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“Instructions to Primary Leaders for Sharing Time and the Children’s Sacrament Meeting Presentation,” 2006 Outline for Sharing Time and the Children’s Sacrament Meeting Presentation: I Will Trust in Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ—Their Promises Are Sure, 1

Message to Primary Presidencies

This year as we study the scriptures and the words of latter-day prophets in Primary, we will learn of the promises Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have made to us. We will learn how Jesus Christ blesses us when we learn of Him, listen to His Spirit, and follow Him in faith. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know us, love us, and always keep Their promises. Heavenly Father has given us the plan of happiness. Jesus Christ is the promised Savior. He has given us His gospel, the scriptures, prophets to guide us, and commandments to live by. Teach the children to trust in Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, with all their hearts. Their promises are sure. We love you and pray for you.
The Primary General Presidency

Instructions for Sharing Time

Sharing time is a 30-minute period that allows children of combined age-groups to participate in activities and sing songs that teach gospel principles.

The following guidelines will help in planning sharing times:

• • Study this document before the year begins.

• • Seek inspiration as you plan weekly sharing times.

• • Use this outline.

• • Write your plan on a copy of the “Sharing Time Planning Work Sheet” on page 12.

• • Include the music leader in your planning because half of sharing time should be used for singing. Music could be interspersed throughout sharing time.

• • Identify the weekly gospel principle you will teach.

• • Discuss ways you can teach the principle and involve the children. (See “Teaching Methods” on page 13.)

• • Determine which member of the presidency will teach or oversee each weekly sharing time.

• • Have one sharing time a month be a class presentation.

Guidelines for the Sacrament Meeting Presentation

Under the direction of the bishop or branch president, the children’s sacrament meeting presentation is given during the fourth quarter of the year. The children will share what they have learned about this year’s theme, “I Will Trust in Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ—Their Promises Are Sure.” The sacrament meeting presentation should be no more than 40 minutes long and should follow Church policies and guidelines for sacrament meetings. A member of the bishopric or branch presidency should conclude the meeting with brief remarks confirming the principles taught in the presentation. (See Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2: Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders [1998], 237.)

The following guidelines will also help in planning the sacrament meeting presentation:

• • Meet with the bishop or branch president early in the year to discuss preliminary plans. Obtain his approval when the plans are completed.

• • Plan for the children to present the program based on the monthly sharing time themes.

• • Throughout the year, keep notes of individual children’s talks and experiences for possible use in the presentation.

• • Plan to use a variety of methods in the presentation: scriptures, personal experiences, individual or group recitations, and testimonies.

• • In presenting the music, you may include the entire Primary chorus, older and younger children’s choruses, child soloists, duets, small groups of children, the congregation, and appropriate instrumental accompaniments.

• • Plan practices that will not take time away from classes or families unnecessarily.

Glossary

As you teach about promises this year, please use and help the children understand correct terms and doctrine. Pay particular attention to the following:

Accountability Accepting responsibility for our choices.

Agency The ability to choose and act for oneself. Use the term agency rather than free agency to describe our freedom to choose. Agency is the term used in the scriptures (see D&C 29:36; Moses 7:32).

Apostasy A falling away from the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Heavenly Father’s plan Our Heavenly Father presented the plan of life and salvation in the Grand Council in Heaven. Only one plan was presented. Jehovah (Jesus Christ) sustained the plan of our Heavenly Father. Lucifer (the devil, Satan) attempted to change the plan.

Jehovah Jesus Christ, also known as Jehovah, is the God of the Old Testament.

These terms are marked with an asterisk (*) throughout this outline.

Key to Symbols and Abbreviations

The following symbols and abbreviations are used throughout the outline: