I Know the Scriptures Are True

Transcription

1 2011 Primary Children s Program: I Know the Scriptures Are True By Glorianne Muggli For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them 2 Nephi 4:15

2 2011 Children s Program: I Know the Scriptures Are True By Glorianne Muggli Copyright 2010 Glorianne Muggli. All rights reserved. Permission is granted with purchase to make enough copies for your local unit only. Do not pass any copies on to other units - they are required to purchase their own books. Each copy must show the entire page, including copyright information. Making copies of copies or making copies for commercial gain is strictly prohibited. Enlargements or overheads may be made for use with larger groups. Any other use without specific written permission from the publisher constitutes an infringement of copyright and denies compensation to all those whose labors bear fruit in these pages. Additional books may be obtained by your retailer from the publisher. Thank you for your integrity. LDS Greats, Glorianne Muggli Books, and Muggli Graphics are not affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; no book or program we publish is reviewed or endorsed by the Church. All contents of this book are for the purpose of giving ideas and suggestions only; decide for yourself through scripture study and prayer if you wish to use this book, and if so, how you will implement it. A Glorianne Muggli Books/Muggli Graphics Publication Published by Glorianne Muggli Books

3 2011 Primary Children's Program: I Know the Scriptures Are True Table of Contents Program Countdown 1 Learning the Songs 2 Ways to Organize 3 Making It Easy 4 Rehearsing 4 To Get Your Free Download 5 Children's Program Script 6 Program Countdown This book coordinates with the 2011 Outline for Sharing Time. Do not cut out or color the pages in this book. Instead, copy the pages and save the book to use again. This script can be used as is, or use it as a starting point to write your own program script. You may use the Microsoft Word files to help you print the program as is, or to make revisions. See page 5, To Get Your Free Download. Read the suggestions in the 2011 Outline for Sharing Time published by the Church, and use those suggestions to customize your program. It is necessary to meet with the Bishop early in the year to discuss your plans. When the program script is completed, you must obtain his final approval. If your Bishop approves, older Primary children could be assigned to give the opening and closing prayers. Also remember that the guidelines for the program state that a member of the Bishopric should conclude the meeting with brief remarks supporting the principles taught in the program. The program should be held in the fourth quarter of the year. October or November may be preferable, as December can be such a busy month. The program should be timed to last about 40 minutes. Establishing a backwards calendar is one good way to begin organizing. Start at the beginning of the year or as soon as you can, whichever comes first. When you get the Outline for the next year or when you are asked to organize the program, schedule the program for sometime in the last quarter of the year as recommended (contact your Ward clerk and make sure the rehearsals are scheduled on your Ward calendar, too) (use the chapel for rehearsals if possible). That way you can use the sharing times throughout the year to get ideas, listen to talks the children give, and to teach the concepts to the children. Each month through August the children can learn one or more songs; then they can rehearse them until time for the program. There are extra songs in this program, so if you wish to use them, be sure to schedule time to learn them also. Decide how many weeks you will need for rehearsal in the chapel, how many weeks beforehand you want to assign parts and notify the parents, etc. In other words, count backwards. Use a calendar and mark down the Sundays (preferably you won't need to schedule practices on other days) you think will be the best times to accomplish these things. This will give you an idea how far ahead of time you will need to begin working on the planning and on the script. Even though you may decide to use this script with few or no changes, you will still need time to decide how to assign parts, get copies made, cut them up to give to children and parents, and other preparatory work. A ward in my former stake once scheduled their program in April to get it over with, so they could Play the rest of the year. The children's program is not something we do out of duty to get out of the way. It's a lot of fun and it's a lot to learn. Getting it over with could miss the whole point of the inspiration employed at the general level in choosing a yearly theme, so stick with the recommendation they make to schedule the program in the fourth quarter of the year. Teach each monthly theme, tie the song concepts in with the themes as much as possible, and use what you have been given to guide you. 1

