it's finally done and dusted. after not being able to have a presentation at all last year due to covid restrictions (even though there was none in our state at all? weird...) it was so nice to see the kids rocking it this year. i actually wrote the presentation myself this year (due to our primary president starting a new job and being caught up a lot and run off her feet) and i was pretty darn proud of it too!
we included 10 songs and practiced for a few weeks leading up before doing our complete run through last week, which made me incredibly nervous as we still had quite a few kids missing, but on the day, every single one of them was there - raring to go. it went completely without a hitch, every single child got up, said their part and didn't bat an eyelid, even my joseph who bailed every single time we practiced. i nearly cried, because i honestly thought he wasn't going to do it.
my biggest compliment however, was when the stake primary president found me afterwards to chat about how it went. she said we had the best content in our presentation, that it flowed beautifully from topic to topic, including the content of the songs and that it was by far the best of all those in our stake, and considering it was the last one, it made it the actual best! i was especially thrilled when she said what a good idea it was when i got up each time and stood to one side, adjusting the microphone to make sure that each child was speaking directly into it, instead of risking half of them going unheard. i was so happy to think it was enjoyed so much - we got a lot of compliments from people in our ward too. hooray!
i was so happy with these two, they did so well, especially super shy joseph. they really killed it. so proud of my kids! so now that's over and done with - on to the christmas rush! ❤
and just to add: handy tip for next time around - the smartest thing i have ever done in primary is to print a song booklet for all the kids that are old enough to read (saves them complaining they don't know the words to the songs) and a full program print out for every adult on the stand. they follow along, nudging children up to the stand as they are needed and can offer all kinds of support. amazing.
Opening Hymn:
Teach Me to Walk in the Light – LDS Hymns 304
Teach me to walk in the light of his love;
Teach me to pray to my Father above;
Teach me to know of the things that are right;
Teach me, teach me to walk in the light.
Come, little child, and together we’ll learn
Of his commandments, that we may return
Home to his presence, to live in his sight—
Always, always to walk in the light.
Father in Heaven, we thank thee this day
For loving guidance to show us the way.
Grateful, we praise thee with songs of delight!
Gladly, gladly we’ll walk in the light.
Child 1: Good
afternoon and welcome to our Ellenbrook ward primary presentation for 2021.
This year in primary we have been learning about the Doctrine and Covenants.
Child 2: What
is the Doctrine and Covenants?
Child 3: The
Doctrine and Covenants is a collection of modern revelations from God received
mainly through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Many of these revelations were given
in answer to questions that Joseph and other early members of the Church asked
of God.
Child 4: Why
was the Doctrine and Covenants made?
Child 1: During
the early days of the Church, there were only a few handwritten copies of these
revelations. In 1831, Church leaders decided to print and publish the
revelations in a Book of Commandments. At a November 1831 conference discussing
the Book of Commandments, Joseph received the revelation that is now section 1,
the preface to the Doctrine and Covenants.
Child 2: Why is
it called the Doctrine and Covenants?
Child 3: The
first collection of revelations was called the Book of Commandments. Later
collections were called the Doctrine and Covenants because they added a series
of lectures “on the doctrine of the church,” known as the “doctrine” for short
(which is now called the Lectures on Faith). Since the 1921 edition, the
Lectures on Faith were no longer included, but the title Doctrine and Covenants
stayed the same.
Child 1: The
remainder of the book contained revelations received by Joseph Smith. This
portion was known as the “covenants and commandments of the Lord” or
“covenants” for short. The early Saints used “covenants” or “commandments” to
refer to these revelations received by the Prophet in order to tell them apart
from Joseph Smith’s other writings, such as inspired sermons and his
translations of the Bible.
Child 4: So why
is the doctrine and covenants important today?
Child 3: The
Doctrine and Covenants contains revelations from Jesus Christ to His people. It
teaches us that God knows each of us by name, that He hears our prayers and
answers our questions, and that God still speaks today. It also teaches
valuable doctrine about the plan of salvation and gives us additional insight
into Jesus Christ’s Atonement. It provides comfort by illustrating how God
loves us and still calls us to come to Him even when we make mistakes.
Song: I feel my Saviours Love
I feel my Savior's love
In all the world around me
His Spirit warms my soul
Through everything I see
He knows I will follow him
Give all my life to him
I feel my Savior's love
The love he freely gives me
Child 5: Recently, our prophet has asked us as
members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to use the whole
name of the church when we talk about it. One of the reasons the name of the
church is so important is because it tells everyone that this church belongs to
Jesus!
