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President's Message: Coleen K. MenloveSpring 2002 Open House |
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"MEN ARE THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE JOY" There is great joy in the work we do as we serve in Primary. We are sharing with children what brings us great joy -- a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. As we receive a witness from the Spirit, we desire for all children to come to know and accept Jesus Christ. The scriptures tell us "men are, that they might have joy" -- eternal joy (2 Nephi 2:25). The Gospel and its saving ordinances will bring eternal joy to this rising generation. One child explained, "A testimony makes me feel happy inside." The purpose of Primary is to teach children the gospel of Jesus Christ and help them learn to live it with joy. In homes and in Primaries, principles are taught, feelings are shared, and testimonies are developed. We are not just preparing lessons. We are preparing each child to return to God. It is our joyful opportunity to help each child come to know and have a testimony of Jesus Christ and His gospel. The children in our Primaries are so important to the future of the kingdom of God. It has been said the Church is just one generation away from extinction -- all we have to do is not teach the children and not share the gospel with others. Mosiah records this was nearly a reality. "Now it came to pass that there were many of the rising generation that could not understand the words of King Benjamin, being little children at the time he spake unto his people; and they did not believe the tradition of their fathers. . . .And now because of their unbelief they could not understand the work of God; and their hearts were hardened" (Mosiah 26:1,3). The reverse is also a possibility. We could be just one generation away from progressing toward experiencing a city of Enoch in each unit of the Church. All we need to do is be about His work of teaching the children and sharing the gospel with others -- the conversion, activation, and retention of all His children. Nephi records the Savior's joy was full as he taught, blessed, and prayed for the children on the steps of the temple in the land of Bountiful. "He did teach and minister unto the children....and he did loose their tongues, and they did speak unto their fathers great and marvelous things, even greater than he had revealed unto the people; and he loosed their tongues that they could utter (3 Nephi 26:14). We read that "even babes did open their mouths and utter marvelous things" (3 Nephi 26:16). The Savior loved and taught the children. Jesus Christ's examples clearly help us understand that children, His children, are capable of gaining and expressing a testimony. Elder Robert D. Hales teaches "each of us [including children] needs to know what a testimony is, how we can get it, and what our responsibilities are once we have received a testimony." (in Converence Report, Oct. 1994, 24; or Ensign, Nov. 1994, 20). WHAT IS A TESTIMONY When asked "what is a testimony?" a five-year-old answered, "Stuff you say in a microphone." A seven-year-old said, "You tell special things -- things you know." An eleven-year-old said a testimony is "your faith in the gospel from the heart." It is easy to see from these answers that a testimony is a work in progress. We want children to know a testimony is not like a plastic ID or credit card you pull out and use when needed, nor is it a rote statement that we have learned and use when it seems appropriate. We want children to know a testimony is a life-sustaining power that will guide them throughout their lives. A testimony is: Whereas, living a testimony means: Do these statements seem familiar? These are the objectives of Primary summarized from the list in the Church Handbook of Instructions for priesthood and auxiliary leaders. Our joyful work is to teach and share our testimonies of these principles in all parts of Primary, both Sunday and weekday activities. When we are focused on these objectives, we bless and strengthen children. In all we do we should ask ourselves, "How are we helping each child know and live each of these objectives?" HOW CAN CHILDREN RECEIVE A TESTIMONY? A child might wonder, "Am I big enough to have a testimony yet?" Elder Henry B. Eyring states, "Even before baptism, a child....can have the Holy Ghost testify to their hearts of sacred truth" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1996, 84; or Ensign, May 1996, 62). Children in Primary are old enough to start developing a testimony, but they will need guides and mentors to help them gain and express their budding testimony. We do not have the ability or authority to bestow a testimony upon them. A personal testimony is not given one to another, it is granted by the Holy Ghost as a gift from God. But we can guide and encourage our children toward the source of a testimony. We bless and guide children when we share our understanding and feelings about gospel principles in our homes and in Primary. Our testimony will be important in helping children receive their own testimonies. How strong is your testimony? "For if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?" (1 Cor. 14:8). In Doctrine and Covenants 11:21, the Lord taught Hyrum Smith the importance of strengthening his own testimony before helping others gain a testimony: "Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men." We obtain the word and power of God by holding onto a daily pattern of prayer, scripture study, and obedience to the commandments. It is through our own faith, repentance, and