"A Marvelous Work and Wonder"

Coleen K. Menlove
Primary General President

WORLDWIDE CHURCH
This is a time of celebration, as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has grown to more than 12 million members in 171 countries throughout the world. The marvelous work and wonder of the Restoration is truly rolling forth to cover the earth. As I visit Primaries, I often feel impressed to help children understand they belong to a worldwide Church. I want children to know they are one of a million children attending Primary in over 26,000 Primaries around the world. I want them to understand that, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they are part of a marvelous work and wonder.

Even though Primary children may speak many different languages, the precious truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ unite them together as in the song “Holding Hands Around the World.”¹ The children in Warsaw, Poland; Winnabe, Ghana; Cebu, Philippines; Donetsk, Ukraine; and other countries may gather in small numbers, but they are learning the same truths that Heavenly Father loves each one of them. He hears and answers their prayers. His Son, Jesus Christ, lived and died for us that we might return to Their presence. Each child can come to know that Joseph Smith is a true prophet who restored the gospel in these latter days. As they follow the teachings found in the Book of Mormon and other scriptures and listen to the words of our living prophet, they can feel peace and joy in their lives.

Throughout the world, loving leaders and teachers help children develop testimonies of God’s plan for them and a desire to follow His plan. Children can start right now to follow His plan and prepare to become righteous young women or men who serve missions, marry in the temple, and have eternal families of their own. Children need to know they can become strong leaders and be part of this marvelous work and wonder—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A mission president’s wife, who worked to strengthen Primaries while serving with her husband in Albania, understood the great potential of children when she wrote, “I am convinced that the children are the key to getting the Church well-established in these countries. The children are eager, . . . and they want to learn.”² Primary children throughout the world are learning gospel truths as loving teachers teach, testify, and help them sing the joyful songs of the restored gospel.

OUR PART IN THIS MARVELOUS WORK
President Gordon B. Hinckley testified, “These are days of prophecy fulfilled; and I, with you, am grateful to be a part of this vibrant, marvelous work which is affecting for good so many people in so many parts of the world. This growth is not a victory of men; it is a manifestation of the power of God.”³ President Hinckley also said, “This work began with a most remarkable manifestation when the Father and the Son appeared to the boy Joseph Smith on a spring morning in the year 1820. All of the good we see in the Church today is the fruit of that remarkable visitation, a testimony of which has touched the hearts of millions in many lands.”⁴

This year The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is celebrating several important milestones in the Restoration of the fullness of the gospel, and there will be many activities. I hope you will find ways to include children in local commemorative events.

Think of the wonder of it all. From a little-known beginning, the Church has become, as Isaiah prophesied, a marvelous work and a wonder for all the people of the world.⁵ One of the great blessings of living at this time is receiving the words of a living prophet. The knowledge that Jesus Christ speaks through a living prophet on the earth today is truly a marvelous work and a wonder. In Primary we teach and testify of our living prophets and their inspired counsel. Children’s ears are tuned to their words. Encourage children to listen for messages given in general conference and reported in the Ensign, the Friend, and the Liahona that are especially for them.

We are greatly blessed to be a part of this marvelous work. We have been called to teach children at this critical time in the history of the Church. We have been given a sacred trust from the Lord. A painting in the Primary office reminds me of our sacred duty to bring souls unto Christ. I have learned some important lessons from this painting. First, this painting has no artist’s signature, yet its distinctive characteristics make it easily identifiable as the work of Minerva Teichert. Like the painting, the love and the works of the Savior are identifiable by the fruits of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The second lesson relates to why the painting is unsigned—the work is not finished. Close examination reveals sketch lines that are not yet filled in with paint. A signature would likely have been placed on the canvas if the painting had been finished.

This has relevance to a statement by Joseph F. Smith:

Jesus had not finished his work when his body was slain, neither did he finish it after his resurrection from the dead; although he had accomplished the purpose for which he then came to the earth, he had not fulfilled all his work. And when will he? Not until he has redeemed and saved every son and daughter of our father Adam that have been or ever will be born upon this earth to the end of time. . . . That is his mission.⁶

Joseph F. Smith continues:

We will not finish our work until we have saved ourselves, and then not until we shall have saved all depending upon us; for we are to become saviors upon Mount Zion, as well as Christ. We are called to this mission.⁷

The Lord could do His work without us, but as part of His plan, we are allowed, even called, to do our part. We add our strokes to His canvas as we teach the gospel and share our testimonies of the great plan of happiness so that others will desire and prepare to receive salvation and exaltation.

