A Word to the Primary Teachers
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka the Mormon Church), the Primary is the organization designed for children aged 18 months through 11 years. According to the Church's Handbook of Instructions:
One thing that I have noticed - and I've been bothered by, is that many people seem to think of serving in the Primary, particularly as Primary Teacher as a "place holder" or "low class" calling. They seem to think the bishopric had nowhere else to put them and so threw them into the Primary since we always need people there. Serving as a Primary teacher isn't deemed as important as Relief Society President or Elders Quorum President. When a previous bishop is called to serve as a primary teacher, how often does the thought cross people's minds that he has been somehow demoted? Many primary teachers don't seem to feel the value of their calling. They would rather be in classes with other adults, where they can socialize with their friends, and hear lessons geared for them, rather than "babysitting" the children. I have something to say to these people.
If there is one thing I have learned these last few years, it is this: The Lord loves His little children!
Remember this scripture in Matthew 18: 2-6?
Serving as a Primary Teacher is NOT a "place holder" calling. Yes, the primary organization can be a big one and it does require a lot of individuals to serve as teachers, but those teachers are called only after a lot of prayer. Not only do I pray and ponder to know the Lord's will, but after I submit names to the Bishop, he and his counselors also pray for confirmation before any call is extended. I believe that there is a reason that each individual serving in Primary is there. Each has been blessed with skills and talents that bless the lives of the children in some way. The Lord loves the children and wants them to have those teachers who are best equipped to bless their lives.
Children remember things that they were taught at very young ages. These things become part of them and it can be very hard to dislodge things that they were taught at this tender age by someone they loved and trusted. Teaching Primary may not carry with it a lot of prestige in the ward as a whole, but to the children they teach with love, they are famous! I can't express the joy I felt when I overheard one of our Sunbeams point at me and tell her mother with a big smile, "She's the one who always says 'Welcome to Primary!'"
Teachers who feel that their job isn't important should know that children can be strongly affected by the lack of a regular teacher. A couple months ago, our Sunbeam (3 year old) teacher was released rather suddenly. She'd had three callings at the time and was feeling overwhelmed. It took several weeks for us to find a new teacher, and in the interim, the children were taught by a string of subs. One of those children, my 1st counselor's son, no longer wanted to go to class, because he didn't like the constant change of teachers. At that age, these young children need stability and regularity. They need teachers who realize that their regular attendance can make a huge difference in a child's perception of Primary. The Lord loves his children and wants them to love coming to Primary to learn about him.
Primary teachers may feel that they are not being spiritually fed when they come to church, hearing and teaching lessons that are geared for children rather than for adults. To them, I would remind that it is the Spirit, the Holy Ghost, that teaches. When they prepare their lessons, they should invite the Spirit to teach them, not only what and how they should teach, but what they, themselves should learn. Frequently when I am preparing a lesson for Primary, I do learn things that I didn't realize before, or I am touched by how simple the basic gospel truths really are. Each song we sing in Primary is a sermon. We can be spiritually fed each week if that is our desire; if that is what we are striving for.
Serving in Primary is a holy calling. We have been entrusted with the care of these precious souls, helping them build a foundation of gospel learning that should last throughout their lives. To Primary teachers wherever they may serve, I would ask them to follow the instructions they have been given in the Handbook (Section 5.5.4): (The bold words are from the handbook. What comes after is my own elaboration.)
The calling to serve in Primary is a wonderful one. I love working with the children. I love the basic gospel truths that I get to teach. I know that the Lord loves the children dearly and wants what is best for them. I wish that Primary Teachers everywhere could understand that, and appreciate the incredibly important calling they have.
The purposes of Primary are to help children:
I have served as President of my ward (congregation) Primary for three years today. (Read here for the post I wrote the day I was sustained.) During that time I have seen a lot, learned a lot, and hopefully I have grown a lot.
- Feel Heavenly Father’s love for them.
- Learn and understand the gospel of Jesus Christ.
- Feel and recognize the influence of the Holy Ghost.
- Prepare to make and keep sacred covenants.
One thing that I have noticed - and I've been bothered by, is that many people seem to think of serving in the Primary, particularly as Primary Teacher as a "place holder" or "low class" calling. They seem to think the bishopric had nowhere else to put them and so threw them into the Primary since we always need people there. Serving as a Primary teacher isn't deemed as important as Relief Society President or Elders Quorum President. When a previous bishop is called to serve as a primary teacher, how often does the thought cross people's minds that he has been somehow demoted? Many primary teachers don't seem to feel the value of their calling. They would rather be in classes with other adults, where they can socialize with their friends, and hear lessons geared for them, rather than "babysitting" the children. I have something to say to these people.
If there is one thing I have learned these last few years, it is this: The Lord loves His little children!
Remember this scripture in Matthew 18: 2-6?
