Primary Presidency local

Primary Presidency

The bishop calls and sets apart an adult woman to serve as the ward Primary president. If the unit is large enough, she recommends one or two adult women to be called as her counselors. The bishopric considers her recommendations and extends the callings.

The Primary presidency receives orientation and ongoing support from the stake Primary presidency.

In a small unit, the Primary president may be the only called leader in Primary. In this case, she works with parents to organize lessons, singing time, and activities. She also ensures that at least two responsible adults are present at all meetings and activities. If the unit is large enough, additional callings might be filled in this order: counselors, music leader, teachers and nursery leaders, secretary, and activity leaders.

If a branch does not have a Primary president, the Relief Society president may help parents organize instruction for children until a Primary president is called.

The Primary presidency helps parents prepare children to enter and progress along the covenant path. This is one of their most important responsibilities.

To accomplish this, the Primary president may assign a member of the presidency to help parents prepare their children to be baptized and confirmed. The Primary president may assign another presidency member to help parents with temple and priesthood preparation for their children.

These presidency members make parents aware of resources in the Gospel Library that can help. See, for example, “Baptism,” “Holy Ghost,” and “Temples” (Gospel Topics, topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). See also “Priesthood Principles” . Presidency members may work with ministering brothers and sisters, teachers, and others to support parents.

The Primary president has the following additional responsibilities. Her counselors assist her.

• Serve on the ward council. She serves as (1) a ward council member who helps address needs in the ward and find solutions and (2) a representative of the Primary. She helps the ward council know the name and home circumstances of each child in order to enhance ministering to children and families. 

• Regularly hold Primary presidency meetings and meet with the bishop or his assigned counselor.

• Submit recommendations to the bishopric for adult men and women to serve in Primary.

• Help the ward council know of children who will be eligible to be baptized in the next year 

• Help plan baptismal services for children of record when asked 

• Plan and conduct the opening of Sunday Primary meetings.

• Minister to individual children, teachers, and leaders in Primary.

• Teach Primary leaders and teachers their responsibilities and support them in those responsibilities by orienting them to their callings .

• Help Primary leaders and teachers during class time, singing time, and transitions.

• Visit Primary classes and arrange for teachers to attend teacher council meetings.

• Help introduce the Children and Youth program to children turning 8 and to their parents. This could occur in their homes or their Primary class.

• Oversee the records, reports, budget, and finances of Primary.

Secretary

If the unit is large enough, the Primary president recommends to the bishopric an adult woman to serve as the secretary. She has the following responsibilities:

• Help the Primary presidency prepare agendas for presidency meetings. She attends these meetings, takes notes, and keeps track of assignments.

• Work closely with teachers and leaders to keep accurate attendance records.

• Make sure the Primary presidency is aware of:

  • New children and visitors.

  • Children coming into nursery and children moving from nursery to the Sunbeam class.

  • Children who are eligible for baptism.

  • Girls who will advance to Young Women and boys who will be ordained deacons.

• Assign children to give prayers, scriptures, and talks during the opening of Sunday Primary meetings (under the presidency’s direction). She also notifies parents.

• Help the Primary presidency prepare a budget, account for expenses, and track Children and Youth materials.

Music Leader and Pianist

The music leader and pianist teach children the gospel of Jesus Christ through music during singing time. Music reinforces weekly Come, Follow Me study.  The following resources may be used:

• Come, Follow Me—For Primary

• Instructions for Singing Time and the Children’s Sacrament Meeting Program

• Children’s Songbook

• Hymns

• Primary Music Collections on ChurchofJesusChrist.org

• “Primary Singing Time—Music Can Teach Doctrine” (MediaLibrary.ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

The bishopric must approve the use of any other music in Primary.

If a pianist or piano is not available, leaders may use recordings from the following sources:

• Sacred Music app

• Gospel Library app

• Music.ChurchofJesusChrist.org

• CDs at store.ChurchofJesusChrist.org

Children can also sing without accompaniment.

The music leader can help with music for nursery when invited. An additional music leader may be called if needed.

The music leader works with the Primary presidency to help the children prepare for the annual children’s sacrament meeting presentation .

See Singing Time on ChurchofJesusChrist.org for more ideas and resources.

Teachers and Nursery Leaders

The Primary presidency recommends to the bishopric men and women to serve as Primary teachers and nursery leaders. The bishopric considers these recommendations and extends the callings. These members are called to teach and minister to specific age-groups of children.

Primary teachers and nursery leaders teach from Come, Follow Me—For Primary (ages 3–11) and Behold Your Little Ones (nursery). They follow the principles in Teaching in the Savior’s Way. 

When adults teach children in Church settings, at least two responsible adults should be present. The two adults could be two women, two men, or a married couple. If this is not possible, leaders should combine classes. Leaders and teachers must complete the training at ProtectingChildren.ChurchofJesusChrist.org. 

Youth should not teach in Primary, including as substitutes.

Primary teachers and nursery leaders stay with the children throughout Primary, including singing time and transitions. During singing time, teachers participate with their classes. Teachers should remain with young children after Primary until a family member comes for them.

Teachers and nursery leaders attend quarterly teacher council meetings.

Activity Leaders

Primary activity leaders minister to children as they plan service and activities beginning in January of the year children turn 8. Service and activities focus on the work of salvation and exaltation. They are fun and engaging. They build testimonies, strengthen families, and foster personal growth.

Primary activity leaders can be the children’s Primary teachers. They can also be other members the Primary presidency recommends and the bishopric calls. At least two leaders attend each activity. Leaders can be two women, two men, or a married couple. Leaders must complete the training at ProtectingChildren.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.