TONI - First of all, I want to congratulate you on a wonderful web site. I find very little web sites that are "on track" with the Church policies and handbooks. You have a great source of links and I am extremely impressed with what you have put together. Your site is also a incredible representation of the Church for those who are not of our faith. You certainly have a gift and I appreciate all the time that you have put in compiling the information.
I would like to share my knowledge on a subject that has been a major problem within our stake and I'm sure it has had ripple effects throughout the Church. It is in regards to the approved curriculum from our leaders. In a nutshell, we have been given standards to what is to be used in the classrooms in each auxillary. There are numerous references in the handbooks and quotes from the Brethren that are very bold and straight forward about the subject.
Our major problem in our stake is in regards to the Primary Partners books. I cannot tell you the uproar that the use of this and other "outside" resources published by members has created. Our stake leaders such as the Primary President, Librarian, and the Stake Presidency has been upset by the use of the materials. There has been incredible contention because teachers assume that because the publications are sold in LDS bookstores as well as on the Internet that they are approved curriculum. When some members have been informed that the materials are not approved and not to be used, instead of supporting the policy, they have become offended.
Many of the ideas presented in these books are not correct, misleading, trivial and create an atmosphere of humor, fun and worldly views of the teachings of the gospel. They are not reverent or an invitation for recognizing the Spirit in the lessons. Many teachers actually replace the lesson materials with the ideas in the books. One thing that is included in the Primary Partners is a treat that goes with every lesson. If a teacher were to read in the opening instructions of the lesson manual, they will read that the only time that treats/food is to be used in the class is if it is included in the manual as part of the lesson (which is a rare occasion). Our youth are so overwhelmed with worldly stimulation that they need to be taught the pure, simple and straight forward teachings of the Savior.
Because your website is so wonderful and inspiring, my advisement is to remove the links that may lead members to the same path of assuming that these materials are okay to use. The major purpose of being set apart as a church calling is that we will have the Holy Ghost for the inspiration we need to guide us in our responsibilities. We are given gifts and talents to use and discover. If we rely on the ideas and talents of others (who are also making money from it) then we will not access the Holy Ghost to guide us. He will give us the insight we need. The manuals state that only the scriptures, conference talks and Church magazines are to be used in presenting our lessons.
A great and incredible resource for teachers is the book "Teaching, No Greater Call'. Every teacher and leader should read it. It is used in the Teacher Development Course and can be purchased through the Distribution Center. Every library should have a copy of it as well as having access to it through the Inservice Leaders.
I hope this helps. I have not intended for this information to be offensive in any manner. I just wanted to share my insight and research that I have done.

JOEL - I appreciate your comments. It is incredible how so many people today are coming up with so many church related products (some good, some bad) that they hope to make money on. You make a good point about such products being used in place of what has been approved. I was not aware that there was such a problem in the Primary world.
I believe that this is something that really needs to be handled at the local level with the Bishops instructing teachers about what is appropriate to use in their classes. Things like this should be communicated during inservice lessons at the ward or stake level. Many of the links on my website provide sources of appropriate materials that can be used by church members in fulfilling their callings or personal and family study. I don't think it is reasonable to remove links to all the commercial web sites, only because of one or two particular products they might sell. The members should simply be advised that they should not use such products to the point of neglecting church approved materials and guidelines. If that offends them, they can very easily be released from their calling.
You should try directing your concerns at the businesses that sell the products and the people who produce them(perhaps you already have). Also, if your Stake President agrees that it is a problem he could write a letter to church headquarters. If enough people voice their concerns about this, church authorities may take the opportunity to address the issue in General Conference(again). I will help out by posting your letter on my web site and provide some quotes from General Authorities(See below)

"Leaders and teachers are encouraged to use only approved Church instructional materials and to avoid using commercial products." (Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders’ Guidebook, Curriculum and Teacher Improvement, 15)

M. Russell Ballard:
"Teachers would be well advised to study carefully the scriptures and their manuals before reaching out for supplemental materials. Far too many teachers seem to stray from the approved curriculum materials without fully reviewing them. Teachers can stay on safe ground when they use the standard works, the approved manuals, and the writings of the General Authorities." (M. Russell Ballard, Teaching No Greater Call, Ensign, May 1983, 68)

Dalin H. Oaks:
"a superior teacher of the gospel will teach from the prescribed course material, with greatest emphasis on teaching the doctrine and principles and covenants of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is commanded in modern revelation, where the Lord said:
"Teachers of this church shall teach the principles of my gospel, which are in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, in the which is the fulness of the gospel.
And they shall observe the covenants and church articles to do them, and these shall be their teachings, as they shall be directed by the Spirit (D&C 42:12-13).
As I have visited in quorums and Relief Societies, I have generally been pleased and impressed at how these Teachings of Presidents of the Church are being presented and received.
However, I have sometimes observed teachers who gave the designated chapter no more than a casual mention and then presented a lesson and invited discussion on other materials of the teacher’s choice. That is not acceptable. A gospel teacher is not called to choose the subject of the lesson but to teach and discuss what has been specified. (Dallin H. Oaks, Gospel Teaching, Ensign, Nov. 1999, 78)

"Teachers should use lesson materials published by the Church for the class being taught. They also should use current, approved editions of the scriptures. They may use Church magazines to supplement lesson materials and the scriptures. They may also use Church-produced audiovisual materials, such as pictures and videocassettes" (Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, p.304)

"President Ezra Taft Benson taught: 'what should be the source for teaching the great plan of the Eternal God? The scriptures, of course---particularly the Book of Mormon. This should also include the other modern-day revelations. These should be coupled with the words of the Apostles and prophets and the promptings of the Spirit.' (Conference Report, Apr. 1987) (Pg. 52)

"President J. Reuben Clark Jr. taught: 'the youth of the Church are hungry for the things of the Spirit; they are eager to learn the gospel, and they want it straight, undiluted.... You do not have to sneak up behind [them] and whisper religion in [their] ears; You do not need to disguise religious truths with a cloak of worldly things; you can bring these truths to [them] openly" (The Charted Course of the Church n Education, [pamphlet, 1994]. (Pg. 205)

"Resources for instructing Primary leaders and teachers include the scriptures, teachings of the latter-day prophets, Church handbooks, and other Church-produced training materials." (The Primary Handbook, page 233)

" Use of Outside Materials. This manual, in addition to the scriptures, gives the instructor all the materials he needs to teach the course. The lessons are complete, with enough help in the text to teach the objective of each lesson adequately. In fact, the instructor may often feel that there is too much background or lesson material. The use of materials other than those suggested is unnecessary and is discouraged, for this course, as designed, will help families discover for themselves the will of the Lord in their own circumstances by leading the class members, through the Spirit, to the scriptures and the words of living prophets."("Teach Them Correct Principles, A Study in Family Relations" pg. V)

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