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August 1, 2025

Presidency Message

There’s a great video, “Seeing More of Jesus Christ”, from Sister Tracy Browning in the Inspirational Messages on the Church website.

She tells how getting glasses as a girl gave her a refreshing “crispness and clarity” and improved her daily experience.

We can find and wear “spiritual glasses” when we have regular communication with the Savior and allow Him to give us guidance. We can reach out to Him and “ask Him to change our sight, help us…see other people clearly.”

As I listened to Sister Browning, my mind went to certain “other people”—our Primary children. Let’s always ask through prayer for help to see each child as our Heavenly Father and our Savior sees them—with love, clarity and vision.

Handbook Focus

Sacrament Meeting Presentations:
• Primary Presidency and music leader work with the Counsellor in the Bishopric over primary to plan the presentation
• Practices should not take unnecessary time away from primary classes or families
• Visuals, costumes and media presentations are not appropriate for Sacrament meeting
• A small primary may consider ways family members can participate with their children
(Come Follow Me; Appendix C)

Training Reminder

Please remember that all those serving in Primary callings must complete the Child & Youth Protection training within a month after being sustained. This training is a part of our sacred responsibility to ensure their safety.

Get the Children Involved

We are receiving increasing direction to let the children be involved in the planning and execution of activities and primary time.

Arbour Lake Ward recently had a temple activity where the older children helped plan everything! They were able to meet with the temple president on the temple grounds, and there were also activities in the meetinghouse by the temple, which included temple art and snacks. The children loved it so much that they were asking when they would get to help plan the next one! Excellent preparation for the youth program!

In the General Handbook, section 12.2.1.3, there is direction about activities for primary children.

Music Spot

Singing Time Ideas:
Have you tried letting your primary children sing in harmony? Leah from Symons Valley Ward has each row singing a different pitch from a major triad, and the children sound heavenly!

A fun idea that Shannon from East Lake Ward found on Facebook is "Magic Socks" that could be so awesome with the right guest!

And Ben from Yankee Valley Ward recently shared that he gets the children doing push-ups! A little healthy competition among teams is a great way to encourage children to remember the words!

Song Focus:
One of the new songs, "Holy Places" is perfect for primary.
From About the Hymns: Holy Places, it says that the composer wanted to write a song that would teach not only how to recognize a holy place, but also how to make a holy place. The song was written in 2019, and with the pandemic a year later, it became "vitally important to have additional holy places in our lives, especially our homes and our hearts."

Primary Thoughts

At our Stake Primary Presidency training on May 27, 2025, Elder Doug Atwood emphasized the importance of inviting the Bishop or a member of the Bishopric to visit Primary.

Children love their Bishops. How great it would be to hear their Bishop pray for them. Bishops could give the opening prayer, or maybe a short message, or even just come to hear the Primary children sing. Perhaps the Primary Presidents could invite the Bishop or a councillor to visit Primary quarterly.

Looking Back

The Stake Primary Activity in June was so much fun! The children seemed to enjoy it, and we as a presidency learned a lot from our first event. We are grateful to the many helping hands who participated! Any of the images can be enlarged in a new tab by clicking on them.

Coming Up

Sept 6: Friend to Friend for Children
Oct 4-5: General Conference
Nov 8-9: Stake Conference

We are here for you!

Thank you for all that you do in your ward primaries. We know that the children and teachers are being blessed through your valiant efforts. If there is anything you need from us to better do your callings, please do not hesitate to reach out and let us know.

Margie, Mona, Julie, and Kathy
Calgary North Stake Primary Presidency