids' experiences they shared.
we have over 150 kids in our primary so we did our program a little differently, with more talks and less speaking parts. one girl shared this: "The church hymn Do What Is Right teaches us “Do what is right; let the consequence follow”. And my favorite part in that song is “do what is right; be faithful and fearless… blessings await you in doing what’s right”. And that is what I believe in."
what a great message! i have been feeling that a lot lately and want to be faithful and fearless and then notice the blessings that come. they come if we do our part.
i love my calling and feel it is an amazing opportunity to work with the children in my ward.
Primary Program
Anna: The theme in primary this year is, “I Know the Scriptures are True’. Please raise your hand to answer these questions.
Who here can play the piano?
Who’s ever heard the piano being played?
Who has tried to play the piano, but it didn’t work out?
Sometimes we think it’s going be easy, but it’s harder than we think. I’m learning to play the piano, but it’s been hard for me to learn. You can’t go to one lesson and be able to play. You have to go to lessons for years.
Who reads the scriptures as a family?
Who reads the scriptures by themselves?
Who has ever heard the scriptures being read?
The scriptures are hard to understand. And it can be hard to get a testimony of the scriptures. How do you know they’re true? You open them, read, study and pray. You can’t read one verse and know they are true. You have to practice everyday like you practice the piano. The more you practice the better you get at understanding the scriptures just like it gets easier to play the piano. Don’t feel bad if you don’t get it right at first you just have to keep trying.
I read the scriptures with my family and it is getting easier for me to understand, but sometimes it is still confusing. I know that if i just keep working my testimony will grow and the lessons I learn in the scriptures will help me.
SONG: IF I LISTEN WITH MY HEART
Adalena: The scriptures are the word of God.
Richie: In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Nephi says that we need to feast upon the words of Christ. What does the word feast mean anyway? It is a lot of food that makes you feel good and satisfied.
The opposite of a feast, is a little nibble or snack.
Heavenly Father wants us to feast on the words of Christ, instead of just having a little snack on the words of Christ, because that is how our spirits will feel good, and satisfied.
When we feast on Jesus’ words, he tells us in the scriptures that there is a reward for us, which is that the words of Christ will tell us what to do. So if we have a problem, we can feast on the words of Christ, and then we will have help to know what to do.
I am so glad that Jesus has told us a really good way to get help from him, which is by feasting on his words.
Sophia: We can see, smell, touch, and hear the scriptures, but to gain a testimony of them we need to receive a witness through the Spirit that they are true by studying them, thinking about them, and praying to feel the Holy Ghost testify they are true.
SONG: SEARCH, PONDER AND PRAY (special musical number- group)
Rebecca, Nathan, Dax, Drew
Eve: One of my favorite times of the day is evening. My dad comes home, and we read books, watch Studio C, and have family scripture study. My dad reads out loud to us and then asks us questions about what we read. We just finished reading the story of Ammon. I enjoyed the story because of the great examples in it. The king and queen show faith by listening and believing what Ammon teaches them. Abish, the queen’s servant, who had stayed faithful for a long time, bore her testimony to the whole kingdom. Doing this she shows great bravery. Ammon shows courage and faith by going on a mission to the Lamanites and serving and teaching the king and queen. For family home evening a few weeks ago my family acted this story out. Not only was it hilarious, but it helped bring this story to life. I am so grateful for the scriptures and the chance to study them at home with my family.
Garrett: Have you ever wondered…who am I? Why am I here? Where did I come from? What will happen to me after I die? We know the answers to these questions because the scriptures teach of Heavenly Father’s plan.
Kate: Before we were born, we lived with our Father in Heaven. He loves us and wants us to achieve eternal happiness. To enable us to become like Him, our Father in Heaven prepared a plan. We chose to follow this plan, which gave us the opportunity to come to earth and receive a body. This life is a time of testing to see if we will walk by faith and keep His commandments so that we can return to live with Him again for eternity.
Heavenly Father knew the way home wouldn’t always be easy. Our earthly lives are full of challenges and decisions. He gave us many gifts to help us on our journey back home:
First, he gave us families. The Family, A Proclamation to the world teaches us that:
The family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children. When we are baptized, we receive the Holy Ghost. This is another gift from Heavenly Father. The Holy Ghost can be our constant companion. When we follow its gentle direction it will lead us on the strait and narrow path back to Heavenly Father.
Heavenly Father also gave us temples, prayer, scripture, prophets, and much more. The best gift we have ever received is the gift of the Atonement. Heavenly Father sent His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, to overcome death and to atone for our sins. Because of his sacrifice, when we make mistakes we can be forgiven. I always want to choose the right so that someday I can be with Heavenly Father and my family for Eternity.
