When I first joined the Church I was told (and I know this was not the exact wording) that Heavenly Father often extends callings to a person to help us to grow, rather than because we might be the “best” person for the position.  This certainly has been true in my case! My first calling was to the Primary Presidency, where I discovered that being a small ward, we had no one to conduct the music, and no one to play the piano for the children. So, I quickly learned to conduct (thanks to the directions in the back of they hymnal), but that still left us with no piano player.  Figuring it would be easier to teach someone else to conduct than to find someone to play piano, I decided to focus on learning the piano myself. Many years ago I took a few lessons, and decided that this would be a good time to dredge them up and put them to good use.  It’s amazing what you can remember once you really start to focus.  As you have probably guessed, my current calling is Primary and Relief Society pianist!

Last month I wrote about learning the gospel through hymns, which are such an important part of our Sacrament meetings and Relief Society. The Children’s Songbook also contains Gospel messages and principles. For example, what easier way could there be to learn the Articles of Faith than to sing them?!

The children in our ward attend Primary Opening Exercises immediately following Sacrament meeting.  After an hour of sitting still, it is sometimes difficult to calm them at the beginning of Primary to set the reverent tone that is needed.  I have discovered that, while I am a Child of God appears to be their favorite song (possibly at least in part because the title is easy to remember?!) , one song  that calms them quite quickly is number 78, I’m trying to be Like Jesus. This song is a reminder to them of what is expected in their interactions with others. While it doesn’t address reverence directly, it seems to settle them enough that they can hear the messages/lessons being taught, in both this song and in the Primary lessons that follow.  They seem to take to heart the message conveyed – to be kind, to be gentle, to be loving – because this is how Jesus acted throughout his life and how he wants us to act.  When we are tempted to choose inappropriate behavior, that still small voice of the Holy Spirit does whisper to us what is expected – just like it states in the song! It is also a reminder to me that no matter how others treat me, I am expected to not respond to anger with anger…  Sometimes we forget how powerful a message there can be in the music we enjoy!