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I have spent the past few weeks wondering what to write this month. I had some ideas but nothing was formulating well enough to type. This afternoon as I was writing an e-mail to our families, it occurred to me that I could expand it for Mormon Momma.
One of the gospel principles that has always resonated with me, even as a young child, is that each person to ever live on the earth is a child of God. He loves us and knows us personally. I do not have a memory of not believing this doctrine. This personal testimony was strongly reinforced when I received my patriarchal blessing as a teenager. Being literal daughters and sons of God is central to the larger doctrine of the plan of salvation. The song “I Am a Child of God” has been one of my favorite church hymns for as long as I can recall.
So it was with anticipation and pride (the righteous type) that I looked forward to my two youngest children participating in our Primary sacrament meeting program today. This year's theme was “I Am a Child of God.”
Our Primary presidency had asked the children for input on what they had learned and most of the program was in their own words. They started the program with a few children of various ages saying, “My name is ___. I like to ___ and I am a child of God.” It was simple and profound. They signed as they sang the chorus of “I Am a Child of God.” Even the Sunbeams had the sign language down pat. It was neat to watch. A quartet beautifully sang “A Child's Prayer.” The kids all did a wonderful job and really brought the Spirit into our meeting. Many of us in the ward had tears in our eyes at some point (or at many points).
It wouldn't be a Primary program without a few humorous moments mixed in with the tender voices of the children. This year we had two such moments—one little boy whispered into the microphone because the leader helping him was whispering his part to him. And another boy said that his family is special because (pause) “I am in it,” (another pause) and because his dad is a fireman.
The Primary program also offers an opportunity to see how the children grow in their fledgling testimonies of the gospel. Particularly because our Primary leaders have presented the program in the kids' own words over the past few years, it is easy to observe how their understanding deepens as the children progress through their years in Primary.
It is also a time of parental satisfaction. We are especially proud of Katie and Laura. Laura (an emergent reader) was able to read her part without any help, and there was no sign of last year's panicky “what if I forget?” last-minute nerves. Katie has just one more Primary program before she will be in YW… Wow!
Katie: “I am so glad that I was baptized and that I received the gift of the Holy Ghost. I'm grateful that I can receive answers to my prayers through the Holy Ghost. I can pray to Heavenly Father, and He will hear and answer my prayers. One day I was very sick and I prayed to get better. Within 2–3 days I was better and my dad said that my prayer helped me get better faster.”
Laura (edited from her much longer, more detailed version): “My favorite scripture story is when Nephi gets the brass plates. A wicked man named Laban would not let Nephi have the scriptures. Nephi was able to defeat the wicked Laban and dress up in Laban's clothes. Nephi told Laban's servant, “Go fetch my brass plates, “and then took the plates back to his brothers. It was good that Nephi's family had the scriptures with them to teach them about Jesus.”
I understand that not everyone has positive experiences with the Primary program, with their children and/or with developing testimonies of the gospel. This post does not intend to point out what someone else might be lacking.
I have had my share of being the parent who squirms because my child is the one refusing to sing (standing front-and-center, of course) or the one misbehaving on the stand or the one sPitTinG RighT inTo the MiCroPHone or almost missing their part because they can't wait to go to the bathroom. I have prayed earnestly for my children and their developing testimonies.
But my experience is that such moments of momentary discomfort, or even those lengthier times of anguish with deeper consequences, are often dispelled through the sweet, tender voices of children saying with conviction, “I am important because I am a child of God.”
Alison Moore Smith is a 61-year-old entrepreneur who graduated from BYU in 1987. She has been (very happily) married to Samuel M. Smith for 40 years. They are parents of six incredible children and grandparents to two astounding grandsons. She is the author of The 7 Success Habits of Homeschoolers.
I think if there is one eternal truth that forms the foundation of the greatest commandment (and all the law and the prophets), it is that we are children of God. That is why Primary programs like this one touch me so deeply. To hear the little ones express that truth in their own words . . .
Thanks, Michelle. You hit the nail on the head. We had our children’s program today, too. What a Spirit-filled day it was. We had the same kinds of experiences you described, the profound things and the humorous things. After that, our Sunday School lesson just happened to be 3 Nephi 17, all about Jesus’ visit with the children in America, and that was deeply touching. We also had a wonderful, tender discussion in Relief Society, and many people commented on the strength of the Spirit in our meetings today, both men and women. What a boost. Makes you so glad to be a member of the Church, and to share that blessing with so many across the globe.
What a beatuiful article Michelle. I know that for myself, I constantly need to be reminded that I am a child of God and he loves me. Our sunbeams today started off their program with their name and I am a child of God. It truly was a great program and touching to hear. They even used the teachers and some were moved to tears in doing their parts. I am so grateful for the church and the gospel!!! So glad to just have been called to serve in primary with the Valient 11 class and doing the Activity Day with the girls.
I’ve always felt like this simple yet profound truth is the ONE thing that could change everything for the good, especially if they also understood the nature of God- that He isn’t just a “force” in the wind and grass and trees, but is a personage of flesh and bones, truly our Father, with arms to embrace us with. If people understood who God really is, and who they truly are as His children– it would change everything.
Michelle, beautiful!
Our program is in two weeks. This will be my sweet Monica’s last one, too! Wah! I keep begging her to stay just like she is (read that: please do not “cross over” into the nasty class!). Truthfully, I’m not a fan of the way the Primary program is set up–basically dictating almost all of the singing time for the entire year–but it’s always fun to watch when it happens.
Anyway, amen to all the comments, too. Our potential is ultimately divine. Mind boggling.
Ours was today too! As music leader, I couldn’t have been more proud of how those kids did. I thought the music portion actual went better in our practice yesterday, but their words today were so meaningful when everyone was attentively listening and reverent.
