Testimony

11.8.3 Handbook 2

"Parents, Primary leaders, and teachers bear simple and direct testimony when they teach, helping children learn what a testimony is and how to express a testimony.  Testimony meetings are discouraged in primary.  However, parents, Primary leaders, and teachers may provide other opportunities for testimony bearing.  For example, children may bear their testimonies when they give lessons in family home evening and when they give talks in sharing time.  Such opportunities help children prepare to share their testimonies in fast and testimony meeting when they are old enough to do so without assistance from a parent, sibling, or other person."  

Children need to be given the chance to speak in Primary. These talks help the children become comfortable speaking in front of others. It gives them a chance to spend one on one time with a parent to learn how to prepare a talk.  It gives an opportunity for parents to talk to their children about testimony and what it means to have a testimony.  It will prepare them for giving talks in Sacrament meeting and teaching lessons at church. One of the key points of having successful talks, prayers and scripture sharing in primary is good communication with the parents. Here are a few tips to make it work better.

1.  There are many ways to assign talks in Primary.  I have seen leaders in our stake use wrist bands that tell parents when the talk is and what the topic is on.  These are nice because they usually stay on the child's wrist.  You can use stickers with the information printed on them.  Some leaders have a mail box and they check the mail and give out letters to parents explaining the date of the talk and what the topic is.  There are other creative ways.  The main point is to give each child in your primary the opportunity of preparing and expressing their testimony through a talk. 

2.  It is wise to have your secretary make a reminder call on the day before the talk should be given.  Parents appreciate this and you can also make sure they were given the assignment. 

3.  Be prepared with a back up talk just in case the child does not show up.  A short story from the friend or other appropriate source is perfectly fine.  Either you can give this talk or you can ask for a volunteer to read the story, but remember that you should testify of the doctrine learned.  

I know that as the children learn to give talks in Primary their testimonies of the gospel will grow.  The Holy Ghost will be with them and they will feel Heavenly Fathers love for them. 

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Autumn McClellan

First Counselor

Arlington Stake Primary