WEBVTT 00:00:02.320 --> 00:00:04.660 Welcome to closer to Christ through general conference 00:00:04.660 --> 00:00:06.700 where two friends who love Jesus share our own 00:00:06.700 --> 00:00:08.539 approach to studying the most recent general 00:00:08.539 --> 00:00:11.519 conference talks. This is Abby and Amy. Let's 00:00:11.519 --> 00:00:31.699 jump into it. Today we're talking about tune 00:00:31.699 --> 00:00:34.600 your heart to Jesus Christ, the sacred gift of 00:00:34.600 --> 00:00:37.100 primary music. This was given by sister Tracy 00:00:37.100 --> 00:00:39.780 Y Browning, who I absolutely love. She's the 00:00:39.780 --> 00:00:42.240 second counselor in the primary general presidency. 00:00:42.700 --> 00:00:46.039 Abby, didn't you love this talk? This one just 00:00:46.039 --> 00:00:48.759 screams to my heart. I loved it. We were crying 00:00:48.759 --> 00:00:50.859 the week before in primary over the primary song. 00:00:50.859 --> 00:00:53.640 Yes, we were. It touches our heart. So sister 00:00:53.640 --> 00:00:55.960 Browning has been serving long enough to travel 00:00:55.960 --> 00:00:58.929 the world and also just encounter members. all 00:00:58.929 --> 00:01:01.570 over the land. But she can't always communicate 00:01:01.570 --> 00:01:04.329 word to word, so she found that in her service 00:01:04.329 --> 00:01:07.530 in primary that you can feel love beyond any 00:01:07.530 --> 00:01:10.209 language. Through sacred music, especially simple 00:01:10.209 --> 00:01:13.170 primary songs, the Spirit bridges language barriers. 00:01:13.469 --> 00:01:16.329 Amen to that. Allowing one to feel joy and God's 00:01:16.329 --> 00:01:19.430 love as children testify of Jesus with pure, 00:01:19.950 --> 00:01:24.209 powerful voices. I've been blessed by primary 00:01:24.209 --> 00:01:26.230 music. Just thinking back to my earliest memories 00:01:26.230 --> 00:01:29.049 as a child up to this very day. You were referencing 00:01:29.049 --> 00:01:31.409 a couple weeks back, but we were just getting 00:01:31.409 --> 00:01:34.790 news of the shootings and the fire in Missouri 00:01:34.790 --> 00:01:36.450 and then the kids are just singing their little 00:01:36.450 --> 00:01:39.569 hearts out and they're oblivious to the news 00:01:39.569 --> 00:01:42.170 and I'm kind of getting... text messages for 00:01:42.170 --> 00:01:45.329 my sister who was a member of this board when 00:01:45.329 --> 00:01:47.409 they were medical residency. And it was just 00:01:47.409 --> 00:01:49.450 kind of a heavy, overwhelming day. And we had 00:01:49.450 --> 00:01:52.510 learned about the Prophet's passing just a few 00:01:52.510 --> 00:01:54.250 hours earlier than that. And it was like, it 00:01:54.250 --> 00:01:57.090 was a heavy Sunday and their little hearts are 00:01:57.090 --> 00:02:02.989 just seeing these truths with their pure heart. 00:02:03.170 --> 00:02:12.969 They were so pure. I did love that. I learned 00:02:12.969 --> 00:02:15.509 gospel truth myself from a very young age through 00:02:15.509 --> 00:02:22.409 music. And I know that's not everybody's language, 00:02:22.750 --> 00:02:25.289 but because it's always resonated with me, it's 00:02:25.289 --> 00:02:27.449 something that I've tried to use as a really 00:02:27.449 --> 00:02:30.009 powerful tool for my own children. And just in 00:02:30.009 --> 00:02:32.509 general, watching these young primary kids be 00:02:32.509 --> 00:02:35.050 able to just bring the spirit, invite the spirit 00:02:35.050 --> 00:02:37.849 and sing these songs, make me think that it's 00:02:37.849 --> 00:02:40.389 pretty universal. Music just has that power. 00:02:40.939 --> 00:02:44.500 I do recognize we feel the spirit in different 00:02:44.500 --> 00:02:47.659 ways, but it does seem that music transcends 00:02:47.659 --> 00:02:52.439 language and age. I love that there's such a 00:02:52.439 --> 00:02:56.439 focus on music. for primary age children. I do 00:02:56.439 --> 00:02:58.479 too. Maybe we should scratch Sunday school and 00:02:58.479 --> 00:03:02.560 just have like a hymn sing. Just kidding. I feel 00:03:02.560 --> 00:03:05.520 so blessed that we get primary music. I do too. 00:03:05.759 --> 00:03:07.379 I was telling my husband that this week. Yeah. 00:03:07.400 --> 00:03:08.979 At times that I'm not serving in the primary, 00:03:09.080 --> 00:03:10.360 I'm in the religious society. I always love it 00:03:10.360 --> 00:03:12.639 when the doors just kind of cracked open a little 00:03:12.639 --> 00:03:15.180 bit and you hear their voices through the hallway. 00:03:15.699 --> 00:03:18.419 Me too, Abby. I love that Sister Browning points 00:03:18.419 --> 00:03:20.770 out that even when you're not raised in the church 00:03:20.770 --> 00:03:22.650 and have the opportunity to grow up with these 00:03:22.650 --> 00:03:25.590 songs that are on your heart as an adult, the 00:03:25.590 --> 00:03:27.389 testimony has been strengthened with these gospel 00:03:27.389 --> 00:03:31.849 lessons set to music. Like she's saying she was 00:03:31.849 --> 00:03:34.650 a converse and didn't have primary times. And 00:03:34.650 --> 00:03:37.129 yet still, it was not too late for her to put 00:03:37.129 --> 00:03:39.530 them on her heart. Absolutely. Yeah. And I'm 00:03:39.530 --> 00:03:43.889 also like, one of the things I love is that because 00:03:43.889 --> 00:03:46.780 it is the gospel of Jesus Christ that they're 00:03:46.780 --> 00:03:50.719 singing. It is like living scripture. And just 00:03:50.719 --> 00:03:53.259 like she's saying, yeah, maybe some of these 00:03:53.259 --> 00:03:55.879 songs I sing as a child, but a lot of these new 00:03:55.879 --> 00:03:59.060 ones, like Gethsemane, like I Will Walk With 00:03:59.060 --> 00:04:02.740 Jesus, all of these, it totally is a new testimony 00:04:02.740 --> 00:04:04.889 in my heart. Every time it's sung, I'm like, 00:04:05.009 --> 00:04:07.770 wow, this is just so strong. Primary music brings 00:04:07.770 --> 00:04:10.349 a sense of sacredness. And as President Oaks 00:04:10.349 --> 00:04:12.610 said, the singing of hymns is one of the best 00:04:12.610 --> 00:04:14.889 ways to learn the doctrine of the restored gospel. 