I'm not sure how this is considered "cult-like". They also hold up pictures of Jesus and other things pertaining to the Sharing Time lesson. It's simply a way to get the children involved with what is happening...a very common teaching technique. Obviously, if the lesson is about Joseph Smith or President Hinckley, then yes, these pictures will be utilized. However, most of the lessons in Sharing Time focus on simple principles of the gospel like baptism, acting like Jesus would act, being kind to one another, etc.
It is not cult like. It is called instruction and perhaps indoctrination. It is a choise to teach one's children what one believes. PP will leave that all to random chance for his kids.
Then the instructor would have the children repeat something along the lines of:
"I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of god"
"I know that Gordon B. Hinckley is a true prophet of god and speaks to god to tell us the right things to do. I will follow the counsel of the phophet...."
Other things that these 3-8 year olds are expected to repeat:
"I know that the CoJCoLDS is true"
"I know that the Book of Mormon is true"
In all of the years I have worked in Primary (and I'm old...43...and I've been playing the piano or involved in primary in some way since I was 15), I have never heard a Primary leader whisper to a child to say "I know the Church is true..." etc. I have heard a parent do it during a talk, etc. but not a leader.
This is becasue this never happens. It is another lie. PP is embellishing. Primary teachers and leaders do not stage mock testimony meetings.
If a parent takes it upon him/herself to have their child parrot things that they believe, then that is their choice.
Correct.
I know that the CoJCoLDS is true"
"I know that the Book of Mormon is true"
Every fast sunday, many of these children will rush up to the stand and litterally parrot off these same rote statements of knowledge. If they struggle, the parents will go up and whisper them in their ear.. HOW can any child KNOW anything about the prophetic abilities of men or if a church is divine?
I agree.
In all the FT meetings I have been in I may see on kid get up, maybe two and over the past number of years rarely any. The LDS leaders actually have discouraged small children bearing testimonies in FT meetings. But there is never a mass rush of children to bear testimony. Again PP is simply lying.
Is the above practices in LDS Primary considered brainwashing?
IF the situation is conducted in the exact format you personally have witnessed, then yes.
But it does not. PP is a liar. Call him on it.
However, I can tell you that having been in the Primary, and having been in on how the organization is supposed to function, I can tell you that your Ward Primary was making some serious mistakes.
No they were not. PP is making it up.