Well, I recently received a new calling in our church. I am not the first counselor in the Primary Presidency. (The children’s organization of our church).
This is a calling that stresses me out more than most any other calling. But, I know I was called to this position for a reason (even if I don’t know what it is). Since I have always posted my lessons from either Sunday School or Primary, I’ve decided to continue by posting my Sharing Time lessons.
Each time I teach there will be two sections to the post- one for Junior Primary and one for Senior Primary. The topic will always be the same, and they will be fairly similar but just geared more toward the different age groups. The problem is that it will make the post very long, so I will use headers to distinguish the two.
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Junior Primary – I can go to the temple to receive ordinances for my ancestors when I am older
Show a picture of a Temple
What is this a picture of
Have any of you been to see a Temple
Why do we go to the Temple
What happens in the Temple?
I have always loved the song written by Janice Kapp Perry about the Temple. It is called “I love to see the Temple
Sing the song “I love to see the Temple”
Now that we have sung the song, let’s talk a little bit more about what we do in the temple. From the song we learned that we can … (Hang word strips on the board for each of these three things from the song)
LISTEN AND PRAY
COVENANT WITH HEAVENLY FATHER
SEALED TO OUR FAMILY
Last week we talked about the helping hands of the priesthood and the blessings that we can receive through the priesthood. In the Temple we also receive priesthood blessings. And these blessings are ones that are so very important. These blessings are so important that they are called ordinances
Your baptism is a very important ordinance and each one of you can be baptized when you turn 8 because you are alive. By being baptized you promise Heavenly Father that you we always do your best to be like Him and His Son, Jesus Christ
But did you know that not everyone will have the opportunity to be baptized?
That is one of the reasons that we have Temples today. In the Temple, we can get baptized for our family members that died before they were able to get baptized
This week’s theme is “I can go to the temple to receive ordinances for my ancestors when I am older.
What is an ancestor?
Let’s have a quick scavenger hunt to find out a couple of things that we can do for our ancestors if they did not have the opportunity to get baptized while they were alive.
Have 3 clues that you will read from the podium. At the hiding space have a folded up word strip that a child can bring to you and read from the podium. Also have a picture of each item, if you can.
Clue #1 – You can see through me from the inside looking out or the outside looking in. (Window) – BAPTISM – Have a picture of a Temple baptismal font.
Baptism – This is the first of the ordinances that need to happen for your ancestors. When you get a little bit older you will be able to go to the temple and do baptisms for wonderful people that have already died. Just like when you will get baptized for your self, you will wear white and a priesthood holder will offer the baptismal prayer and you will go all the way under water. ALL of it will be just like when you get baptized.
Clue #2 – I make beautiful music when someone tickles me and loud noise when someone bangs on me. (Piano) – ENDOWMENT – Have a picture of an endowment room.
Endowment – An endowment is when we make even more promises to our Heavenly Father than we do when we get baptized. It is a very important promise and our ancestors need to have the opportunity to make the same promise. So when your mom and dad go to the Temple, they are probably helping one of your ancestors or someone else’s ancestor make the same promises they did when they went through the Temple the first time.
Clue #3 – You can write on me or you can hang things from me, but I don’t like to be scratched. (Whiteboard or Chalkboard) – SEALING – Have a picture of a sealing room.
Sealing – In the temple you can be sealed to your family forever and ever. But if you did get to do it when you were alive, someone else can do it for you. My husband’s grandparents were married outside of the Temple. After they died, we got to be sealed for them. That way they can be together with their famiies forever and ever!
I know that the Temple is a sacred place. It is a place where we can feel Heavenly Father’s love. It is also the only place where we can help our family members that have died be with Heavenly Father and their families forever.
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Senior Primary – I can go to the temple to receive ordinances for my ancestors when I am older
President George Q Cannon once said, “Every foundation stone that is laid for a Temple, and every Temple completed… lessens the power of Satan on the earth, and increases the power of God and Godliness.”
What does that mean?