Child 6: He is in charge of our church. Listen
to this quote from President Nelson: “Thus, the name of the Church is not
negotiable, when the Savior clearly states what the name of His Church should
be.”
Child 7: The Lord even made a declaration which
we can read in Doctrine and Covenants section 115 verse 4, when he said, “Thus
shall my church be called in the last days, even The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints.” He is serious. And if we allow
nicknames to be used and adopt or even sponsor those nicknames ourselves, He is
offended. “I am proud to belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints! I know you are too!
Child 8: Let's do our best to use the full name
Jesus taught when we talk about our church.
Song: The Church of Jesus Christ
I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I know who I am.
I know God’s plan.
I’ll follow him in faith.
I believe in the Savior, Jesus Christ.
I’ll honor his name.
I’ll do what is right;
I’ll follow his light.
His truth I will proclaim.
Child 9: In Doctrine and Covenants Section 63
verse 64, Jesus Christ taught, “That which cometh from above is sacred, and
must be spoken with care. That means we should show respect and love to
Heavenly Father and the things that are important to Him.
Child 10: Some ways we can show reverence are:
waiting quietly outside primary, sitting and listening in sacrament meeting,
keeping the Sabbath day Holy, showing love for Gods house and being respectful
during prayers and other church meetings.
Song: Reverence is love
Rev’rence is more than just quietly sitting:
It’s thinking of Father above,
A feeling I get when I think of his blessings.
I’m rev’rent, for rev’rence is love.
When I’m rev’rent, it shows in my words and my deeds.
The pathway to follow is clear.
And when I am rev’rent, I know in my heart
Heav’nly Father and Jesus are near.
Child 11: In
Doctrine and Covenants Section 8 verse 10 it says: Remember that without faith you can do nothing; therefore ask in
faith. Have you ever seen Heavenly
Father or Jesus Christ? I have seen paintings at church and videos about them.
I have read about God and Jesus in the scriptures. I even pray to Heavenly
Father each day! But, I have never actually seen them in person with my own eyes
or touched them with my hands.
Child 12: Even though we can’t see them, we know they are
real. That is called Faith. Faith is the first principle of the Gospel. There
is evidence of God and Jesus if we look for it.
Child 13: Jesus created the beautiful earth.
Joseph Smith saw them in the Sacred Grove. Many prophets have heard their
voices. Miracles happen every day that point to their priesthood power! When we
learn about Jesus and Heavenly Father, we can feel the Holy Ghost testify of
their goodness.
Child 14: The love we feel in our hearts helps us
to know that they are there. I am glad that I have faith. It makes me happy to
know that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and a Saviour who died for
me!
Song: Faith
Faith is knowing the sun will rise,
lighting each new day.
Faith is knowing the Lord will hear
my prayers each time I pray.
Faith is like a little seed:
If planted, it will grow.
Faith is a swelling within my heart.
When I do right, I know.
Child 15: To
gain a testimony, we need to first have faith, then we need to search the
scriptures, ponder their words and pray to know for ourselves.
Song: Search, ponder
and pray
I love to read the holy scriptures,
And, ev’ry time I do,
I feel the Spirit start to grow within my heart-
A testimony that they’re true.
Search, ponder, and pray
Are the things that I must do.
The Spirit will guide, and, deep inside,
I’ll know the scriptures are true.
Child 16: When
we have faith and a testimony of our own, we are able to share truth with
others. In Doctrine and Covenants Section 8 verses 1-4 it says-
Now behold, a marvellous work is about to come
forth among the children of men.
Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see
that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and
strength, that ye may stand blameless before
God at the last day.
Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;
For behold the field is white
already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his
might, the same layeth up in store that he
perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul.
Child 17: We
love and respect the missionaries serving our Heavenly Father and sharing the
gospel of Jesus Christ. I can’t wait until it’s my turn!
Song: I hope they call me on a mission.
I hope they call me on a mission
When I have grown a foot or two.
I hope by then I will be ready
To teach and preach and work as missionaries do.
Child 18: In
Doctrine and Covenants section 20, verse 37 it says: All those who humble
themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken
hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly
repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus
Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by
their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission
of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church.
Child 19: This
year I was baptised. I am now officially a member of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints. I know that Jesus was baptised and all of us need to be
too!
Song: When I am Baptised
I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain
And ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again.
I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.
I want to be the best I can and live with God again.
Child 20: As children, we learn first and
foremost in our home, from parents who love and guide us. Sister Joy D Jones
who served as the primary general president once said, “Children are great
imitators, so give them something great to imitate.”
