Objective : To explain the duties of the President of the Church and the magnitude of his calling so that children will be better able to sustain their leaders and follow the prophet.

Scriptures: D&C 107:91

Songs: The Sixth Article of Faith. CS,126 Latter Day prophets CS,134

Materials needed:

1. Cans of soup or food..(20)
2. Tape
3. A back pack or sack or pillowcase
4. Pictures of all the Latter Day prophets (Can buy a package of Pictures of colored pictures at LDS bookstores.).Or can find at this site...
5. Pictures of the Apostles and First Presidency
6. Pencils for each child
7. Copy of Chapel and scissors to cut it out.
8. Copies of scriptures
9. Empty soup or food cans...Start saving them now! One for each child!
10. Prepare ahead if desired.. Soup cans labeled with the duties of the President. Also soup Cans labed with I can follow the Prophet.

Say together: Article of faith # 6

Attention getter: Have the kids help you build a chapel that shows the organization of the church.. See pattern below. Print on cardstock.

Discussion:

• In Heavenly Father‘s church there is no contention concerning the succession in Presidency... a system is set up and thereby maintained by God that the prophet is the President of the Church until he dies.
• All apostles hold these keys of prophet seer and revelator, at the time of their ordination so that when the time comes that a President dies, then The First Presidency is dissolved and the surviving members take their place in the Quorum, by their ordination dates.
• Whomever is the President of the Twelve Apostles (or senior apostle by dates) at that time becomes the next President of the Church....
• They are sustained by the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the Temple and then the new President is sustained by the Church body at the next conference.

Read Gordon B. Hinckley‘s feelings about when he was made President if you have time:

Gordon B Hinckley explaining On April 2,1995 the feelings he had about his succession to the Presidency. (Taken from Ensign, May 1995)

With President Hunters passing, the First Presidency was dissolved. Brother Monson and I, who had served as his counselors, took our places in the Quorum of the Twelve, which became the presiding authority of the Church.

Three weeks ago today all of the living ordained Apostles gathered in a spirit of fasting and prayer in the upper room of the temple. Here we sang a sacred hymn and prayed together. We partook of the sacrament of the Lords supper, renewing in that sacred, symbolic testament our covenants and our relationship with Him who is our divine Redeemer. The presidency was then reorganized, following a precedent well established through generations of the past.

There was no campaigning, no contest, no ambition for office. It was quiet, peaceful, simple, and sacred. It was done after the pattern which the Lord Himself had put in place.

We have received from many people expressions of congratulations and confidence. These have come from members of the Church and from those not of our faith. To one and all I express my deep appreciation. I know full well that it is not the man whom they compliment, but, rather, the office. Yesterday morning members of the Church across the world met together in a solemn assembly. You raised your hands, without compulsion and of your own free will, to confirm the action taken by the Apostles three weeks ago and to sustain those called to serve.

Tell the children:

“That each president has been uniquely selected for the time and situation which the world and Church needed. All were men of the hour......

Contemplate the miracle of that foreordination and preparation! Though called and given keys years prior to the time that the mantle fell upon him, the President was always the right man in the right place for the times“.(Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson p.142)

Sing: Latter day Prophets CS 134

Say to the children: Lets pretend that this teacher (call on a male teacher) is the president of the church. The president of the Church has many responsibilities. Put a backpack on Dad (Tell him ahead to moan and groan as soon as the responsibilities seem heavy). Taking the Cans or rocks that you have labeled. Start placing the"President duties" in the backpack.

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1. He speaks Gods will on Church Organization, Church Doctrine and contemporary world matters.

• Only one on earth that can receive revelation for the church.

3. All Temples and Temple building is under his direction.

7. He is responsible for the preparation and procedure of General Conference.

8. The president Often addresses the public.

10. He ordains and sets apart various Church officers.

11. He teaches and preaches the gospel to all the world

14. Is responsible for Missionary callings. And the missionary movement.

15. He fulfills the needs and welfare of those countries in crisis.

17. He is an architect. He Designs and oversees.

19. His life exemplifies Christ.

Show a Picture of The First Presidency

Now as he is struggling to hold up this load tell the children that The President of the Church has two counselors that help to "Bear him UP". Have two children come up and help bear up the " President". He also has 12 apostles that he can delegate some responsibilities to. And they in turn delegate responsibilities to other Priesthood leaders. Such as Bishops and stake presidents and Patriarchs and teachers. The Savior also helps the President of the Church! He is the cornerstone of our Church! He presides at the head!

Let a male teacher carry a backpack with 10 cans in....(listed below)

1. I can Choose the right.
2. I can sustain the prophet and listen to his teachings.
3. I can pray for the prophet.
4. I can be an example and missionary to my friends.
5. I can help my Mom and Dad to magnify their callings.
6. I can encourage my Mom and Dad to go to the temple.
7. I can do pay a full Tithing.
8. I can attend church. And fulfill my priesthood responsibilities.
9. I can live worthy to get married in the temple.
10. I can get baptized and prepare to go on a mission.

The mission of the church is to:

1. Perfect the Saints
2. Redeem the Dead and
3. Proclaim the Gospel.