Why Did I Teach Primary for 8 Years?

[Not Buying It]

So I came across this quote on Reddit today:

As a former relief society leader, I know it's common practice to put new members, less actives, and other hard nuts to crack in primary in hopes that teaching the little ones the basics will teach the basics to the adult and thus inspire the spirit in all. Ugh

After ward leaders found out I didn't believe in the Church, they stuck in me Primary and there I stayed for the next 8 years (although to be fair I did request to stay in Primary after we moved to a new ward for the last two of those years). But I don't believe it was about teaching me the basics - I think it was a way of isolating me from the rest of the ward so I didn't spread any dangerous ideas. I really don't think they think Primary is going to re-convert anyone, I think they figure you can't do too much damage there (what little kid cares about polygamy after all?), and (supposedly) you've got a teaching partner there to monitor you and keep you from going off the rails.

I'm curious - do you all think the quote is correct and they put the undesirables in Primary to re-convert them, or do you think it is more to keep them isolated from the other members who are in Sunday School and Priesthood/RS?

[Angel]

In my experience, a child molester was called to work with kids, so yes, put the undesirables with the kids.

There are no adult classes at church. All classes and lessons only apply to children.

[Linked]

I think putting the undesirables in primary has a couple reasons. First and foremost, the ward leadership doesn't have to deal with you. Second, it's a calling that unorthodox members are more likely to accept it; you can tailor the lessons to fit your worldview and all it requires is an hour a week. I'm sure there is hope that the simple teachings of primary will seep into our souls, even though that probably almost never happens. TBMs are not known for needing proof that their hope is based in reality. I didn't.

There are no adult classes at church. All classes and lessons only apply to children.

Too true.

[Palerider]

It's definitely a way to keep a member coming to church and filling a calling that is challenging to fill (always working with little kids) while at the same time limiting the damage they can do.
Hopefully that individual will grow by doing their own studying at home and mature into a responsible, covenant oriented, tithe payer.

Bishops actually like that kind of person who from all outward appearances doesn't mind working with the little kids. It's a job filled that they don't have to worry about anymore. Out of sight, out of mind. Primary Presidency problem now.

They feel the same way (or used to) about guys who work with Scouts. It always seemed like in every ward, there were two or three guys who enjoyed working with Scouts and really had little interest in higher priesthood leadership. "Great! Got that covered now!"

[nibbler]

There might be something to the theory of sticking people in primary callings so they have an opportunity to learn the basics.

"Because their testimony wasn't strong enough." and, "Because they didn't know enough." are often cited by orthodox members as reasons why people go inactive.

In 2010 and 2011 they took a break from using the teachings of the presidents of the church manuals during the third hour to instead use lessons from the gospel principles manual. I remember the accompanying explanation being because people needed to go back to the basics.

Statistics probably showed some key indicator slipping and they probably thought going back to the basics was the answer. "If only people understood the story of the restoration we repeat five times every Sunday then they wouldn't go inactive!!!" Either that or the guy responsible for new curriculum dropped the ball, the clock ran out on copying and pasting general conference talks into a manual before the new year, and "Let's do the gospel principles manual... because basics!" became the answer.

It's always basics. Ironically I wouldn't be surprised if the basics meant to keep people in the church was one of the things driving people out of the church (boredom covering the same five topics over and over).

[Red Ryder]

It’s a way to manage the people without leadership and management skills.

Single sisters that cry a lot.
Couples where the husband is lazy.
New converts
Half assed Mormons
Fun old people that love kids
Anyone that doesn’t sing well

You get the idea….

[MoPag]

Yes I think that quote is accurate. I spent 6 years in primary teaching the gospel according to MoPag. My primary kids are all in YM/YW now. One of the girls I used to teach always posts super feminist memes on FB. I think I fullfilled my calling.

Either that or the guy responsible for new curriculum dropped the ball, the clock ran out on copying and pasting general conference talks into a manual before the new year, and "Let's do the gospel principles manual... because basics!" became the answer.

I love this theory!

[Advocate]

In my ward it's rare that new members get put in primary. The idea is the new member needs to build relationships with many people in the ward, and that is hard to if you are stuck in primary.

Primary is seen as an easy calling. So you might put someone in primary who needs a break. You might also put someone in there who is less than reliable because it is relatively easy to find a sub at the last minute. There isn't a lot of room with primary kids (due to their age) to get into alternative views, so it is a safe spot for someone who has unique views (unique views aren't only limited to doctrine, people with unique views on vaccinations qualify too). An added bonus with primary is it requires the person to be at church every week, which leadership views as good for someone who hasn't been consistently attending.

I've been in primary and loved my time in there. It's a great place to be for a NOM.

[Not Buying It]

I've been in primary and loved my time in there. It's a great place to be for a NOM.

If you've gotta have a calling as a NOM, Primary is perfect. I spent my time phoning it in, skipping everything I didn't agree with, and letting my mind wander during Sharing Time. It sure beat sitting in Sunday School and EQ listening to a bunch of nonsense. At least in Primary I had some control over what was said.

But not having a calling is way better if you can swing it.

[AdmiralHoldo]

I'm literally not even considered worthy of teaching Primary, how crazy is that? Especially because my actual, literal job is as a teacher. Oh well - they are missing out, and I can usually knock out quite a few levels on Wordscapes during second hour.