It's the most wonderful time of the year: the time when the Primary children take over sacrament meeting and delight us with their enthusiastic singing, bright testimonies, and their adorable and unexpected mannerisms.
Recently, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf had the privilege of attending two Primary programs with his wife, Harriet: one of a group of 100 refugee children and another with 10 Primary children. Despite their difference in size, each program was beautiful and caused President Uchtdorf to reflect on three crucial eternal truths.
On Facebook, he posted:
This time of the year there are Primary presentations all over the world, and they are beautiful regardless of how many children the different congregations have.
Two weeks ago we were inspired by a group of 100 beautiful refugee children. Last week we were with 10 wonderful children in downtown Salt Lake City who were just as inspiring and beautiful. All of the children we met with were delightful. The Primary songs they sang were inspiring. Their joy and enthusiasm showed that the future of the Church is in good hands.
Though the circumstances in which some of these children have spent their early years couldn’t be more different, the light in their eyes connects them in inspired ways.
Harriet and I are so grateful for loving parents and good teachers who are bringing up these children in light and truth. We will never be able to fully acknowledge the great influence a righteous parent or diligent teacher has in the lives of God’s children.
We must also never forget that we are all God’s literal spirit children. We were His children before we came to this world, and we will be His children forevermore. This basic truth should change the way we look at ourselves, our brothers and sisters, and life itself.
Every child of God is important. Every child is needed. Every child is loved.
May we remember this as we strive to share the love that God has for all of His children.
In another post, President Uchtdorf shared:
On Sunday, Harriet and I had the opportunity to attend the Primary presentation in a Salt Lake City branch made up of refugees from Africa. These beautiful children have seen so much heartache, war, trauma, and change in their lives—yet they are eager to learn about our Savior.
These children—who now live in Salt Lake City—were primarily born in Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya. Their parents had to flee their native countries of Rwanda, Congo, and Burundi due to genocide and civil war.
The scriptures tell us that the Savior “took [the] little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.” It was an honor for me to be with these children who are loved by our Father in Heaven. They have seen so much in the past but have bright futures ahead of them thanks to the hope that the gospel of Jesus Christ provides.