March 2020 Newsletter
How do you help build the testimonies of your Primary children?
"We help God’s children best by providing ways to build faith in Jesus Christ and His restored gospel when they are young."
- President Henry B. Eyring "Help Them On Their Way Home"
As we read this talk recently, we felt impressed that even though it is from 2010, it applies to well to us as we implement the new Children and Youth Program. We invite you all to read this talk and look for ways it can help you strengthen the children you serve and strengthen yourself to better have the Spirit with you.
- The Stake Primary Presidency
Fun in Jasper!
Sister Cureton taught a combined Primary lesson to the Jasper Primary in February when we visited for their unit conference. The kids got so involved helping recreate a story from Elder Ballard's life when his plane was guided through thick fog by the air traffic controller to land safely. We love visiting your Primaries!
Watch the two Face to Face Events that help explain the new Children and Youth Program
Handbook Highlight
The handbook has changed! Handbook 2 is now obsolete and has been edited to form one General Handbook. Please read through it and discuss in your presidencies what changes you have noticed and how you can better fulfill your callings from what it teaches. Clicking on the above picture will take you to the handbook! Make sure you save the link, the handbook will be periodically updated so the online version will be the best way to read it.
Need help implementing the new Children and Youth Program? Here are some ideas:
Goal Ideas
Goal Idea: Feast on the scriptures
Each time you start your scripture study, pray and ask Heavenly Father to teach you through the Holy Ghost.
Start a scripture journal. When you read and ponder the scriptures, have your journal and a pen or pencil ready. You can copy down any verses of scriptures that inspire you, make notes about what you learn, or record any spiritual impressions. You can also write down ideas for future study.
Read 2 Nephi 32:3. Think about what you can do to follow the counsel to “feast upon the words of Christ.” Are there any changes you could make in your study?
Choose a topic you’d like to learn more about, like charity or faith in Christ. Look up scriptures on that topic (you could use the Topical Guide or do your own search). Look for common messages or themes in the scriptures you find.
Search the scriptures for answers to your gospel questions. Pray to be led to the answers you are seeking. Sometimes you may find answers in a specific passage or chapter. At other times you may feel answers come to your mind and heart as you continue to study and ponder the scriptures.
Related Resources
“Ten Scripture Study Tools,” Ensign, Sept. 2010, 31
Richard G. Scott, “The Power of Scripture,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 6–9
“Teachings of Latter-day Prophets on the Blessings of Scripture Study,” New Testament Class Member Study Guide (1997), 27–28
Paul Vandenberghe, “Successful Scripture Study,” youth.ChurchofJesusChrist.org
Actvity Ideas
How do you come up with or plan activities for your unit? Here are some principles from the Handbook to help guide you:
Activities should be planned and carried out by branch or ward Primary leaders, with support from the bishopric or branch presidency. Activities should:
Strengthen the rising generation’s faith in Jesus Christ and help children and their families progress along the covenant path as they meet life’s challenges.
Include seeking revelation to ensure that each service and activity has a clear purpose.
Connect the children to the example of Jesus Christ by providing opportunities to serve others and to develop
spiritually, socially, physically, and intellectually (See Luke: 2:52).
Provide fun and engaging experiences that build testimony, strengthen families, and foster unity and personal
growth.
Follow all Church safety policies and guidelines.
Safety Training
Have you and your teachers taken the Children and Youth Safety Training? Take it here!
Children of the Stake will sing "I Will Be What I Believe" for Stake Conference
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!