4 A note about inconvenient scheduling dates - we once had our presentation on Thanksgiving weekend, and not one child was ill or absent. Every family made an effort to make sure they were there. If you would like to prepare a special program to hand out on the presentation day, start ahead of time to get it ready. A Primary song could be used as the closing song, with the words typed in the program, or the whole page copied in if you have copier reduction capabilities. Other things that could be included are a list of all the children who will be participating (or just list all enrolled) and children's artwork on the cover. You can do a great cover by having all the children do drawings ahead of time. Have them wear protective clothing and draw pictures that go along with the theme using markers such as Sharpies. The reason for this is that pencils and colored media do not copy or scan as well as markers, and probably you are limited to black and white for your program cover. Have them write their names very large on their drawing so it will be readable when reduced. Have someone reduce the pictures using either a scanner or a copier, then place them on your program cover. This makes a delightful souvenir for both the children and their parents. Don't worry too much about needing to appear professional. Most adults are charmed by the children's art and will think the program is great, including any cute (or unidentifiable) artwork on the cover. Learning the Songs One of the best ways to introduce a new song is to sing it for the children. Just sing it and let those who already know it join in, or ask someone to come in to sing it. One or more children who like to sing may enjoy learning the song and performing it for the Primary. A recording may be used if no musical instrument is available. Tapes and CDs are available from Church Distribution with instruments alone or with voice and music recordings. Playing word games with the song lyrics is a fast and fun way to learn. The older children in our Primary enjoy having the words written on the chalkboard. After singing the song, a child who is singing well is chosen to erase some words. We repeat singing, choosing, and erasing until all the words are erased and the children are singing the whole song. Another activity they enjoy is clapping and saying the words to learn the timing of a song. With participatory activities like these, they learn the song faster and have a lot of fun doing it. Another thing to consider if you have a small Primary is to have all the children together at singing time. The younger children learn the song by listening to the older children sing it. The older children can read words written on the chalkboard and wordstrips, and all the children understand visual aids. Younger children in my experience seem to be much more enthusiastic when they sing with the older children. They often outsing them if we are having a loudness competition. Visual aids can really help children remember the words to songs. Glorianne Muggli Books produces a visual aids book coordinated with the yearly theme printed in color on card stock, ready to cut out and use. Visual aids printed in black and white are provided in a set of three Visual Aid Song Books, and there is a complete book which includes all the visual aids on a CD so you can print them yourself in black and white or in color. We produce these books each year, and any bookstore can order them by calling. Alternatively, you can gather or draw your own visual aids and make wordstrips to help cue the children. Usually a visual aid for each phrase or important idea in the song lyrics will be sufficient. Decide whether you want to have aids for just the first verse or wish to include other verses. If the second or third verse of a song matches the theme best, sing all verses or just the verse that applies. There are suggestions for how to perform the songs in this program. This program includes some extra songs that are not included in the official outline because some Primaries may want to have a song for every monthly theme to break up the presentation. Visual aids for those songs are included in the song visual aids book we publish. Some months could have two program songs suggested, so visual aids for those songs will be included in the song visual aids book. If two songs are suggested, you should choose one of the songs and practice it, or choose the one the children sing best. Sometimes songs might be included for which actions are suggested instead of visual aids, so the actions would then be listed. Some months indicate that any song can be chosen from the Children's Songbook. For those months a song has been chosen and visual aids have been provided for that song. If you choose another song, you will find visual aids provided in the aforementioned publications. 2

