Stake Conference Talk - All I Need to Know About the Gospel, I Learned in Primary

Sunday Session Stake Conference

Norman Oklahoma Stake
21 November 2004

I begin my talk today with some observations about the Norman Oklahoma Stake Presidency. I know President Robert C. Keyes was called of God by prophecy, by revelation, and by the laying on of hands. I know Robert H. Petersen was called of God by prophecy, by revelation, and by the laying on of hands. What a privilege and honor it is for me to serve with these two wonderful men of God. I love them. I am awed when in their presence. With all my inadequacies, I frequently wonder why I was called to serve with them. I strive to emulate them in the things I do in my own life.

Lastly, I also know that I was called of God by prophecy, by revelation, and by laying on of hands. I promise you that although each of us has his own set of personal weaknesses, the three of us share a common goal to serve the Lord in all we do. We earnestly strive to seek revelation from our Heavenly Father regarding the manner in which He would have us lead the members of the Norman Oklahoma Stake. In the few short months we have served together, we have had numerous experiences where the Lord has poured out his spirit to provide direction to us regarding the members of this stake.

I speak for me personally, and for the stake presidency collectively, and promise each of you that we will continue to do those things necessary so each of us can continue to be worthy to receive revelation in our capacity as the stake presidency.

In 1989, author Robert Fulghum published a book that went on to become #1 on the bestsellers’ list. This book was entitled “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.” Today, I borrow from Mr. Fulghum’s theme and entitle my remarks “All I Really Need to Know About the Gospel I Learned in Primary.”

All I Really Need to Know about the Gospel I Learned in Primary

Initially, I will direct my remarks specifically to the primary children in attendance today. I ask that each primary child listen as I share some of the things I have learned in my life from the hymns in the Children’s Songbook.

I know the hymns in the Children’s Songbook contain true doctrine. One of the most important teaching tools we have in the primary curriculum is music. Because music has had such a powerful effect on my spirit, I want to share with you my testimony through the use of music.

First, in addition to learning about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the primary songs have taught me many other important things.

For example, I have learned about human anatomy...I know I have

Head, shoulders, knees, and toes, knees and toes, knees and toes.

(Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes, CS, p. 275)

I also know...

I am all made of hinges, ‘cause everything bends
From the top of my neck way down to my ends.
I’m hinges in front, and I’m hinges in back;
But I have to be hinges, or else I would crack!

(Hinges, CS, p. 277)

I have learned about Heavenly Father’s creations from songs like...

Whenever I hear the song of a bird
Or look at the blue, blue sky,
Whenever I feel the rain on my face
Or the wind as it rushes by,
Whenever I touch a velvet rose
Or walk by a lilac tree.
I’m glad that I live in this beautiful world
Heav’nly Father created for me.

(My Heavenly Father Loves Me, CS, p. 228)

I have learned about building houses from songs like...

The wise man built his house upon the rock,
The wise man built his house upon the rock,
The wise man built his house upon the rock,
And the rains came tumbling down.

(The Wise Man and the Foolish Man, CS, p. 281)

On a more serious note, I am sure many of us have had questions similar to the one expressed in one of my favorite songs.

Heavenly Father, are you really there?
And do you hear and answer ev’ry child’s prayer?
Some say that heaven is far away,
But I feel it close around me as I pray.

Heavenly Father I remember now
Something that Jesus told disciples long ago:
“Suffer the children to come to me.”
Father, in prayer I’m coming now to thee.

(A Child's Prayer, CS, p. 12)

The prophet Joseph Smith had a similar question. He went to the father in prayer. God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him. Through this experience, Joseph was chosen as a prophet of God. Joseph was the instrument through which the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored to the earth once again in its fullness.

What is the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

3 Nephi 27:13 - 15 -- “Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me. And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil -- And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works.”

In Primary, I learned...

I lived in Heaven a long time ago, it is true;
Lived there an loved there with people I know. So did you.
Then Heavenly Father presented a beautiful plan,
All about earth and eternal salvation for man.

Father said he needed someone who had enough love
To give his life so we all could return there above.
There was another who sought for the honor divine.
Jesus said, “Father, send me, and the glory be thine.”

