Her First Scripture in Primary

Since Hannah is turning four this year, at our church, for Sunday school, she now attends primary.  In primary the kids begin to take part in each week's program.  Every Sunday, children say the prayers, share scriptures, share articles of faith, and give talks in front of the rest of the primary children.  This week Hannah got to participate for the first time.  She shared a scripture.

The theme for Primary this week was, "Jesus Christ taught the gospel, and set an example for us."  The scripture she shared was 3 Nephi 12:48, "Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect."

For those of you familiar with the Bible, that probably sounds a lot like Matthew 5:48.  As Latter-day Saints, one of our beliefs is that after the Savior left the people of Jerusalem, and ascended to Heaven he actually visited the Americas and taught the people there his gospel too.  His visit to the ancient Americas is found in the Book of Mormon in 3 Nephi, Chapters 11-18.  In those chapters, he teaches the people of ancient America many of the same things he taught the people of Jerusalem (sometimes verbatim).  So a lot of what is found in those verses is also found in the Bible.

To be honest with you, I debated which verse to have her share. I love the Book of Mormon, but there really is a special place in my heart for the New Testament.  I really gained my testimony for the first time while I was reading it for seminary.  It finally came down to one thing: Hannah's little Book of Mormon.

When Hannah was in nursery, her nursery leaders gave each of the kids a little Book of Mormon.  Now, whenever we read scriptures as a family, she gets so excited and asks if she can "read" too.  (a.k.a. have someone tell her what the scripture says and then repeat it).

When I told her she would be sharing a scripture in primary, her eyes just lit up.  She jumped up and ran to get her little Book of Mormon and wanted me to help her pick out a scripture right then and there.  I couldn't bare the thought of telling her the scripture she was going to share was in a different book of scripture, so 3 Nephi 12:48 it was.  And she did a great job.  She wasn't afraid or nervous at all.  She spoke loudly and clearly, and sat reverently until it was her turn to share.  I was really proud of my little banana.

Now we just need to get her a little bible so she can have a complete set of scriptures for next time.  :)