5 Program Songs for 2010: January: If I Listen with My Heart (page 28 in Outline) February: I Will Follow God's Plan (CS, ) March: Stand for the Right (CS, 159) May: Praise to the Man (Hymns, no. 27) July: I Love to See the Temple (CS, 95) August: The Lord Gave Me a Temple CS, 153) Additional Songs: (not official program songs) April: The Third Article of Faith (CS, 123) June: The Fourth Article of Faith (CS, 124) September: We'll Bring the World His Truth (CS, ) October: I Pray in Faith (CS, 14) November: Reverence Is Love (CS, 31) December: He Sent His Son (CS, 34-35) Incentives can help a child learn the words to songs while they are engaging in friendly competition. Some sort of gauge that moves if the children sing louder or softer is a great enthusiasm booster. So is a puppet or toy that jumps around when they sing loudly and falls asleep when they sing softly. Giving children the opportunity to hold a puppet or visual aid when they sing well encourages them to watch you, and move their mouths. Usually that's how I decide whether they are singing, and as I look around at the children, they liven up and start singing because I might notice and let them hold something next. One way to get more volume is to ask an adult to go out of the room, leaving the doors open, and ask them to walk down the hall and see how far they can get and still hear the children singing. Once an adult came back to the Primary room and said with a big smile, I got all the way down the hall to the chapel! Asking parents for help may work well if many families have musical instruments and songbooks in their homes. If a newsletter is published in your unit, put a list of the songs for the month in it, and you will find that many parents will teach their children the songs at home, greatly adding to the learning curve at Primary. Consider making CDs of the songs and distributing them to the families of Primary children. Don't forget about having small or class groups, suitable musical instruments, solos, or any mixture perform; these can add interest to the program and might be a good idea for particularly long or complicated songs. Ways to Organize You may wish to use this script as is, rewrite this script, or come up with one completely your own. Take into account how many children will be participating. Ideally, each child will have one or more parts. In very large Primaries this may not be possible, but certainly each child could participate in some group activity or part spoken in unison in addition to singing. Even the smallest child can hold up a picture. If any children play instruments or enjoy singing in small groups or solo, let them perform if at all possible. Assign parts individually or to a class and have them sit together where they can move to a microphone as a group, or easily pass a microphone on a cord (see Making it Easy ). Make lots of copies of the script with all the parts and notes included, and distribute some for assignment notification. Each child should have a copy showing the parts immediately before, along with their part. If a class is assigned the parts for a month (such as the CTR 5 class doing all the parts for the month of February), you could give each child the February section because it will show the song preceding their part. The song will provide a good cue for them so 3

6 they know when their part is coming up. Parents should receive copies and information on when the rehearsals and performance will be. Ask them to help their child memorize their part or write their talk. If any visual aids or posters will be used for the program, assign children or adults to post them at the appropriate points and include this in the rehearsals to get the bugs out ahead of time. Portable stages and props such as chairs and microphones should be used in rehearsal also if possible to avoid disasters during the performance. If possible, group all the children on the stand or close together and have the chorister and pianist or whoever is playing the music situated as close as possible to the children. They will respond better and sing louder if their leaders are close to them. They will get support from hearing each other and will be less likely to become self-conscious and fade out when singing. Making It Easy Some parts such as talks must be assigned individually to children who are a little older and more experienced, but grouping parts is very helpful in taking pressure off the Primary counselor responsible for the presentation. Parts can be assigned to an individual or to a class (a group of nine parts can be assigned to a class with about seven to nine children likely to be able to participate, for instance). Use the teachers as group leaders when possible so that even though a part is assigned to an individual child, if the child is absent the group leader can designate another child on the spot to say the part and can help the child say it into the microphone. If the teacher can't be there or the group needs more supervision, assign another adult as group leader. If the parts are assigned to the class, the group leader could choose who will say each part and help children at the microphone. Each group should be seated with its group leader so that they can either stand together as a group and pass a microphone, or stand as a group and walk to the podium to say their parts. They should be seated in order of their parts if possible. They should stand, walk, and line up in order of their parts if possible and when finished they can go back to the end of the line so they can return to their seats in order. If the children are organized to move in groups, the walking back and forth of each individual child is eliminated and a lot of time is saved so there can be more "program" and less getting up and down and walking time. Group leaders need to be at rehearsals and at the performance and should rehearse such things with the children as passing the microphone, walking to the podium, and helping the children stand at the right time to sing. Each group leader needs a copy of the script to keep. You should have lots of extras to replace lost and forgotten scripts, and one at the podium for people who use that microphone. Assign an adult to raise and lower the podium for each speaker. If there is a platform for small children, assign someone to move it when necessary. Rehearsing I recommend reserving the chapel for at least two weeks prior to the performance and using the time to go through the program as many times as possible. Advance arrangements to use the chapel should be made with priesthood leaders. If conflicting schedules on Sunday make this impractical, rehearse part of the time in the chapel and part of the time in the Primary room, or schedule a rehearsal or two for weeknights prior to the presentation. Singing should be done within the script outline, and everyone should be allowed to go over their material and feel as confident as possible that they know what to do. Children should rehearse walking to the podium or passing the microphone, standing in unison to sing, maneuvering their musical instruments, knowing where to stand for a group musical number, posting visual aids, and anything else that they will be doing during the presentation. Don't change anything at the last minute (except for children filling in for absentees), and get all the bugs worked out ahead of time! Remember the presentation has a time limit, and unless you go straight through a few times with no interruptions, the presentation will take less time in performance than in rehearsal. You may need to make changes that will shorten the presentation if it appears that it will be too long, such as only singing one verse of a song, or skipping or shortening certain parts, and make sure all copies of the script have these changes noted. If you will be using a portable stage or any large props, try to rehearse with them, too. Sometimes this isn't possible, but you should at least explain what will happen several times to avoid accidents or panic. Microphones can be scary for little children. Remember many of them are too short to stand at the regular podium, so groups of children can either stand in place or come to the front (or one side where they can be easily seen) and pass the microphone among themselves. For those giving talks or where it is desirable for them to stand at the podium, a 4

