Primary Blessings

They stood patiently outside the Primary room door, waiting for the room to empty of the other ward's children so they could go in. Seven year old Landon had his arm around 3 year old Oakley, and with his face close to his brother's ear, I could only assume he was speaking comforting words. Oakley looked a little apprehensive, though stalwart and tearless. This was Oakley's third Sunday in Primary. It must have seemed overwhelming after spending Sundays for the past 18 months in the cocoon-like Nursery. The Primary room is so much larger, and the almost seventy children can be intimidating. Even to the adults who serve there. His mother had come to Primary with him last week and the week before, and had sat on a tiny chair in the front row holding him securely on her lap. This week, she quietly told me where she would be, in the event that Oakley needed her. With a brother like Landon, he was in good hands.

Landon guided Oakley to his front row seat, and abandoning his own class to support his brother, sat with his arm wrapped snugly around his little brother's shoulders. Oakley made it easily through the opening prayer, scripture and talk, Sister Jensen's animated Sharing Time about testimony, and with Landon's help raising and waving his arm, was selected as a helper during Sister Seifert's music time.

As the time came for the older children to return to the Primary room and the younger ones to go to their classrooms for a lesson, I slipped out to help keep order in the hallway in the exchange. With the door open about halfway, from the hall eleven year old Connor caught a glimpse of Oakley, whose composure has melted away despite Landon's best efforts. Connor told me, "My brother needs me. Can I go in?" Of course.

I didn't see the rescue, but I know it was tender. Mom was summoned, and all was well.

Not all interactions between children in Primary are this heartwarming. Truly these are Heavenly Father's children and seeing them treat each other with such love and kindness is the blessing of being in the Primary organization.