Today I had the pleasure of sitting through the ward Primary Program during Sacrament Meeting. Primary is the children’s organization in the Church, and children attend from the ages of 3-11, moving into the youth meetings after that. The kids prepare all year long for the opportunity to stand up in front of the entire congregation in Sacrament meeting and present statements, stories, and testimonies on a theme. This year the theme was “The Family” and and the children were taught from The Proclamation to The Family all year long. They quoted scriptures, read off reasons why the family is important, talked about why they love their family, and how they can help their family grow in love and unity. They stood up class by class and individually presented at the microphone (even the 3 year olds, which is of course, adorable and hilarious) and sang songs on the theme in between.

The highlight of the program was the boy who stood up and talked about different things he can do to strengthen his family. He named off things like “Clean my room,” “Help with the baby,” and then had me rolling in my seat (with silent laughter of course, since it was Church) when he ended with “I will not laugh at my mom when she is crying.”

Being pregnant I was of course thinking about my own darling children one day standing up and talking about how much he loves his Heavenly Father and wants to help his family by not laughing at me when I cry.

The bishop stood up at the end and referenced Matthew 18: 1-4

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

What a wonderful opportunity it was to sit in the presence of these children and witness their growing testimonies and pure faith. I look forward to the next program a year from now!