April 2020 Newsletter
Spiritual Thought
"A rising tide lifts all boats"
We invite you to watch the 2020 Temple and Family History Leadership Instruction training. During this time of quarantine, it is easy to feel disconnected from and unable to serve those around you, but family history work and encouraging our Primaries to participate is one way to be involved together in a good cause.
"As we minister to all with temple and family history, the spirit of the Holy Ghost will help them to return to or stay on or enter into the covenant pathway that leads to salvation and exaltation. If we can borrow from the metaphor that a rising tide lifts all boats, then the rising tide of temple and family history should be able to float many other boats that make up the fleet of the work of salvation and exaltation: Youth and children boats. Young single adult boats. Less-active member boats. Active Latter-day Saint family boats. Even the boats of those who are not of our faith."
We love the concept that we can all rise together as we work on family history. It is truly the work of salvation and perfects us as we turn our hearts outside of ourselves to those who have gone before. We love you and miss you and hope you can apply this in your lives!
- The Stake Primary Presidency
Handbook Highlight
What can I do for my Primary organization during these times of home church and social isolation?
Many of you may be wondering what your role is during unprecedented times like these when there are no Sunday meetings or weekly activities. Often, times of trial are good times to go back to the basics. In the newly updated General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, under Roles of Parents and Leaders, it lists a few ways we can help families. We will highlight three:
'Parents are responsible to teach their children the gospel and help them live it (see Doctrine and Covenants 68:25–28). Primary leaders and teachers support parents in this responsibility as follows:
Help children prepare for baptism and confirmation.
Help boys prepare for priesthood ordination.
Help children prepare to receive a limited-use temple recommend and temple ordinances.'
Who in your Primary is turning eight this year and preparing for baptism? Who is preparing to go to the temple soon? Who is preparing to receive the priesthood? Who has recently had a birthday? How could contact from a Primary leader or teacher bless these children this month?
We love you and love to see what amazing things you do in your wards as you are guided by the Holy Ghost.
Love, Sister Halgren
Children and Youth Program Ideas
During these times of uncertainty it’s nice to know our children and youth have a guidebook or map to help them with their personal development. As I have tried to help my children ponder on goals and start setting them, it has been very helpful to have a plan to follow. “A pattern for growth: this pattern can help them grow in the four areas that Jesus did (see Luke 2:52)”.
Simply put, children can discover God given gifts and talents by setting goals and following a plan. I hope as leaders we can encourage our primary children to work on setting goals and following a plan.
I recently started helping my 2 boys, age 10 and 7, in setting a Spiritual Goal and making a plan. Page 10 in the Children’s Guidebook starts out with a simple format for a Spiritual goal. It’s never too late to start, right? My 2 boys both wanted to read more from the Book of Mormon each day, so they wrote that as their goal in the first box. The second box is where they wrote about their plan to read for 15 mins each day. We set a timer and they read until the timer goes off each day. They have done pretty well so far. In the next month or so we will revisit this chart and see if they have been acting on that plan. The idea is that they can gain confidence and reflect on this goal they have achieved.
I know I feel overwhelmed a lot with the responsibility to teach my children the gospel. This plan and guidebook is helping not only my children but me as well. I have a testimony that this Children and Youth program is divinely made for our children and youth in our day, the latter days. Thank you for all you do for your primary children and for encouraging them. Please know we are here for you and love and pray for you.
All my love, Sister Pimentel, Second Counselor in the Stake Primary Presidency
Was April 2020 General Conference "Unforgettable" For You?
As I've reflected on the past General Conference, I've realized that what made this Conference so unforgettable, like President Nelson promised it would be, was the effort I put into preparing for Conference. One of my favorite messages from Conference was what President Nelson said during Sister Jones' talk, "The Lord loves effort, because effort brings rewards that can’t come without it." I have felt this in my life, and it is so encouraging to me. As we try, make our best effort, and offer what we have as a sacrifice to the Lord, our efforts will be multiplied and we will reap rewards because of it. I know you will see this in your personal scripture study, as you study Come Follow Me in your home, and as you serve your Primary in your calling.
Love, Sister Rudder
The Stake Activity we were planning for activity day children will most likely be a virtual activity now. We will keep you posted on what we come up with! Stay safe everyone!
Looking for something to do this quarantine?
Take the youth safety training!
Have you and your teachers taken the Children and Youth Safety Training? Take it here!
Continue working on
"I Will Be What I Believe"
Sister Stevens, the Stake Music Chair, has begun introducing this beautiful song to the Primaries that we visit in preparation for Stake Conference. Listen and sing along with this video so your Primary children will be ready to sing for Stake Conference!