New Women Leaders of 1 Million Mormon Children Announced

Salt Lake City, Utah – Of the nearly 14 million Mormons in the world (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), over 1 million are children under 12, who now have new leaders who are anxious to see that they learn well in church and that their parents receive help and support in teaching them at home.

Sister Rosemary M. Wixom was selected by President Thomas S. Monson and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as the new Primary General President, along with her two councilors Sister Jean A. Stevens and Sister Cheryl A. Esplin. They were sustain by unanimous vote of the members of the Church at the recent 180th Annual General Conference.

Sister Wixom said she will echo the counsel of priesthood leaders to help parents improve their teaching of righteous principles to children in the home to strengthen the family. She said that the Primary organization at the local congregation level is a resource to help parents.

"We want children to know that God loves you. He listens and hears your prayers," said Sister Wixom during a press conference to the children of the Church.

"We hopefully can bless the lives of children and their families," said Sister Esplin.

Earlier in the day leaders of the Church gave counsel to members about raising families.

"Throughout the history of the world, women have always been teachers of moral values. That instruction begins in the cradle and continues throughout the lives of their children," said Elder M. Russell Ballard, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles as he address the mothers of the Church.

Another member of the Twelve Apostles, Elder David A. Bednar, advised parents that the "early warning system" applies to children of all ages and has three components. The first is reading and talking about the Book of Mormon as a family on a regular basis. The second component is for parents to spontaneously testify to their children of gospel truths, and the third component is to invite their children to act and not just be acted upon as they learn about the gospel.

"Parents who do these things faithfully will be blessed to recognize early signals of spiritual growth in or challenges with their children and be better prepared to receive inspiration to strengthen and help those children," said Elder Bednar.

"So, we help God´s children best by providing ways to build faith in Jesus Christ and His restored gospel when they are young. And then we must help rekindle that faith quickly before it dims as they wander off the path," offered President Henry B. Eyring, counselor in the First Presidency of the Church.

All three women have raised families and beween them they have 31 grand children, all of whom are in the Primary organization. Sister Stevens said she took many parenting classes before she had children, but learned most of what she knows about raising children "on the job," and through spiritual guidance from the Lord.

Sister Stevens said there is a new outline for instruction in Primary classes at weekly church meetings. She explained that teachers are instructed to help children to identify concepts, understand them, and then apply them to their lives. She said children of all ages can do this.

"You can make a difference for a lifetime if you are a Primary leader," said Sister Wixom to members of the Church who are called to teach in the Primary program. She said that the program is more than just Sunday School classes. She said Primary encourages parents to get involved with actively teaching their children.

"Ask them questions, like what did you learn today, and what did you feel about that," she explained. She said that when parents ask such questions it reinforces what was taught in Primary and helps children to learn that the lessons are important to their parents as well.

"As the children bring Primary home with them it can bless everyone, including their parents," said Sister Esplin.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the largest sponsor of Boy Scout units in the United States. The Primary organization has responsibility for the Cub Scout program and for 11-year-old Boy Scouts. All three women stressed the importance of that program on the lives of the boys in the program.

"Scouting is critical. It helps the boys to learn leadership and prepares them for to be Priesthood leaders. It is a huge part of the program," said Sister Wixom.

"It helps the boys to learn to set goals and achieve goals," said Sister Stevens.

"Scouting helps the boys to become righteous men of good character," added Sister Esplin.