I had the opportunity to attend a Primary Leadership meeting this past week on Temple Square. It was led and conducted by the Primary General Presidency. I have to say that I’m so glad that I went, because it not only gave me some great ideas, but it calmed my heart a little bit about this new calling.
First, the music was powerful. And, you know what we sang? Primary music! I realized the power behind those songs that the children sing, and I realized how easily we can feel the spirit with the primary music. I can’t wait to learn the songs that we are learning this year, and to see all of the children singing too.
While I’m probably not quoting exactly, I tried to take good notes. One thing that jumped out at me was when they said that it is “a gift to teach the primary children because we are writing on blank pages. It is our job to keep the world from taking OUT of the kids what is already there.” I loved that. These children are so innocent, faithful, and pure, and it is our job as leaders to help protect them from the outside worldly influences.
Per our new handbook, the purpose of primary is to help the children:
*Feel Heavenly Father’s Love
*Learn and Understand the Gospel
*Feel and Recognize the Holy Ghost
*Prepare them to make covenants
They also said that sharing time was key, and it is the “doctrine for the week”. I found that interesting. While, the lessons are important too, the sharing time is essential. So, it is understandable how important reverence is during that time in primary.
Another thing that I think applies to teachers in general is a quote by Harold B. Lee from the talk “Stand Ye in Holy Places”. He said to teachers, “You cannot light a fire in another soul unless it is burning in your own soul.” Much of the training was about turning to the scriptures as leaders. To help the children realize the importance of our theme this year, we must know the importance of turning to the scriptures ourselves. How can the we bear testimony if we do not have that testimony ourselves? This is something that really resonated with me, and I am going to try to make a renewed commitment to study my scriptures daily, and look at them through the lens of my new calling.
I am so grateful to live in Utah because of things like this. It is such a wonderful blessing to be able to attend trainings like this, and feel uplifted, and like you aren’t the only one struggling with a calling.