As Primary teachers, we desire to represent the Savior and do His work in His way. We have been given a sacred trust to assist parents in teaching their children the gospel of Jesus Christ in Primary. “The Saints of God have always been under covenant to nourish each other spiritually, especially those tender in the gospel.”⁸ As we learn of the many challenges children face throughout the world, we desire to help in some way. We want all children to have the light and hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have been entrusted to do our part in preaching this marvelous work and wonder.

Let us focus on how we can be on the Lord’s errand and do the work we have been called to do. We can prepare ourselves by preparing our hearts and our minds and by gathering together to strengthen one another.

Prepare Ourselves
Prepare Our Hearts. In order to teach God’s children and nourish their tender faith, we must strengthen our own faith and invite the Holy Ghost to be with us as we prepare to fulfill our callings. Do you remember what it was like when you were first called? I remember when President Hinckley issued my call. He asked me, “How is your faith?” He knows it takes great faith to accept a call to serve in the Church. We must have faith that weak things can be made strong.⁹ We must have faith that by prayerfully studying the scriptures, we will receive inspiration to accomplish what we have been called to do. There would be a great danger in having doubting men and women teach children. We can’t teach faith if we don’t possess faith. We can’t help children to feel what we don’t feel.¹⁰ Through our teachings and our examples, children can be guided to the Savior and His love and light. Our love for the children helps them to feel the love of the Savior. President Hinckley’s question, “How is your faith?” Emphasizes the wisdom in the scripture, “And I [God] work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith.”¹¹

I know that as we study the scriptures, the Holy Ghost will testify to our hearts and help us be better prepared to understand and teach His word. In the Doctrine and Covenants, we are taught, “Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men.”¹²

Just as pondering the scriptures and words of the latter-day prophets invites the Holy Ghost, so does daily prayer. “And the Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith; and if ye receive not the Spirit ye shall not teach.”¹³ “Heartfelt, constant pleading for the companionship of the Holy Ghost, with the pure intent to nourish [and teach] our Father’s children, will surely bring blessings to us and to those we love and serve.”¹⁴ Through prayer and inspiration, we can magnify our ability to serve in Primary. One sister shared this experience:

I had played the piano for Primary for some time. I never thought about magnifying my calling. It was a snap. I didn’t have to practice, and I enjoyed the children. I had fun in Primary. Then came the sacrament meeting talk on magnifying our callings. For several days after that talk, I had the impression that I should pray about magnifying my calling. I resisted, thinking, “I’m doing fine, I don’t even have to practice. How can I get any better than this?” But when the impression wouldn’t go away, I finally prayed about magnifying my calling as the Primary pianist. The thought came that I should use only the songs that were familiar to the children as prelude and postlude music. So I stopped playing all the songs that I thought were so fun and unusual and started playing songs the children knew. The children started humming the hymns they knew and seemed to be a little more reverent. I learned from that simple experience that every calling can be magnified.¹⁵

The sweet Spirit that accompanies us when we prepare our hearts by studying the scriptures and praying to magnify our callings is the same Spirit that testifies to the hearts of the children we teach in Primary. “When we have the Spirit to direct us, we are capable of teaching with great power.”¹⁶ In 2 Nephi we are taught, “For when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men.”¹⁷

Prepare Our Minds. President Hinckley asked a second question before he extended my call. He said, “Do you have a testimony of this work?” Think how you might answer such a question. To me a testimony of this work requires knowledge of the work that we are called to do. For those of us called to serve in Primary, it means knowledge of the gospel, as well as knowledge of the why, what, and how of teaching children in Primary.

In Primary we study the scriptures. We also study the handbooks, the outline for sharing time, the manuals, and other available Church-produced resources such as Teaching, No Greater Call, which helps us plan and present age-appropriate, engaging lessons for children. There are many inspired materials provided by the Church to guide and assist us. The Gospel Art Picture Kit contains visual helps for teaching the gospel. These resources are on the Church Web site, www.lds.org, along with many other new helps on the Primary website.

