little kid testimonies

[carlimac]

I hate to admit this. I feel bad for feeling this way, but I get so annoyed by the same little kids getting up every fast sunday to say the exact same thing they say every month. "I'm ____________ for those who don't know me. I love my family and I know the church is true." There was a parade of at least 7-8 kids today who all got up and said the exact same thing, one after another. There were investigators in the audience and I felt almost embarrassed. If any enemies of the Church want to use the argument that we are brainwashed as children, there is exhibit A. There was also the woman (bless her heart, she's a sweetie, but...) who got up with her two year old in her arms and let him babble on into the microphone as if he were bearing his testimony. She said herself that he didn't understand what he was saying or what a testimony even is. But she let it go on for quite awhile. It was distracting and a bit of a spirit killer. It was hard to get back into the feel of the meeting after that.

I know there are children who actually DO have a testimony and even though they don't have the words to express it other than the rote "I know the church is true" they truely love the gospel and have sincere feelings. I wouldn't want to deny them the opportunity to share that. But it's painfully obvious when the same kids (usually the ones who love the limelight under any circumstance) get up every month. Just like clockwork. Their parents sit there beaming or giggling at them.

I know this is a judgemental, critical attitude, but I'm just wondering if I'm alone in this. Does it bug anyone else?? I surely wish parents would teach children the sacred nature of testimonies and they are only to be shared sincerely and when moved by the spirit- not just when all their friends are going up to the pulpit. It's not a time to show off.

[Palerider]

I guess I have a different attitude about it....I enjoy it and get a kick out of it. I also feel if our so called enemies call it brainwashing...let em...it doesn't bother me. Having kids share their testimony is very enjoyable to me...:)

[pam]

Just my opinion mind you..but I think allowing them at such a young age prepares many to be able to speak in front of a congregation or audience when they are older. Hopefully as they mature, they are able to articulate their thoughts better and it is more heartfelt.

But doesn't bother me any. I've seen adults get up and give you a monthly run down of their life in the past month. I'd rather listen to the little children than to listen to a testimony centered around doctors appointments and work etc.

[xenic101]

As easy to annoy as I am, I seldom have an issue with children bearing their testimonies. Even though it often means their parents have to help them. Though I can see that a mother letting her 2 year old babble into the microphone would probably annoy me, I'm certain I'd get over it.

My ward doesn't see an abundance of 'children' bearing testimonies, though I think we do have a high number of the youth doing so. And that certainly lightens the heart. Even with the critical claim I've heard regarding 'a parade of youth marking it off their Faith in God requirements'. That's not what I hear from them. I hear peer pressure at it's greatest, I hear our youth standing up for their beliefs, I hear them having the courage to share their personal testimonies, and I hear them doing so frequently. A few months ago, after what very well may have been every youth in the ward bearing their testimonies, some starting with a comment about how they had to get up, since they couldn't be the only one in class who hadn't..the last person to get up to bear their testimony was an elderly gentleman, who true to form began with, "I'd like to bear my testimony, because I don't want to be the only youth who hasn't..."

[annamaureen]

I understand that it's meant to teach the children about testimonies and all that. But I too find it mildly annoying. I personally don't think it's cute or spiritual to have the parents whispering into their ear and the kid mumbling, "I love my parents... I know the church is true.. I love Jesus... nameofJesusChristamen..."

Edited March 8, 2010 by annamaureen

[pam]

As easy to annoy as I am, I seldom have an issue with children bearing their testimonies. Even though it often means their parents have to help them. Though I can see that a mother letting her 2 year old babble into the microphone would probably annoy me, I'm certain I'd get over it.

My ward doesn't see an abundance of 'children' bearing testimonies, though I think we do have a high number of the youth doing so. And that certainly lightens the heart. Even with the critical claim I've heard regarding 'a parade of youth marking it off their Faith in God requirements'. That's not what I hear from them. I hear peer pressure at it's greatest, I hear our youth standing up for their beliefs, I hear them having the courage to share their personal testimonies, and I hear them doing so frequently. A few months ago, after what very well may have been every youth in the ward bearing their testimonies, some starting with a comment about how they had to get up, since they couldn't be the only one in class who hadn't..the last person to get up to bear their testimony was an elderly gentleman, who true to form began with, "I'd like to bear my testimony, because I don't want to be the only youth who hasn't..."

Just so you know..I wanted to be able to laugh and thank you at the same time but don't have that option.

