1999
Strengthen Families
April 1999


“Strengthen Families,” Ensign, Apr. 1999, 73

Strengthen Families

Those of us who serve in Primary have the sacred opportunity to bless and strengthen families, both the families of those we serve and our own families. We encourage Primary leaders and teachers to meet together and find ways your Primary can help families. Share your ideas in ward or stake council meetings.

Please consider how to help:

  • Children learn gospel principles and live those principles.

  • Primary leaders and teachers strengthen their own families.

  • Children share with their families what they have learned in Primary.

  • Parents understand and reinforce the principles taught to their children in Primary.

  • Primary leaders minimize the time that parents who serve in Primary are required to be out of their homes to fulfill their callings.

In discussing ways your Primary can strengthen families, consider these questions: What can we do to better teach the gospel to children and help them live it? How can we encourage children to strengthen their families? How can we help parents understand what principles are being taught in Primary? How can we protect the time of families?

President Boyd K. Packer, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said: “In Church we are taught the Great Plan of Happiness. At home we apply what we have learned. Every call, every service in the Church brings experience and valuable insights which carry over into family life” (“Parents in Zion,” Ensign, Nov. 1998, 23). Primary’s simple gospel curriculum and the Holy Ghost’s influence can strengthen every Primary leader and teacher. In turn, we can share those blessings with our families. Let us each identify ways our callings can bless our families.

Primary leaders and teachers fulfill an important responsibility in the Lord’s Church. They love and teach those who are the future mothers and fathers in the kingdom of God on earth. May we all be strengthened in our callings and in our families.

Photo by Craig Dimond