Are we using the resources we have been given? For example, do you remember the Church video Sharing Time with President Gordon B. Hinckley? How long has it been since the children in your Primary have been taught by a living prophet? Find and use this video or DVD so the children can see and hear President Hinckley teach and bear testimony of gospel truths. This video is appropriate for nursery-age children as well as for older children who are learning about the principles of tithing, the temple, eternal families, belonging to the Church, and how following God’s plan will make them happy.

The Children’s Songbook is one of our greatest resources for teaching children the gospel. We can teach, testify, and bring to remembrance God’s plan through music in all parts of Primary. The scriptures teach, “The righteous shall be gathered out from among all nations, and shall come to Zion, singing with songs of everlasting joy.”¹⁸ Children need to sing more in opening or closing exercises, in sharing time, in classes—including in the nursery, at activity days, and even on their way home from Primary, and in their homes. Ward Primary presidencies can encourage music leaders to magnify their calling by testifying of the importance of their calling, orienting them, and providing follow-up support.

Gather to Strengthen One Another. Stake and ward leadership meetings provide a time and place for us to gather, express appreciation, give ongoing support, discuss concerns, and share successes. Stake Primary leaders should be a source of knowledge and support for ward Primary presidencies as they work together to fulfill the purpose and objectives of Primary.

Who trains the stake Primary presidency? After the stake Primary presidency has been called and set apart by the stake president, he will assign one of his counselors to oversee the work of the stake Primary. This counselor will meet regularly with the stake Primary presidency and high council adviser to train her and discuss Primary matters. He reports on these matters in stake presidency meetings. This line of leadership is outlined in the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, section 5, “Primary.”¹⁹ If you have not received such training, you may want to request it for your presidency.

When I served as a stake Primary president, I did not know I was to meet with these priesthood leaders. I neglected to read this in the handbook. In the beginning, I held presidency meetings without informing my priesthood leaders. No wonder they did not come. Months later, after I read this part of the handbook, I started inviting the counselor in the stake presidency and the member of the high council to our presidency and stake Primary leadership meetings. They could not come every time, nor was it necessary, but they did come occasionally, and through this increased communication, our effectiveness improved.

Ask your stake priesthood leaders how you can help them achieve the priesthood purposes in your stake. You will receive a clearer understanding of their focus and direction and you will increase your ability to fulfill your calling. You will go forward with greater confidence, knowing what is most important to your priesthood leaders. Encourage ward Primary presidencies to ask for direction on how they can help their bishopric achieve ward priesthood purposes.

Now let me ask you another question. What are the roles and responsibilities of a stake Primary presidency? The Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, section 5 instructs us that in addition to accomplishing the purpose and objectives of Primary, the stake Primary presidency (1) serves as a resource to ward Primary presidencies, (2) instructs and advises individual presidencies as requested by the ward and directed by the stake presidency, (3) plans and conducts stake Primary leadership meetings twice a year, and (4) visits each ward Primary to give support and ensure it is functioning properly. The handbook instructs the stake Primary presidency to observe at ward conferences, “but they do not conduct Primary, teach classes, or present sharing time.”²⁰ I think this is because stake leaders are not familiar with the children in each Primary, and children often do not respond well to strangers. Modeling and demonstrating for ward Primaries is best done in stake Primary leadership meetings. Other responsibilities of the stake Primary presidency includes meeting regularly with their high council adviser; coordinating Scouting for boys between the ages of 8 and 11; and overseeing records, reports, and finances of the stake Primary. The stake Primary president also serves as a member of the stake council.²¹

Why have I repeated so much of the Church handbook? Because if these things are not happening at the stake level, then the ward Primaries are not receiving the instruction and support they need. After being trained at the general level, stake priesthood and auxiliary leaders will then strengthen their wards by teaching and training leadership principles. Priesthood and auxiliary training responsibilities are shifting more and more to the stake level.

