I love to see the temple.

I'm going there someday

To feel the Holy Spirit,

To listen and to pray.

For the temple is a house of God,

A place of love and beauty.

I'll prepare myself while I am young;

This is my sacred duty.

("I Love to See the Temple," Children's Songbook, p. 95.)

In 2002, Primary children throughout the Church will be singing and learning about temples and the eternal nature of families. And many — those at least 8 years old — will have the opportunity to be part of a temple dedication service during the upcoming year.

Photo by Jason Swensen

Church members line up outside of Columbia River Washington Temple for dedication.

"The Primary's 2002 focus on temples will help us and children better understand the work of President Gordon B. Hinckley in building temples and blessing lives," Primary general President Coleen K. Menlove said. "President Hinckley desires for all of us to have temples within our reach. We can help children get themselves ready as we help them learn of the temple, help them prepare to be worthy, and we can love the children by testifying of our love for the temple."

Sister Menlove and her counselors, Sydney S. Reynolds and Gayle M. Clegg, met with the Church News to discuss "The Temple — I'm Going There Someday," the theme for the 2002 outline for Sharing Time and the Children's Sacrament Meeting Presentation. In the fourth quarter of the year, children throughout the Church will share in their wards and branches what they learned and experienced concerning temple worship during the year. As in the past, the general presidency hopes Primary leaders and teachers will help the children share their testimonies and love for the temple in their own words compiled from Sharing Time, opening exercises and in family settings.

"This year in sharing time we hope the children will come to understand the blessings of temples, and they will feel joy and peace in their lives and in their homes," Sister Clegg said. "What a blessing to know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love each of them. They will have opportunities to show gratitude and to live the gospel. It is hoped that each child and his or her family will prepare for the Savior's coming by living to be worthy of temple blessings."

Speaking of temple dedications, such as the dedications of the Nauvoo Illinois Temple and Snowflake Arizona Temple scheduled for this year, Sister Reynolds said: "Children are so wonderful in the temple dedication setting. They're sitting with their parents and they have no problem having wonderful reverence and respect for what's going on. It's because of the preparation they've had in their families and in places like Primary."

"We teach that it literally is the house of God, and they feel that," Sister Clegg added. "They are going to Heavenly Father's house. You ask little ones, and they say that. They give you that answer."

This understanding begins at home, Sister Reynolds explained. In fact, she said, the feelings of peace and love found in the temple should already be familiar to children in comparison to what they should feel at home. "We want their own homes to have that kind of spirit."

Photo by Jason Swensen

Primary girl waits outside Columbia River temple.

But whether in their homes now or in their future homes, children are being taught the blessings of eternal families and temple worship through the teachings and music found in the 2002 Outline for Sharing Time and the Children's Sacrament Meeting Presentation. For example, the music for the first month is "I Love to See the Temple." A sharing time idea suggests a booklet prepared by Primary leaders for each child entitled "The Temple — I'm Going There Someday." The outline explains: "Have the children draw a picture of a temple on the first page. Give each of them a cutout picture of a boy or girl to color and glue to the next page. Have them write their names and one way they can prepare to go to the temple on the picture. Use the additional pages of the booklet throughout the year to have the children write their thoughts or draw pictures as you teach about temples."

The eighth month includes ideas for family history work. Music includes "Family History — I Am Doing It," from p. 94 in the Children's Songbook. A concept teaches: "I can prepare to serve in the temple by learning about my ancestors and doing family history work."

The Primary general presidency specifically encourages Primary teachers and leaders to regularly attend the temple themselves throughout the year and then share their love for the temple with the children. "The children will be able to sense their love and commitment about the temple and that it makes a difference in their lives," Sister Reynolds said.

Sisters Menlove, Reynolds and Clegg also hope parents will not only attend the temple but also share their testimonies of temple worship with their children. "How wonderful to tuck a child into bed and talk about the opportunity for families to be together forever," Sister Menlove said.

"This is a wonderful year to prepare those children to have spiritual experiences through the Spirit in regards to the temple."

E-mail: julied@desnews.com