commitment to make and keep covenants that the light of testimony will shine forth for the children we teach. Temple attedance will increase our testimony of the plan of salvation and Jesus Christ. The temple is where worthy members of the Church learn His ways and gain the power of enlightenment and testimony. You might remember the testimonies you heard as a child that left a deep impression upon you. What are the Primary children in your stake or ward hearing? "Remember, Church members who receive a testimony of the gospel are under covenant 'to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places' (Mosiah 18:9)....We make simple, clear, direct statements that we know with certainty and surety that the gospel is true because it has been 'made known unto [us] by the Holy Spirit of God' (Alma 5:46)" (in Conference Report, Oct. 2000, 29; or Ensign, Nov. 2000, 23). As we guide our children toward the source of testimony through prayer, scripture study, and example, we will see them grow more independent in their understanding and in their ability to feel and identify the Spirit in their lives. CHILDREN NEED KNOWLEDGE, OBEDIENCE, AND A WITNESS FROM THE HOLY GHOST President Gordon B. Hinckley has promised: "The marvelous and wonderful thing is that any individual who desires to know the truth may receive that conviction....It will take study of the word of God. It will take prayer and anxious seeking of the source of all truth. It will take living the gospel, an experiment, if you please, in following the teachings. I do not hesitate to promise, because I know from personal experience, that out of all of this will come, by the power of the Holy Ghost, a conviction, a testimony, a certain knowledge" (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, [1997], 645; italics added). President Hinckley's promise requires at least three things on the part of each person: First, study of the word of God and seek truth through prayer; second, live the gospel; and third, receive a witness by the power of the Holy Ghost. We can help each child receive our prophet's promise. Study the word of God and seek truth through prayer. One of the most important things we can do for His children is to cultivate in their hearts a desire to know Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the world. They need to know that He atoned for the sins of the world and opened the way of salvation and eternal life. Trust that children are capable of coming to a knowledge of the significant truths of the kingdom as they study the scriptures, pray, and seek to know the truth. It may not come in exactly the same way for each child, but they will be guided by a loving Heavenly Father with experiences and opportunities to know for themselves. A ten-year-old boy said, "You slowly gather information about the Church and when you put it all together it builds your testimony." An eleven-year-old girls said, "Pray and study the scriptures about whatever you want to get a testimony about." A testimony of any principle of the gospel begins with a desire to know. In the Book of Mormon we read, "If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you" (1 Nephi 15:11). Both children and adults need time to ponder and question. They need opportunities to sincerely seek answers through prayer and study. Questions are important and we need to teach our children answers will come through prayer, scripture study, and even through sacred music. Remember the children's songs "Did Jesus Really Live Again?" and "A Child's Prayer?" In each of these songs, questions are posed and answers are given. The rewards for such sincere searching will be a better foundation for their testimony. We can teach children that in the process of asking for knowledge, we have to exercise faith -- believing before receiving. As Moroni taught, "Faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith" (Ether 12:6). Alma and other prophets received their testimonies only after a trial of faith. Children can learn that Moroni's promise is true: "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost" (Moroni 10:3-4). Live the Gospel -- Obey the Commandments. The second thing children need to do to gain a testimony is to act upon the knowledge they have. "It is not enough merely to learn of his life and works by study. It was the Master who replied in answer to the question as to how one might know of him and his doctrine: 'If any man will do his will, he shall know' (John 7:17)....One....who would 'know God' must be one who does His will and keeps His commandments and practices the virtues Jesus lived" (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee, [Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society Couse of Study, 2000],42). Primary children and youth might relate to the experience of President David O. McKay,: "who tells of how, in his youth, he knelt and 'prayed fervently and sincerely and with as much faith as a young boy could muster' that 'God would declare to [him] the truth of his revelation to Joseph Smith.' President McKay's commitment to obey and go and do the work of the Lord helped him gain a witness of its truthfulness. Children need to be able to discern truth for themselves and have the courage to act on what they know. They will need practice discerning and choosing righteously. That is the purpose of quarterly activities, Achievement Days, and Scouting, to provide opportunities for children to practice living the gospel. Receive a witness by the power of the Holy Ghost. Third, children need to know "the things of God are understood by the Spirit of God" (1 Cor. 1:11). Children can trust in the promise of