Tune Your Heart to Jesus Christ: The Sacred Gift of Primary Music
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- How does Primary music serve as a spiritual language for children?
- In what ways can Primary songs help children remember the Lord and prepare them for ordinances?
- How can sacred music help write the doctrine of Christ into our souls?
- What role does music play in preparing for and participating in sacred ordinances like the sacrament?
- How can adults use Primary music to nurture their own faith and testimony?
Topics
Teach Doctrine Through Song
Primary songs serve as doctrinal teaching tools, conveying the stories and attributes of Jesus Christ, His Atonement, and the principles of the gospel. These songs provide spiritual nourishment and help children develop a devotion to the Savior.
Primary music is one of God’s most tender tools for planting the seeds of testimony in the hearts of the Savior’s youngest disciples.
President Nelson also taught that "children can learn the doctrine when they’re learning to sing just as much as they can learn the doctrine in a class."
- What are some of the gospel truths that Primary songs teach?
- How can Primary music influence a child's understanding of the Savior's Atonement?
- How can you use Primary music to teach gospel principles in your home?
- Reflect on a time when a Primary song helped you understand a gospel doctrine more deeply.
Imprint Truth on the Heart
Primary music has the power to remain with individuals throughout their lives, providing spiritual anchors and reminders of God's promises. These songs often form the early architecture of faith and support lifelong discipleship.
A song learned at age six has the power to stay with us—and can return decades later in moments of decision, temptation, grief, or joy.
Primary music can be one way that promise is fulfilled.
- How do Primary songs help in remembering and applying gospel teachings throughout life?
- What is the role of Primary music in nurturing lifelong discipleship?
- What Primary songs have stayed with you since childhood, and how have they impacted your faith journey?
- Consider how you can help children in your life internalize gospel truths through music.
Remember Covenants Through Music
Sacred music aids in writing the doctrine of Christ into our souls and preparing us for sacred ordinances. It helps link the Savior’s teachings to our memories, reinforcing our covenant relationship with Him.
Sacred music can help write the doctrine of Christ into the soul and prepare us to receive His ordinances.
Through singing sacred music, congregations of God’s children are given an opportunity to prepare their hearts for that sacred ordinance.
- In what ways does music prepare us for sacred ordinances?
- How does sacred music reinforce our covenant relationship with Jesus Christ?
- How can you incorporate sacred music into your preparation for ordinances like the sacrament?
- Reflect on the feelings and impressions you have when singing hymns or Primary songs during sacred moments.
Foster Spiritual Growth in Children
Primary leaders and parents have the sacred responsibility to teach music with joy and understanding, helping children feel the Spirit and prepare for sacred ordinances. These efforts nurture children’s faith and covenant memory.
As Primary leaders, we have the opportunity and the sacred responsibility to ensure that music in Primary is taught with joy, with doctrinal understanding, and with the Spirit.
- What is the responsibility of Primary leaders and parents in teaching sacred music?
- How can music help children recognize the influence of the Holy Ghost?
- How can you support the teaching of sacred music in your local Primary?
- Consider ways to help children recognize and articulate their feelings when they sing sacred music.
Testify Through Sacred Music
Primary songs are expressions of faith and testimonies set to music. They serve as sermons for disciples of Jesus Christ, inviting the Holy Spirit and confirming eternal truths in the hearts of children and adults alike.
I testify that Primary songs teach eternal truths and doctrine that lead us to Jesus Christ and His gospel.
Sacred music can shine the Light of Christ on the hearer and can pour it into the heart of the singer.
- How do Primary songs serve as testimonies of the gospel?
- What role does the Holy Spirit play in confirming the truths taught through sacred music?
- How can you use sacred music as a means to testify to others?
- Reflect on how sacred music has influenced your testimony and your ability to share the gospel with others.
