Use music

I have been a chorister in Primary for a few years and I have found that many children do not recognize when they are having a spiritual experience. I have learned that this is something that needs to be taught and while singing songs is the perfect time to teach it. I have felt the Spirit testify to me many times while we sing and I have stopped the song and said something like, "Do you feel that? My arms are tingling. My heart is beating extra fast." Then I talk about how that is the Spirit testifying that the things we are singing about are true.

Children need to be taught what that feeling is. I think that sometimes they have the Spirit witness to them, but they don't recognize it as the Spirit. If we can teach them how to recognize that feeling when they are young, they will be better able to recognize it and take advantage of spiritual opportunities when they are older. — Julie Eddington, Broken Arrow, Okla.

Proper behavior

One of our greatest desires as parents and teachers is to have our young people have spiritual opportunities. We appreciate the occasions that give our youth an opportunity to feel the Spirit and strengthen their testimonies. The problem is that giving our youth these spiritual opportunities is only the first step. Many of us fail to help our young people with the next step. Having spiritual opportunities is one thing, taking advantage of them is another. Many times our young people encounter spiritual opportunities but never feel the Spirit. Unfortunately, there are even times when our youth don't recognize the spiritual opportunities of an event. After providing these opportunities we, as teachers and especially as parents, need to move on to the next step. We need to help them feel the Spirit.

How? We need to teach them how to act properly that they might be in tune to feel the Spirit. Mosiah 4:15 says, speaking of our children, "But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness." One of the meanings of soberness is being straightforward in character, serious, devoid of frivolity.

To me, it means acting appropriately in every situation. For example, it may be acceptable to move about or to talk with those around you at a sporting event, but in a meeting or at an event where there may be an opportunity to feel the Spirit, we must teach our young people to act in a manner that would invite the Spirit.

As Primary teachers, youth leaders and parents, we must not only create spiritual opportunities for our young people, but we must also teach them how to take advantage of them by encouraging conduct and behavior that would invite the Spirit. — Elizabeth Hardman, Emmett, Idaho

Overcoming weakness

I have always shared with my children my love for our Savior and expressed to them that when it seems as if no one in the world can understand your pain, your Father in Heaven and Savior can if you turn to them in times of doubt. We have been strengthened through these past few years with the knowledge and importance of regular family home evenings, scripture study and family prayer. This is where the seeds of spiritual growth are planted. Although we have conflicting schedules and are not always together anymore, we look forward to being together as a family. When we get sidetracked and miss for any length of time we find that we struggle more and communicate less.

Our children grow and want to become adults yet seem to respond well to the tender nurturing we gave to them when they were younger.

Regular church attendance, temple work, firesides, remaining worthy, daily prayer and scripture study, setting goals, family home evening, parent and child dates, interviews with mom and dad are all things we encourage for our children as they grow into adults. All of these things help build spiritual growth and fond memories. — Sharon Duke, Salt Lake City, Utah

In the home

Young people are so bombarded with worldly distractions, they often need a lot of loving direction to help them get closer to Heavenly Father and the Spirit. Some of the best spiritual opportunities are those which occur on a regular basis with family and friends, and these can be planned.

At home, opportunities can take the form of family activities such as prayer, scripture reading and regular one-on-one conversations with a loving parent or other relative. It really helps to keep television and video games to a minimum and to monitor what is being watched. Parents can encourage the enjoyment of good music, films and books. Church magazines can be left out for everyone to share. Family home evening can often be a key to having frequent spiritual experiences with youth in a positive environment.

Don't underestimate the value of positive peer reinforcement when looking for spiritual opportunities for youth. Seminary, Young Women, Scouting, youth conferences, camp and regular temple attendance for baptisms are all great spiritual builders young people can share with each other under the guidance of loving leaders. — Ana Gabriel, Danville, Calif.