00:04:15.229 --> 00:04:19.250 If he said it, it's fact. I totally agree with 00:04:19.250 --> 00:04:22.810 that. Primary music is one of God's most tender 00:04:22.810 --> 00:04:24.889 tools for planting the seeds of testimony in 00:04:24.889 --> 00:04:26.629 the hearts of the Savior's youngest disciples. 00:04:26.829 --> 00:04:28.910 I love when she said that, Abby. It makes my 00:04:28.910 --> 00:04:30.949 heart so happy. I have to give that direct quote 00:04:30.949 --> 00:04:36.209 because it was so true and it was so sweet. She 00:04:36.209 --> 00:04:39.120 said that. I have been a primary chorister multiple 00:04:39.120 --> 00:04:41.480 times. I've been a primary piano player multiple 00:04:41.480 --> 00:04:43.259 times and I've been a primary teacher and in 00:04:43.259 --> 00:04:47.019 primary presidencies multiple times. And so I 00:04:47.019 --> 00:04:50.620 get to watch just a varying degree of people 00:04:50.620 --> 00:04:53.680 teach gospel, truth through music and kind of 00:04:53.680 --> 00:04:55.879 how, you know, that dynamic of how things are 00:04:55.879 --> 00:04:58.279 run. Well, I'm on, I'm not currently leading 00:04:58.279 --> 00:05:00.339 the music. Well, I get a sometimes sub. Yeah, 00:05:00.519 --> 00:05:02.300 I get it sometimes dabble and that's staying 00:05:02.300 --> 00:05:07.279 fun. I am on a Facebook page on my social media. 00:05:07.480 --> 00:05:08.639 And so I'm like right in the middle of the talk, 00:05:08.779 --> 00:05:12.120 I hop onto my Facebook thing and I open up my 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:15.839 primary choristers Facebook page. And it's just 00:05:15.839 --> 00:05:19.339 like blowing up with this men and women who are 00:05:19.339 --> 00:05:21.939 in this calling just like, what about this talk? 00:05:22.180 --> 00:05:25.620 This is so amazing. And I'm like, amen. It's 00:05:25.620 --> 00:05:29.759 so amazing to be recognized as what an important 00:05:29.759 --> 00:05:32.120 calling is. It's a heavy calling. Back when church 00:05:32.120 --> 00:05:35.079 was three hours, your primary course had every 00:05:35.079 --> 00:05:38.459 week, two hours. I mean, we're combined now. 00:05:38.480 --> 00:05:41.279 And so it's a 30 minute calling, but it's still, 00:05:41.339 --> 00:05:44.100 you know, that prep and stuff. It's crazy. And 00:05:44.100 --> 00:05:48.160 it's on your mind all week long. And I don't 00:05:48.160 --> 00:05:49.879 know. I don't sometimes, I don't think that it 00:05:49.879 --> 00:05:52.120 gets quite the recognition of being one of the 00:05:52.120 --> 00:05:56.230 top hardest jobs, but it is. So anyway, these 00:05:56.230 --> 00:05:58.689 choristers, they were all shouting for joy across 00:05:58.689 --> 00:06:00.730 the world. The Sister Browning shared her thoughts 00:06:00.730 --> 00:06:03.290 on the importance of this calling. And I just 00:06:03.290 --> 00:06:05.490 made a note here, Primary Chorister is a seven 00:06:05.490 --> 00:06:08.009 day a week calling for most. You're tasked with 00:06:08.009 --> 00:06:10.930 teaching gospel truths through song in an engaging 00:06:10.930 --> 00:06:13.649 way, but inviting the spirit, making the message 00:06:13.649 --> 00:06:15.750 sink so deep that it'll be on their hearts for 00:06:15.750 --> 00:06:19.350 these disciples as they encounter the world and 00:06:19.350 --> 00:06:21.649 the contrary message that the world's going to 00:06:21.649 --> 00:06:25.870 be trying to teach them. I've been so grateful 00:06:25.870 --> 00:06:27.629 for the music leaders that my children have had 00:06:27.629 --> 00:06:29.490 over the years. I look back over them and I mean, 00:06:29.569 --> 00:06:32.129 one of them that I remember distinctly was when 00:06:32.129 --> 00:06:37.709 my Adam, who is 19 now, he was just a brand new 00:06:37.709 --> 00:06:41.689 sunbeam. And it was a man and he was actually 00:06:41.689 --> 00:06:45.730 the choir teacher for the high school. He was 00:06:45.730 --> 00:06:50.709 fantastic. We sang the song, you know, God sent 00:06:50.709 --> 00:06:54.430 his son and I was crying. I even had a, you know, 00:06:54.750 --> 00:06:56.610 a three -year -old in there and I was still crying 00:06:56.610 --> 00:06:59.129 just with just how beautiful it was every week. 00:06:59.209 --> 00:07:03.810 And I was so, so grateful for his service that 00:07:03.810 --> 00:07:06.490 he gave to us. I love it when my kids will be 00:07:06.490 --> 00:07:08.250 playing random little things and they'll be humming 00:07:08.250 --> 00:07:10.610 something that they come home from church with. 00:07:11.110 --> 00:07:14.209 And I always just want to like, you know, do 00:07:14.209 --> 00:07:17.240 a little screen. record of that and send it like 00:07:17.240 --> 00:07:19.480 it matters. What you're doing matters so that 00:07:19.480 --> 00:07:21.959 they know it's a tough calling and it matters. 