We had our annual Primary program this past Sunday. The theme for this year was "Our Eternal Family." There was a lot of material that we really wanted to present, so the program was a little challenging to write this year. We did our best and I felt like in the end it was a success.
We likened our families to a home, the Proclamation to the World was like the blueprints to our home.
The foundation, of course is Christ & Heavenly Father. What family can succeed without their help in this challenging time in history.
The Floor is symbolic of the families that came before us, that taught us the way that we should raise our own children and treat our spouses.
The walls- just as a home cannot stand with only one wall, neither can a family be eternal without each member doing their part. President Harold B. Lee taught, "The most important of the Lord's work that you will ever do will be the work you do within the walls of your own home.
The nails, are the many principles of the gospel, they provide overall unity and strength to our families.
The doorway is of course baptism. The entrance into the home and also the entrance that we all need to return to our Savior and be a part of an eternal family.
Windows are the prophets, their words shine light on our often troubling and dark times.
The bricks are like the temple is to us as latter-day saints, a protection against the world. The mortar between can be likened to the blessings of the temple, it is what seals us together and holds us together for eternity.
The roof is like the Savior, He is our protector and keeps us sheltered from the elements of the world.
There was a song that we sang this year that has been so touching to me. Every time I sing it I have a very difficult time not breaking down into tears. It's called The Family Is Of God and its message is a powerful one. I apologize to all of those that are in Primary, just scroll past if you don't want to reread it.
Our Father has a family
it's me, it's you, it's all others too
we are his children.
He sent each one of us to earth
through birth
to live and learn here in families.
God gave us families, to help us become what he wants us to be
this is how he shares his love, For the Family is of God.
A father's place is to preside, provide,
to love and teach the gospel to his children.
A father leads in family prayer to share
their love for Father in Heaven.
Chorus
A mother's purpose is to care, prepare,
to nurture and to strengthen all her children.
She teaches children to obey, to pray
to love and serve the family
Chorus
I'll love and serve my family and be
a good example to each family member.
And when I am a mom or dad, so glad
I'll help my family remember.
God gave us families to help us become what He wants us to be
This is how He shares His love, For the Family is of God.
This was a very emotional program for me. You see, they released the whole primary presidency this past week. Right before we started the program at church, we were released. It was very sad.
I had an even harder time with it because I was the only member in the presidency not to receive a new calling upon being released. So I moped around all day and felt unwanted and sorry for myself. I had convinced myself that I had done a terrible job in fulfilling my duties, and that the Lord no longer wanted me to help build up his kingdom.
I felt sorry for myself for the entire afternoon and made everyone else around me as miserable as I felt.
As I was putting the girls to bed Kira started to cry and was very upset that I wasn't coming back to primary next week. I wanted to cry with her. She asked me why I got fired, and I explained that I wasn't fired and that I didn't do anything wrong, the Lord just wanted someone else to be in primary.
Then she wanted to know where I was going to go during church. I told her about Relief Society, and she said that it wasn't fair. She told me that I did a good job and that I should stay in primary.
It made me feel better that at least one person was going to miss me, and one person thought I did a good job. But it didn't do much for my feeling sorry for myself.
After a few minutes of silence, Kira spoke up again.
"Mom, what would happen if you broke your back?"
This question made me step back for a second.
"You would be paralyzed," I said.
"What does paralyzed mean?"
"It means that you can't move or feel a part of your body." I answered her.
She asked me a few more in depth question about it until she felt satisfied that she understood.
As we talked I had an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my daughter and for my Heavenly Father. Here He was showing me through my daughter that I had nothing to feel sorry about. I am needed by my family, I am loved by them, and they want me. I also am very blessed to a have a family who are all whole. We have no medical problems to speak of. We are very blessed, in so many ways.
I am very grateful for My Eternal Family, and I am grateful for the chance that I had to serve in the Primary.
And I wish the new presidency all the luck in the world.
Thanks for reading my very long post.