Stake Primary leaders, you can be incredibly important to the ward Primaries. You give expressions of appreciation, instruction, and encouragement and provide a place where concerns and questions can be addressed. Are ward leaders calling you to ask for help? Are they calling you as a friend who will counsel with them about difficulties and who will also celebrate with them the great Primary experiences they are having? I surveyed several stake Primary presidents, and this is what some of them said:

• “When we orient a new ward presidency, we emphasize the importance of following the handbook and priesthood direction and give some specific helps we know they will need soon. We can’t and don’t try to cover it all, but we start to build a relationship and give them our phone numbers.”
• “We try to keep communication open. They usually call with their concerns, and we discuss possible solutions. I check back later to see how it’s going. When appropriate, some of these concerns can be addressed in a general way at a leadership meeting.”
• “We try to love, encourage, and build on their strengths, and then they are more willing to try another way of doing things.”
• “We visit ward Primaries and meet with them for a few minutes afterward to express appreciation, encouragement, and answer any of their questions. If we have any concerns, we communicate with our priesthood adviser on the high council, who in turn could counsel with the bishop of that ward.”
• “Prior to ward conference, we meet with each ward presidency after our ward conference visit and ask them if they have any concerns. We then direct them to resources such as the handbook or to Teaching, No Greater Call so they might begin to resolve their concerns. We always bear testimony of their calling and the work they are called to do. Within the week of our visit, we send each ward a letter highlighting the strengths we saw.”

Let’s think about the responsibility stake and ward Primary presidents have in council meetings. Council meetings are a time to think about and beyond Primary, a time to help other leaders plan how to accomplish the mission of the Church, such as strengthening individuals and families. Preparation for a council meeting begins in your presidency meeting, where you could discuss concerns and make a list of recommendations. Presidents, take your concerns and recommendations to your priesthood adviser and he can help determine if any issues should be placed on the council agenda. In the council meeting, we bring not only our concerns but also our recommendations. When a decision is made, it is important to support and follow that decision.

I have special admiration for stake Primary presidencies. Ward Primary leaders can turn to you for help. Even if you don’t know all the answers to their questions, your caring and loving relationship will help them find their answers. I can remember countless times, as I served in ward auxiliaries, when a stake auxiliary leader said just what I needed to hear to help and encourage me. You will probably never know the difference you make this month or even this year, but in the years to come, those you mentor will follow your example as they mentor others. Primary leaders who are prepared spiritually and feel love and encouragement from their stake leaders will, in turn, be better prepared to love and teach the children the gospel of Jesus Christ and how to live it with joy.

HELP CHILDREN DO THEIR PART IN THIS MARVELOUS WORK
We can help children be a part of this marvelous work by teaching them with love, by helping them choose the right and stand strong, by providing opportunities for them to serve others, and by helping them look forward to the future.

Love and Teach the Children
President Gordon B. Hinckley reminds us: “Love your children. Cherish them. They are so precious. They are so very, very important. They are the future. You need more than your own wisdom in rearing them. You need the help of the Lord [to do this]. Pray for that help and follow the inspiration which you receive.”²² Parents trust us to assist them in loving and teaching their children. Many children who are not taught the gospel in their homes are depending upon us to teach them. As children feel our love for them, they will respond with trust and faith in what we teach.

Our love can have a great impact on the lives of children. The experiences and memories children have help form the foundation of their developing testimonies and their future faithfulness. A young woman shared an experience she had when she was four years old. When her mother remarried and the family moved to a different town, the strangeness of these major life changes overwhelmed her, and she resisted attending a strange Primary. One Sunday after Primary was over and she had not attended, there was a knock on the door. Her Primary teacher, a stranger to her, was standing on the steps, smiling. “She asked if she could come in and visit with me and my mother for a few minutes. We sat on our couch while she gave me a mini lesson. She brought a tiny loaf of bread . . . for me to nibble while she talked. I don’t remember . . . the lesson. . . . I do remember . . . feeling that I was an important member of her class.”²³ This Primary teacher’s visit helped this little girl to no longer feel like an outcast in a strange world. Her Primary teacher helped her to know that she was loved by her and, even more importantly, was loved by her Heavenly Father.