00:07:22.220 --> 00:07:24.699 And we as parents are super helpful, grateful 00:07:24.699 --> 00:07:26.779 for the help that we're getting from these lessons 00:07:26.779 --> 00:07:28.899 they're doing. Absolutely. And also it's one 00:07:28.899 --> 00:07:30.899 more tool that parent, like you're saying, parents, 00:07:31.139 --> 00:07:32.839 leaders and teachers have to combine our efforts 00:07:32.839 --> 00:07:34.360 to teach these essential truths. Like you're 00:07:34.360 --> 00:07:36.500 saying, when they're hunting in something, you 00:07:36.500 --> 00:07:38.899 can, as a parent, you can piggyback on that. 00:07:39.199 --> 00:07:41.379 They might have a serious gospel question and 00:07:41.379 --> 00:07:43.139 you'd be like, think about the song that you 00:07:43.139 --> 00:07:44.759 sing, this line, and that's what that means. 00:07:44.879 --> 00:07:47.060 And they're like, oh, well, then I get it. That's 00:07:47.060 --> 00:07:49.600 already in my heart. It's through music that 00:07:49.600 --> 00:07:52.019 we give nourishment to that seed as they testify 00:07:52.019 --> 00:07:54.860 to and invite the testimonies of children of 00:07:54.860 --> 00:07:56.579 all that they are coming to know about Heavenly 00:07:56.579 --> 00:07:59.279 Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. 00:07:59.980 --> 00:08:03.399 That's what Sister Browning said. Question, how 00:08:03.399 --> 00:08:06.000 can primary songs learned in childhood become 00:08:06.000 --> 00:08:09.160 the spiritual language children use to testify 00:08:09.160 --> 00:08:11.379 for the rest of their lives? From its beginning 00:08:11.379 --> 00:08:14.519 in 1878, it was determined that singing was necessary, 00:08:14.660 --> 00:08:17.660 absolutely, and can become the children's first 00:08:17.660 --> 00:08:20.279 spiritual language. Why? Because their simple, 00:08:20.399 --> 00:08:23.019 memorable melodies give voice to gospel truths. 00:08:24.490 --> 00:08:26.730 Sink these truths deep into the hearts of children. 00:08:26.829 --> 00:08:28.970 These songs hold the power to stay with them 00:08:28.970 --> 00:08:31.910 for a lifetime, becoming part of their discipleship 00:08:31.910 --> 00:08:34.830 and also a natural and normal way for them to 00:08:34.830 --> 00:08:37.509 testify of the savior. I love how she said the 00:08:37.509 --> 00:08:39.830 songs you sing and learn when you're six years 00:08:39.830 --> 00:08:43.629 old can echo decades later and come to mind when 00:08:43.629 --> 00:08:46.629 you need the most. That's power. When I don't 00:08:46.629 --> 00:08:49.149 have the words to say what's on my heart, I often 00:08:49.149 --> 00:08:51.490 default to music. Like it's my favorite way to 00:08:51.490 --> 00:08:54.340 testify. You asked me to speak in church. I have 00:08:54.340 --> 00:08:56.179 to come up with those words and be shaking through 00:08:56.179 --> 00:08:57.779 it. And that's a little bit terrifying for me. 00:08:58.399 --> 00:09:02.460 But seeing my testimony through somebody else's 00:09:02.460 --> 00:09:06.259 music, it's my favorite. It's amazing. And I'm 00:09:06.259 --> 00:09:09.740 not here to criticize previous music, the music 00:09:09.740 --> 00:09:11.559 from the earliest part of the primary, but I 00:09:11.559 --> 00:09:14.220 am here to say, and maybe even to testify that 00:09:14.220 --> 00:09:16.559 the songs that these children had to sing now 00:09:16.559 --> 00:09:21.509 in 2025 are powerful. doctrinal teaching tools. 00:09:22.230 --> 00:09:24.029 And I think, you know, the way you said it was 00:09:24.029 --> 00:09:26.549 nicer, just being like songs when I was a kid, 00:09:26.629 --> 00:09:29.210 they were great. Now we're in primary at this 00:09:29.210 --> 00:09:31.129 phase, we get new songs all the time. And we're 00:09:31.129 --> 00:09:33.909 like, man, that's super powerful. It is, you 00:09:33.909 --> 00:09:36.090 know, these kids are made for something great. 00:09:36.370 --> 00:09:38.990 And they need, they need these dogs there. And 00:09:38.990 --> 00:09:41.730 they're being bombarded with harder things. I 00:09:41.730 --> 00:09:45.559 think that they, you know, these particular artists 00:09:45.559 --> 00:09:47.159 that are coming up with this music were saved 00:09:47.159 --> 00:09:49.059 for such a time as this, so that they could do 00:09:49.059 --> 00:09:51.799 this great work and write these messages in a 00:09:51.799 --> 00:09:55.940 way that the kids are anxious to sing. You have 00:09:55.940 --> 00:09:58.279 the kids repeat a song, they're not like, I don't 00:09:58.279 --> 00:10:00.159 want to sing that. They are eager to sing these 00:10:00.159 --> 00:10:06.529 songs. Any particular primary song, one of these 00:10:06.529 --> 00:10:08.450 newer ones that are coming to your head? Which 00:10:08.450 --> 00:10:10.230 one are you loving right now? This week I was 00:10:10.230 --> 00:10:12.129 driving. I had quite a while, a long drive ahead 00:10:12.129 --> 00:10:13.850 of me. And so I was listening to my playlist 00:10:13.850 --> 00:10:17.370 and the song Miracle - Amy went to Disney this 00:10:17.370 --> 00:10:20.419 week. When she says a long drive, you're like, 00:10:20.519 --> 00:10:21.980 Oh, we feel bad. She had to drive. No. That was 00:10:21.980 --> 00:10:24.179 actually for my hair, but either way, it doesn't 00:10:24.179 --> 00:10:27.580 matter. It was a long drive. But I was listening 00:10:27.580 --> 00:10:30.940 to the song, Miracle. And Abby, almost every 00:10:30.940 --> 00:10:34.320 day I wake up with the words in my head, Jesus 00:10:34.320 --> 00:10:37.120 is a God of miracles. Nothing is impossible. 