Primary songs teach simple truths that bear powerful testimony of God’s love and can guide and comfort us during difficult times.
The greatest building blocks of faith often come from the most basic truths. Through music, those basic truths can be better identified, remembered, and shared. Songs that are taught in Primary lessons are often children’s first introduction to gospel principles. As I have grown up, these Primary songs—and the truths they declare—have supported me and helped me face
Photo by Anna Keibalo
both big and small challenges. While Primary songs are simple, they are valuable and important declarations of faith that each of us can lean on and learn from.
In her general conference address “Tune Your Heart to Jesus Christ: The Sacred Gift of Primary Music,” Sister Tracy Y. Browning teaches us about the power of Primary music. She shares that “Primary songs are sermons for disciples of Jesus Christ, testimonies to the truthfulness of the restored gospel, and prayers set to music.” Through these songs, each of us can write God’s truths on our hearts, testify of those truths, and remember our beliefs during challenging times of our lives.
Whenever I find myself struggling with doubt, fear, uncertainty, or anxiety, I have almost always been able to find peace and positivity by singing a Primary song—even just in my head. Through the simple lyrics and melodies, my mind is calmed, and I am able to remember the truths I learned as a child and change my outlook on life.
My favorite Primary song is “My Heavenly Father Loves Me,” and I often sing it to myself when I am feeling unsure or sad: “Whenever I hear the song of a bird or look at the blue, blue sky…. Yes, I know Heav’nly Father loves me.” When I’m struggling with doubt and uncertainty, the lyrics from “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” and “I Will Follow God’s Plan” often come to my mind: “I’m trying to be like Jesus; I’m following in his ways,” and “I will follow God’s plan for me, holding fast to his word and his love.”
The simple yet powerful doctrines declared in memorable Primary songs lift our souls, teach us eternal truths, give us the words to share our beliefs, and draw us nearer to the Savior and his gospel. Each of us can benefit from listening to more Primary songs, as we can all learn from them, remember their teachings, and use their simple declarations to share our beliefs with those around us.
To learn more about how Primary music positively impacts our lives, read or listen to the rest of Sister Browning’s address “Tune Your Heart to Jesus Christ: The Sacred Gift of Primary Music.”
Source: General Conference
—Katelyn Uibel, Latter-day Saint Insights
FEATURE IMAGE BY JONAS MOHAMADI
Find more insights
Find Primary songs to listen to in the Primary Music Collections of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Learn about how good music can bring light into your life by reading Chaning Cunningham’s Latter-day Saint Insights article, “Lyrics of Light.”