Do we realize who these children really are and who they can become? Elder M. Russell Ballard counsels: “True teachers and leaders see children as they may become. They see the valiant missionary who will one day share his testimony with the world and later become a righteous father who honors his priesthood. The inspired teacher sees pure and beautiful mothers and future presidents of the Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary, even though today they may be girls who giggle and chatter on the back row in the classroom.”²⁴

Retaining children in Church activity as they grow older and face worldly influences is a challenge. Ward leaders and teachers, it is important that you focus on children one by one. You can develop a personal, caring relationship with each child and encourage others, children and teachers, to also reach out. One Primary president said she shares this opportunity to fellowship young children with older Primary children. She asks them to sit by a new Sunbeam or a visiting neighborhood child and be their special friend so the new child will feel comfortable coming to Primary. These younger children, especially, are like investigators of the gospel and are developing testimonies in preparation for baptism.

Older Primary children are at a particularly critical time in learning and holding onto their developing testimonies. These children have specific developmental characteristics that affect their thinking because they become more capable of understanding right from wrong and the consequences of their choices. Children between the ages of 10 and 12 begin to use logical, systematic approaches to problem solving. At this age, self-esteem at this age comes from peers, but self-worth comes from parents, teachers, and other important adults in their lives. Self-worth is their inner sense of value, which anchors them in times of stress. This age group also begins to question their parents’ value systems. This is a very important time for Primary teachers to reinforce gospel principles and practices taught in the home. Teachers can exert a phenomenally positive influence in the lives of children.

As teachers, we compete with the noises of the world and the constant offers of entertainment without effort. Let’s take time to look more closely at the experiences we provide for older children. Involving these children in active learning that is tied to real-life situations is far more effective than passive learning. A few examples of using active learning techniques include having small group discussions with their peers, asking questions that require them to visualize how gospel principles can be applied in real-life situations, and offering opportunities for them to use decision-making skills. Teaching and involving children in service to others is a good way to actively apply gospel principles. It is particularly important that we teach older children to be independent and confident in searching the scriptures and praying to discover answers to their questions, fears, and doubts. We prepare learning experiences to enhance the children’s understanding of gospel principles and strengthen their testimonies by applying some of these teaching methods.

Help Children Choose the Right and Stand Strong
We know our children will experience trials and opposition from the world. Darkness is all around them. It comes on the playground, in the hallways at school, at friend’s houses, and even in their homes. It comes in the form of video games, TV, DVDs, the internet, and now cell phones. How can we help children pursue a steady course in a world of shifting values and changing standards? We have to help children understand the blessings of holding true to the divinely inspired standards, such as those explained in “My Gospel Standards.” We don’t contend or debate with the voices of the world. We stand strong together and hold fast to what we have been taught, been promised, and know to be true. Our example and our joy will validate these standards.

Primary activities can provide children with righteous alternatives that fill their lives with light so they will recognize the presence of the Spirit. The Faith in God guidebooks are tools to help parents and leaders teach children ages 8 through 11 how to live the gospel and feel joy in their choices and accomplishments. Turning 8 years old is an important time for Primary children. They are baptized and become members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They meet with their Primary leaders and parents to receive their Faith in God guidebook and are taught how the program will help build their testimonies. Imagine how exciting this is for them as they have many new opportunities for fun and challenging experiences.

One of the requirements for the Faith in God award is memorizing the Articles of Faith. In this year of commemoration, understanding and memorizing the Articles of Faith is especially important so children can declare their knowledge of the Restoration of the gospel. As children progress in the Faith in God program, they will develop daily gospel habits and practice living gospel principles by attending weekday activities. Remember, 10 and 11 year olds are in developmental stages where they benefit most from active learning opportunities that show them how to put the gospel into action, such as service to others.

Help Children Serve Others
We can direct children to positive activities and projects where they have an opportunity to love and serve others. Jesus Christ taught, “In as much as ye have done it unto one of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”²⁵ President David O. McKay taught, “There is more spirituality expressed in giving than in receiving. The greatest spiritual blessing comes from helping another.”²⁶ Children express feelings of joy and goodness when they participate in activities that bless and serve others who are less fortunate. Children do not need to reach beyond their own families, wards, and communities to serve, as the following stories illustrate.