[marts1]

I can understand your feelings quite easily, but perhaps it's the best these young ones can do in which case I would just happily sit back, relax and try to enjoy it as much as I could.

[zoolaine]

I'll join you in saying it is annoying. It is a bit different in my ward - the parent goes up and ends up whispering what to say in the kids ear. The kid really has no idea what they are doing or what a testimony really means. On the other hand some of the most sincere, sweet testimonies I have heard have been from an 11 year old. I actually found an article on the Church web site saying kids should be encouraged to bear their testimony in primary and at home.

[Palerider]

I actually think we can learn something from the children sharing their testimonies. The ones that go up and do it by themselves, the testimony is pure,humble,sincere and basic. The best part is they do not go over 2-3 minutes, unlike most adults.:)

[Snow]

I hate to admit this. I feel bad for feeling this way, but I get so annoyed by the same little kids getting up every fast sunday to say the exact same thing they say every month. "I'm ____________ for those who don't know me. I love my family and I know the church is true." There was a parade of at least 7-8 kids today who all got up and said the exact same thing, one after another. There were investigators in the audience and I felt almost embarrassed. If any enemies of the Church want to use the argument that we are brainwashed as children, there is exhibit A. There was also the woman (bless her heart, she's a sweetie, but...) who got up with her two year old in her arms and let him babble on into the microphone as if he were bearing his testimony. She said herself that he didn't understand what he was saying or what a testimony even is. But she let it go on for quite awhile. It was distracting and a bit of a spirit killer. It was hard to get back into the feel of the meeting after that.

I know there are children who actually DO have a testimony and even though they don't have the words to express it other than the rote "I know the church is true" they truely love the gospel and have sincere feelings. I wouldn't want to deny them the opportunity to share that. But it's painfully obvious when the same kids (usually the ones who love the limelight under any circumstance) get up every month. Just like clockwork. Their parents sit there beaming or giggling at them.

I know this is a judgemental, critical attitude, but I'm just wondering if I'm alone in this. Does it bug anyone else?? I surely wish parents would teach children the sacred nature of testimonies and they are only to be shared sincerely and when moved by the spirit- not just when all their friends are going up to the pulpit. It's not a time to show off.

Excellent post and spot on.

[Wingnut]

I've read on here before (and I can't remember where), but wasn't there a first presidency letter about parents not dictating testimonies to their kids over the pulpit? That if the kid wants to do it themselves, they can, but the parent shouldn't be whispering in their ear?

Our ward typically has a few children get up, and they're typically the older ones who can and do do it solo. Today, though, we had a lot of parent/kid duets, and the parent would follow with "I'd also like to bear my testimony..." We had a lot of "burying" of testimonies today, too.

As annoying as it can be sometimes, I think I saw the sweetest example of a dictated testimony at church today. Two brother went up -- one was baptized a few weeks ago, and the other is five years old. The older brother nudged the younger one to the pulpit when it was their turn, then reached up and pulled the mic down to his brother's level, and whispered into his ear. The younger brother finished, then sat down. The older brother (bless his little heart) then climbed up onto the step stool, pulled one side of his suit coat out from in front, tucked his hand into his pocket, and said "I'd also like to bear my testimony..." all much like a father might do. He bore testimony of Jesus, of the Church, and then finally of baptism and temple marriage. The Spirit definitely filled the room as he closed in the Savior's name, took his brother's hand, and went back to sit with his parents.

Edited March 8, 2010 by Wingnut

[WindRiver]

Wingnut, they read that letter from the first presidency THREE times in our ward and they still do it.

It essentially said that a child is welcome to go up and bear testimony if they can do so so ON THEIR OWN. Mom / Dad / Sister are not to whisper in their ear what to say. They can stand their for support but not to prompt them.

I seem to also recall the letter saying that a better place for little kids to bear testimony is in Primary.

[pam]

I can see how this could become a very delicate situation. I would hate to see a local leader tell a child or a parent that their child can no longer bear their testimony if they can't do it themself. You have the parent on one hand who thinks it's important to teach a child to get up and do it..you have policy on the other hand that is stating it should only be done when they can do it themself.

We've done it this way for years...it will take some time to educate people.

[HEthePrimate]

"I'm ____________ for those who don't know me.

That line always makes me snicker. Someday I'm gonna get up in Testimony Meeting and say, "For those who don't know me, I'm George Clooney. For those of you who do know me, you know better"

I love my family and I know the church is true."

