[Jenny SmithParticipant]

Not exactly. The time during which you will have these talks/prayers/scriptures, etc, is at the end/beginning of the Sharing Time (50 minute) portion of Primary. Right now it’s likely that your Primary is coming back together as a group for closing exercises. That group re-assembly has been eliminated as stated at lds.org. What you’ve been calling opening or closing exercises is now just a part of Sharing Time.

Here’s how the schedule might work based on 9 AM Church:

9:00 AM – Sacrament Meeting

10:20 AM – Junior Primary goes to CTR & Sunbeam classes; Senior Primary goes to Sharing Time (including talks/prayers/scripture/music time/lesson)

11:00 AM – Junior Primary has 10-minute break

11:10 AM – Senior Primary has 10-minute break; Junior Primary begins Sharing Time (including talks/prayers/scripture/music time/lesson)

11:20 AM – Senior Primary goes to classes (Valiant 8-11, etc)

12:00 PM – Dismiss.

The new schedule will double the number of children who are able to give talks and participate in Sharing Time, AND give the kids a break during the 3-hour block. I love it!

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

The pictures and text for the old Gospel Art Picture Kit are online here:
http://lds.org/hf/art/0,16812,4218-1,00.html

And I have posted some of them online here:
http://mormonshare.com/taxonomy/term/1312/lds_clipart

This website has the pictures from the new Gospel Art Book:
http://lds.org/library/display/0,4945,8555-1-4779-3,00.html

It doesn’t have the stories, but it does contain hyperlinks to the relevant scripture stories. Hope this helps!

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

“Young women 12–18 years of age, their mothers, and leaders are invited to participate in completing Personal Progress. As mothers work together with their daughters, their eternal relationship will be strengthened and both will grow in faith and testimony. Mothers complete the same requirements as their daughters (see Young Women Personal Progress, 92). Leaders are encouraged to complete Personal Progress. Their example is important. The leader requirements are slightly modified from the regular program requirements to acknowledge the service leaders give in Young Women (see Young Women Personal Progress, 91).

“If a young woman does not have a mother to assist her, other exemplary women who desire to participate in and complete Personal Progress themselves may assist and mentor this young woman with her Personal Progress (see Young Women Personal Progress, 93). As with a mother working with her daughter, this sister may earn the Young Womanhood Recognition along with the young women she mentors.

“A young woman may also be assisted and mentored by another young woman who has completed her own Personal Progress and is earning her Honor Bee charm (see Young Women Personal Progress, 83–84). The purpose is to strengthen each young woman as they serve one another, grow in faith and testimony, make righteous choices, and progress on the path to the temple.” (Young Women Personal Progress Questions and Answers)

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

Skit from Night in Bethlehem

When most of the families have finished eating the lights will be dimmed and Mary and Joseph will enter and weave though the throng looking for a place to stay. Have them wander around a little until you can see that they are noticed. When they have been seen, turn off all the lights except for the stars and the spotlight. This is the beginning of the program.

CENTURION: (reads proclamation) “Here ye! Here Ye! Gather your families around and give heed to the words that are said.

NARRATOR: For the Kingdom of Heaven is soon at hand; yeas the Son of God cometh in His glory, in his might, majesty and dominion. Yea my beloved brethren, I say unto you, that the Spirit saith; Behold the glory of the king of the earth; and also the king of Heaven shall very soon shine forth among all the children of men. thus we should “make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: Make a loud noise, and rejoice and sing praise.”

SONG: Joy to the World (everyone)

NARRATOR: And it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

SONG: O Little Town of Bethlehem–have Joseph and Mary make their way to the stage and the manger as the song ends.

NARRATOR: And so it was there that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought him forth her first born son and wrapped in him swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the Inn. And there in the same country, shepherds abiding in the fields keeping watch over their flocks by nights. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them and they were sore afraid.

LIGHT SHINES ON SHEPHERDS

NARRATOR: And the angel said unto them Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manager. And suddenly there was the angel with a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass as the angles were gone away from them into Heaven, the shepherds said one to another. Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which came to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

SHEPHERDS GO TO THE MANGER AND KNEEL BEFORE BABY JESUS.

SONG: Away in a Manager (everyone)

NARRATOR: And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the babe laying in a manger. And the shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, as it was told to them.

SHEPHERDS LEAVE–WISE MEN ENTER

NARRATOR: Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem
saying “Where is he that is born King of the Jews?” For we have seen
his star in the East and are come to worship him.” And lo he star, which they saw in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. And when they saw the Star, they rejoiced with exceeding joy. And when they were come to his house they saw the young child with his mother Mary his mother and fell down and worshipped him: and when they opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

WISEMEN PRESENT GIFTS TO BABY JESUS

EVERYONE ON STAGE FREEZES AND STAYS THERE UNTIL THE SONG IS OVER

NARRATOR: Now 2000 years later we approach this most joyous and sacred
time of the year when we celebrate our Savior’s birth. It is the greatest season of the year when we have the desire to give to others. When Jesus came as a lowly babe, there was no room in the Inn. Today, every heart and every home should bid him welcome. Christ came to bring us peace and eternal life. Let us accept his gift with thankfulness, gratitude and remembrance. In remembrance of that most silent and holy night when God sent down his ultimate gist of love.

SONG: Silent Night (everyone)
CLOSING PRAYER: Pre-assigned

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

You were probably given a key like the attention getter activity in this lesson:

http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=0a59a41f6cc20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=637e1b08f338c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

And here’s a quote: ““Baptism is a holy ordinance preparatory to the reception of the Holy Ghost; it is the channel and key by which the Holy Ghost will be administered. The Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, cannot be received through the medium of any other principle than the principle of righteousness.” History of the Church, 3:379; paragraph divisions altered; from a discourse given by Joseph Smith on June 27, 1839, in Commerce, Illinois; reported by Willard Richards.