My oldest is 9, and I’ve never seen her in a program that I wasn’t involved in either as president, music leader, or pianist. I am hopefully optimistic that I’ll get to see the program purely as a spectator.
I loved the messages and the music this year, it was one of my favorite years ever. “I Am a Child of God” is such a simple theme and yet so important. I think this is why that song is in the program just about every other year.
Thanks, all of you, for your comments!
Alison, I know the way the program outline is set up dictates music for the entire year, but there are fun ways to work with it. I know others have commented on other threads about how they have done this. I like the outline because it gives so much leeway for local situations and personal adaptation for the needs of any particular ward/branch. For instance, with the way it used to be, our ward never would have been able to have the kids say their parts in their own words. It does take more work for the presidency… coming from a former Pri counselor who has had to write a number of these program outlines for presidency and bishopric approval!
Angie, I hope next year you are able to be a happy parental spectator!
As inspiring as our program was, and as amazing as our Pri kids are, I have to say my favorite parts were listening to my own kids. Man! It is moments like these that I know (not just hope) I’ve done a pretty good job as a parent! And it certainly doesn’t hurt to have a phrase added to our family lore… “Go fetch me my brass plates.” Absolutely priceless!
Yup. “Go fetch me my brass plates” deserves to go down as the classic rendition.
Talking with the Primary pianist just a few hours ago, and she told me that she has the outline for next year’s program already. She said there are two months next year in which the Primary is invited to prayerfully consider and choose a song for that month, to be included in their 2009 Sacrament meeting program. I thought that was pretty interesting and will add some variety to the programs.
Liked this a lot. Thanks.
We also had our Primary Program this week, which has been giving our presidency heartburn for months (or maybe we just all had heartburn because we were all pregnant?). See all four of us have been pregnant at the same time this year, a baby born in April (almost May), August, September, and mine is due any day. There was concern about babies being in the NICU and/or surgery, not to mention no one (least of all me) expected me to still be around yesterday. When it came down to it, the President has healed quickly, and despite real risks her baby had no complications, and I’m still hanging in here, so when the 2nd counselor had to be at Primary Children’s with her baby this week, we did have most of the presidency to make the program work. And miraculously, the two remaining babies didn’t need to nurse for all of Sacrament Meeting or Primary Opening Excercises, so the chaos was somewhat controlled!
On top of the baby panic, our music leader and pianist are really, really new (and, get this: both have tiny babies as well!), and there was some genuine concern about the children knowing the songs because of the previous music leader. And we had two teachers have breakdowns and refuse to sit on the stand with their classes (and one that “quit” her calling for good) as of last week.
So after that enormous set-up, let me just say: our program went beautifully. No incidents. No problems. Beautiful singing (well, mostly!), memorized parts, orderly children, perfect timing. We were amazed and humbled. Of course, every one of those beautiful children is a child of God, and the Spirit just can’t be withheld when they are allowed to shine.
As a side note, I had my own special experience. See, Friday I had a couple of hours of very close, painful contractions, and we packed for the hospital and were about to leave when they stopped suddenly. All day Friday and most of Saturday, I was in a rotten mood, depressed that I wasn’t yet holding my baby after being so sure I was in labor. I hadn’t thought I would be at church Sunday, and wasn’t really concerned about missing the program, other than the obvious worry that everything was going to work out with half the presidency gone. But sitting on the stand, singing with the children “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus,” watching my little 5yo from behind as he belted it out, the thought came to me: “I’m so glad I didn’t miss this! I’m so glad I’m here.” The Spirit washed over me and I couldn’t sing anymore; I knew Heavenly Father loved me, and he loves those children so much, and there was a purpose in my still being there. To be honest, I can’t remember the last time I felt the Spirit like that, especially not while at church. I’m so busy running around, trying to help keep Primary going, I sometimes dread my meetings. But this Sunday it all felt worth it. And I didn’t miss it!!
Thanks, Michelle for the lovely article, and the prompting to share my own experience with the Primary Program.
Rachel, I’m glad your program turned out so well despite all of the drama…and good luck with the new baby on the way very soon!
Serena, not only are there 2 months where we can completely choose our own song next year, but there are also 2 months where you can choose between two. So, for the eight months that we learn a song, 4 are chosen for us, 2 are a choice between two options, and 2 are completely our choice!
I like it in a lot of ways…it does make it more tricky up front (i.e. choosing the songs, and I like to have that done and CD’s made by Christmas so I can give them as Christmas gifts), but it will be great to teach songs that we feel personally inspired about.
Rachel, I loved what you shared. What a sweet experience.
Angie, tell us all about what you choose and why you chose it. I assume you get to make the choices? Or will the Presidency help with that? Should be interesting.
Serena,
I’m supposed to attend presidency meeting sometime here in the next few weeks. They want me to come with a few choices for the months we get to choose, and then they will decide from that. So I’ll let you know what I put on my list as soon as I get it made (within the next day or two, hopefully!)
You go, Angie. What a powerful position you are in. The kids may not remember the lessons they learn in Primary, but they will remember the music with fondness for years and years to come. You are building testimony. I have nothing but admiration for the Primary choristers of the Church.
Thanks for the acknowledgement, CamBendy.
Rachel, your Primary situation is indeed heartburn inducing! Isn’t it wonderful how the Spirit touches hearts of all ages and helps bring order out of chaos?! I’m happy that you had that amazing moment of clarity and gratitude during the program!
Angie, I LOVE the new song options! I think it’s great for wards/branches to choose particular songs that align with their unit’s needs. It will benefit everyone – leaders, children, ward members. And you have a good presidency who will ask for your input first!
I agree with Davidson. Testimonies are built and strengthened through music – independent of age.