Primary Music

[Anonymous]

DarkJedi wrote:

Probably my measure on whether I like or don’t like a song/hymn has much to do with how it fits into and/or supports my definition of the gospel.

Well said! :thumbup:

[Anonymous]

Quote:

A song is wonderful kind of thing. So lift up your voice and sing. Just start a glad song, let it float, let it ring. And lift up your voice and sing. We shall make music to brighten the day. Music can help us to lighten the way. Lift up your voice, lift up your voice. Lift up your voice and sing.

Sacrament meeting yesterday was a new low for me. It was dry council Sunday and the topic was on legalizing immoral things. It’s a little behind the eight ball in my state, so I found the topic choice ironic but the quotes and the delivery were painful to listen to. Charity ever failethed on this one.

I was letting the ugly cloud carry me on for the day, fortunately my calling had me working the halls yesterday which was good. It saved anyone from the loose cannon I might have shot at them. Anyway as I wandered – the primary room, with it’s doors shut was vibrating with eager voices singing. Lift up your voice and Sing.

The world didn’t suddenly turn perfect but the song did exactly what it says “We shall make music to brighten the day.” By the time they’d sung it twice I had a spring back in my step and some happiness in my heart.

[Anonymous]

I think the music comes first. If it’s well written then it can carry even ridiculous sentiments, if it’s badly written then the most worthy words fall flat.

[Anonymous]

Primary music….LOVE.

Of course there are songs that have questionable words. I think DJ hit it right on the head when he said they speak to you wherever your belief is. What I find so great about them, is the ones that speak to me are very simple. I have had many songs uplift and sustain my spirituality for the week. I have a handful of what I would consider “spiritual” experiences and almost half involve these songs.

I just spent almost 4 years in Primary and there are several songs that I can see you would find questionable and the indoctrination. What I always found interesting is the kids favorite songs are ones that even people here would find okay (okay, not everyone would, but I would say most). They loved ‘My Heavenly Father Loves Me’, ‘Love One Another’, ‘Trying to be like Jesus’, ‘If the Savior Stood Beside Me’, ‘Child’s Prayer’….I could go on and on. Our kids all time favorite was one called ‘Gethsemane’. It isn’t in the songbook but speaks of the Savior and his love for ALL. The doctrines and principles are easier to understand and not so cloudy, but they understand the basics which is what I think most would define as the “gospel” here.

We Are Different CSB pg. 263

“I know you, and you know me. We are as different as the sun and the sea. I know you and you know me, And that’s the way it is supposed to be.

I help you , and you help me. We learn from problems, and we’re starting to see. I help you , and you help me, And that’s the way it is supposed to be.

I love you, and you love me. We reach together for the best we can be. I love you, and you love me, And that’s the way it is supposed to be.”

Sambee have you ever served in Primary? It is a wonderful place. Not only is it the most loving place in the church, but the most forgiving. I was just released and if those kids have learned anything from me I hope it was love. Truly an uplifting place for me with a spirit there that is not found in other places in the this church.

[Anonymous]

GodisLove wrote:

We Are Different CSB pg. 263

“I know you, and you know me. We are as different as the sun and the sea. I know you and you know me, And that’s the way it is supposed to be.

I help you , and you help me. We learn from problems, and we’re starting to see. I help you , and you help me, And that’s the way it is supposed to be.

I love you, and you love me. We reach together for the best we can be. I love you, and you love me, And that’s the way it is supposed to be.”

This should be the StayLDS theme song.

[Anonymous]

GIL, yes I have helped with primary once or twice. I love children, but being an adult male, I don’t tend to engage with them too much in case people get the wrong idea. That’s the way of the world I’m afraid. I only tend to play with children if I know the parents and there’s someone around. Sad I know.

[Anonymous]

Roy wrote:

GodisLove wrote:

We Are Different CSB pg. 263

“I know you, and you know me. We are as different as the sun and the sea. I know you and you know me, And that’s the way it is supposed to be.

I help you , and you help me. We learn from problems, and we’re starting to see. I help you , and you help me, And that’s the way it is supposed to be.

I love you, and you love me. We reach together for the best we can be. I love you, and you love me, And that’s the way it is supposed to be.”

This should be the StayLDS theme song.

I can hear us all singing it now….sounds glorious!

