The Primary General Presidency spoke at the Marriott Center on Aug. 19, for BYU’s Education Week in a class called "'A Little Child Shall Lead Them': Developing Lifelong Disciples of Jesus Christ."
Primary General President Susan H. Porter and her counselors, Sister Amy A. Wright and Sister Tracy Y. Browning addressed the audience and asked many thought-provoking questions about directing children towards Jesus Christ.
The three sisters expressed their love and admiration for faithful children all across the globe, expressing how much they have learned from these young disciples.
“One of the greatest blessings of our callings is the opportunity to visit children and their families in nations across the Earth. We have been humbled as we have witnessed children leading others to the Savior,” Sister Wright said.
The theme of the class centered on three ideas — believe in Him, belong to Him and become like Him. The three sisters each addressed part of the theme and broke it down in detail.
Sister Wright explained the responsibility of helping little children to learn to believe in Him.
“We have a sacred responsibility to help parents and nurse testimonies in the hearts of their children. And as always, the Savior has shown us what this looks like,” Sister Wright said.
She spoke of the Holy Ghost and how important its influence is in the lives of children.
Sister Wright quoted President Nelson who said, “In the coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”
She told parents of their critical responsibility to help their children discover how they understand the Holy Ghost.
Sister Wright detailed an experience she had with her son, who explained how the Spirit spoke to him. Her son told her that the spirit communicated with him in a very plain and orderly kind of way.
He said that when he studied the scriptures and words of living prophets, things just “make sense.”
Sister Wright emphasized that if her son learned the Spirit only spoke through goosebumps or tears during sacrament meeting, he might never have learned to recognize the influence of the spirit in his life.
“You may want to emphasize how the Holy Ghost speaks and confirms through to all of us in different ways in which we can personally understand,” Sister Wright said.
Sister Browning continued the lecture emphasizing belonging with God and a community of believers.
She taught that covenants are important milestones that help each one of us belong in the Lord’s warm embrace and should be something parents should help children strive for.
“Parents of children and primary leaders of the Lord's restored Church have an important shared stewardship in helping our Savior's youngest disciples enter and progress along the covenant path, especially in preparation for the ordinance of baptism,” Sister Browning said.
She explained that the loving efforts of parents and teachers can create a spiritual foundation for children, which will bring them closer to Jesus Christ.
Sister Browning also introduced new resources that are available to parents to facilitate spiritual discussions in familial circles.
“New resources found in the appendices of the Come Follow Me manual have been made available for families and primary class teachers to help them prepare for priesthood ordinances that bind them to belong to their Savior Jesus Christ,” Sister Browning said.
She encouraged primary teachers to reach out to the children’s parents and share these new resources with them.
Sister Porter addressed the audience on how members of the Church can help children become more like the Savior.
“When we teach them with love and by the Spirit, the gospel of Jesus Christ can go straight into their hearts and minds with no barriers. Children are open and ready to become taught and become like Jesus,” Sister Porter said.
She focused on two ideas that can help children become more like the Savior. The first, to support children in setting goals so they will grow. And second, to extend invitations for them to serve, all the while feeling that sense of belonging and spiritual growth.
“Please support children in setting goals that are focused on growth, not perfection. If they miss one day, it doesn't matter. They are growing. Help them recognize how they are growing and becoming more like Jesus,” Sister Porter said.
The three sisters testified that children, as Heavenly Father’s youngest and most precious disciples, have the capacity to be mighty instruments in the hands of the Lord.
After their testimonies, the presidency and the audience sang the primary song recently added to the hymnbook, “I will walk with Jesus.”