In Setubal, Portugal, a large number of children, along with their parents, participated in a project to improve city parks. They assisted in the reconstruction of three picnic areas. This service project taught the children how to contribute in their community for the good of all and helped create bonds of friendship.²⁷

A young Primary child decided to help her aunt collect blankets for babies born at an Argentina birthing center for poor mothers who did not have money to buy blankets. For her eighth birthday party, she asked the children invited to bring a baby blanket instead of a gift. Fifteen children were invited, and 50 blankets were received. She said, “I feel good knowing that 50 babies will have blankets to keep them warm.”²⁸

There are a few basic principles involved in helping children serve others. Primary children, especially older ones, can suggest a project or choose from a list of projects so they feel a personal interest in what they are doing. Service projects involving their own family or neighborhoods are best because the children can have ongoing contact with those they have served, allowing them to see how their service benefited others. Be sure children are actually doing something with their hands and their time, and be careful not to let the project become a financial burden on anyone involved. Serving others helps children develop a strong sense of self-worth and see their future as hopeful and productive.

Children Can Look to the Future with Hope and Faith
Primary prepares children for the future and for their roles as Aaronic Priesthood holders and righteous young women. Teaching the plan of salvation gives children an understanding of who they are and who they can become. An 11-year-old boy from Russia waited anxiously for his 12th birthday so he could pass the sacrament. He had been adopted two years previously by parents who were baptized into the Church as adults. His father reported on that special morning; “At sacrament meeting that day, I didn’t hold the tears back when I saw him up there passing the sacrament for the first time. . . . I wish I had grown up in the Church . . . with the knowledge he [has] now.”²⁹ Primary helped this young man prepare to receive the Aaronic Priesthood. His knowledge of the gospel gives him hope and faith as he plans for his future.

The priesthood preview meeting, presented under the direction of the priesthood, is a priority in preparing 11-year-old boys to receive the Aaronic Priesthood. It is usually held in November for all 11-year-old boys and their parents. After prayerfully considering the needs of the boys in their ward, the bishopric members determine the content of the meeting. This meeting should help the boys understand the importance of the priesthood and strengthen their commitment to prepare to receive it.

Helping girls in Primary to become righteous young women is especially difficult today. The voices of the world encourage immodest dress and immoral behavior. Modesty and righteous behavior begin in the home. It would be helpful for Primary leaders to unite with Relief Society and Young Women leaders in teaching dress standards to young children before they reach the years of adolescence and strong negative peer pressure. We sometimes feel Primary-age children seem too young to worry about short shorts and bare tummies and shoulders or appropriate language and music, but children learn what is acceptable and what is not in their early years as values are taught and modeled by parents and others. It is our responsibility to help teach all children that their outward appearance is a reflection of their inward commitment to live the standards of the gospel.

As we think about how Primary can and does help prepare children for the future, I would like to share a Primary talk written and given by an 11-year-old boy named Matthew.

In two more weeks I will be leaving Primary. I would like to talk today about some of the things Primary has taught me and how it has helped me gain a testimony of the gospel.

One of the first scriptures I memorized for Primary was 1 Nephi 3:7: “I will go and do the things which the Lord has commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandment unto the children of men save he shall prepare a way for them to accomplish that which he hath commanded them.” I was a Sunbeam when I had to give this scripture and my mom helped me memorize it. I still remember that scripture today.

I have always enjoyed coming to Primary. I have always listened to the stories and lessons being taught. I also remember memorizing the Articles of Faith and the Primary president’s challenge to memorize them before we turned 11 years old. I worked hard and achieved this goal.

I have enjoyed a lot of sharing times put on by the Primary leaders. It’s always fun to learn the lesson while having an activity to go along with it. One thing I will miss about Primary is singing time. I don’t think they have singing time in priesthood. I will also miss the lessons my teachers give in class. I have had some great teachers. One of my teachers taught us not to be a Sunday Mormon. I really, really enjoyed Brother Gray. He helped me prepare to receive the priesthood. I enjoy how he teaches his lessons. He brings examples and relates it to the world. He always makes sure everyone understands the lesson. Most of my best friends have been in Primary with me. I enjoy seeing them each week and being with them.

Primary has helped my testimony grow. There have been many times I have felt the Holy Ghost during lessons and during sharing time. I will miss Primary very much when I leave. Primary has made me have a strong testimony of this gospel. I know that this is the true Church of Jesus Christ. I know that President Hinckley is a true Prophet. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that he restored the gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth. I’m thankful for my knowledge of these things and those people who have helped me learn this. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.³⁰

Matthew’s talk not only reviewed his years in Primary and revealed his preparation to advance into Young Men and the Aaronic Priesthood, but it also expressed his heartfelt love and gratitude for his teachers and the gospel principles they taught him. He remembered fun times and friendships. He remembered times when he felt the presence of the Spirit testifying to him, and he bore his testimony of Heavenly Father, the Savior, Jesus Christ, and the Restoration of the gospel. This is what we want for all children as they turn 12. No doubt Matthew’s experience in Primary was a marvelous work and wonder.

