"It is not where you serve but how"

One of my favorite talks in General Conference was by Elder Edward Dube. I thought he spoke with such power. Some of the things he said were, "It is not where you serve but how." He also said, "In the sight of the Lord, it is not so much what we have done or where we have been but much more where we are willing to go." He relayed a story of an ox pulling contest. In this contest most people thought that the biggest and strongest oxen would win, but it was a surprise when two smaller oxen came out and won. The winning factor was that they had better "teamwork and coordination."
As your presidency works together as a team yoked with God you will have the spirit of the Holy Ghost with you. You will be able to do as Dieter F. Uchtdorf counseled, "stand close together and lift where we stand." You stand in primary and you have been given the responsibility to strengthen the children. Help them know Christ. Help them gain a testimony. The children in your midst are capable of great things. I know as they go out into the community and their schools they will have the courage to be a disciple of Christ. They will treat everyone with kindness and love. They will be a light to those that are looking. Help them know who they are.

Autumn McClellan
Arlington Stake Primary President.

Suffer the Children to Come Unto Me

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/bible-videos-the-life-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng

Watch "Suffer the Children to Come unto Me." In our recent Stake Conference Robert D. Hales said, "You are a powerful image of Christ in their life." You are more like Him then you know.

Autumn McClellan
Arlington Stake Primary President

Importance of a Teachers Role

11.2.5 in Handbook 2 it states, "Primary teachers and nursery leaders remain with the children during the entire Primary time on Sunday, including sharing time and breaks. During sharing time they sit with their assigned classes, sing songs with the children, and help the children participate reverently."

A teachers role is important even in sharing time and music. As children file in from sacrament meeting they look first for their teachers loving face as they come into primary. You are their safe person. Try to be there before they show up. This is a time for you to greet children and ask how their week has gone. It is the time for you to get them ready to be reverent. A gentle reminder is always welcome.

During sharing time and music help children to participate. It is your role to maintain reverence in your row so, that all the children in primary can feel the spirit and the primary presidency can teach. If you need to sit between two children, tap them on the shoulder and give them a quiet sign, or move children to a new seat, do it! We want children to love primary, but these steps are necessary at times to maintain reverence. Children need boundaries and each teacher sets the level of reverence for their class.

You are also an example in primary. If the children see you singing and participating in the activities shared that day they will know what is expected. Encourage and motivate the children to participate. Tell them to get up when there is a movement song. Ask them to sing and do. You and the children will get more out of primary if your minds are engaged in the activities and the words that are spoken.

It takes a lot of energy and effort to be a primary teacher, but the love you receive and the joy you can find from this calling is very great. I see you as Jesus, teaching the little children one by one. You are important. A quote in Teaching No Greater Call by David O. McKay says, "No greater responsibility can rest upon any man or woman, than to be a teacher of God's children." Your influence can last for the eternities. This is His work and you are his ever faithful servants. He is with you and will inspire you to love and care for each child in your class. The children love you. Thanks for all the time and effort you put in to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Autumn McClellan
Arlington Stake Primary President