She’s Just a Nursery Leader: Lessons Learned From Mary

All of us who have observed a loving Primary nursery leader ministering patiently to her flock of two-year-olds or who have felt the gentle spirit of those wonderful white-haired men and women who faithfully serve in the temples of the Lord, will understand perfectly the Savior’s comment: “For he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.” (Luke 9:48.) -Marlin K. Jensen

For twelve years my mom served as nursery leader, before being called to the Relief Society. After teaching her first lesson, they asked her, “Where have you been?” She was teaching the future leaders. She was learning from the wee ones. 

In our small branch the load is heavy on the active members. Many have two callings. I would say primary has always been the most difficult, because their are lots of little children and not enough consistent teachers who will show up each week. Due to this challenge, our nursery has always struggled. Those little ones would have a new teacher each week–whomever could fill in–or the job was filled by those avoiding their own classes, but they weren’t really there for the wee ones. There was a void, and yet the answer to that void was hard to figure out. 

Then came Mary. 

Who’s Mary? She’s a successful real estate agent. She’s on every committee and board known to man, and she’s usually the spokesman for those committees! She’s a friend to all, full of life, and ridiculously organized. She can plan, organize and execute any level of party, lesson, or demonstration. Mary is amazing.

Mary brought every bit of that awesomeness to our nursery. I’m not sure I will be successful at expressing what Mary has taught me, but we can applying her styles in all of our teaching responsibilities. 

1. She goes above and beyond to help the young ones feel welcome.  In our classes we can prayerfully ask the Lord to help us find ways to help those in our classes feel loved, needed, and special. 
2. She comes prepared every week. Her lessons are taught and re-taught with actions, music and excitement so the young minds can grasp them. The Holy Ghost will direct us as we teach so that we can touch those in our classes, to help them with the struggles they have in their lives, even if we aren’t aware of all the situations. Sometimes this is difficult, because the Lord can direct us in a way that is different then we originally planned. We must remember, the Lord knows what is needed, so we have to trust him to lead us. 
3. She advocates for them, including fighting for them to have the largest room in our small, undersized building. When I think of advocating for our classes,  prayer comes to mind. I think we need to pray for our class members to be lifted during the week. 
4. She has healed the broken hearts of leaving their mommies. The tears that once flowed like a broken faucet are dried up. This is the biggest one in my opinion. It’s impossible to know what those we teach are truly struggling with, but we can rest assured that everyone is struggling. If we are attentive, tender, and intentional, we can dry those internal tears. 
5. She gives them confidence and and identity in our branch. The other day, I watched as all these little ones, barely knee high, confidently pushed their chairs, behind their nurturing leader, down the hall to join the older primary for a program. We can do this by greeting our classes by name, acknowledging comments, and inviting everyone to participate. 

Throughout church, in all the programs, whether it’s with the youth, adults, young kids, or toddlers, there are those who are crying on the inside, desperate to have purpose and confidence. There are those who are in need of being noticed and feeling loved. We can learn from Mary as we approach our callings. Through prayer and the guidance of the Holy Ghost, we can discern how to advocate for those we teach. The spirit will direct us on what needs to be emphasized that week to fill the needs of those we teach.

We are all in this great endeavor together. . . . Your obligation is as serious in your sphere of responsibility as is my obligation in my sphere. No calling in this church is small or of little consequence. All of us are in pursuit of our duty touch the lives of others. To each of us in our respective responsibilities the Lord has said: “Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees” (D&C 81:5). -Gordon B. Hinckley

Countless thousands of hours are spent in meaningful Christian service by bishops, stake presidents, Relief Society presidents, home teachers, nursery leaders, and all who have accepted callings to do their part. They render this service not just out of a sense of duty, but out of genuine love for those they serve. -W. Eugene Hansen

-Sherri Jorgensen