7 stand or stool can be placed behind the podium for them to use. Be sure to rehearse with this and make sure it is easy to get onto and stand on safely to avoid having anyone fall. For a microphone that is being passed, have an adult hold it during the songs and any other time it isn't being used, being sure to turn it off. A good way to use the microphone is to have one set up at the spot where the assigned person is posting and reading the themes for each month. Individuals or groups can walk to that spot, and the group leader or the teacher can help the children with their parts. If you will be posting visual aids and/or posters, get them ready ahead of time so they can be used for rehearsals. That way if they don't work well they can be revised. A good way to post things is to use an easel and have everything mounted on posterboard. If you are using something more complicated it is even more important to rehearse with it. If you would like to use ready-made posters to post the monthly themes, LDS Greats publishes a set of colored 11 x 17 posters that could be used. Ask about this and other LDS Greats, Glorianne Muggli Books, and Muggli Graphics publications at your local bookstore. All our publications can be seen on our websites at gloriannemuggli.com, and muggligraphics.com. It is very important to remind the children that they must maintain reverence while in the chapel. They should be made aware of the noise caused by shuffling feet and wiggly bodies. They should be told how to stand and what to do with their hands when walking, standing, and singing. Having them practice singing with their hands straight down at their sides may be a good idea, especially if there are some very wiggly children in your Primary. Having been a teacher, a counselor, a president, and a chorister in Primary at various times for 35+ years (with only a few breaks, and holding each calling multiple times) and having participated in many presentations, these are suggestions mostly gathered from experimentation and both positive and negative experiences. Please make sure you consult with your local leaders and follow their counsel when planning and executing your own children's program. NOTE: Children will be less nervous about performing for their parents if they are used to it. Therefore, I suggest having them perform throughout the year. They could sing in Sacrament Meeting at any time, but some holidays such as Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Pioneer Day, Thanksgiving (if not too soon after the program), and Christmas are also good times. Schedule these performances with your chorister, Ward music leader, and Bishopric counselor. To Get Your Free Download To get your free book download, go to To get your Word file, go to You should be able to type in these urls, open the files, and save them on your computer for your personal use. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader and Microsoft Word to open the files. Adobe Acrobat Reader is available for free from Your book download is subject to the same use and copyright agreement as contained on the copyright page in the printed book. The Word document download file entitled 2011program is for you to adapt according to your needs. You can make changes to the program script and then print it out for all the Primary personnel in your Ward. You may share your personalized program with anyone you wish. The original program should be obtained by purchasing the book and then getting the free download. 5