Sam, it is sad but is also the truth. I was just released as the PP and we had many men serving in primary. They bring such a different perspective to primary that is needed. I know this thread is about the songs there, but I think one of the resons it is the best place is that individulaity is valued there…or it was in MY primary. I would have loved to have you serve there.

[Anonymous]

GodisLove wrote:

I was just released as the PP and we had many men serving in primary. They bring such a different perspective to primary that is needed. I know this thread is about the songs there, but I think one of the resons it is the best place is that individulaity is valued there.

I agree. I find Primary a great place for me to serve. I’m not a fan of church songs or hymns, never have been (perhaps it stems from being young and being made fun of that I am either tone deaf or just plain awful at singing). But primary is a great place to express my individuality, and honestly….I care more about the kids and it seem primary allows you to focus on individuals and make a difference, and there isn’t really the obedience or doctrine involved to make it more complex. As long as the kids are being taught and cared for…people love to have you in the primary.

[Anonymous]

I like Primary, too. I served over the space of a few years in a couple different wards, mostly back in the “Blazer” days. I also enjoyed being the bishop’s counselor responsible for Primary and liked going to closing exercises. I think more men should have the opportunity to be Primary teachers and agree men bring something different to the classes and meetings.

[Anonymous]

I guess in my heart of hearts I’d enjoy it. Doing artwork with them was fun. Just like I say, ways of the world.

[Anonymous]

I worked hard to get more men in Primary. We had several sets of team teachers who were men. They seemed to love the kids and primary, there were a few who even felt comfortable enough to sleep in there too.

We called a guy who had been spending lots of time in nursery anyway to serve with his wife there. The bishopric thought that would offend him to be called to such a “lowly” place. He loved/loves it. If you get the chance I hope you will take it. I miss it immensely.

[Anonymous]

GodisLove wrote:

I worked hard to get more men in Primary. We had several sets of team teachers who were men. They seemed to love the kids and primary, there were a few who even felt comfortable enough to sleep in there too.

We called a guy who had been spending lots of time in nursery anyway to serve with his wife there. The bishopric thought that would offend him to be called to such a “lowly” place. He loved/loves it. If you get the chance I hope you will take it. I miss it immensely.

Part of what I liked about Primary was that it was a great (and perfectly legit! ) escape from the tediousness of SS and priesthood.

[Anonymous]

I guess the other thing is that the children often say what they think rather than regurgitating the manual. I appreciate that freshness and honesty. If they don’t understand something, they let you know too.

[Anonymous]

I think between all the Thanksgiving countdowns on my facebook feed, and this topic, I’ve been blessed with a primary hymn in my head for 2 days. It speaks to the pantheist in me as well as the believer.

Quote:

Whenever I hear the song a bird,

Or look at the blue, blue sky.

Whenever I feel the rain on my face,

Or the wind as it rushes by.

Whenever I touch a velvet rose,

Or walk by our lilac tree.

I’m glad that I live in this beautiful world,

Heavenly Father created for me.

He gave me my eyes that I might see

The color of butterfly wings.

He gave me my ears that I might hear,

the magical sound of things.

He gave me my life, my mind, my heart,

I thank him reverently.

For all his creations of which I’m apart.

Yes, I know Heavenly Father loves me.

Happy Thanksgiving StayLDS friends. You’ve given me a great year.

[Anonymous]

mom3 wrote:

I think between all the Thanksgiving countdowns on my facebook feed, and this topic, I’ve been blessed with a primary hymn in my head for 2 days. It speaks to the pantheist in me as well as the believer.

Quote:

Whenever I hear the song a bird,

Or look at the blue, blue sky.

Whenever I feel the rain on my face,

Or the wind as it rushes by.

Whenever I touch a velvet rose,

Or walk by our lilac tree.

I’m glad that I live in this beautiful world,

Heavenly Father created for me.

He gave me my eyes that I might see

The color of butterfly wings.

He gave me my ears that I might hear,

the magical sound of things.

He gave me my life, my mind, my heart,

I thank him reverently.

For all his creations of which I’m apart.

Yes, I know Heavenly Father loves me.

Happy Thanksgiving StayLDS friends. You’ve given me a great year.

Thanks Mom3, that’s one of my very favorites, and Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Happy Thanksgiving to you, too, and to all of my friends here – and my foes too!

[Author]

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