#36: New "Friend" website is great for Primary lessons.

Happy Sunday! Tonight while we were at my parents' house for dinner, my mom showed me a rad new website for Primary teachers. Since I am a Primary teacher myself, I was particulary excited. Check it out at http://lds.org/children/resources?lang=eng. The website is still brand new, so it's not fully fleshed out yet. Give it a little time, and I think this will be the best new Primary supplement outside of http://www.sugardoodle.net.

The new LDS Primary website has three sections:

1. Resources for Primary Lessons:

Since the official Primary manuals are only updated every decade or so, the new website is a great resource if teachers want to use more current stories and talks. For example, today's lesson was "Lesson 2: Nephi Follows His Father, the Prophet". On the new website there are stories from "The Friend" (the Church's magazine for children) from 2003, 2008, and 2011 (rather than stuff from the 90's in the manual). Additionally, there are videos and music that you can download and show to your class (Unfortunately, "Return of the Jedi" is not available as a download).

Videos and music. Kid tested. Mother approved.

2. Resources by Topic:

Let's say you want to look for kid-centric resources about "Agency", "Baptism", or "Faith". Previously, there was no great repository of LDS topics specifically designed for kids. Well, now there is! (Or at least, there soon will be--like I said, it's still a work-in-progress).

3. Weekly Thoughts and Tips:

Thirdly, there will soon be a list of thoughts and tips each week from "The Friend" magazine. In the meantime, the Church has posted the following description:

It’s here! A new resource for parents, teachers, and leaders of children! Beginning this month, the Friend is publishing an online resource of additional helps for teaching children. Included here are stories, activities, and media that support the Primary lessons being taught in 2012. You will also find an index of ideas for different gospel topics. You can use these at home and in a variety of church settings. These ideas are all approved resources and can be used with full confidence that they are endorsed by the Church and meet the standard of teaching true doctrine.

It is a sacred responsibility to teach children the gospel of Jesus Christ and help them learn to live it. You are doing much more than teaching a lesson—you are teaching children to know and love the Savior, and helping them to be lifelong followers of Jesus Christ.

I am looking forward to see what the new site has in store!