The Primary general presidency — President Susan H. Porter, first counselor Sister Amy A. Wright and second counselor Sister Tracy Y. Browning — have taught that Primary music is a powerful way for children to learn of Jesus Christ and His gospel.
“Sacred music is a vital part of their spiritual foundation that will bless, strengthen and guide them throughout their lives,” wrote the presidency for the Church News in March. “We can help children identify and understand important doctrinal truths while using realistic images of the Savior and taking every opportunity to testify to His divinity.”
Since joining the Primary general presidency last year, Sister Browning has been sharing different Primary songs from the “Children’s Songbook” on her Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Sister Browning was baptized at 16 years old and so did not attend Primary when she was young. But her calling has given her a new opportunity to learn the Primary songs.
“I hope you’ll join me as I share Primary songs I’m learning, what they teach about the gospel of Jesus Christ, and some of my thoughts and feelings,” she said in a social media post last year. She invited others to share their thoughts and feelings with her in the comments.
Here are 10 Primary songs Sister Browning has shared and what they teach about the gospel of Jesus Christ.
1. ‘I Feel My Savior’s Love’
The first verse and chorus of “I Feel My Savior’s Love” are as follows:
I feel my Savior’s love
In all the world around me.
His Spirit warms my soul
Through ev’rything I see
He knows I will follow him,
Give all my life to him.
I feel my Savior’s love,
The love he freely gives me.
“It’s a favorite. It’s a tender song,” Sister Browning said. “I love this song because I know that when we look for our Savior, we can find Him.”
John 15:10-11 reads, “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
Sister Browning said, “I love that promise — that we might have joy filled with our Savior.” She invited the viewers to look for the Savior so they could feel His love.
2. ‘I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus’
Sister Browning said “I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus” represents what she is trying to do every day — which is follow the example of the Savior.
The song starts: “I’m trying to be like Jesus; I’m following in his ways.”
John 13:15 reads, “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”
Sister Browning said that is powerful instruction. “The Savior provides a pattern for us to follow, that as we seek for Him and seek after His pattern, we can become more like Him.”
She invited people to learn the ways that Jesus wants people to be more like Him and be more intentional in including those in their life.
3. ‘“Give,” Said the Little Stream’
The third verse of “‘Give,’ Said the Little Stream” is:
Give, then, as Jesus gives,
Give, oh! give, give, oh! give.
Give, then, as Jesus gives;
There is something all can give.
One of the scriptures referenced for this song is Acts 20:35, which says “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Sister Browning invited people to find little ways to give — kind words, a prayer, a helping hand — to draw closer to Jesus Christ.
4. ‘I Love to Pray’
“I Love to Pray,” has these two verses:
In the morning when I wake,
Before I work or play,
Always I remember
To kneel and softly pray.
When I go to bed at night,
I love to kneel and say,
“Thank thee, Heav’nly Father,
For blessings of the day.”
Sister Browning said the song is joyful and it reminds her that she loves to pray — it is not a chore or something she is trying to check off. “I can find joy in talking to my Heavenly father because He wants to hear from me every day.”
Alma 37:37 teaches: “Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God.”
Sister Browning invited people to talk to Heavenly Father through prayer in the name of Jesus Christ.
5. ‘Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam’
In the second verse of “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam” on page 60 of the Children’s Songbook, children sing:
Jesus wants me to be loving
And kind to all I see,
Showing how pleasant and happy
His little one can be.
Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Sister Browning said, “There is a light within us and Christ wants us to shine that.” She continued, “I hope you’ll take that invitation to shine light today wherever you are.”
6. ‘Away in a Manger’
At Christmastime, Sister Browning posted about “Away in a Manger,” found both in the Children’s Songbook and in the Hymnbook.
“I love Christmas music and especially the Christmas hymns,” Sister Browning said.
“Christmas is one of the seasons where it feels like the world is unified in singing songs of our Savior Jesus Christ,” she said. “I know there are others who join us in singing ‘Away in a Manger.’ It’s the song of our Savior’s birth.”
The scripture reference is Luke 2, which shares the story of the Savior’s birth in Bethlehem. Sister Browning invited people to think of the Savior more in their lives.
7. ‘When I am Baptized’
Sister Browning said the children’s song “When I am Baptized“ teaches about covenants.
The second verse and chorus are:
I know when I am baptized my wrongs are washed away,
And I can be forgiven and improve myself each day.
I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.
I want to be the best I can and live with God again.
The scripture reference is Acts 2:38 which reads, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Sister Browning said making and keeping sacred covenants is a part of how to return to Heavenly Father.
“He has instructed that we follow Him,” she said. “Let’s do that. Let’s commit to keeping our covenants today.”
8. ‘He Sent His Son’
Sister Browning read this passage from “He Sent His Son” from the “Children’s Songbook”:
What does the Father ask of us? What do the scriptures say?
Have faith, have hope, live like his Son, help others on their way.
What does he ask? Live like his Son.
Moroni 7:48 says to pray to the Father with all energy of heart to be filled with His love and be like Him.
“I invite you to pray to the Father as I am praying to the Father to have His image in my countenance,” Sister Browning said.
9. ‘I Need My Heavenly Father’
“I Need My Heavenly Father” goes as follows:
I need my Heav’nly Father
To help me ev’ry day.
He wants me to be happy
And choose the righteous way.
Sister Browning said this is an invitation to remember that God is motivated by love for His children and their happiness.
One of the scriptural references is in Alma 30:8 — “For thus saith the scripture: Choose ye this day, whom ye will serve.”
Sister Browning concluded, “I hope you’ll join me and choose to serve Heavenly Father today and every day because He is motivated by love. We love Him, and we want that happiness in our lives.”
10. ‘Jesus Said Love Everyone’
Sister Browning said that “Jesus Said Love Everyone” is a simple and beautiful song.
Jesus said love ev’ryone;
Treat them kindly, too.
When your heart is filled with love,
Others will love you.
Sister Browning said that two things stand out to her about this song. “‘Everyone’ is what we’re described as who we should love.”
The second is “that when we create an environment of love, when we offer that to others, it creates this beautiful sense that others will return that love and can feel the love our Savior because we’re offering it first.”
Scripture reference is John 13:34-35, where Jesus gave a new commandment to his disciples: “That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”
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