“SING FOR JOY”

“And it shall come to pass that the righteous shall be gathered out from among all nations, and shall come to Zion, singing with songs of everlasting joy” (D&C 45:71).

Objective: Children will “sing for joy” as music blesses them in all parts of Primary.

Children sing for joy as they learn gospel principles in Sunday Primary meetings.

In opening exercises, music prepares, welcomes, and invites children to worship.

• Prelude music welcomes children to Primary. Engage the children by using a variety of methods and review songs. Consider using the Children’s Songbook CD. (“Teach Me to Walk in the Light,” Children’s Songbook (CS), 177; “I Will Follow God’s Plan,” CS, 164.)
• Prayer songs help children prepare for prayer (“Father Up Above,” CS, 23; “Heavenly Father, Now I Pray,” CS, 19).
• Welcome children who are new or visiting and recognize children who have birthdays with songs (“We’re All Together Again,” CS, 259; “Feliz Cumpleaños,” CS, 282).

In teaching times, music helps teach the gospel.

• Music in sharing time reinforces principles taught (“I’ll Follow Him in Faith,” Friend, Jan. 2003, 24; “I Pray in Faith,” CS, 14).
• The music leader can help with class presentations (“Faith,” CS, 96).
• Use music in the nursery to welcome, calm, teach, make transitions, and modify behavior. The Children’s Songbook CD and the Primary 1 CD are valuable resources (“Fun to Do,” CS, 253; “We Bow Our Heads,” CS, 25; “I Wiggle,” CS, 271).

Children sing for joy as they apply gospel principles in weekday Primary activities.

Activity days are good times to have fun with music while reinforcing gospel principles.

• Teach American Sign Language using the American Sign Language Selected Hymns DVDs (item 54028 010) (“Choose the Right,” Hymns, 239).
• Teach the children how to conduct a song (Children’s Songbook, 300–301; “Smiles,” CS, 267; “Called to Serve,” CS, 174; “Here We Are Together,” CS, 261).

Singing in Scouts can be fun and teach gospel principles.

• “Stay on the Sunny Side,” Cub Scout Songbook, 25; “On My Honor,” Boy Scout Songbook, 73.

Children sing for joy as they bear witness of gospel principles in the children’s sacrament meeting presentation and other opportunities.

• Under the direction of the bishop or stake president, the music leader can help 11-year-old boys prepare special musical numbers for priesthood preview (“The Priesthood of Our Lord,” Hymns, 320).
• Children can share their testimonies through music of the things they have learned during the children’s sacrament meeting presentation. The things we use in Primary to engage and teach the children the songs may not be appropriate for sacrament meeting. All the children need is the music, the message, and the Spirit.