They probably do love their family, but I have a hard time believing that every child in the Church "knows" the Church to be true. People receive their testimonies at different times/ages, whenever God decides to give them that spiritual witness.

HEP

[Traveler]

I hate to admit this. I feel bad for feeling this way, but I get so annoyed by the same little kids getting up every fast sunday to say the exact same thing they say every month. "I'm ____________ for those who don't know me. I love my family and I know the church is true." There was a parade of at least 7-8 kids today who all got up and said the exact same thing, one after another. There were investigators in the audience and I felt almost embarrassed. If any enemies of the Church want to use the argument that we are brainwashed as children, there is exhibit A. There was also the woman (bless her heart, she's a sweetie, but...) who got up with her two year old in her arms and let him babble on into the microphone as if he were bearing his testimony. She said herself that he didn't understand what he was saying or what a testimony even is. But she let it go on for quite awhile. It was distracting and a bit of a spirit killer. It was hard to get back into the feel of the meeting after that.

I know there are children who actually DO have a testimony and even though they don't have the words to express it other than the rote "I know the church is true" they truely love the gospel and have sincere feelings. I wouldn't want to deny them the opportunity to share that. But it's painfully obvious when the same kids (usually the ones who love the limelight under any circumstance) get up every month. Just like clockwork. Their parents sit there beaming or giggling at them.

I know this is a judgemental, critical attitude, but I'm just wondering if I'm alone in this. Does it bug anyone else?? I surely wish parents would teach children the sacred nature of testimonies and they are only to be shared sincerely and when moved by the spirit- not just when all their friends are going up to the pulpit. It's not a time to show off.

It use to really bug me until I became a primary teacher and spent some times with the children of our ward. I now respect the children as much or more than most adults.

The Traveler

[Iggy]

Wingnut, they read that letter from the first presidency THREE times in our ward and they still do it.

It essentially said that a child is welcome to go up and bear testimony if they can do so so ON THEIR OWN. Mom / Dad / Sister are not to whisper in their ear what to say. They can stand their for support but not to prompt them.

I seem to also recall the letter saying that a better place for little kids to bear testimony is in Primary.

Primary is the place where the children should be bearing their testimony. In front of their peers, with the support of their leaders and not verbal help either.

If the 9-11 year olds start to get carried away turning the testimony into a travel log- or primary lesson (like too many adults do) it is easier to nip in the bud in primary. The leaders can quickly step in and thank the child for his testimony and ask him to close. We have done it on several occasions with the grandchildren of the Sister who is famous for her travel-logs and lessons. Once she even had props!!!

[Elgama]

Everyone bears the testimony they are at the stage to bear them - and a little child probably does just know they love Jesus and love their Mummy and Daddy, or maybe they just know they want to be there because wait for it they felt prompted by the Holy Ghost but when they get up don't know how to express it so say what they have seen other children say. Remember my 2 year old nagging me to get yp to the stand why because she wanted to, because everyone else seemed to be doing it, she actually blew a raspberry and said Amen and came back to sit with me lol I bet that 2 year old just knew they had a feeling they wanted to ex[press and they expressed in the only way they could, its no different to the lady we had in our congregation who would say hers in Hungarian just because I didn't understand didn't mean she didn't have a testimony. We had a very new missionary who only spoke Russian didn't understand him intially does that mean he didn't have a testimony? If we sit and listen with the Holy Ghost then we understand the children and get uplifted and edified no matter what they say or how they do it.

And yes someone who doesn't like the church may well see it as brainwashing but that is because they have closed their hearts to listening and are only using their ears

[sensibility]

I can see how this could become a very delicate situation. I would hate to see a local leader tell a child or a parent that their child can no longer bear their testimony if they can't do it themself. You have the parent on one hand who thinks it's important to teach a child to get up and do it..you have policy on the other hand that is stating it should only be done when they can do it themself.

We've done it this way for years...it will take some time to educate people.

They've been reading the letter for years too. I remember it when I was a Beehive, which means that the current crop of kidlets mostly weren't even born when they started saying this.

I think parents should definitely teach their children to bear testimony -- at home. I've seen very little ones who could bear strong testimony, and who knew to bear testimonies of the things they personally believe -- one adorable little boy in my last branch once bore testimony that Adam was a prophet, and the first person on earth (along with bearing testimony of Christ, the scriptures and our current prophet), bless his little heart. But mostly I see little kids who just want to do what the grown-ups are doing, and that's not what testimony meetings are for. Family home evening is a much better setting for kids to practice and for parents to teach what a testimony is, and what it isn't.

