Families Are Forever Primary Sharing Time

This sharing time is a good overview of this years theme-"Families Are Forever."  It could be used at any time but particularly good for April.

FAMILIES ARE FOREVER SHARING TIME – 2014

Preparation:  Obtain enough chain to go around the Primary room.  (We went to a local hardware store and told them what we needed it for and they just let us borrow their reel after leaving our name and phone number etc.-otherwise we were just going to gather as much as we could from ward members).  Before Primary starts lay it around the perimeter of the entire room.  Get an easel to go in the middle of the back and put a poster on it that says “HEAVEN”, wrap the chain around that then continue it on.  Construct a temple out of a range or washing machine box (or you could just use another easel with a picture of the temple on it but the kids won’t be able to walk through it) and put the chain running through the temple.

Have each presidency member bring individual pictures of their family members (just go maternal line so it doesn’t take too long) starting with themselves, spouse, children, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents. Punch a hole in the top of each picture and put a paper clip or ornament hanger through each hole –this will allow you to hang these pictures on the chain.  Put the family members that have died in “HEAVEN” when you show the kids their picture

You could also print out a picture of the Emancipation Proclamation from Google images.  Print out a picture of  house plans also from Google images and then write the word “FAMILY” in the center

Buy 2 (will need one for junior and senior sharing time) cheap 8 x 10 picture frames from the D.I. or Dollar Tree with glass in them.  Put a picture of a family in each one.  Bring a hammer, 2 plastic bags and a paper sack  

 

LISA-with construction hat on

“Before you can build something you have to have a plan.  Each building that is constructed starts with plans that tell the construction workers how to build the building successfully and build it so it will be strong and last through bad storms and strong winds.   

Show house or building plans (blueprints from Ross Ranzenberger) with the word – FAMILY- in the middle.

Heavenly Father has a plan for all of us.  He created  us and then sent us to live on earth and get a body.  While on earth we are to learn and grow and be tested to prove if we would follow Him and keep His commandments.  He wants us to return to live with Him someday so He sent Jesus to die for us and provide a way for us all to return back to heaven.   

 God’s plan put each of us in a family.  We need to follow God’s plan so that our families can be strong and make it through hard times and trials.

The FAMILY is central to God’s Plan for His children here on earth.  Central means a most important or necessary part. “

 

JENI

“Heavenly Father knew that on earth we would need parents to take care of us, teach us and help us learn how to return to Heavenly Father.  He knew we would need to be in a family to feel love and happiness. 

He did not want our family relationships to be over when we die.  He wanted each family to live together  forever even when we return to heaven.  So another part of His great plan is the temple. 

 

KRISTA

“Through ordinances performed in the temple families are linked together.  Linked means connected or bound together.  Can you see the chain that goes around the room?  (Pick up part of chain) A chain is made with links.  Making things with links makes them stronger.  Chains are some of the strongest things on earth.  They are used for the hardest, toughest jobs.      

 Temple ordinances provide an unbreakable link with family members.  If family members keep the commandments those temple ordinances will bind great grandparents, grandparents, mothers, fathers and children together for all time and eternity.  They will never be separated from each other. 

Explain that we are putting our families on the chain (we will each say the first name of the individuals as we hook them on the chain-put ones who have died on the chain wrapped around “HEAVEN”)

LISA

“This CHAIN that runs through this temple shows us the power and strength of temple covenants and ordinances. 

Let’s try to cut this chain.  (Invite a reverent child to come up and use the  metal cutters to try and cut the chain-we got really thick chain so that children wouldn’t be able to cut it-otherwise the object lesson isn’t very effective)

 It cannot be done.  

SARAH

“In the Bible in Matthew it tells us…

“Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.”  That means that what we connect or link together in the temple on earth will be linked or connected together in heaven. 

That is why it is important to help all of Heavenly Father’s children receive the ordinances of the temple. 

That is why it is so important to do our family history work and help all the people who have ever lived on the earth and didn’t get a chance to go to the temple get their temple work done.  Even if they have already died the temple ordinances link them with their families and they will be in their families in heaven. “

 

LISA

“Satan knows the great power in the temple.  (Hold up hammer and say that it represents Satan) He does not want us to be with our families forever. He does not want us to keep the commandments.  If we don’t keep the commandments we can’t go to the temple.  Satan does not want us to be happy.  Satan does not want us to have strong families.  He does not want us to kind to our brothers and sisters.  He does not want moms and dads to be married. 

PUT FAMILY PICTURE IN plastic bag and then in a PAPER SACK AND SMASH WITH HAMMER-be sure they can hear the glass breaking-it’s very powerful!  Pull it out carefully and show them how it has shattered

Because Satan is very strong in the world today the family is under attack.  So in Sept. of 1995 the prophet, Gordon B. Hinkley read a Proclamation that was written by him and the other apostles.  It is called “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.”

A proclamation is a public or official announcement that deals with a matter of great importance.  It is a declaration or statement given by people in power such as kings, queens and presidents. 

There have been some very famous proclamations throughout the history of the world.  In 1863 Abraham Lincoln gave a very important one called the Emancipation Proclamation.  It said that all slaves should be free.  This changed things in the United States very much.  He also sent out a proclamation declaring that we should have Thanksgiving be a holiday.  Another president of our country, Dwight Eisenhower sent out a proclamation in 1959 that said Alaska was to be part of the United States of America. “

 

JENI

“All proclamations are important but no other proclamation is more important for the family than the one given by God’s prophet. 

This year you will learn all about the proclamation and the things that we can do to build strong families.  When we live the gospel and follow God’s plan our families will be happy.  You children can strengthen your family. If your family is not having scripture study or family home evening then remind them too.  If they are not saying family prayer remind them to.  If people are fighting in your home, help them be kind.  Families are made strong by the temple.”

KRISTA

“Heavenly Father shows us His love by allowing families to be together forever through the temple ordinances. “

We want all of you to go to the temple as soon as you are old enough to go.  Until then we want you to go through this temple and remember that the next time you go to the temple it will be to make special covenants and promises to Heavenly Father that will help you and your family return back to Him.”

 

Have all the children line up and have all the teachers hold up the chain so children can hold it as they move to go through the temple while we sing: I LOVE TO SEE THE TEMPLE-When all children have sat down sing the last verse of again and end with your testimony.