The Salem Utah Stake is witnessing the blessing of inviting baptized Primary children to stake conference through talks and music.
Stake conferences are held twice a year. Its primary purpose is “to strengthen members’ faith in Jesus Christ,” says section 29.3.1 of the General Handbook. All are invited to attend the general meeting.
President Brian G. Meade, first counselor in the Utah Salem Stake presidency, said his stake has begun organizing mini-Primary presentations at stake conferences.
Annual Primary presentations and programs bring joy and spirit. “We just wanted to bring that emotion to stake conference,” he said in a June 24 post on the Worldwide Primary social media account.
President Meade said the Primary choir sings a prelude as people enter the chapel for stake conference. At the meeting, two Primary children give a short one- to two-minute talk.
“It’s incredible to see what they do. It’s incredible to see what they share. It’s incredible to see the spirit they bring,” he said.
After these stories, the Primary choir sings a musical, which “brings incredible emotion to our stake conferences. It brings the fun and spirit of the Primary program to our stake conferences,” President Meade said.
A social media post from Primary Worldwide explained, “Children’s testimonies grow as they participate in church meetings. Hearing children bear genuine testimonies and sing about the Savior draws us closer to Him as well.”
Section 29.2.1.4 of the General Manual states, “The bishopric selects the speakers for sacrament meeting. In most cases, the bishopric invites ward members, including youth and children.”
Section 29.6 states, “Any baptized member of the Church may offer the first or last prayer.”
Primary President Susan H. Porter spoke to Church News in June 2024 about how her presidency has inspired her to help children understand what it means to be covenant children of God.
“We looked back at the meetings we attend, starting with sacrament meeting and stake conference, and asked ourselves, “What are we doing in this meeting to feed everyone?” President Porter said.
As more wards and stakes invite baptized children to participate, she said, the children will realize that it’s not just a meeting for their parents, but a meeting for them as well.
“We need their testimonies, their service, their strength. They have so much to offer,” President Porter said in a February 2022 “Friend to Friend.”
Another post from Primary Worldwide featured brave young children in a ward co-leading hymns in their ward for sacrament meeting. “As we invite baptized children to join and serve the Church of Jesus Christ, we can all be strengthened, edified, and felt a greater love of God,” the post said.
Sister Kathryn W. Godridge, a member of the Primary General Advisory Council, recently wrote about hearing the testimonies of children in meetings.
“As she spoke words of simple, sincere love for Jesus Christ, the Spirit not only confirmed the truth of her words, but personally testified to my heart of the love of Jesus Christ for me,” Sister Goderidge said. “Children’s sincere testimonies allow the Holy Ghost to speak to us in unique and powerful ways.”