Jesus was chosen, and as the Messiah he came,
Conquering evil and death through his glorious name,
Giving us hope of a wonderful life yet to be --
Home in that heaven where Father is waiting for me. 

(I Lived in Heaven, CS, p. 4)

How could the Father tell the world

Of love and tenderness?

He sent his Son, a newborn babe,

With peace and holiness.

How could the Father show the world

The pathway we should go?

He sent his Son to walk with men

On earth, that we may know.

How could the Father tell the world

Of sacrifice, of death?

He sent his Son to die for us

And rise with living breath.

What does the father ask of us?

What do the scriptures say?

Have faith, have hope

Live like his Son,

Help others on their way.

What does he ask?

Live like his Son. 

(He Sent His Son, CS, p. 35)

3 Nephi 27:19 -- “And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end.”

In Primary, I learned......

Faith is knowing the sun will rise,

Lighting each new day.

Faith is knowing the Lord will hear

My prayers each time I pray.

Faith is like a little seed:

If planted, it will grow.

Faith is a swelling within my heart.

When I do right, I know.

Faith is knowing I lived with God

Before my mortal birth.

Faith is knowing I can return

When my life ends on earth.

Faith is trust in God above;

In Christ, who showed the way.

Faith is strengthened; I feel it grow

Whenever I obey. 

(Faith, CS, p. 96)

Help me, dear Father, to freely forgive

All who may seem unkind to me.

Help me each day, Father I pray;

Help me live nearer, nearer to thee.

Help me, dear Father, to truly repent,

Making things right, and changing my ways.

Help me each day, Father I pray;

Help me live nearer, nearer to thee. 

(Help Me, Dear Father, CS, p. 99)

3 Nephi 27:16 -- “And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world.”

In Primary, I learned...

Jesus came to John the Baptist,

In Judea long ago,

And was baptized by immersion

In the River Jordan’s flow.

“To full the law,” said Jesus,

When the Baptist questioned why,

“And to enter with my Father

In the kingdom up on high.”

Now we know that we must also

Witness faith in Jesus’ word,

Be baptized to show obedience,

As was Jesus Christ, our Lord. 

(Baptism, CS, p. 100)

I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain

And ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again.

I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.

I want to be the best I can and live with God again.

I know when I am baptized my wrongs are washed away,

And I can be forgiven and improve myself each day.

I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.

I want to be the best I can and live with God again. 

(When I Am Baptized, CS, p. 103)

The lord needs valiant servants,

To do his work in the latter day,

Who follow the teachings of Jesus

And serve his people in a loving way.

I will be his servant

And keep my cov’nants valiantly.

I’ll stand for truth. I’ll stand for right.

The Lord can depend on me. 

(I Will Be Valiant, CS, p. 162)

Keep the commandments; keep the commandments!

In this there is safety; in this there is peace.

He will send blessings; He will send blessings.

Words of a prophet: Keep the commandments.

In this there is safety and peace. 

(CS, p. 146)

Now we have a world where people are confused.

If you don’t believe it, go and watch the news.

We can get direction all along our way,

If we heed the prophets -- follow what they say.

Follow the prophet, follow the prophet,

Follow the prophet; don’t go astray.

Follow the prophet, follow the prophet,

Follow the prophet; he knows the way.

(Follow the Prophet, CS, p. 110)  

What is the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

I know the words of these songs contain true doctrines. Jesus Christ is the savior of the world and the redeemer of mankind. The first principles and ordinances of the gospel are first faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second repentance; third baptism by immersion; and fourth laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. I know that if we desire to return to Heavenly Father we must endure to the end by following the commandments of Jesus which we learn from his chosen servants here on earth.

In closing, I would like to briefly address the parents. Parents, what are you doing to ensure your children are learning these doctrines? We learn from the Doctrine and Covenants and the Family Proclamation that parents have a responsibility to teach their children these doctrines and to rear their children in love and righteousness.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland suggests that parents must live the gospel conspicuously. Parents it is not enough to just send your children to primary and expect the primary teachers to teach your children. You must live your life in accordance with the covenants you have made. You must live the gospel so your children can observe its effect in your lives. I pray that the children in our stake can observe their parents living the gospel, that they may learn from their parents' example how to be valiant disciples of Jesus Christ.

In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.