SONG: I WILL FOLLOW GOD’S PLAN FOR ME
Braxton: Heavenly Father’s plan gives us freedom to choose right or wrong. Good choices lead to freedom and happiness, while bad choices lead us to captivity and unhappiness. I know God created the earth for me and I can be like Him and create good things for myself, by doing what is right.
Lucy: I have been asked to talk about a time when I chose the right. I am going to share something that happens to me a lot. I have 4 sisters. We play well but we also argue sometimes. When I get a good idea to build a fort or something my sisters and I build it together. We all have different ways to build it and sometimes I don’t agree with them. I start to get mad but then I think about how I would feel if someone got mad at me and decide to explain my idea nicely and listen to their ideas. It makes me feel good. At school we also have to make good choices. Sometimes we get peer pressured into doing something that is not right. If you have friends who peer pressure you then they might not be the best friends to hang out with or it might be an opportunity to be a good example to them. It is important to pick your friends wisely. The church hymn Do What Is Right teaches us “Do what is right; let the consequence follow”. And my favorite part in that song is “do what is right; be faithful and fearless… blessings await you in doing what’s right”. And that is what I believe in.
Ben: When Heavenly Father has a message his people need to hear, He speaks through prophets. There is safety in following the prophet. In the scriptures we read about ancient prophets. Moses was a special prophet of the Old Testament who taught us about how to find safety. He led the Children of Israel through many challenges. One time, the Lord sent down fiery, flying serpents. Moses was taught by the Lord that those who were bitten by the serpents could be healed if they would do one simple thing. They were supposed to look at a serpent that Moses raised up on a staff. Some of the people were obedient, but many died because they thought that Lord’s directions were too simple.
We receive direction from Heavenly Father through prophets today. Many of the things that will bring us safety and protection are simple directions from the Lord, like reading scriptures and saying our prayers every day. We need to remember to follow the simple things… they will keep us safe.
EVERYONE: “What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, … whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.”
SONG: Stand for the Right
Adalynn: The prophet today is Thomas S. Monson. Last month in General Conference, we had the chance to listen to him.
He testified of the great gift which is our Father’s plan for us. It is the one perfect path to peace and happiness.
President Monson speaks for Heavenly Father. If we follow this counsel we will be safe, blessed, and even healed just like the people that listened to the prophet, Moses.
EVERYONE: We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
Sam: Jesus was chosen to be our Savior. He was chosen in Heaven when Heavenly Father presented the beautiful plan. I'm grateful Jesus came to earth and made it possible for me to repent and be resurrected. He did this by overcoming sin and death. Those are some pretty hard things to overcome! With his help, I can be like Him and overcome hard things in my life. Something hard I've overcome is having open heart surgery. It was really scary. I knew that I could've died. I also had to trust doctors I didn't even know. I was sad I had to miss school and I was worried that I'd be in a lot of pain. Thankfully, I was blessed and helped by Jesus and so were the doctors.
SONG: I Lived in Heaven
Alexis: When Jesus was on the earth, he loved everyone and always served others. Even when Jesus was suffering on the cross, he noticed those around him and served and loved them. He forgave the people hurting him, He talked to the thieves next to him, and He made sure His mom was taken care of. I know that Jesus was the perfect example for me and even if I am having a bad day, I can look around and see who I can love and serve. One time that I have tried to help someone else was last year. A girl moved into my class from Mexico and she only spoke Spanish. My friend and I became her friend and tried to learn Spanish to talk to her. It was fun to play with her even though we couldn’t communicate very well.
SONG: I’m Trying to be like Jesus 1st verse (solo)-Sadie
Keegan: After Jesus Christ died, the people became wicked and His gospel and priesthood were taken from the earth. This was called the Apostasy, and the people were in spiritual darkness—like having their eyes closed spiritually—until Jesus restored His Church through the prophet Joseph Smith. When Joseph Smith was 14 years old, he had a question. He didn’t know which church to join. To find the answer to his question he read the scriptures.
EVERYONE: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” -James 1:5
Chase: Joseph Smith decided to have faith and try this, so he went into a grove of trees and prayed. His prayer and His question was answered.
This is what he wrote about the experience in his journal: “I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—“This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!”
SONG: Praise to the Man
Jacob: The gospel is restored to the earth! People don’t have to be in spiritual darkness anymore. If we live the principles and ordinances of the gospel, we can live with God again.
EVERYONE: “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.”
Cade: The very first principle of the gospel is faith. My faith in Jesus Christ is like a seed. It can grow if I nurture it. I can help my faith grow by praying to Heavenly Father, reading my scriptures, and attending church. When I do these things, I gain a greater love and trust in Jesus Christ. This will help me keep His commandments, even when it’s hard.
SONG: I’ll Stand Tall (girl verse, boy verse)
Emily: Repentance is the 2nd principle of the gospel. Repentance brings forgiveness and is a gift Heavenly Father has given to us to help us return to his presence.
