Follow the Prophet

From the Primary General Presidency

Primary is an opportunity for loving teachers and leaders to teach and testify of Jesus Christ and to reinforce gospel principles taught in the home. To help provide a firm foundation of gospel teachings for children, the Church provides a yearly theme for sharing time and the children’s sacrament meeting presentation.

This year the theme is “Follow the Prophet.” As leaders and teachers teach this theme in Primary, children will develop a personal testimony of the mission of the prophets, beginning with the Prophet Joseph Smith. President Gordon B. Hinckley has said: “I love the Prophet Joseph Smith! I bear testimony of the divinity of his calling. … I thank the Prophet for his testimony, for his work, for his life, for his sacrifice, for his witness of the living reality of God our Eternal Father and the risen Lord Jesus Christ” (quoted in “A Tour of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building,” Ensign, Sept. 1993, 38).

Knowing that the gospel and the Church were restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith under divine authority will help children understand the importance of prophets and of following the living prophets. As the children memorize the sixth article of faith, they will understand that Heavenly Father organized His Church in the latter days just as He did anciently. And as in ancient times, Heavenly Father guides His Church today through living prophets.

This year, share your testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith often and testify of the importance of sustaining the living prophets. Help the children understand that we follow the prophets today as we:

• Keep Heavenly Father’s commandments.

• Heed the prophets’ counsel and follow their examples.

• Accept callings and serve faithfully.

• Are kind and reach out to others.

Help children learn that by following the living prophets, they are also following Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Note: Information about prophets, including timelines of their lives, is available from Church materials such as the Gospel Art Picture Kit (item no. 34730, U.S. $25.00).

Photo by Jed Clark