00:10:37.539 --> 00:10:39.919 That sometimes gets me through the day. I seriously 00:10:39.919 --> 00:10:43.019 was driving and crying and just thinking how 00:10:43.019 --> 00:10:45.440 grateful I am for these words and this testimony. 00:10:45.950 --> 00:10:49.350 And what came to my heart like so strongly was 00:10:49.350 --> 00:10:51.409 I was thinking of our beautiful children who 00:10:51.409 --> 00:10:53.190 sing this every week and I want to bawl my eyes 00:10:53.190 --> 00:10:55.429 out. They're singing with all of their hearts. 00:10:55.649 --> 00:10:58.539 They're standing up, you know. tall and proud 00:10:58.539 --> 00:11:01.639 and they're testifying of truth and I just want 00:11:01.639 --> 00:11:03.799 and that's at their age that's at their level 00:11:03.799 --> 00:11:06.639 of understanding and it's still true and then 00:11:06.639 --> 00:11:09.379 me as almost a 50 year old woman who's lived 00:11:09.379 --> 00:11:13.340 decades beyond them I still testify like I've 00:11:13.340 --> 00:11:16.080 gone through a lot of crap in my life and still 00:11:16.360 --> 00:11:19.559 Jesus is a God of miracles and nothing is impossible 00:11:19.559 --> 00:11:22.299 with him. I love that about these simple truths 00:11:22.299 --> 00:11:25.519 because they are true when you are one year old 00:11:25.519 --> 00:11:28.639 and they are true when you are 99. And when they're 00:11:28.639 --> 00:11:30.399 seeing him, they might think, yeah, he helped 00:11:30.399 --> 00:11:32.480 me find my stuffie when it was fun. And that's 00:11:32.480 --> 00:11:35.519 important to them. Yeah, he helped bring Snickers 00:11:35.519 --> 00:11:39.019 back to life or whatever, whatever their sweet 00:11:39.019 --> 00:11:41.559 little experiences have been. And with 40 years 00:11:41.559 --> 00:11:44.000 of experience and challenges and the hard things 00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:46.000 that we've gone through because we said yes to 00:11:46.000 --> 00:11:50.960 this life. Yes, you have more to seeing and praise 00:11:50.960 --> 00:11:53.740 about the miracles that's brought you. She said, 00:11:53.879 --> 00:11:55.700 some songs tell the stories of the Savior's life 00:11:55.700 --> 00:11:57.539 and ministry, others teach of His attributes 00:11:57.539 --> 00:11:59.679 such as His faith, His hope, His charity, and 00:11:59.679 --> 00:12:01.679 the most sacred songs testify of His infinite 00:12:01.679 --> 00:12:03.720 atonement and the love that flows from the act 00:12:03.720 --> 00:12:07.659 of salvation. The next insightful question that 00:12:07.659 --> 00:12:10.100 Sister Browning poses is how does singing gospel 00:12:10.100 --> 00:12:12.480 truths help children remember the Lord as part 00:12:12.480 --> 00:12:14.720 of their covenant and then also prepare them 00:12:14.720 --> 00:12:16.940 for His ordinances? And later in her talk, she 00:12:16.940 --> 00:12:36.669 answers this by saying, and the restoration of 00:12:36.669 --> 00:12:38.950 the gospel with its saving principles and exalting 00:12:38.950 --> 00:12:42.269 ordinances. And then she says this, music provides 00:12:42.269 --> 00:12:45.009 power for us to express prayerful thoughts and 00:12:45.009 --> 00:12:47.230 bear testimony of sacred truths. She says it 00:12:47.230 --> 00:12:48.990 a lot more eloquently than we were just saying, 00:12:49.250 --> 00:12:52.690 but I am 100 % behind what she's saying. Well, 00:12:52.750 --> 00:12:54.970 I mean, I'm sure it's a fact when you teach a 00:12:54.970 --> 00:12:57.549 kid a song, it's just words and then they're 00:12:57.549 --> 00:13:00.710 just trying to say the words, but there is a 00:13:00.710 --> 00:13:04.590 change. When they sing the words and they and 00:13:04.590 --> 00:13:07.429 they're testifying the spirit enters then they're 00:13:07.429 --> 00:13:09.009 singing the words even if they don't understand 00:13:09.009 --> 00:13:11.210 the whole concept of it they're creating this 00:13:11.210 --> 00:13:13.289 energy in the room and it is that it is the power 00:13:13.289 --> 00:13:15.789 of the spirit and so They they know what they're 00:13:15.789 --> 00:13:17.970 singing is true. Even if they don't understand 00:13:17.970 --> 00:13:20.090 it completely, right? They are understanding 00:13:20.090 --> 00:13:24.909 it at their level of You know of life Whatever 00:13:24.909 --> 00:13:28.669 whatever phase there is line upon line those 00:13:28.669 --> 00:13:33.100 the words are the words and then it starts to 00:13:33.100 --> 00:13:36.240 sink until it is sunk deep. And it takes multiple 00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:38.340 exposure to it, but we're just the feeling that 00:13:38.340 --> 00:13:40.240 the whole primary is creating as they're singing 00:13:40.240 --> 00:13:42.379 these songs in unison and testifying together. 