Friend Magazine Invites Children to “Stand Tall” in 2016
Contributed By Carolyn Call, ChurchofJesusChrist.org Church News staff writer
Article Highlights
- This year children can trace their footprint on paper, cut it out, and share how they show courage in following in the Savior’s footsteps.
- With a parent’s permission, children can send their footprints and stories in to the Friend.
“Let us learn of the Savior Jesus Christ. Let us follow in His footsteps. Let us live by His teachings. Then we will be prepared for any service He calls us to do.” —President Thomas S. Monson
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This year the Friend magazine is inviting children to “stand tall” by showing courage in following in the Savior's footsteps—and then to share what they have accomplished.
“Children have an innate desire to follow the Savior,” said Sister Rosemary M. Wixom, Primary general president. “They love Him. We are excited to see how they will respond to this new invitation to share the ways they are standing tall in following Him.”
Children can trace their footprint on paper, cut it out, and write about how they show courage in following in the Savior’s footsteps. With the help of an adult, they can send the footprints and stories to the Friend. By completing this challenge, children will strengthen others and also reach out to children throughout the world.
The “Stand Tall” challenge is patterned after the Friend’s successful “Give Us a Hand” campaign last year.
In 2015, the Friend challenged children to “be the Savior's hands” by serving others and then to send in their handprints to share what they did. More than 37,000 inspiring responses came from children and Primaries all over the world.
This year’s effort will help children accept the invitation of President Thomas S. Monson: “Let us learn of the Savior Jesus Christ. Let us follow in His footsteps. Let us live by His teachings. Then we will be prepared for any service He calls us to do” (“Following in the Savior’s Footsteps,” Friend, Jan. 2016, 2).
Many ways to stand tall
Several children from around the world have already submitted their footprints and stories of standing tall.
Marshall and Millie West have shared their footprints and stories with the Friend. Photos courtesy of Mindee West.
Footprints sent in by Matthew, Sariah, and Nathan Wilkinson. Photo courtesy of Charlotte Wilkinson.
“I want to save my money to buy toys for kids who don't have very many,” says Marshall West, age 5, from Nevada, USA. His sister, Millie, age 3, says, “I will stand tall by sharing in the nursery and helping the little kids.”
The children in the Wilkinson family from Cwmbran, Wales, United Kingdom, also plan to stand tall this year. Eight-year-old Matthew says, “I will stand tall by being obedient when my parents ask me to do something.” Sariah, age 6, says, “I will be obedient and listen to my dad and mum to stand taller in 2016.” And three-year-old Nathan says, “I will stand taller in 2016 by being kind to my brother and sister.”
Before adults send in children’s footprints and stories, they are encouraged to review the submission instructions. Permission from a parent or guardian is needed for submissions to appear in the Friend or other Church publications.
Matthew, Sariah, and Nathan Wilkinson plan to stand tall this year. Photos courtesy of Charlotte Wilkinson.