Also this lesson from the seminary manuals invites teachers to draw a door on the board and then describe the symbolism of keys, one of which is the Key of Baptism. The key opens the door so we can live with our Heavenly Father again.

See also
http://mormonshare.com/search-lds-object-lesson.php

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

Well, you know what my first question is — where’s this in writing? A teaching secretary should be an unusual exception. The RS Secretary has a number of duties on Sunday including preparing the agenda, locating new members and visitors, and taking roll that will be hindered if she also has to teach or conduct. Please note the statement from the RS FAQ on LDS.org:

Does the secretary conduct Relief Society meetings? Generally the president and her counselors should conduct Sunday meetings.

What is the role of the secretary? The main duty of the secretary is to attend presidency meetings and complete assignments and responsibilities given to her by the president. She may compile, review, and submit attendance and visiting teaching information, prepare agendas, take notes, keep a record of assignments, ensure the presidency is aware of new members, publicize events, help prepare budgets, and assist the presidency as needed. (RS FAQ at LDS.org)

The old FAQ is quoted here:
http://www.jennysmith.net/relief-society/relief-society-education.php

and points out that a secretary is not technically part of a presidency and so does not have many of those duties.

Please also refer to the statement found in the official LDS 2010 curriculum guide here:

http://lds.org/gospellibrary/pdf/08332-instructions-for-curriculum-2010-schedule-eng.pdf

stating who teaches on the first Sunday: “In Relief Society the president or a counselor instructs the sisters, using the scriptures and approved Church materials.”

Sister Beck means that there are exceptional cases where a secretary may need to teach or conduct, but these would be unusual and only done after discussion with the Bishop or Branch President since that would involve a change to a secretary’s regular duties.

Also note that the Bishop’s executive secretary is not used to conduct meetings or teach lessons, if that helps you understand the duties of the secretary any better.

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

Good grief! That must have taken forever, Don! Thanks!

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

Try our activities section here:
http://www.mormonshare.com/taxonomy/term/144/lds_activity

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

Since this page was first added, I’ve added a Primary talks section.

Here’s the baptism talks list:
http://www.mormonshare.com/taxonomy/term/185/primary_talk

And here are some object lessons relating to baptism:
http://www.mormonshare.com/taxonomy/term/185/lds_object_lesson

And confirmation:
http://www.mormonshare.com/taxonomy/term/236/lds_object_lesson

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

President Monson’s favorite food is noted above. It’s ice cream.

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

Rumor confirmed! It’s great to have this information shared online. Thank you, nenna!

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

The new Primary Theme scripture is apparently: “For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them” 2 Nephi 4:15

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

Our unit was trying to help the Young Women transition to Relief Society go more smoothly. The Relief Society presidency consulted with the Young Women’s camp leaders and asked them what service we could do for the Young Women. Here’s what we did:

The camp leader planned the schedule so that the Laurels would have to come back to camp after a day of canoeing, clean up the clubhouse, eat, do the dishes, have devotional/evening activities, and go to bed. There would not be enough time to shower after a long, dirty day. She made sure the girls understood they would not have much time to clean up the clubhouse, but that they had to get their chores done before they could shower. Having prearranged the schedule with the camp leaders, my counselor and I drove to camp while the girls were canoeing and cleaned up the clubhouse, so that when the girls got back they were surprised to find they had been served by the RS presidency and could shower after all! :)

We ate supper with the girls and helped clean up the dishes after supper so that the girls could have a little free time, and left. We were camp heroes! The camp was 4 hours away from our homes, and the girls kept saying they were astonished we had come all that way to help. It was a long day, but the positive feelings the girls got from knowing the RS presidency wanted to help them made it worth it. It also took a little pressure off the camp leaders, because they didn’t have to pressure the girls to clean up that evening.

We did a similar thing in another unit — drove up and did the cleaning for the girls, making sure they understood we were there as the RS serving them. That time we stayed overnight and cooked breakfast for the camp in the morning.

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

This is a common feeling for younger women in the church. I, too, felt that Relief Society was for the old/married/7 kids types. However, the purpose of Relief Society is to strengthen testimony, not share parenting tips. Most women who talk about their children do not do so to make others uncomfortable or brag/bash on their kids, but most share experiences with their children as they apply to the lesson content. The lessons are focused on spirituality and gaining testimony. Just as you share comments about yourself or family or friends, those with children will share experiences about themselves their family and their friends. Don’t focus on the part of anothers’ story that’s different from your experiences; focus instead on the parts you can relate to. Seek your common ground.

I will say that sometimes RS lessons can become *very* families-with-children focused, almost to the exclusion of other comments. This happens a lot in lessons on families. (Experienced this just this past Fast Sunday.) When I see this happening, I watch our young sisters to see if they are being bothered by the family-ness of the topic. If so, I start praying for a way to include our single sisters in our comments. Usually I can find a way to relate the lesson to singledom and do so. That’s usually enough to remind the teacher that not everyone in the room is in the same stage of life, and others in the room pick up on the slight shift of emphasis, and they will share their insights, too.

I think the best thing that singles can do is share their perspective frequently. Remember, no one was born married with 7 kids. Every woman in Relief Society has been single — some of them more than once. Being single is one of life’s situations *all* women can relate to. Too often our singles remain silent when their insights are valuable and can help us understand each other better. That’s what commenting in RS is about.

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

Here’s the Virtue Deli link:
http://mormonshare.com/lds-clipart/yw-sisters-the-virtue-deli-new-beginnings-script

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