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Leaders who have questions should study the Church Handbook of Instructions and consult with their local priesthood leaders for direction (see Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2: Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders [1998], xiv).
2010 Outline for Sharing Time
Copies of the 2010 Outline for Sharing Time: I Know My Savior Lives were mailed to priesthood leaders in June 2009 and are available through the online Church distribution center and your local distribution center.
Here are answers to frequently asked questions regarding this outline.
- What do we do for sharing time for the fifth Sunday of the month?
“When there is a fifth Sunday, use this time to review previous lessons” (2010 Outline for Sharing Time, inside front cover).
- Do we still do class presentations during sharing time?
Starting January 2010, there will be no class presentations. However, “occasionally you [the Primary presidency] may invite teachers and their classes to help you with parts of the gospel instruction” (2010 Outline for Sharing Time, inside front cover).
- How should we divide up sharing time and singing time?
Fifteen minutes should be for gospel teaching and twenty minutes for teaching music (see 2010 Outline for Sharing Time, 1).
- Can we use pictures in the sacrament meeting presentation?
“Visuals, costumes, and media presentations are not appropriate for sacrament meeting” (2010 Outline for Sharing Time, 1).
- Have class names been changed?
The Primary class names have been aligned with the ages of the children on January 1. For example, the CTR 4 class is for children age four by January 1, the Valiant 8 class is for children age eight by January 1, and so forth (see 2010 Outline for Sharing Time, 1).
During 2010, children should be taught from the following Primary manuals:
- Will sharing time ideas still be in the Friend magazine?
Starting with the January 2010 issue of the Friend magazine, the sharing time ideas for leaders will no longer be included. These ideas are incorporated into the outline for sharing time. The sharing time for children will still be in the magazine.
- The outline indicates curriculum for 2010 is either “General Curriculum” or “Basic Curriculum" (2010 Outline for Sharing Time, 1). What is the difference?
Basic curriculum is used where the Church has been recently organized or where general curriculum materials are not available. General curriculum is used where the Church is well established. Information about curriculum materials can be found in "Information for Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders on Curriculum: 2009 through 2012."
Activity Days
- Faith in God Program
- What recognition and awards do children receive for the Faith in God program?
"At least twice a year, a Primary activity day (or a Cub Scout Pack meeting) should include opportunities for the children to share what
they have learned and accomplished."
"When all required activities are completed, the Primary president and bishop or branch president sign the Faith in God Award certificate on the last page of this [Faith in God] guidebook. A member of the bishopric, branch presidency, or Primary presidency recognizes the child’s accomplishment in Primary."
"Parents and leaders should help the children understand that the joy of living the gospel is the most important reward." (Faith in God guidebook [2003], 19.)
- Who keeps track of the requirements for the Faith in God program?
The children with the help of their parents (see Faith in God
for Boys, 19; Faith in God for
Girls, 18).
- Who oversees the Faith in God program?
The Primary presidency ensures the program is running correctly. Under their direction, a Primary teacher or other worthy adult serves as the activity days leader (see Faith in God
guidebook, 18).
- Can the Faith in God program be completed in one year?
No. Children need to complete two activities in each of the three areas listed in the Faith in God guidebook each year. The Faith in God Award is given after the child turns 11 years old and has completed all the requirements in the Faith in God guidebook. (See Faith in God
guidebook, 4–5, 6, 8, 10, 12.)
- Can girls have an overnight activity for activity days?
It is not recommended. Counsel with your priesthood leaders for direction. Note that the Church's Scouting Handbook states, "No Scout-sponsored overnight camping should be planned for boys under age eleven" (p. 4; 1997 edition).
- Scouting (United States and Canada)
- Can a Webelos Cub Scout earn the Arrow of Light Award without an overnight camp?
Yes. The Cub Scout Webelos Handbook states that one of the Arrow of Light Award requirements is to "participate in a Webelos
overnight campout or day hike" (64; italics added).
- How often should the Scouts meet?
Whenever possible, boys meet every week for the Scouting and Faith in God program. (See Cub Scout Leader Book [Boy Scouts of America, 2001], 20-2; see also The Scoutmaster Handbook [Boy Scouts of America, 1998], 24.)
Baptism
- What is the responsibility of the Primary president regarding a baptismal service?
Baptismal services are under the direction of the bishop or stake president. Primary leaders may be asked to help with music or talks in these services. (See Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, 238.)
Budget
- What are the budget guidelines for Primary?
All expenses for Primary activities, programs, and supplies, including the nursery class, activity days, and Scouting should come from the ward budget (see Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, 238). Check with your local priesthood leader for budget allowance guidelines.
Certificate of Advancement
- Do we still use the Certificate of Advancement?
Yes. A member of the bishopric may present a Certificate of Advancement (33237) to the boys and girls in the sacrament meeting following their 12th birthday (see Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, 231).
Children's Sacrament Meeting Presentation
- Can we use pictures and costumes for the children’s sacrament meeting presentation?
“Visuals, costumes, and media presentations are not appropriate for sacrament meeting” (2010 Outline for Sharing Time, 1).
Classes and Teachers
- We have only two girls and one boy in our 11-year-old class. Can we combine them with the 10-year-old class?
Yes, since they are taught from the same lesson manual.
- Can a man serve in the nursery?
"At least two teachers should be called for each nursery class. If the teachers are not husband and wife, they should be the same gender. Both teachers should be in the class during the entire Primary time" (Primary 1
[2000], ix).
- How can we arrange our Primary schedule so the children turning 12 can go to their Young Women classes and Aaronic Priesthood quorum meetings?
The Primary schedule should be arranged so sharing time is held at the same time as Young Women classes and Aaronic Priesthood quorum
meetings. When children turn 12 years old, they attend their Young Women classes and Aaronic Priesthood quorum meetings during sharing
time. They continue to attend the Primary Valiant 12 class during Sunday School time until the end of the year. (See Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, 235.)
- What Primary manuals should we use for the year?
They are listed in Information for Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders on Curriculum: 2009 through 2012. You may obtain a copy from your stake or ward clerks.
Food in Primary
- What is the policy for food in Primary?
Food should only be provided when it is included as part of a lesson or as a snack for the children in the nursery class. Be sure to
consult with the parents of each child about any dietary restrictions that may be caused by conditions such as diabetes or allergies (see Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, 239).
Portrayal of Deity
- What is the policy on the portrayal of Deity?
God the Father, the Savior, and the Holy Ghost should not be portrayed by children. The only exception would be for children to portray Jesus in a nativity scene. (See Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, 279.)
Priesthood Preview
- Do we still hold priesthood preview?
Yes. "Each year, the bishopric meets with all 11-year-old boys and their parents to help them understand the importance of the priesthood and strengthen their commitment to prepare to receive it. Members of the Primary presidency also attend the meeting" (Faith in God for
Boys, 18–19). See Priesthood Preview for more information.
Primary Materials
- Can supplemental books and pictures from bookstores and the internet be used in Primary?
See Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, 239; see also Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, 304. If you have a concern about what you are using, get direction from your priesthood leader.
Restroom Needs
- What is the policy regarding taking children to the restroom?
The Nursery Manual: Behold Your Little Ones states: "Take care of your child’s restroom and feeding needs before taking him or her to the nursery class. A child who needs a diaper change will be taken to a parent" (7). Counsel with your priesthood leader for guidelines in taking other children to the restroom.
Testimony Meeting in Primary
- Can the Primary hold a testimony meeting?
Testimony meetings are not held in Primary (see Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, 239).
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