8 2011 Primary Children's Program: I Know the Scriptures Are True GROUP LEADER (READ AND POST): I know the scriptures are true. GROUP LEADER (READ AND POST): (Second Nephi chapter 4, verse 15) For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them JANUARY GROUP LEADER (READ AND POST): The Scriptures Are the Word of God. GROUP LEADER (READ AND POST): (Second Nephi chapter 32, verse 3) Feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do Song: If I Listen with My Heart (page 28 in this outline), verses 1-3 The scriptures are the word of God. The scriptures are special because they are written by God's prophets. (Hold up a Bible) This is the Bible. It has the Old Testament and the New Testament, or the Stick of Judah. (Hold up a Book of Mormon) This is the Book of Mormon, or the Stick of Joseph. (Hold up the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price) These are the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price, which are written and translated by prophets of God in the latter days. We are to feast upon the words of Christ by studying the scriptures. TALK: Have a child bear his or her testimony that the scriptures are true. 6

9 FEBRUARY GROUP LEADER (READ AND POST): The Scriptures Teach of Heavenly Father's Plan GROUP LEADER (READ AND POST): (Moses chapter 1, verse 39) For behold, this is my work and my glory - to bring to Pass the immortality and eternal life of man Song: I Will Follow God's Plan (CS, ), verse 1 MARCH Heavenly Father has a plan for me that can be found in the scriptures. Heavenly Father's plan tells me who I am. I am His child. Heavenly Father's plan tells me why I am here on earth. Heavenly Father's plan tells me what will happen to me after I die. Jesus Christ created the earth for me in six days of creation. I am thankful for the beautiful earth I live on. Families are important to Heavenly Father's plan. I am a member of a family. (Have the child tell who is in his or her family). Heavenly Father's plan gives us freedom to choose right or wrong. When I make good choices, I will be free and I will feel happy. When I make bad choices I will suffer the consequences of those choices and I will feel unhappy. (Second Nephi chapter 2, verse 27) Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself. GROUP LEADER (READ AND POST): Heavenly Father Speaks to Us through His Prophets GROUP LEADER (READ AND POST): (Doctrine and Covenants section 1, verse 38) What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken,... whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same Song: Stand for the Right (CS, 159), verse 1 Prophets speak for Heavenly Father. One of the ways Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ send messages to people on the earth is by speaking to their servants the prophets and then commanding those servants to speak to the people. (Hold up a picture of President Monson) We have a living prophet today. Our prophet is president Thomas S. Monson. I will follow the living prophet by. I will follow the living prophet by. I will follow the living prophet by. Heavenly Father protects and blesses us when we follow the prophet. 7

10 APRIL GROUP LEADER (READ AND POST): Jesus Christ Is My Savior and Redeemer GROUP LEADER (READ AND POST): (Article of Faith 3) We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel Song: The Third Article of Faith (CS, 123), verse 1 (not an official program song) Before we came to earth, Heavenly Father presented a plan to us, and Jesus Christ was chosen to be our Savior. Jesus Christ has set a perfect example for me. I can follow His example by loving and serving others. Jesus Christ atoned for the sins of all mankind. When we repent our sins are forgiven. Repentance includes feeling sorry, asking for forgiveness, righting the wrong, and not repeating the wrong. Jesus Christ was crucified and resurrected after three days, and I will be resurrected too. (John chapter 20, verses 11through 18) But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. (Third Nephi chapter 11, verses 15 through 17) And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come. And when they had all gone forth and had witnessed for themselves, they did cry out with one accord, saying: Hosanna! Blessed be the name of the Most High God! And they did fall down at the feet of Jesus, and did worship him. 8

