Difference between revisions of "Primary"

From MormonWiki
Jump to: navigation, search
Line 1: Line 1:
−
[[image: Mormon-primary2.jpg|350px|right|alt= Mormon Primary|Mormon Primary]][[Primary]] is an organization within [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] that is for the children of the Church between the ages of three and eleven. On Sundays, Primary meetings are held for a two-hour block, engaging the children in various lessons and activities listed below. The current general president of the Primary is [[Rosemary M. Wixom]].
+
[[image: Mormon-primary2.jpg|350px|right|alt= Mormon Primary|Mormon Primary]]''Primary'' is an organization within [http://Mormon.org The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints] that is for the children of the Church between the ages of 18 months and eleven years. On Sundays, Primary meetings are held for a one-hour block, engaging the children in various lessons and activities listed below. The current general president of the Primary is [[Joy D. Jones]].
  
 
<blockquote>
 
<blockquote>
−
'''“All thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children”''' (Isaiah 54: 13; 3 Nephi 22:13).
+
'''“All thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children”''' (3 Nephi 22:13, Isaiah 54:13).
 
: ~The Primary theme
 
: ~The Primary theme
 
</blockquote>
 
</blockquote>
  
−
==Objectives==
+
==Purposes of Primary==
  
−
[[Coleen K. Menlove]], former [[Leadership in the Church|Primary General President]], said this about the purpose of the Primary:
+
The purposes of Primary are to help children:
 +
 
 +
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.
 +
 
 +
Parents have the first responsibility for the spiritual and physical welfare of their children (see D&C 68:25–28). The bishopric, Primary leaders, and Primary teachers support but do not replace parents in this responsibility.
  
 
<blockquote>
 
<blockquote>
−
In Primary, we want each child to feel welcome, feel the Spirit, and be taught the gospel of Jesus Christ. We teach children about their relationship with Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. We cannot teach of a loving relationship without feeling and demonstrating that same Christlike love."
+
“The new home-centered, Church-supported integrated curriculum has the potential to unleash the power of families, as each family follows through conscientiously and carefully to transform their home into a sanctuary of faith.” —President Russell M. Nelson
−
:~Coleen K. Menlove, "Primary Is Missionary Work," Open House address, Oct. 2000
 
 
</blockquote>
 
</blockquote>
−
 
−
The Church has outlined the following objectives for the Primary:
 
−
 
−
# Teach children that they are children of God and that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love them.
 
−
# Help children learn to love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
 
−
# Help children prepare to be baptized, to receive the Holy Ghost, and to keep their baptismal covenants.
 
−
# Help children grow in their understanding of the gospel plan and provide opportunities for them to live gospel principles.
 
−
# Help boys prepare to receive the priesthood and be worthy to use this power to bless and serve others.
 
−
# Help girls prepare to be righteous young women, understand the blessings of the priesthood and the temple, and serve others
 
−
:(see ''Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2: Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders'' [1998], 229).
 
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
Line 32: Line 28:
  
 
==Sunday Primary Meetings==
 
==Sunday Primary Meetings==
−
All of the children attend what is called "opening exercises." The children start this with a prayer, followed by a scripture, announcements, a song, and talks (usually given by the children after thought and preparation). At this point half of the primary is sent to classes. The classes are divided by age. Three year old children participate in the Sunbeam class. Four to eight year old children take CTR (Choose the Right) classes, and eight to eleven year old children participate in Valiant classes. Further divisions are made as necessary depending on how many children are in the primary. For example, a primary may have a lot of children in the CTR age group. They would then divide the children into smaller classes—CTR 5 for the five year olds, CTR 6 for the six year olds, and so on.  
+
Sunday Primary Meetings changed in January 2019. Prior to this date, children, teachers, and leaders attended a two-hour block filled with an opening meeting, singing time, sharing time, and class time. With the Church-wide change to focus on home-centered, Church-supported gospel learning, the meetings were reduced into a one-hour meeting that consists of opening prayer, scripture or article of faith, one talk, 20 minutes of singing time, and 20 minutes of class time. Closing prayer is offered in individual classes. All classes are taught from the Come, Follow Me—For Primary manual. The Primary meets each Sunday.  
 +
 
 +
Teachers are encouraged to keep the lesson focused on what is suggested in the manual, and to teach by the spirit and be aware of the children’s needs. Church curriculum is created for the entire Church, so the same manuals are used all over the world, and according to the same general schedule.
 +
 
 +
==Changes for Youth Progression and Ordination==
 +
The [[First Presidency]] announced a new time line for when children and youth complete Primary, move from one class or quorum to the next, and attend the temple for the first time. The changes went into effect in January 2019.
 +
 
 +
: Beginning in January 2019, children will complete Primary and begin attending Sunday School and the Beehive class or deacons quorum as age-groups, not on their individual 12th birthdays as they have in the past.
  
−
While the older children are in class, the younger children participate in Sharing Time.
+
: In addition, young men will be eligible to be ordained to a priesthood office in January of the year they turn 12, 14, and 16, and youth will be eligible to obtain a limited-use temple recommend beginning in January of the year they turn 12—based on their “individual worthiness, readiness, and personal circumstances.”[https://www.lds.org/church/news/age-changes-for-youth-progression-and-ordination-announced?lang=eng]
−
:Sharing time allows children to participate in activities and to learn and sing songs that teach gospel principles. Sharing time is under the direction of the primary presidency. This is an opportunity for the presidency to interact with the children and teach them gospel principles. One presentation a month should be a class presentation (prepared by a primary class under the direction of its teacher). At least half of sharing time should be used for singing (from "Sunday Primary: Sharing Time" at [http://www.lds.org www.lds.org]).
 