There are currently 139 Operating (2 Under Renovation), 13 Under Construction, 16 Announced
Since you were born there have been 3 Temples dedicated in Utah (Brigham City, Oquirrh Mountain and Draper) and there are 2 more that have been announced – (Provo City Center and Payson).
Raise your hand if you have seen a temple this week.
It is amazing, living in Utah, that you cannot travel very far without seeing a Temple.
Raise your hand if you have ever been inside of a temple.
When you were inside the temple, how did you feel? What was your favorite part of them temple?
Why are Temples so important?
In the temple there are sacred ordinances. (Sacred rites and ceremonies. Ordinances consist of acts that have spiritual meanings. Ordinances can also mean God’s laws and statutes).
Each of you will likely have the opportunity to go through the temple for yourself. You will each be able to make sacred promises with your Heavenly Father. But there are many people who haven’t had that chance or won’t have that chance. And some of them are your ancestors.
What is an ancestor?
It is your responsibility to help make sure not one of your ancestors misses out on the opportunity to make those covenants.
Do you know how you can help them?
Let’s have a quick scavenger hunt to talk about some of the ordinances that take place in the Temple. Each one of the ordinances you can one day do for your ancestors. We may also find out some other things that you can do for yourself in the Temple.
Have 5 clues that you will read from the podium. At the hiding space have a folded up word strip that a child can bring to you and read from the podium. Also have a picture of each item, if you can.
Clue #1 – I can brighten the room quickly or I can make it very dark. (Light switch) – LISTEN AND PRAY – Have a picture of a Celestial Ro
Listen and Pray – The Temple is a very peaceful place. A place where you can go and have quiet prayer. It is a place where you can listen without the interruptions of TV, music, noises or much of anything. The Temple is the best place to go when you need the kind of help that you can only get through asking your Heavenly Father.
Clue #2 – You can see through me from the inside looking out or the outside looking in. (Window) – BAPTISM – Have a picture of a Temple baptismal font.
Baptism – This is the first of the ordinances that need to happen for your ancestors. When you get a little bit older you will be able to go to the temple and do baptisms for wonderful people that have already died. Just like when you will get baptized for your self, you will wear white and a priesthood holder will offer the baptismal prayer and you will go all the way under water. ALL of it will be just like when you get baptized.
Clue #3 – I make beautiful music when someone tickles me and loud noise when someone bangs on me. (Piano) – ENDOWMENT – Have a picture of an endowment room.
Endowment – An endowment is when we make even more promises to our Heavenly Father than we do when we get baptized. It is a very important promise and our ancestors need to have the opportunity to make the same promise. So when your mom and dad go to the Temple, they are probably helping one of your ancestors or someone else’s ancestor make the same promises they did when they went through the Temple the first time.
Clue #4 – You can write on me or you can hang things from me, but I don’t like to be scratched. (Whiteboard or Chalkboard) – SEALING – Have a picture of a sealing room.
Sealing – In the temple you can be sealed to your family forever and ever. But if you did get to do it when you were alive, someone else can do it for you. My husband’s grandparents were married outside of the Temple. After they died, we got to be sealed for them. That way they can be together with their families forever and ever!
Clue #5 – When I am working I will make your voice sound louder than it is. When I’m not workin you have to speak a little louder. (Podium) – A PLACE TO LEARN ABOUT HEAVENLY FATHER AND JESUS CHRIST – Have a picture of Jesus Christ.
When you get older and can go to the temple, you will have an opportunity to learn more about your Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ than you have ever learned. Each time you go the lesson will be repeated and you will be surprised at how often you learn something new. President David O McKay (a prophet) once said that every single time he went to the temple he learned something new.
Have everyone stand up and repeat after me, I can go to the temple to receive ordinances for my ancestors when I am older.
Have them sit down and close with testimony.
I know that the temple is the house of God and there I will be able to help my ancestors return to their Heavenly Father and be with their family for all eternity. I love to see the Temple. It is the most peaceful place on earth and I love getting to go there and feeling close to my Heavenly Father. I know that when I go to the Temple, I am helping someone that can’t help themselves.