Child 21: One of the first songs we learn as a
primary child is I am a Child of God. “Lead me, Guide me, Walk beside me, help
me find the way. Teach me all that I must do, to live with Him someday.”
Child 22: Mums and dads, we are so grateful for
gospel centred homes where we can be guided, ask questions, learn and grow.
Child 2: Learning love at home, helps us to
learn to love others.
Child 4: I’m so grateful to live in a home full
of love.
Child 23: We learn the best from your example!
Song: Love is Spoken Here
I see my mother kneeling with our family each day.
I hear the words she whispers as she bows her head to pray.
Her plea to the Father quiets all my fears,
And I am thankful love is spoken here.
Mine is a home where ev’ry hour
is blessed by the strength of priesthood pow’r,
With father and mother leading the way,
Teaching me how to trust and obey;
And the things they teach are crystal clear,
For love is spoken here.
I can often feel the Savior near
When love is spoken here.
Child 24: In Doctrine and Covenants section 88,
verse 119 Jesus Christ commanded His people to build temples
in the latter days.
Child 16: "Organize yourselves;
prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a
house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a
house of order, a house of God. . . . " The first temple of
this generation was the Kirtland Ohio temple. We have learned about many
temples this year. There are 168 dedicated temples, 45 under construction, and 52 announced
but not yet under construction, for a total of 265!
Child 25: Some took a long
time to build, like the Salt Lake City temple, which took forty years! In our
next song, we learn that the temple is a special and holy place. I want to go
to the temple when I grow up!
Child 1: Did you know that there are other holy
places? Jesus said, “But my disciples shall stand in holy places and shall not
be moved.” We can stand in holy places each day when we choose to keep the
commandments.
Child 26: Your home can be a holy place. How do
you feel at home when you pray or talk about Jesus in family lessons? Do you
have a picture of Jesus or the temple hanging on your wall? Does it make you
feel good inside to see it?
Child 27: When you serve your family, listen to
good music, and say kind words, you make your home a holy place. Jesus wants us
to stand in holy places.
Child 3: I challenge you to make wherever you
are a holy place and strive to be worthy to go to the temple.
Song: I love to see the temple
I love to see the temple
I'm going there someday
To feel the holy spirit
To listen and to pray
For the temple is a house of God
A place of love and beauty
I'll prepare myself while I am young
This is my sacred duty
I love to see the temple
I'll go inside someday
I'll covenant with my Father
I'll promise to obey
For the temple is a holy place
Where we are sealed together
As a child of God, I've learned this truth
A family is forever
Primary Presidency Speaker:
In January 2019, the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints introduced a new study program for
its members. Known as the Come Follow Me program, it was to be a home centered,
gospel focused program. Little did we know what life had in store for us at that
time, what bumps would be in the road, but the Lord prepared a way for us to
continue to learn and to grow within the safety of our homes.
The Lord loves his
children. Jesus set all things aside, so that people could “bring him their
little ones” whom he loved and blessed. These children on the stand seated
behind me are the same “little ones”, todays little ones, learning and growing
from our example as parents, families and friends.
As one of our
children said earlier, quoting sister Joy D Jones, “children are great
imitators, so give them something great to imitate.” Learning love at home,
helps children (and adults) to learn to love others. We are so grateful to be
able to have these beautiful spirits with us, who have learned in a home full of
love.
Above all else, we
strive to teach kindness. Being kind to others and to
yourself. Today’s world truly needs more kindness. We need to raise children
that treat others as Jesus himself would. In Proverbs 22:6 it says, “Train up a
child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
It has been an
honour to work with your children this year. We are so grateful for each and
every one of them. I bear testimony that a gospel centered home will keep our
children close to our Father in Heaven. I know that the gospel is true and will
bring us such wonderful blessings when we count it as the most important thing
in our lives. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Song: I’m trying to
be like Jesus
I’m trying to be like Jesus;
I’m following in his ways.
I’m trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say.
At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,
But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers,
“Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.”
I’m trying to love my neighbour;
I’m learning to serve my friends.
I watch for the day of gladness when Jesus will come again.
I try to remember the lessons he taught.
Then the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts, saying:
“Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.”
Closing Hymn:
I am a Child of God
– LDS Hymns 301
1. I am a child of God,
And he has sent me here,
Has given me an earthly home
With parents kind and dear.
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday.
2. I am a child of God,
And so my needs are great;
Help me to understand his words
Before it grows too late.
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday.
3. I am a child of God.
Rich blessings are in store;
If I but learn to do his will
I’ll live with him once more.
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday.
