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).

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
• 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).

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, achievement 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 audiovisual equipment, posters, and visuals for the children’s sacrament meeting presentation?
  See Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, 321, 327. Counsel with your priesthood leaders for direction in using other materials.



• Can children wear costumes for the children’s sacrament meeting presentation?
  No, costumes should not be worn in sacrament meeting (see Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, 290).

Classes and Teachers

• Should 8-year-olds go to senior or junior Primary?
  It is a local decision. Counsel with your priesthood leader for direction.



• 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: 2005 through 2008. You may obtain a copy from your stake or ward clerks.

Copyrights

• Can we make a CD of the songs for the Primary sacrament meeting presentation to give children?
  Some songs in the 2007 Outline for Sharing Time and the Children's Sacrament Meeting Presentation may be copied onto CD to be given to Primary children in your ward or stake for noncommercial Church purposes. See 2007 Music for Sharing Time and the Children's Sacrament Meeting Presentation for more information.

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 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 Primary 1 manual states: "Take care of your child’s rest room and feeding needs before taking him or her to the nursery. A child who needs a diaper change will be taken to a parent" (xi). Counsel with your priesthood leader for guidelines in taking other children to the restroom.

Sharing Time

• Who presents sharing time?
  Sharing time is presented by the ward Primary presidency, except one sharing time each month should be a class presentation (see Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, 234–35).

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).