[miztrniceguy]

In our ward, we have also been asked that our small children practice it in primary, and not do it in Sacrament until they are older. For the most part it has worked out.

[marts1]

Come to think of it, I have not seen this happening here anymore either.

[carlimac]

My husband is the bishop and he won't touch this with a ten foot pole. He's just too nice. And our ward is so full of little performers (children of our friends- several are the children of one of his counselors), he can't imagine offending them by telling them to not let their children stand up to talk.

[Gwen]

mark 10:13-14

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

i understand the issues that come with large family wards (like in ut) where an entire hour of a meeting can be filled with kids being prompted and the adults not getting the chance to share. thus i understand the church putting out the policy of asking parents encourage the kids to share their testimonies in primary and other appropriate places.

but it is important to remember it is policy not doctrine. the doctrine is in the scriptures. it frustrates me that every time this topic comes up most the members sound so judgmental. i really think god would be more disappointed in the tone of conversations like this than a child babbling their testimony.

i hope most of you never visit my branch or a branch like it. the attitude present here would push a lot of ppl away from the church. every unit is different, ever family is different. that is why the church separates policy from doctrine and in the church handbook in regards to policy it states that it can be adjusted when and where needed at the bishop's direction.

our branch is on the shortened schedule, only one hour for primary, they don't have time for testimony meetings in there. most our members were converts as adults, when they testify you can see and feel that upbringing in what they say and how they say it. few of the testimonies fit the "mold" of "how lds should" testify. but their testimonies are strong. they are there every week, sometimes holding more than one calling. they openly express their love and appreciation for the testimonies shared, even (and sometimes especially) the little kids. i would much rather raise my children here where testimonies are strong even if policy is sometimes unknown than in a place where policy over rides the doctrine.

[marts1]

QUOTE]i hope most of you never visit my branch or a branch like it.

Unless God placed them there to learn something.

[carlimac]

It use to really bug me until I became a primary teacher and spent some times with the children of our ward. I now respect the children as much or more than most adults.

The Traveler

I'm a primary teacher, too. And what I hear in our class together is so spontaneous and genuine- not the canned stuff they say in testimony meeting. I've learned much from my bright, inquisitive 6-7 yr olds. As I've taught them, they've taught me! That's why it's so frustrating to hear them talking like little robots in testimony meeting. What they say in front of all the adults isn't what they really think. They are much smarter and more insightful than that. I guess I just don't like the conditioning and the conforming effect that bearing testimonies can have on them. I'd rather hear their many questions and hear their explanations of how they think Heavenly Father and the gospel work in their lives. Our primary class is so enlightening and a truely spiritual experience for me every week, (as opposed to testimony meetings.)

[carlimac]

i understand the issues that come with large family wards (like in ut) where an entire hour of a meeting can be filled with kids being prompted and the adults not getting the chance to share. thus i understand the church putting out the policy of asking parents encourage the kids to share their testimonies in primary and other appropriate places.

but it is important to remember it is policy not doctrine. the doctrine is in the scriptures. it frustrates me that every time this topic comes up most the members sound so judgmental. i really think god would be more disappointed in the tone of conversations like this than a child babbling their testimony.

i hope most of you never visit my branch or a branch like it. the attitude present here would push a lot of ppl away from the church. every unit is different, ever family is different. that is why the church separates policy from doctrine and in the church handbook in regards to policy it states that it can be adjusted when and where needed at the bishop's direction.

our branch is on the shortened schedule, only one hour for primary, they don't have time for testimony meetings in there. most our members were converts as adults, when they testify you can see and feel that upbringing in what they say and how they say it. few of the testimonies fit the "mold" of "how lds should" testify. but their testimonies are strong. they are there every week, sometimes holding more than one calling. they openly express their love and appreciation for the testimonies shared, even (and sometimes especially) the little kids. i would much rather raise my children here where testimonies are strong even if policy is sometimes unknown than in a place where policy over rides the doctrine.

I served a mission in Argentina in some of the most awkward and odd branches you could imagine. But have never felt the spirit so strong before or since. I agree with you completely. I'm afraid most of these little kids are learning how to just spout off what they think is what we all want to hear rather than what they really feel.