Moroni, "And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things" (Moroni 10:5). President Hinckley reminds us, "This is the wonder of this work, that every man may know for himself. He is not dependent on the teacher or the preacher or the missionary, except as they might instruct and bear witness (Teachings, 645). We want all children to be able to say, "And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by His Holy Spirit, and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me" (Alma 5:45-46). Yet a child might wonder, "Why doesn't the Holy Ghost speak to me? Can everyone but me hear the still, small voice?" Children need to know that hearing a voice isn't the usual way the Holy Ghost communicates. President Packer often reminds us that most of us never hear a voice but receive communication through thoughts, feelings and impressions. We can help children identify and recall the good feelings they have after they pray, when they tell the truth, when they say they are sorry, and when they choose the right. Children need to know the Holy Ghost can communicate truth even if they don't hear the still, small voice with their ears. When the Spirit of the Holy Ghost bears witness of a gospel truth to a child, a desire will grow in the child's heart to express and share their knowledge and testimony. HOW CAN WE HELP CHILDREN BEAR TESTIMONY? Bearing testimony is a way to express to the Lord and to others what the gospel means to you and why you believe in it. Children in Primary are old enough for a testimony to start growing within them, and they can begin to find ways to express their budding testimony. A child has said, "It is too scary to stand up in front of all those people." Another one said, "I can't think of anything to say." Children will need help sharing their developing testimonies. They often use expressions of truths and feelings they have heard parents or trusted teachers use, so it is important for parents and Primary leaders to bear appropriate testimonies themselves. The following guidelines will help us be positive examples for the children. An example of how a mother helped her young son better understand how to bear his testimony is found in the Friend magazine. Beth Dayley suggested to her young son, Bryan, that it might help him learn what a testimony is if he wrote down some of the things people said in fast and testimony meeting. After the sacrament, Bryan was given a pencil and a piece of paper with two columns and the headings, name and testimony. Bryan listened carefully to the testimonies then recorded a few words about each one. Brother Nielson talked about how his prayers had been answered that week. Next Sister Hatty bore her testimony about how glad she was that families can be together forever. Her dad had died the week before. As Bryan continued to write the names and topics, he felt a special feeling begin to grow in him. Then Craig, an elementary school age child, said he was glad his older bother was serving a mission and that he wanted to serve a mission when he was older. Bryan knew he, too, wanted to serve a mission. Then Bryan decided he wanted to bear his testimony. He took a deep breath and started to walk to the front of the chapel. He felt scared but a good feeling kept moving him forward. He bore his testimony saying, "I love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I like to read the Book of Mormon. I get a good feeling when I read it, even when I don't understand all of it. I like to pray. I know Heavenly Father answers my prayers" (Bryan Dayley and Beth Dayley, "A Testimony Feels Good," Friend, May 1996, 34). Here are some suggestions that may help children find their own words to bear their testimony. Ask them to: President Hinckley, the First Presidency, and the Twelve Apostles exemplify testimony-bearing in the document "The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles." The final paragraph states, "He [Christ] is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son" (Ensign, Apr. 2000, 3). The testimonies of the First Presidency and the Twelve in this document and on the video, Special Witnesses of Christ, will guide and bless the children as we share them in our homes and in primary. A grandfather shared that a favorite bedtime experience for his two-year-old grandson is to watch segments from the video Special Witnesses of Christ. The grandson especially enjoys the testimony of President Hinckley. When Do Children Bear Testimony? When a nine-year-old boy was asked, "When do you have an opportunity to bear your testimony?" he said, "Right after the person in front of you sits down." Other children were less specific when asked this question. Their responses ranged from "anytime you want" to "a testimony meeting, at family home evening, in a prayer, on a mission or when you sing, if we're singing slow songs like 'I love to See the Temple.'" The Church Handbook of Instructions reads, "Testimony meetings are not held in Primary." However, children who give talks may bear testimony as they desire, express their feelings about gospel principles taught in sharing time and classrooms, sing about gospel principles, and participate in the children's sacrament meeting presentation. The handbook also states, "Leaders and teachers should testify as they teach and sing. Children should be encouraged to express their understanding of and feelings about the members of the Godhead, prophets of God, and principles of the gospel. They should understand that when they do this, they are bearing testimony" (Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, 239). However, children should not be challenged or unduly encouraged to publicly bear testimony until they are ready and comfortable in doing so. RESPONSIBILITIES OF A TESTIMONY Keeping a testimony is the process of a lifetime. President Harold B. Lee shared, "Testimony isn't something that you have today and you keep always. Testimony is either going to grow and grow to the brightness of certainty, or it is going to diminish to nothingness, depending upon what we do about it...the testimony that we recapture day by day is the thing that saves us from the pitfalls of the adversary" (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee, 43). "[Children need to know that] they have to hold on [to a testimony] by study, and by faith, and by prayer. If [we] allow [ourselves] to be angry...get into the wrong kind of company...listen to the wrong kind of stories...