There was a girl who got a sliver in her finger. Her dad took some tweezers, cleaned it, and gently pulled the sliver out. Even though her dad was gentle, it hurt to have the sliver removed. The next time she got a sliver, she remembered how much it hurt to have it taken out and decided not to tell anyone. After a few days, her finger became infected. It hurt so much that she wanted the sliver removed no matter what. Her dad gently removed it and her finger began to heal.
When we do something wrong, it always hurts us and it often hurts others. We may think the hurt will go away if we ignore it, but left alone, the wrong will continue to hurt us and make us sad.
Heavenly Father love us. He wants us to be happy. He sent his Son, Jesus Christ to make it possible for us to repent. Through His Atonement, Jesus paid the price for our sins so that we can repent and be forgiven.
Repentance is a way of removing and healing from a sin that hurts us spiritually. The first thing we need to do is realize that we have done something wrong. Next we feel sorry and then ask for forgiveness from Heavenly Father and those we have hurt. After we have done all that we can to repent, because of Christ’s Atonement, Heavenly Father will forgive us. Repentance makes us happier and we begin to heal just like after taking away a sliver. I am grateful I can repent and be forgiven when I do things wrong.
Corbin: The first ordinance of the Gospel is baptism. I was excited this summer to get baptized when I turned 8 years old. We had some conflicts with the date of my baptism so I wasn’t sure when it would be. I didn’t want to wait so my family and I decided to pray and show faith that we could get everything to work out and that my family and grandparents could all be there.
In the end things did work out. I could feel that Heavenly Father wanted me to be baptized, just like he does for all of us. I know he answered my family’s prayers because it is so important to get baptized. I prepared for my baptismal day by learning about the things Jesus has done for me. I want to follow Him and keep His commandments. I am grateful for my baptism and for the love Heavenly Father has for me.
Hailey: When I was baptized I covenanted or promised to bear other people’s burdens. What does this mean?
It means strengthening people when they are hurting or in need. It also means when someone is unkind to me, I bear their burden by responding with love and mercy.
One day at school I was looking for someone to play with at recess. I saw a bunch of girls in my class and went up to them and asked them what they were playing and if I could play with them. They started laughing and ran away from me. This made me very sad. The next day at school I saw a few of them and even though I was still sad and scared to talk to them, I did, and I was still nice and kind.
Jesus Christ was hurt by our sins and burdens. He responds to us with love. This isn’t easy to do, but when I do this I am being like Jesus and I can have the Holy Ghost with me, strengthening me, and I can feel loved and happy.
Dash: When I was baptized I made a covenant to always remember Jesus and to comfort those in need of comfort. When my mom was pregnant with my baby brother she was very sick in bed for many months. I would often sneak away to go up to her room to lay with her and I would always bring her food. She always felt comforted when I would come.
When I comfort others, I am remembering Jesus and keeping my part of the promise I made at baptism. I know God will keep His part of the promise and I will always have His spirit to be with me. When I helped my Mom, I felt happy and love for her... I know I was feeling the Spirit.
Grace: Sacred ordinances and covenants are also available in Holy temples. They make it possible for you and me to return to the presence of God and for families to be united for eternity. I am so grateful that I could go to the temple with Levi and Layla when they were sealed to our family. I know that the priesthood of God is real and that through God's power we will be together forever.
I remember sitting on the front row at Layla's sealing, dressed in white and watching my parents kneel at the alter with Layla. I remember feeling the Holy Ghost so strong and feeling so close to my Heavenly Father. Going to the temple with my family helped me realize that I want to live my life to be worthy to be married in the temple, so that I can always feel close to my Heavenly Father.
Truman: The temple is the house of God.
SONG: I Love to See the Temple (activity day girl small group)
Elle: Have you ever seen a temple at night time? Sometimes I feel nervous when we drive in the car late at night, but almost everywhere we drive I know I can see a temple lit up on the hillside. When I see the temple it helps me feel calm and safe. As if Heavenly Father is riding in the car with me.
Temples light up the darkness around them. In 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 it says, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you?...The temple of God is holy, which temple ye are” I can also light up a darkening world and make a difference to those around me. I can choose to keep my mind and body clean by dressing modestly, reading, watching, and listening to wholesome things, and living the word of wisdom. Temples are a place where the spirit of God dwells. When I do these things, the spirit of God is with me.
SONG: The Lord Gave Me a Temple
Ella: My family likes to go hiking. When I go hiking and I need to know which way to go, I can look for a pile of small rocks called cairns. These rocks are trail markers. They show me the right way. Just like these rocks direct my path when I am hiking, God gave me the scriptures to guide me in this life. They teach me about Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father’s plan of Happiness. We have had a great year in primary learning from the scriptures. They are true. When I follow their teachings, I am happier and I feel God’s love for me.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
CLOSING SONG: I Know that My Savior Loves Me (cello- Isaac)