00:13:42.620 --> 00:13:45.259 The spirit's present. Yes. Also, the way that 00:13:45.259 --> 00:13:49.740 the spirit works too is they're going to apply 00:13:49.740 --> 00:13:52.879 their experiences. that they've already had with 00:13:52.879 --> 00:13:54.960 Jesus Christ, with His Atonement, with the Holy 00:13:54.960 --> 00:13:57.440 Ghost, to these words as they're singing, and 00:13:57.440 --> 00:13:59.620 that testifies of truth. And at the same time, 00:13:59.700 --> 00:14:03.259 the Holy Ghost has a compounding factor where 00:14:03.259 --> 00:14:06.019 He has the ability to really magnify whatever 00:14:06.019 --> 00:14:08.580 it is you're feeling, and it will fit for the 00:14:08.580 --> 00:14:11.720 rest of their lives. We always have a responsibility 00:14:11.720 --> 00:14:16.740 to point people towards their next covenant. 00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:19.820 Meaning, if you're a parent, you know, I've got 00:14:19.820 --> 00:14:24.559 a kid that's working towards baptism. We've got 00:14:24.559 --> 00:14:26.480 one, you know, a couple years away from temple 00:14:26.480 --> 00:14:29.299 endowment or whatever. And then if you're in 00:14:29.299 --> 00:14:31.580 a primary calling, you've got the seven year 00:14:31.580 --> 00:14:34.740 olds, maybe, you know, that whole class you're 00:14:34.740 --> 00:14:37.159 preparing for, we're always preparing for the 00:14:37.159 --> 00:14:39.399 sacrament, which is, you know, a renewal of covenant 00:14:39.399 --> 00:14:42.620 or the next covenant that we're making. Anyway, 00:14:42.820 --> 00:14:45.659 in primary, we're singing songs that point to 00:14:45.659 --> 00:14:48.259 that always. Songs like, I know when I am baptized 00:14:48.259 --> 00:14:50.419 or I love to see the temple. Those come to mind. 00:14:50.899 --> 00:14:52.820 Music leaders have been instructed to teach songs 00:14:52.820 --> 00:14:54.820 and then take time to emphasize the doctrines 00:14:54.820 --> 00:14:56.519 that these songs are teaching. And it's not a 00:14:56.519 --> 00:15:01.600 sermon. It's brief. It's a short testimony. Ours 00:15:01.600 --> 00:15:05.019 is very good at, she says her nose when it gets 00:15:05.019 --> 00:15:07.440 red that she's really feeling the spirit. She's 00:15:07.440 --> 00:15:09.820 crying and the kids are like, do you think we'll 00:15:09.820 --> 00:15:12.059 make sister sweetheart cry today? And we're like, 00:15:12.059 --> 00:15:15.620 guaranteed. I'm like grateful we're at the back 00:15:15.620 --> 00:15:17.899 of the primary room because it gets me every 00:15:17.899 --> 00:15:20.600 week. And I'm like, I can't, it's even harder 00:15:20.600 --> 00:15:22.159 to hold it together when you're at the front, 00:15:22.379 --> 00:15:25.039 filling that energy from the kids. But she does 00:15:25.039 --> 00:15:26.980 it in such a simple way. When she points out, 00:15:27.159 --> 00:15:29.639 like she kind of like, you know, she points it 00:15:29.639 --> 00:15:32.549 out. and she lets them stop and think for just 00:15:32.549 --> 00:15:34.309 a second. The reason that this is happening is 00:15:34.309 --> 00:15:35.990 because the spirit's with us. And so they take 00:15:35.990 --> 00:15:38.450 that moment to be like, oh, that's what I'm feeling 00:15:38.450 --> 00:15:40.049 in this song. This is what the spirit feels like. 00:15:40.149 --> 00:15:41.710 Because how many encounters have they had with 00:15:41.710 --> 00:15:46.110 that? Or it's a new friend. They're just getting 00:15:46.110 --> 00:15:48.110 experience with it. Some people will be like 00:15:48.110 --> 00:15:49.929 teens, 20s, 40s, they'll be like, I don't know 00:15:49.929 --> 00:15:51.370 if I've ever felt the spirit. Well, if you're 00:15:51.370 --> 00:15:52.730 in primary and you're singing those songs and 00:15:52.730 --> 00:15:54.889 it's inviting the spirit and you're a music leader 00:15:54.889 --> 00:15:57.370 or you're... primary leaders point out that is 00:15:57.370 --> 00:15:59.389 what the spirit feels like. It's easier to grasp 00:15:59.389 --> 00:16:01.330 that when you're filling it in other ways. That's 00:16:01.330 --> 00:16:05.669 not musical. So, so, so, so powerful. Elder Henry 00:16:05.669 --> 00:16:07.970 B. Eyring has reminded us in those moments of 00:16:07.970 --> 00:16:09.750 filling the spirit that we have evidence of the 00:16:09.750 --> 00:16:11.950 Savior's Atonement working in our lives. And 00:16:11.950 --> 00:16:14.029 then when they encounter the spirit, like I said, 00:16:14.129 --> 00:16:16.490 in other settings, it's more like he's a familiar 00:16:16.490 --> 00:16:19.039 friend. one that they met way back as a primary 00:16:19.039 --> 00:16:21.679 child. President Nelson taught that children 00:16:21.679 --> 00:16:23.399 can learn the doctrine when they're learning 00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:25.620 to sing just as much as they can learn, just 00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:27.779 doctrine in class. A lot of times we just have 00:16:27.779 --> 00:16:30.919 to play off of the feeling that's invoked in 00:16:30.919 --> 00:16:33.980 singing time, because we go from sacrament to 00:16:33.980 --> 00:16:36.980 singing time to our class, and there's always 00:16:36.980 --> 00:16:41.980 something to just... like swing off of. They've 00:16:41.980 --> 00:16:44.139 already achieved what we need to in church. They've 00:16:44.139 --> 00:16:45.500 already felt the Spirit. They've already learned 00:16:45.500 --> 00:16:47.700 some truths. We just have to just kind of bring 00:16:47.700 --> 00:16:51.860 it on home. Songs can provide a reservoir of 00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:53.620 faith -filled sermons that point children to 00:16:53.620 --> 00:16:55.940 the Savior and help them develop devotion to 00:16:55.940 --> 00:16:59.679 His gospel. I love that. I know, right? Abby, 00:16:59.799 --> 00:17:02.039 I know we've said it before, but I can't emphasize 00:17:02.039 --> 00:17:05.940 enough. We both consider the primary music time 00:17:05.940 --> 00:17:08.759 as the highlight of our calling. Love it. And 00:17:08.759 --> 00:17:10.779 like Abby said, we have a music leader that brings 00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:13.140 passion and testimony of the savior every single 00:17:13.140 --> 00:17:16.420 week into our preparation and a primary presidency 00:17:16.420 --> 00:17:18.960 that also values the time dedicated to the doctrines 00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:21.559 in primary music. Our primary president always 00:17:21.559 --> 00:17:23.779 stands up at the end and just reminds and points 00:17:23.779 --> 00:17:26.000 out brief testimony and feeling the Holy Ghost 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:28.259 and our heart is happy. And you know, it's the 00:17:28.259 --> 00:17:30.420 biggest like having been a chorister many times 00:17:30.420 --> 00:17:32.759 and being on chorister pages. There's a lot to 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:35.180 have to work through grievances. The presidency, 00:17:35.180 --> 00:17:40.700 they stand up and they give a lot of announcements. 00:17:41.079 --> 00:17:43.799 They give, you know, they drag out like, you 00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:46.509 know, the other pieces and parts. Literally, 00:17:46.549 --> 00:17:49.009 we get in there, it's brief, and we are into 00:17:49.009 --> 00:17:51.089 music time. And if they've gone over sacrament 00:17:51.089 --> 00:17:53.349 meeting for whatever time, our president's like, 00:17:53.549 --> 00:17:54.990 we'll split the difference, we'll do a little 00:17:54.990 --> 00:17:58.390 shorter class time. She puts a lot of emphasis 00:17:58.390 --> 00:18:00.230 on the music and she knows that the music leader 00:18:00.230 --> 00:18:02.029 has put a lot of time and preparation into what 00:18:02.029 --> 00:18:04.349 she's coming with. It is a beautiful balance. 00:18:04.369 --> 00:18:06.609 It's the best. And if that's not happening in 00:18:06.609 --> 00:18:10.829 your primary, fight for it. Yeah. Make that happen. 00:18:11.509 --> 00:18:13.930 For sure. We need passionate leaders to continue 00:18:13.930 --> 00:18:16.569 to prioritize what is without a doubt the most 00:18:16.569 --> 00:18:18.470 important gospel teaching tools that we have 00:18:18.470 --> 00:18:21.890 for these young children. Something Sister Browning 00:18:21.890 --> 00:18:25.009 shared made me think about, you know, like the 00:18:25.009 --> 00:18:27.349 sun rising in Australia. It's the, it's the most, 00:18:27.609 --> 00:18:30.890 it's the earliest time. Like it's, it's so far 00:18:30.890 --> 00:18:32.650 away. It's so far around the world for us that 00:18:32.650 --> 00:18:35.329 it's like beginning of the day, right? They're 00:18:35.329 --> 00:18:37.630 ahead of us though, right? So, so anyway, like, 00:18:37.970 --> 00:18:40.650 you know, the sun sets on Australia and primaries 00:18:40.650 --> 00:18:43.190 open up and it kind of starts a 24 hour kickoff. 00:18:43.410 --> 00:18:45.670 It's primaries throughout the world, start singing 00:18:45.670 --> 00:18:48.069 these songs. And I'm thinking, you know, it's 00:18:48.069 --> 00:18:50.529 hard to imagine exactly how like time folds in 00:18:50.529 --> 00:18:52.509 on itself or whatever from the perspective of 00:18:52.509 --> 00:18:55.109 God. But I do believe somewhere in there, that's 00:18:55.109 --> 00:18:57.289 gotta be his favorite day of the week. It's probably 00:18:57.289 --> 00:18:59.269 a blip for him, but you know, our heavenly parents, 00:18:59.150 --> 00:19:02.109 and their son, Jesus Christ, just get to hear 00:19:02.109 --> 00:19:04.589 each of those children around the world and their 00:19:04.589 --> 00:19:07.970 languages in their country, praising and learning 00:19:07.970 --> 00:19:10.069 of them through music. I'm sure it's one of their 00:19:10.069 --> 00:19:13.029 favorites. Okay. She had one final question. 00:19:13.130 --> 00:19:15.930 Her last one was, how can primary songs help 00:19:15.930 --> 00:19:18.390 write God's law upon the hearts of these youngest 00:19:18.390 --> 00:19:21.930 disciples? You take it. Yeah. Primary music can 00:19:21.930 --> 00:19:24.490 be a miracle. carried along the lifelong arc 00:19:24.490 --> 00:19:26.690 of discipleship that our children will travel. 00:19:27.309 --> 00:19:29.309 A song learned, like she said this or I said 00:19:29.309 --> 00:19:31.410 this before, a song learned at age six has the 00:19:31.410 --> 00:19:34.029 power to stay with us and can return decades 00:19:34.029 --> 00:19:37.230 later in moments of decision. temptation, grief, 00:19:37.529 --> 00:19:39.869 or joy. Perhaps in our later years, the lyrics 00:19:39.869 --> 00:19:42.410 of I will follow God's plan may serve as a spiritual 00:19:42.410 --> 00:19:44.769 anchor that echoes the witness of the apostle 00:19:44.769 --> 00:19:48.150 Paul of the surety of God's promises to us. Or 00:19:48.150 --> 00:19:50.869 they may remind us that because of that God keeps 00:19:50.869 --> 00:19:54.630 his promises, his covenants offer strong consolation 00:19:54.630 --> 00:19:57.269 and a place of refuge and invite us to put our 00:19:57.269 --> 00:19:59.849 hope and assurance steadfastly on Jesus Christ 00:19:59.849 --> 00:20:02.289 and also in his atoning power. Abby, is there 00:20:02.289 --> 00:20:04.490 a song that has helped you in your arc of discipleship? 