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,The Lord loves his little children. He loves their humility and purity. He wants them to be taught his gospel by kind and loving teachers, who take personal interest in each individual and helps each to feel loved (See purpose #1 above). He wants those teachers to come to class prepared to teach true gospel principles in ways that will engage the children (Purpose #2). He wants teachers who will help them to feel the Holy Ghost and help them to recognize his influence in their lives (Purpose #3). He wants teachers who will challenge and invite the children in their classes to live gospel principles - to follow the prophet, to pay tithing, to keep the Sabbath Day holy, to serve others, to be baptized (Purpose #4).
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Serving as a Primary Teacher is NOT a "place holder" calling. Yes, the primary organization can be a big one and it does require a lot of individuals to serve as teachers, but those teachers are called only after a lot of prayer. Not only do I pray and ponder to know the Lord's will, but after I submit names to the Bishop, he and his counselors also pray for confirmation before any call is extended. I believe that there is a reason that each individual serving in Primary is there. Each has been blessed with skills and talents that bless the lives of the children in some way. The Lord loves the children and wants them to have those teachers who are best equipped to bless their lives.
Children remember things that they were taught at very young ages. These things become part of them and it can be very hard to dislodge things that they were taught at this tender age by someone they loved and trusted. Teaching Primary may not carry with it a lot of prestige in the ward as a whole, but to the children they teach with love, they are famous! I can't express the joy I felt when I overheard one of our Sunbeams point at me and tell her mother with a big smile, "She's the one who always says 'Welcome to Primary!'"
Teachers who feel that their job isn't important should know that children can be strongly affected by the lack of a regular teacher. A couple months ago, our Sunbeam (3 year old) teacher was released rather suddenly. She'd had three callings at the time and was feeling overwhelmed. It took several weeks for us to find a new teacher, and in the interim, the children were taught by a string of subs. One of those children, my 1st counselor's son, no longer wanted to go to class, because he didn't like the constant change of teachers. At that age, these young children need stability and regularity. They need teachers who realize that their regular attendance can make a huge difference in a child's perception of Primary. The Lord loves his children and wants them to love coming to Primary to learn about him.
Primary teachers may feel that they are not being spiritually fed when they come to church, hearing and teaching lessons that are geared for children rather than for adults. To them, I would remind that it is the Spirit, the Holy Ghost, that teaches. When they prepare their lessons, they should invite the Spirit to teach them, not only what and how they should teach, but what they, themselves should learn. Frequently when I am preparing a lesson for Primary, I do learn things that I didn't realize before, or I am touched by how simple the basic gospel truths really are. Each song we sing in Primary is a sermon. We can be spiritually fed each week if that is our desire; if that is what we are striving for.
Serving in Primary is a holy calling. We have been entrusted with the care of these precious souls, helping them build a foundation of gospel learning that should last throughout their lives. To Primary teachers wherever they may serve, I would ask them to follow the instructions they have been given in the Handbook (Section 5.5.4): (The bold words are from the handbook. What comes after is my own elaboration.)
- Love those you teach. When you love the children you teach, you won't begrudge them the time you spend in Primary. You won't wish that you were attending an adult class instead of being with them. You will get to know them and their interests. You will seek out those children who are on your rolls, but don't come, and do all in your power to invite them to come. You will try to make each class period one that will capture their interest and invite them to come to Christ. When the children feel your love for them, they will be better able to feel the love Heavenly Father has for them.
- Teach By the Spirit. You will seek the Spirit's guidance when preparing your lessons. You will pray for the children in your class and to know how to best meet their needs. You will live so that the Spirit can be with you, to teach you how to teach your children. You will develop a testimony of the things you are teaching so you can teach them with the Spirit's power.
- Teach the Doctrine. Follow the lesson materials you have been given - they were written with inspiration. Teach from the scriptures. Encourage older children to bring their own scriptures, to mark them, to become familiar with them. Seek inspiration from the Lord before you seek help from sugardoodle.net or other sources. He loves them and knows what will best help them to understand.
- Invite Diligent Learning. Elder David A Bednar said, "Testimony is knowing what is true. Conversion is being true to what you know." (For more on this subject, read his October 2012 conference talk.) Teach the children the gospel, ask them questions, let them discuss it, act it out, truly understand it, and then invite them to live it. Invite them to make a difference in their lives, to come closer to the Savior, to not just gain a testimony, but to become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is through doing that we internalize the gospel teachings, and make them part of us. If you teach about keeping the Sabbath Day holy, invite the children to do activities on Sunday that will help them keep it holy, and then follow up. Encourage them to continue living by that gospel principle.
The calling to serve in Primary is a wonderful one. I love working with the children. I love the basic gospel truths that I get to teach. I know that the Lord loves the children dearly and wants what is best for them. I wish that Primary Teachers everywhere could understand that, and appreciate the incredibly important calling they have.
You have expressed something I've felt for a long time. I think too many dismiss the Primary as a part of Church that is the babysitting... there's a talk by Dallin H. Oaks that helps express it as well, but this is something I'd like to share (when appropriate.) You're my hero :) again.
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