[Jenny SmithParticipant]

This has been a debate in our stake recently too. Here is a talk by Elder Packer that I heard at a BYU devotional called “The Unwritten Order of Things“. In short, it explains that we should follow the example of the brethren in even the little things — like where we sit for meetings. Here is an excerpt:

Quote:

The things I am going to tell you about are not so rigid that the Church will fall apart if they are not strictly observed all the time. But they do set a tone, a standard, of dignity and order and will improve our meetings and classwork; they will improve the activities. If you know them and understand them, they will greatly improve your life.

Our meetings should be conducted in such a way that members may be refreshed spiritually and remain attuned to the Spirit as they meet the challenges of life. We are to establish conditions under which members can, through inspiration, solve their own problems. There are simple things that help in that regard, and things that hinder. Alma taught “that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise” (Alma 37:6).

I give as my first illustration of this unwritten order of things so simple a thing as this: The one who presides in a meeting should sit on the stand and sit close to the one conducting. It is a bit difficult to preside over a meeting from the congregation. The one who presides is responsible for the conduct of the meeting and has the right and the responsibility to receive inspiration and may be prompted to adjust or correct something that goes on in the meeting. That is true whether it be an auxiliary meeting presided over by the sisters or any of our meetings.

A new stake president sometimes will ask, “Must I sit on the stand in every meeting in the stake? May I not sit with my family?” I tell him, “While you preside, you are to sit on the stand.” I am tempted to say, but I don’t, “I can’t have that privilege; why should you?”

Another example: If you watch the First Presidency, you will see that the first counselor always sits on the right of the president; the second counselor on the left. That is a demonstration of doing things “decently and in order,” as Paul told us. Ordinarily, but not always, if the presiding officer speaks, it will be at the end of the meeting. Then clarification or correction can be given. I have had that experience many times at the close of meetings, “Well, brother or sister somebody said such and such, and I’m sure they meant such and such.” (“The Unwritten Order of Things“, Boyd K Packer. This devotional address was delivered on 15 October 1996 in the Marriott Center; emphasis added)

Our main debate has been regarding sisters who sit alone — can’t the presidency move sit with them after opening exercises, during the lesson? The answer is no, unless of course, the spirit moves you to do otherwise. In our case, we assign a presidency member to “work the crowd” before class and stand at the door to say goodbye to them as they leave. We have also asked sisters to sit by or speak with newer sisters so they don’t feel so alone. By observation, we have determined there are some sisters who prefer to sit alone, and we are happy to let them do so.

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

Here are two:

http://jennysmith.net/search-lds-clipart.php?search=speaker

There may be others in the clipart database, but these are the two I know of offhand.

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

…. are given by Presidency members on topics they prayerfully decide are important.

We do at least one lesson annually combined with the YW on transition themes, like belonging to RS or Facts and Myths about RS. Most of our lessons come from the Conference edition of the Ensign, or a combination of Ensign articles on a topic.

First Sunday Curriculum Instructions

Hope this helps! — I’m sure that others have lots of ideas, too.

-j

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

I know the picture you’re talking about — I imagined I was the child in the picture, too!

I expect you’d have to call the Church Office Building in Salt Lake and ask to speak to the Copyright Office to find out how that image could be used. If you can actually talk to someone besides the secretary, they’re pretty good to help out.

Good luck!
-j

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

This object lesson isn’t from this website — good luck finding it!

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

Thanks for your interest in JennySmith.net.

Chris Gunn has specifically requested that her images not be used for profit.

I also do not allow clipart images I’ve created to be used for products that will be sold for profit. The donated images are also subject to my terms and conditions.

Sorry!

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

and one more

Jewish Cuisine from the wiki (will be pretty useful for you)

Would you mind posting your menu when you create it so others can use it?

tx – j

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

Some search terms to try
“Seder”
“Seder menu”
“Jewish food”
“History of Jewish food”

Here are some URLs that might help:
History of Jewish/Mediterranean food

Ultimate Jewish Cuisine – recipes

Jewish Wedding Customs – references a book that may be helpful

Jewish History – more detailed description about Jewish wedding traditions

Jewish/Southern Wedding Menu – from the Food network — has the menu served at the wedding of a Jewish/Southern couple. Modern, but useful.

I’d think lamb would be served for sure. Bread. Eggs and bitter herbs are part of the passover meal.

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

The only thing I know that was served is wine :)

You could try doing it like a passover feast — there’s lots of information about passover foods online.

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

Very few Temples have Visitor’s Centers here in Utah. Many of the newer, smaller temples do not have visitor’s centers because they are difficult to staff. Some visitor’s centers have been converted to Beehive Clothing or Distribution Centers of a sort.

AFAIK, Salt Lake Temple is the only temple here with a Visitor’s Center. I’ve been to Provo, Timpanogas, Logan, Jordan River, and Bountiful temples, and they do not have visitor’s centers.

According to at least one site, Manti does have a visitor’s center, but I’d call to find out for sure. I’ve been to Manti, and I don’t remember a visitor’s center, though there could have been one. I’d call them if I were you.

St George does have an operating visitor’s center.

Here is a list of LDS Visitors centers, temple and non-temple.

Another website with information that may be of use to your temple activities is LDSChurchTemples.com. Lots of good information.

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

I don’t have a copy of this skit! You could try the lds-youngwomen Yahoo Group at http://groups.yahoo.com/ and see if they can help!

Good luck!
-j

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

BTW — Carmen B. Pingree has written a number of articles for Church magazines about special needs. Go to http://library.lds.org/ and run a search on her name to find lots of great articles.

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

There’s an entire section at lds.org on incorporating children with special needs into Primary:

Teaching All Children – lds.org

Many of the suggestions are generalized, as they obviously must be when each child’s needs and personality vary so greatly.

Usually children with special needs are included in Primary classes with children their own physical age whenever possible. In some cases, your leadership may determine that a child needs his or her own class, or a “aide” to provide one on one help during class.

In our unit, we held a meeting with the child’s parents, Primary presidency, RS presidency, Sunday School presidency, and bishopric to determine what was the best way to help that child achieve the highest potential in the Gospel. In this case, the child attends a private class where a short lesson from the Nursery manual is given (the teachers try to lengthen the lesson each week), and goes to Singing Time when emotionally able. The goal is for the child to transition to Primary, but the transition is going at the child’s pace.

You may also consider checking out the resources on my special needs page

Hope this helps!
-j

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

I’ve finished categorizing these images, and now they should be easy to find!!!

Also, I hope none of you are intimidated b/c the images are in black and white (no antialiasing). This will actually make the images LESS fuzzy when they are resized in your wordprocessor or graphics program, so enjoy!

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

Check out this post on music for more ideas:

Getting people out to ward choir

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