In my primary right now we are going through a bit of a transitional period as we have a new primary chorister, and are trying to work out the kinks. So, I’ve been reading a lot in the church handbook about the purpose of singing time, and the purpose of the primary songs. Something stood out to me as I was reading today that got me thinking.
I loved singing in primary as a child. I still do, actually. Some of those songs I sang as a child are still with me despite my horrible memory. Even to this day, if I’m worried or scared about something, it is the most comforting thing to me to hum a primary song and get that bad thought out of my head. My song of choice is usually “I am a Child of God”. But, I have taken to singing “My Heavenly Father Loves Me” to my kids as a lullaby before bed too. It is my favorite primary song.
My 5 year old can’t quite read yet, and I am amazed to watch her learn the songs. She sings the lyrics to “I Will Follow God’s Plan” perfectly. When she belts them out, it always makes me want to cry. Here are the lyrics:
My life is a gift; my life has a plan.
My life has a purpose; in heav’n it began.
My choice was to come to this lovely home on earth
And seek for God’s light to direct me from birth.
I will follow God’s plan for me,
Holding fast to his word and his love.
I will work, and I will pray;
I will always walk in his way.
Then I will be happy on earth
And in my home above.
While she may not fully understand what she is singing at the age of 5 years old, I know that soon enough she will. In the church handbook, the thing I read today that stood out to me said this, “The melodies, words, and messages of Primary songs can teach children the doctrines of the gospel and stay in their hearts throughout their lives.” How true this is!! It does not say that it is the primary chorister’s responsibility to teach the children the doctrine of the song, but rather, the melody, words, and message of the song itself is teaching doctrine!
So, I think of my precious little girl, and how this song will most likely still be stuck in her head when she is say, 10 years old, or even 30, and she will know by then what those lyrics mean. They are inspired, and they will help her to continue to feel the love of her Heavenly Father throughout her life. She will know that God does have a plan for her, that if she hangs on to that plan, and follows it, she will ultimately be happy. What a sweet comfort that is!
I am grateful to those inspired people that have written the words and music to these songs. To those who have prayed over them, and have felt inspired to place them in the children’s songbook so that we can not only feel the spirit, but learn doctrine as well!
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