00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:08.500 Well, I certainly have a favorite primary song, 00:20:08.539 --> 00:20:10.539 but I know that's not exactly what you're asking. 00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:15.980 I can think of a primary song for just about 00:20:15.980 --> 00:20:18.279 every question that I contemplated in my life. 00:20:18.539 --> 00:20:21.640 And with these new music offerings in particular, 00:20:22.980 --> 00:20:24.940 I just feel like they're a gift from God. I think 00:20:24.940 --> 00:20:26.940 that there was so much talent from these sons 00:20:26.940 --> 00:20:29.619 and daughters of God that have this gift for 00:20:29.619 --> 00:20:32.279 music and they articulate the things that... 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:35.640 The word that I want to testify and say and share. 00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:39.980 Right now, we're in like the heaviest part of 00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:41.519 preparing for the primary program because it's 00:20:41.519 --> 00:20:44.599 coming up in a couple of weeks and I can't say 00:20:44.599 --> 00:20:46.160 that there's been a week that's gone by that 00:20:46.160 --> 00:20:49.200 I haven't been moved to emotion just by like... 00:20:48.970 --> 00:20:51.549 the spirit that these kids have brought. And, 00:20:51.789 --> 00:20:53.410 you know, like we were referencing back, you 00:20:53.410 --> 00:20:55.410 know, the Prophet had passed and then there was 00:20:55.410 --> 00:20:56.930 the Missouri shootings. It was just kind of a 00:20:56.930 --> 00:20:58.950 heavy time and, and they're singing those songs 00:20:58.950 --> 00:21:01.390 and they just, they hit differently that week. 00:21:01.410 --> 00:21:04.049 Cause I was just thinking about all the hard 00:21:04.049 --> 00:21:05.930 things that some of our brothers and sisters, 00:21:06.509 --> 00:21:08.789 you know, in other parts of the world are experiencing. 00:21:09.829 --> 00:21:15.119 And I'm just, I'm, I'm grateful that These songs 00:21:15.119 --> 00:21:17.700 mean so much to these kids with whatever they're 00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:21.000 going through and they mean so much to me for 00:21:21.000 --> 00:21:25.950 what I'm going through. Adult members across 00:21:25.950 --> 00:21:28.269 the globe in times of difficulty often remember 00:21:28.269 --> 00:21:30.269 and turn to the primary songs that they learned, 00:21:30.549 --> 00:21:32.970 that we've all learned as kids. The Savior promised 00:21:32.970 --> 00:21:35.430 this, the Comforter shall teach you all things 00:21:35.430 --> 00:21:37.690 and bring all things to remembrance. Primary 00:21:37.690 --> 00:21:40.329 music can be one way that that promise is fulfilled. 00:21:41.009 --> 00:21:43.910 Songs teach about the desire of a disciple, which 00:21:43.910 --> 00:21:46.650 she says the Lord's youngest disciples, and learning 00:21:46.650 --> 00:21:49.029 of the pattern of covenant living. The Spirit 00:21:49.029 --> 00:21:52.710 can use music to engrave eternal truths on their 00:21:52.710 --> 00:21:55.819 hearts. And in time, children can choose to tune 00:21:55.819 --> 00:21:58.420 and turn their hearts and their lives toward 00:21:58.420 --> 00:22:01.119 Jesus Christ by making and keeping sacred covenants 00:22:01.119 --> 00:22:04.900 with him. So again, these songs are helping us 00:22:04.900 --> 00:22:08.099 on our covenant path. From her she says as primary 00:22:08.099 --> 00:22:10.019 leaders We have the opportunity and the sacred 00:22:10.019 --> 00:22:12.440 responsibility to ensure that music in primary 00:22:12.440 --> 00:22:14.680 is taught with joy with doctrinal understanding 00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:17.160 and with the spirit Which includes inviting children 00:22:17.160 --> 00:22:19.019 to notice what they feel as they sing and helping 00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:21.079 them recognize that those feelings come from 00:22:21.079 --> 00:22:24.480 the Holy Ghost Super powerful when we have fun 00:22:24.480 --> 00:22:27.519 we teach a truth the spirit comes and we're pointing 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:31.059 that out like it's You know if if you miss pointing 00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:32.940 out that they've invited the spirit that that's 00:22:32.940 --> 00:22:35.380 what they're feeling Not that it's a dud, not 00:22:35.380 --> 00:22:39.279 that you failed, but it's such a key piece to 00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:41.460 the process because they might not know that 00:22:41.460 --> 00:22:43.279 that's what they're feeling if you don't point 00:22:43.279 --> 00:22:47.599 it out at these young ages. Let's see, these 00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:49.299 efforts help prepare our children for sacred 00:22:49.299 --> 00:22:51.099 ordinances such as baptism and confirmation, 00:22:51.339 --> 00:22:53.339 as well as inspiring their covenant memory as 00:22:53.339 --> 00:22:56.109 they regularly renew their promises to God. Through 00:22:56.109 --> 00:22:57.970 singing sacred music, congregations of God's 00:22:57.970 --> 00:22:59.490 children are given an opportunity to prepare 00:22:59.490 --> 00:23:01.369 their hearts for that sacred ordinance to take 00:23:01.369 --> 00:23:03.349 upon themselves His name to always remember Him 00:23:03.349 --> 00:23:06.289 and to keep His commandments. So we know music 00:23:06.289 --> 00:23:10.750 is an integral part of our worship. And honestly, 00:23:10.950 --> 00:23:12.710 the most important thing we do on Sundays is 00:23:12.710 --> 00:23:15.670 partaking of the sacrament. And what do we do 00:23:15.670 --> 00:23:17.970 in preparation of that? We sing. Absolutely. 