A bishop from Florida expressed some of the same feelings about Primary being part of a marvelous work. This bishop wrote:

I have been involved in many baptismal interviews while serving as a mission president and as a bishop. A week ago I interviewed an eight-year-old Primary boy, who is from a part member family. I could not have had a better interview ever! I could not believe the knowledge and power of this boy. When I asked where he gained his testimony he said, “Primary, my scriptures, my prayers, my mom, and the prophet.” I attended his baptism today and another eight-year-old, his best friend, gave a talk on baptism. The talk was remarkable. I kept seeing both of these boys as powerful missionaries proclaiming the gospel to a weary and needy world. I fully expect that this experience is not uncommon. My observations over the years have been that our young Primary children are gaining powerful testimonies and are standing as youthful witnesses of what the Lord is doing to prepare His kingdom with future missionaries.³¹

And then his next comment is to each of you, “Thank you for all that Primary does to help nurture and teach.”

CONCLUSION
Truly this is a marvelous time. You, along with one million Primary children and teachers in over 26,000 Primaries, are like the song “Holding Hands Around the World.”³² “This is a season of a thousand opportunities. It is ours to grasp and move forward. What a wonderful time it is for each of us to do his or her small part in moving the work of the Lord on to its magnificent destiny.”³³

The wonders of the Lord’s work rolls forth from His hands with the willing hearts and minds of all who serve Him. We are His servants. Called to do His work, we add our strokes to His canvas keeping in mind His grand design “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”³⁴ Rejoice in your opportunity to be part of this marvelous work and wonder. Rejoice with the children as they prepare for their part in the Lord’s plan, as they love and serve others. These are the children who will be privileged to be part of finishing the work of the Lord, who is the author and finisher of our salvation. May you be blessed as you do the work of our Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

REFERENCES

1. See Janice Kapp Perry, “Holding Hands Around the World,” Friend, July 2002, 44–45.
2. Correspondence on file in Primary Office.
3. “Pursue the Steady Course,” Ensign, Jan. 2005, 3.
4. Ensign, Jan. 2005, 3.
5. See Isaiah 29:14.
6. Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. (1939), 442.
7. Gospel Doctrine, 442.
8. Henry B. Eyring, in Conference Report, Oct. 1997, 1B; or Ensign, Nov. 1997, 82.
9. See Ether 12:27.
10. See Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay [Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society course of study, 2003], 189.
11. 2 Nephi 27:23.
12. D&C 11:21.
13. D&C 42:14.
14. Eyring, in Conference Report, Oct. 1997, 115.
15. Sandra Rogers, “With Joy Draw Water from the Wells of Salvation,” 2004 Women’s Conference.
16. L. Tom Perry, in Conference Report, Apr. 1999, 6; or Ensign, May 1999, 8.
17. 2 Nephi 33:1.
18. D&C 45:71.
19. See Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2: Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders, (1998), 229.
20. See Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2: Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders, (1998), 239.
21. See Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2: Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders, (1998), 230.
22. “The Fabric of Faith and Testimony,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 89.
23. “The Lesson I Remember Best,” Ensign, Jan. 2005, 60.
24. M. Russell Ballard, “Teach the Children,” Ensign, May 1991, 79.
25. Matthew 25:40.
26. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay, 183.
27. Church News, “Helping Hands begins,” Aug. 7, 2004, 15.
28. Meghan White, “Blankets for Babies,” Friend, June 2004, 45.
29. Laury Livsey, “Becoming a Deacon,” Ensign, Jan. 2005, 56.
30. Correspondence on file in Primary Office.
31. Correspondence on file in Primary Office.
32. See Janice Kapp Perry, “Holding Hands Around the World,” Friend, July 2002, 44-45.
33. Gordon B. Hinckley, in Conference Report, Oct. 1997, 90–91; or Ensign, Nov. 1997, 67.
34. Moses 1:39.