−
About half way through the block of time, the older children return from classes to have sharing time, and the younger children go to class.
 
−
Not all Primaries have separate sharing times for the older and younger children. It depends on how many children there are. Smaller primary groups all meet for opening exercises and then go to classes; after that they meet for sharing time.
 
  
−
Classes are taught from a manual provided by the Church. All of the lessons provide a summary or purpose of the lesson, followed by preparation for the teacher, activities, discussion questions, stories, and additional activities related to the topic. Teachers are encouraged to keep the lesson focused on what is suggested in the manual, but to teach by the spirit and be aware of the children’s needs. Church curriculum is created for the entire Church, so the same manuals are used all over the world, and according to the same general schedule.
 
  
 
'''For More Information:'''
 
'''For More Information:'''
 
*Visit [http://www.lds.org/pa/display/0,17884,4695-1,00.html Introduction to Primary] on the Church's [http://www.lds.org official website]
 
*Visit [http://www.lds.org/pa/display/0,17884,4695-1,00.html Introduction to Primary] on the Church's [http://www.lds.org official website]
−
*To see a sample Primary lesson, click [http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=637e1b08f338c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=5895cb7a29c20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1&contentLocale=0 here.]
 
 
*For music used in the Primary, click [http://www.lds.org/cm/display/0,17631,4766-1,00.html here]
 
*For music used in the Primary, click [http://www.lds.org/cm/display/0,17631,4766-1,00.html here]
−
*To see what is done in "sharing time," click [http://www.lds.org/pa/display/0,17884,7943-1,00.html here]
 
  
 
[[Category: Youth and Children]][[Category:Church Callings and Leadership]][[Category:Church Organization]]
 
[[Category: Youth and Children]][[Category:Church Callings and Leadership]][[Category:Church Organization]]

Revision as of 21:21, 4 February 2019

Mormon Primary
Primary is an organization within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that is for the children of the Church between the ages of 18 months and eleven years. On Sundays, Primary meetings are held for a one-hour block, engaging the children in various lessons and activities listed below. The current general president of the Primary is Joy D. Jones.

“All thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children” (3 Nephi 22:13, Isaiah 54:13).

~The Primary theme

Purposes of Primary

The purposes of Primary are to help children:

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.

Parents have the first responsibility for the spiritual and physical welfare of their children (see D&C 68:25–28). The bishopric, Primary leaders, and Primary teachers support but do not replace parents in this responsibility.

“The new home-centered, Church-supported integrated curriculum has the potential to unleash the power of families, as each family follows through conscientiously and carefully to transform their home into a sanctuary of faith.” —President Russell M. Nelson

History

The primary program started 128 years ago when a member of the Church, Aurelia Spencer Rogers, thought it would be good for the boys in the Church to have their own organization. The purpose was to teach them to be better men. The idea was taken to the President of the Church, John Taylor and he thought an organization would not only be good for boys, but also for the girls in the Church. Just a short time later, the first Primary met. It included 224 boys and girls who were taught obedience, faith in God, prayer, punctuality, and good manners. Today, Primary is an essential part of the Church around the world.

The Primary Organization

Callings within each ward (congregation) are issued for primary leadership. A primary president is called, and through inspiration, she suggests two counselors. Other ward primary leaders may include a secretary, teachers for the various age groups, and music specialists. Primary leaders are also called on the Stake level to direct and oversee a group of wards. Again, there will be a Stake Primary President and two counselors. Women are mostly called to primary presidencies. There is a general primary presidency which oversees all the primary organizations in the Church.

Sunday Primary Meetings

Sunday Primary Meetings changed in January 2019. Prior to this date, children, teachers, and leaders attended a two-hour block filled with an opening meeting, singing time, sharing time, and class time. With the Church-wide change to focus on home-centered, Church-supported gospel learning, the meetings were reduced into a one-hour meeting that consists of opening prayer, scripture or article of faith, one talk, 20 minutes of singing time, and 20 minutes of class time. Closing prayer is offered in individual classes. All classes are taught from the Come, Follow Me—For Primary manual. The Primary meets each Sunday.

Teachers are encouraged to keep the lesson focused on what is suggested in the manual, and to teach by the spirit and be aware of the children’s needs. Church curriculum is created for the entire Church, so the same manuals are used all over the world, and according to the same general schedule.

Changes for Youth Progression and Ordination

The First Presidency announced a new time line for when children and youth complete Primary, move from one class or quorum to the next, and attend the temple for the first time. The changes went into effect in January 2019.

Beginning in January 2019, children will complete Primary and begin attending Sunday School and the Beehive class or deacons quorum as age-groups, not on their individual 12th birthdays as they have in the past.
In addition, young men will be eligible to be ordained to a priesthood office in January of the year they turn 12, 14, and 16, and youth will be eligible to obtain a limited-use temple recommend beginning in January of the year they turn 12—based on their “individual worthiness, readiness, and personal circumstances.”[1]


For More Information:

Retrieved from "https://www.mormonwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Primary&oldid=49200"