11 MAY GROUP LEADER (READ AND POST): The Church of Jesus Christ Has Been Restored GROUP LEADER (READ AND POST): (Joseph Smith - History chapter 1, verse 17) I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other - This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him! Song: Praise to the Man, (Hymns, no. 27), verses 1 and 3 The Church of Jesus Christ has been restored through the prophet Joseph Smith. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph in the sacred grove. The restored Church has the same kinds of leaders as it did when Jesus Christ was on the earth. (Article of Faith 6) We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth. Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon, which is another testament of Jesus Christ. After Christ's Apostles died, the priesthood authority was lost and could not be found on the earth. God restored the priesthood again through Joseph Smith. (Doctrine and Covenants section 107, verse 1) There are, in the church, two priesthoods, namely, the Melchizedek and Aaronic, including the Levitical Priesthood. (Joseph Smith - History chapter 1, verse 72) The messenger who visited us on this occasion and conferred this Priesthood upon us, said that his name was John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament, and that he acted under the direction of Peter, James and John, who held the keys of the Priesthood of Melchizedek, which Priesthood, he said, would in due time be conferred on us, and that I should be called the first Elder of the Church, and he (Oliver Cowdery) the second. It was on the fifteenth day of May, 1829, that we were ordained under the hand of this messenger, and baptized. 9

12 JUNE GROUP LEADER (READ AND POST): The First Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel Make It Possible for Me to Live with God Again GROUP LEADER (READ AND POST): (Article of Faith 4) We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost Song: The Fourth Article of Faith (CS, 124), verse 1 (not an official program song) JULY Our Faith in Jesus Christ will grow if we nurture it. When we let our faith grow, we will love and trust Jesus Christ and keep His commandments. When we repent, we will be forgiven. (Doctrine and Covenants section 58, verses 42 and 43) Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more. By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins behold, he will confess them and forsake them. When I am baptized, I make promises to Heavenly Father, and He makes promises to me. (Mosiah 18:10) Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you? Week 4: The Holy Ghost comforts and guides me. (Second Nephi chapter 32, verse 5) For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do GROUP LEADER (READ AND POST): The Temple Is a House of God GROUP LEADER (READ AND POST): ( The Family: A Proclamation to the World, paragraph 3) Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally Song: I Love to See the Temple (CS, 95), verses 1 and 2 (Show a picture of the temple nearest to where you live) God has commanded us to build temples. A temple is a house of God and is used to perform sacred ordinances for both the living and the dead. TALKS: (2-5 minutes) Ask a husband and wife or an entire family to bear their testimonies of how the temple blesses their family, such as through the sealing ordinance, or by doing baptisms for the dead. The early Saints worked hard and sacrificed to build temples. We still build temples today, and we will continue to do so. (Hold up My Gospel Standards and some scriptures) I can prepare while I am young to be worthy to go to the temple. I have been given guidelines to show me how to do this. 10

13 AUGUST GROUP LEADER (READ AND POST): My Body Is a Temple of God GROUP LEADER (READ AND POST): (First Corinthians chapter 3, verses 16 and 17) Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? The temple of God is holy, which temple ye are Song: The Lord Gave Me a Temple CS, 153), verse 1 My body is a temple. It is sacred, and should be treated with respect by ourselves and others. My body should be kept clean. My body should be well cared for. My body should be covered with modest clothing. My body should be a place where the Holy Ghost can come. I can show respect for my body by keeping the Word of Wisdom. I will live the Word of Wisdom by _. I will live the Word of Wisdom by _. I will live the Word of Wisdom by _. (Have a group of children do these actions while repeating the words as a group): Reading (put hands out as if holding a book), watching (point to eye), and listening (cup hand around ear) to wholesome things keeps my mind (point to forehead) clean. 11

14 SEPTEMBER GROUP LEADER (READ AND POST): The Gospel Will Be Preached in All the World GROUP LEADER (READ AND POST): (Doctrine and Covenants section 133, verse 37) This gospel shall be preached unto every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people Song: We'll Bring the World His Truth (CS, ), verses 1-3 (not an official program song) Missionary work blesses the whole world. The gospel is taught in many languages so that almost everyone in the world can understand it. I can say the name of the church in English: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I can say the name of the church in Spanish: La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias. (Ask someone who speaks this language to help teach the child to pronounce the words). I can say the name of the church in French: L'Église de Jésus-Christ des Saintes des Derniers Jours. (Ask someone who speaks this language to help teach the child to pronounce the words). I can say the name of the church in German: Kirche Jesu Christi der Heiligen der Letzen Tage. (Ask someone who speaks this language to help teach the child to pronounce the words). (Alma 17:2-3) Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God. But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God. I can prepare myself now to serve a mission by studying the scriptures. I can prepare myself now to serve a mission by gaining a testimony and keeping the commandments. I can prepare myself now to serve a mission by paying tithing, and saving money for my mission. I can be a missionary right now by making friends with everyone and by being a good example. TESTIMONY (1 minute, by an older child): Share the story of the First Vision. TESTIMONY (1 minute, by an older child): Share your feelings about the Book of Mormon. 12