[we] are engaging in sinful practices, and there is nothing that will be more deadening as to take away the Spirit of the Lord...it will be as though [we] walked from a lighted room...out into a darkness" (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Harold B. Lee, 43). In our homes we can pass on a legacy of testimony to this next generation by following the suggestions given by Elder Henry B. Eyring: FOLLOW THE PROPHET Prophets throughout the ages have taught children the gospel of Jesus Christ to prepare righteous generations for the future. President Boyd K. Packer said, "It is today's children who will bring the gospel to all the world. The children must be powerful and strong and independent in their agency. In order for that to be, they must have a knowledge of the gospel and a testimony that it is true" (quoted by Michaelene P. Grassli, in Conference Report, Oct. 1994, 14; or Ensign, Nov. 1994, 12). President Hinckley is a wonderful example of how to provide children testimony-building experiences. His love and concern for children is especially evident when he includes them in the setting of the cornerstone at each new temple dedication. President Hinckley has prepared a timely message that will help children gain a testimony of principles of the gospel. His message will come to children in a new video entitled, Sharing Time with President Gordon B. Hinckley. President Hinckley teaches the children about the North Star and how it is an unmoving, constant guide to keep us on the correct path. He explains to the children how the gospel is like the North Star in our life, and having a testimony of Jesus Christ keeps us on the correct path. A song titled, "Gordon B. Hinckley -- Constant As the North Star' was published in the Friend magazine, June 1996, page 14. This eight-minute video will be in many languages and be seen and heard worldwide. It will be distributed to each Church. Additional copies can be purchased from distribution. This video will be a blessing when used in Primary sharing time and by parents in the home. It can also be used in other settings such as leadership meetings, teacher improvement, and Home, Family and Personal Enrichment meetings. It can help adults understand the importance of loving, teaching, and helping each child develop a strong, enduring testimony. As you witness President Hinckley teaching the Primary children in this video, think about the principles he teaches and how he teaches the children. This is an opportunity not only for children to hear and follow the prophet, but it is also an opportunity for us to follow President Hinckley's example as we teach the children each week. CONCLUSION As we teach and bear testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, our children will feel the joy of a testimony, and they too will be able to say, "A testimony makes me feel happy inside." When children experience the joy of a testimony of Jesus Christ, their hearts will "brim with joy" and they will want to share this exquisite joy with their friends. I would like to share the words of a nine-year-old girl who I will call Mandy, but there are other children with similar feelings and desires. Mandy shared the following: "One time my friend who is not a member of the Church and I were talking about being a Mormon. She asked me what I liked about being a Mormon. I asked her, 'Do you believe in Jesus Christ?' She said she wasn't sure. I thought if she came to Primary, we could talk about what we learn. I said that maybe she would want to try going to Church. I thought maybe if she knew more, she would be more interested. I tried to teach her some things. I asked her to come to a Primary activity day." It is possible we are just one generation away from becoming a city like unto Enoch because our children are taught of the Savior and how to be like Him. The children you teach will bring the gospel to the world. They must have knowledge, an opportunity to live the gospel, and receive a witness by the Holy Ghost -- a testimony. May we and the children we teach be like the people baptized at the waters of Mormon, "for...when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts" (Mosiah 18:11). My joy is full as I bear witness to you that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live. The great plan of happiness gives vision and purpose for this mortal life. It was Jesus Christ who atoned for our sins that we might be worthy to receive the necessary priesthood ordinances and return to Him as eternal families. I bear witness of the restoration of the gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith. I, like you, desire to follow our living prophet today and be part of the great work of building the kingdom here on earth in preparation for the glorous second coming of the Savior. |
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