Primary is the auxiliary organization in our church for children. During our 3 hour Sunday meetings, children spend 2 of those hours in Primary where they go to classes, sing songs, and learn about the Savior Jesus Christ.
Primary is for children ages 18 months through 11 years and the Primary theme comes from 3 Nephi 22:13, “All thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children."
I have had the opportunity to serve in the Stake Primary for last three years. This weekend I was released, or relieved from my calling as a new president was called. I had the opportunity to speak in the stake conference adult session and wanted to share a few of the things I said there. I had known that I might speak and had a thought it mind, but most of what I said just came out at the moment. My only prayer was that I could say the words He would have me speak.
I started out talking about how a calling in stake primary is similar to being a grandma. You get to go and visit primaries, support the ward leaders, feel the warmth and spirit of the meetings and then head home on your merry way. You don't have the diaper changes, the nighttime feedings, the week to week work of preparing lessons that will engage and instruct children. I felt the need to express such profound gratitude for the Primary leaders, teachers, music instructors, and weekday activity leaders in each ward who give voluntarily of their time to bless the lives of these children. I have seen countless hours of service given by wonderful adults whose one goal is to teach the children they work with of the Lord.
I also expressed appreciation for the wonderful counselors and secretaries I have had the opportunity to serve with. In that time I served with five wonderful women, Susan, Noma, Linda, Laura and Kathy who were extremely capable, faithful, and willing to give of their time, especially during difficult moments in my life, to be in different ward primaries, plan activities and meetings, and support ward leaders. I love these ladies and consider their friendship one of the great blessings of my service.
I then expressed appreciation for my wonderful Jacob, who is such a rock and a support to me. There were many Sundays where he would take our 3 and then 4 kids to church alone so that I could be in a different building, nights where he took over bedtime while I was at meetings, and hours he spent talking over ideas with me. I love him and how he always supported me.
I talked about how, especially over the last two years, I had the experience of many times visiting a Primary with a wounded heart, a bereft spirit, a hopeless outlook. As I have battled Jacob's illness and its implications in my mind and heart there were many Sundays where I felt alone and comfortless. And then, often, I would enter a Primary room and almost immediately the darkness would disperse. As I looked around at the sweet children gathered to learn of Christ, as I heard them sing Primary songs, as I heard their answers to questions or simple testimonies my broken heart would be mended, my hopeless outlook would be enlightened, I would find peace in the midst of despair. I don't know exactly how it happened, but being in Primary healed me and gave my heart enough strength to carry on. I really do believe that children have an ability to help us see light, find peace, and maintain faith. Maybe that is why in Mark 10:14 the Savior said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: For of such is the kingdom of heaven."
Finally, I ended quoting the words of one of my favorite new Primary songs, I know that my Savior loves me. I explained my feeling that the whole gospel, the essential truths, are contained in the primary songs. Whether you grew up in the church or are a recent convert, if you learn and live the words of the primary songs you will make it to heaven.
Then I stated the following words as my testimony of Him.
A long time ago in a beautiful place,
Children were gathered ’round Jesus.
He blessed and taught as they felt of His love.
Each saw the tears on His face.
The love that He felt for His little ones
I know He feels for me.
I did not touch Him or sit on His knee,
Yet, Jesus is real to me.
I know He lives!
I will follow faithfully.
My heart I give to Him.
I know that my Savior loves me.
I do know that the Savior loves me and all of us and am grateful for how I felt of His love in Primary.
8 comments:
Beautiful...absolutely beautiful! Love you!!
I love this so much!! Thank you for your beautiful words and wonderful example. You will be missed!❤️
I loved your testimony! So grateful for your service. We are going to miss you all so much.
So beautiful! That's my favorite song too! I often play it (on CD) in my car for my kids on the way to school and it calms everyone down, especially me, and the spirit is so strong! Thanks for sharing your testimony!
I was not unable to attend the adult session of stake conference. Thank you for sharing some of your talk here. Shortly after we moved into the ward you spoke in sacrament meeting. Without knowing you, I knew you had a strong testimony of the gospel by the words you spoke. I love how you share the blessings of the gospel in your life and testimony here on your blog. You are a strong, faithful woman and I look up to you. I love having your daughter in my primary class. She is such a joy in a sea of boys ;)
I know your service has impacted so many lives. Your own, your family, and the leaders and children where you have served so well these last three years. Your service since Jake became ill has given you new perspectives and strength and given you a chance to get outside of your own worries to give and serve others. This is the perfect antidote for grief...service. Your example of faith in the face of anguish will linger for years in the lives of people you have touched. Your testimony is simple and powerful and you have blessed so many with your words, including me. Love you dear daughter.
Thank you, Jord, for your remarkable post. There is healing and comfort in Primary, in the simple and plain and beautiful doctrines about Jesus. He heals, comforts, and blesses, and wants to do so. I am so grateful for you and your strong testimony, which has helped so many people. We love you and Jake and the kids, and know that Jesus does, too, and blesses you through His love for you, just as you have blessed so many through your testimony.
vfr
This is beautiful Jord. I know you touched so many as you served in Primary both at your ward and stake level. I have been touched and taught by your goodness and example too. I will always remember a time when you quickly came up with a FHE lesson at the Robertsons for the grandkids. You were engaging and fun. You were loving and brought the spirit. You have touched the hearts of so many children, and your goodness is especially evident in your dear children. I love you.
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