15 OCTOBER GROUP LEADER (READ AND POST): Prayer Is Reverent Communication Between God and Me GROUP LEADER (READ AND POST): (James chapter 1, verse 5) If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him Song: I Pray in Faith (CS, 14), verses 1 and 2 (then sing together) (not an official program song) NOVEMBER Heavenly Father has given me a way to communicate with Him even though I am not in His presence. I can pray to Him at any time. I can pray silently in my heart or I can pray out loud. I can thank Him for my blessings and ask Him for help. (Alma chapter 13, verse 28) Humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually My Heavenly Father hears and answers my prayers. My prayers can be answered in many different ways. (3 Nephi 14:7) Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. My prayers can be answered by thoughts or ideas that can come to our minds and hearts. My prayers can be answered by other people. My prayers can be answered by studying the scriptures. My prayers can be answered by listening to or reading the teachings of the latter-day prophets. GROUP LEADER (READ AND POST): Reverence Is Love and Respect for God GROUP LEADER (READ AND POST): (Matthew chapter 22, verse 37) Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind Song: Reverence Is Love (CS, 31), verse 1 (not an official program song) When I pray, I am showing love and respect for God. When I am reverent, I am showing love and respect for God. (John chapter 14, verse 15) If ye love me, keep my commandments. When I am reverent during the sacrament, it helps me to remember Jesus Christ. When I show respect for the church building I am being reverent. I can show love and respect for Heavenly Father by showing love and respect for others. I can show love and respect for Heavenly Father by showing kindness to my friends. I can show love and respect for Heavenly Father by showing kindness to everyone. 13

16 DECEMBER GROUP LEADER (READ AND POST): The Scriptures Teach Me about the Savior's Birth and Second Coming GROUP LEADER (READ AND POST): (Matthew chapter 16, verse 27) For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works Song: He Sent His Son (CS, 34-35), verse 1 (not an official program song) CONCLUSION Many prophets foretold the birth of Jesus Christ. (Isaiah chapter 7, verse 14) Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah chapter 9, verse 6) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Alma chapter 7, verses 9 and 10) But behold, the Spirit hath said this much unto me, saying: Cry unto this people, saying - Repent ye, and prepare the way of the Lord, and walk in his paths, which are straight; for behold, the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and the Son of God cometh upon the face of the earth. And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God. Jesus Christ was born into the world, and someday He will return to the earth. (Matthew 16:27) For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. (Joseph Smith - Matthew chapter 1, verses 38 through 40) Now learn a parable of the figtree - When its branches are yet tender, and it begins to put forth leaves, you know that summer is nigh at hand; So likewise, mine elect, when they shall see all these things, they shall know that he is near, even at the doors; But of that day, and hour, no one knoweth; no, not the angels of God in heaven, but my Father only. To prepare for the Second Coming, I will follow Jesus Christ by. To prepare for the Second Coming, I will follow Jesus Christ by. To prepare for the Second Coming, I will follow Jesus Christ by. (Doctrine and Covenants section 29, verse 11) For I will reveal myself from heaven with power and great glory, with all the hosts thereof, and dwell in righteousness with men on earth a thousand years, and the wicked shall not stand. Remarks by a member of the bishopric. Closing song: Your choice from the hymnbook or the Children's Songbook, by all children and congregation. Provide words only or words and music in the program if you choose a song from the Children's Songbook. Closing Prayer by a teacher or an older child, with the permission of the Bishop. 14