Primary Child gave a talk in Sacrament Meeting

[Guest]

My son is still in Primary. He turns 12 in September. He was asked by the bishopric to give a talk in Sacrament Meeting. I'm not sure if the bishopric didn't realize he is still in Primary because in my understanding, youth speakers are supposed to be out of primary already. Primary kids give talks in Primary class.

But, they approached my kid first and my kid was so excited to give the talk that I decided to not to remind the bishopric that he's still in Primary.

Anyway, he gave his talk last Sunday and he did great. He gave a 10-minute talk about the first principles and ordinances of the gospel. Using a questionnaire type prompt I gave him, he wrote stuff about the topic. I took what he wrote and organized it into a talk. He practiced a couple times at home and declared he was ready. I wanted him to go over it a couple more times because I felt he was still just reading the talk instead of giving the talk but he didn't want to anymore. Anyway, last Sunday, he gave the talk and he did great. He spoke with confidence, connected with the members, and I felt the Spirit strong in the room.

I've taught in Primary for a few years now, from Nursery to Primary counselor to Sunbeam teacher to Singing Time teacher to Den Mother. One thing I have learned while holding these callings is: Don't underestimate the children. Oftentimes, they are more capable than what I think.

The most memorable event of my Primary callings was when I was a Singing Time teacher and we got assigned to sing on Easter Sunday Sacrament Meeting. I was pondering song selections and found this beautiful rendition of Beautiful Savior that was combined with Father, Our Children To Thee Now Raise. It was written for an SATB choir so I sent the thing to my brother-in-law who is a composer and he re-arranged it for a Children's Choir. It was awesome. I had Sunbeams singing Oooohs, girls singing some lines, boys singing some lines, and the entire primary singing in harmony for a few lines and even had a solo in the middle. The Primary Presidency tried to nix it thinking it's too complicated for the kids (and I was starting to feel anxious too) but I asked her to give me 2 Sundays to go through the song and if she still thinks they can't do it, then we'll sing He Sent His Son which the kids already know. Anyway, the kids were so excited to learn the song - even the Sunbeams because of their special Oooohs - and they sang beautifully in Sacrament Meeting. It was awesome.

Primary kids are a great blessing to me. They have inspired me and made me see the gospel through purer eyes. I've been blessed to have stayed in Primary callings for this long.

Edited May 19, 2015 by anatess

[Guest LiterateParakeet]

Thanks Anatess, I needed this. I was recently called to the Primary . . .

[Palerider]

The Primary children are awesome. I hope one day I get to teach a primary class.

[David13]

Anatess, you are a young mother, and that is a great and appropriate thing for you.

Myself, an old man with no children and therefore no grandchildren I'd rather have cats.

But I want to say this.  Sunday the 10th in St George 4th Ward where I visited, all the primarys got up, so many the entire front of the chapel was filled, and sang to their mothers.

Absolute beauty.  A glorious event.

dc

[Str8Shooter]

An 11 year old giving a ten minute talk in sacrament meeting? That's something to be proud of. Very good!

[Palerider]

I have seen a few primary kids over the years give talks in Sacrament meeting. Not often but have seen it.

[Backroads]

Very cool for your family and ward! I gave a ten-minute talk last week and it was a struggle to get that ten minutes long.

[Vort]

Very cool for your family and ward! I gave a ten-minute talk last week and it was a struggle to get that ten minutes long.

 

My problem with talks and teaching assignments is normally the opposite: Way too much material to "cover" and not nearly enough time to cover it. I wish Church were four hours instead of only three.

[Palerider]

Sometimes those who should give short talks .....talk forever. Lol

[yoyoteacher]

I have been in my branch of maybe 50 members for about 7 months now and have managed to not give a talk yet. A girl who moved in 3 weeks ago gave one last Sunday. I'm not complaining because I wouldn't mind speaking, but it's been a while since I got to stand up and speak in front of a group of my peers on a Gospel subject.

[Capitalist_Oinker]

I have been in my branch of maybe 50 members for about 7 months now and have managed to not give a talk yet. A girl who moved in 3 weeks ago gave one last Sunday. I'm not complaining because I wouldn't mind speaking, but it's been a while since I got to stand up and speak in front of a group of my peers on a Gospel subject.

 

Let your Branch President know that you would be happy to give a talk in Sacrament meeting "if he can't find anyone else". I promise you, it won't be long before you get your chance. 

 

On a side note---there is no prohibition on primary kids speaking in Sacrament meeting. In fact the whole primary does it once a year.

Edited May 23, 2015 by Capitalist_Oinker