00:23:18.859 --> 00:23:21.619 Can we each take some time today or maybe this 00:23:21.619 --> 00:23:23.960 week to think about the eternal truths and the 00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:26.559 doctrine that led us to Jesus Christ and his 00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:28.720 gospel in part because of the music that was 00:23:28.720 --> 00:23:31.380 the delivery method of those truths. Sister Browning 00:23:31.380 --> 00:23:34.000 says this, I invite you to consider what foundational 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:36.200 truths have been written into your hearts through 00:23:36.200 --> 00:23:38.980 the simple teachings of these songs and to testify 00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:41.299 of those truths of the Savior's youngest disciples 00:23:41.299 --> 00:23:43.779 as you teach the good news of the gospel through 00:23:43.779 --> 00:23:45.960 song. That really is the main point. I'll be 00:23:45.960 --> 00:23:49.220 like you like you just touched on. In fact, reflect 00:23:49.220 --> 00:23:51.980 long enough to know the truths that had the power 00:23:51.980 --> 00:23:54.960 to touch you and lay the gift forward by sharing 00:23:54.960 --> 00:23:58.579 it with someone else. So a challenge, consider 00:23:58.579 --> 00:24:01.599 how you are incorporating music in your own homes. 00:24:01.799 --> 00:24:03.759 Hopefully this talk re -energizes us all to think 00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:07.559 back fondly on what music played in our lives 00:24:07.559 --> 00:24:11.700 in shaping our testimonies and help us remember 00:24:11.700 --> 00:24:15.980 how important these things are. Can we make the 00:24:15.980 --> 00:24:19.019 songs last just past the Sunday experience, hopefully? 00:24:20.559 --> 00:24:24.599 Any last thoughts from you, Amy? I think I've 00:24:24.599 --> 00:24:27.160 said everything along the way as I felt. Yeah, 00:24:27.359 --> 00:24:30.720 I think so. She gave a powerful testimony and 00:24:30.720 --> 00:24:32.200 I didn't want to cut it, but it's quite long. 00:24:32.400 --> 00:24:34.240 So if you want to kind of start sharing some 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:35.900 of her thoughts from her testimony, I would love 00:24:35.900 --> 00:24:37.920 to share part of it. I know that God, our father 00:24:37.920 --> 00:24:40.099 and his infinite love sent his beloved son to 00:24:40.099 --> 00:24:42.740 earth to teach us to show us the way and to redeem 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:45.099 us through his atonement. I know that the Savior's 00:24:45.099 --> 00:24:47.940 life and ministry are real and personal. The 00:24:47.940 --> 00:24:49.599 scriptures are full of stories of his healing, 00:24:49.799 --> 00:24:52.279 his kindness and his miracles. I know that heavenly 00:24:52.279 --> 00:24:54.259 father hears and answers the sincere prayers 00:24:54.259 --> 00:24:57.390 of his children, no matter their age. circumstances, 00:24:57.849 --> 00:25:00.170 or language. He listens to the quiet pleadings 00:25:00.170 --> 00:25:02.990 of our hearts. I testify that in Gethsemane, 00:25:03.190 --> 00:25:05.549 Jesus Christ bore the weight of our sins, our 00:25:05.549 --> 00:25:08.329 sorrows, and pains. He suffered willingly because 00:25:08.329 --> 00:25:10.809 of his love for us and made it possible for us 00:25:10.809 --> 00:25:14.289 to be forgiven and return home." Not to detract 00:25:14.289 --> 00:25:18.349 from the spirit of her testimony, but different 00:25:18.349 --> 00:25:20.849 lines that she has. There's a primary song to 00:25:20.849 --> 00:25:23.750 each. to each of those children all over the 00:25:23.750 --> 00:25:26.990 world, or he sent his son, Gethsemane, Miracle, 00:25:27.230 --> 00:25:29.710 like, I mean, she knows her songs and she knows 00:25:29.710 --> 00:25:32.990 that the power they've had and, you know, the 00:25:32.990 --> 00:25:34.990 very adult testimony of things that children 00:25:34.990 --> 00:25:39.009 could also testify of through their music. She 00:25:39.009 --> 00:25:41.509 finishes her testimony like with this, I know 00:25:41.509 --> 00:25:44.609 that we are literal children of God. I am a child 00:25:44.609 --> 00:25:47.390 of God created in his image endowed with divine 00:25:47.390 --> 00:25:50.319 potential. and invited to return to live with 00:25:50.319 --> 00:25:53.319 Him if we choose to follow Jesus Christ, choose 00:25:53.319 --> 00:25:56.160 Him again. I know that Jesus Christ is our perfect 00:25:56.160 --> 00:25:58.339 example, and as we follow Him by serving, forgiving, 00:25:58.440 --> 00:26:01.799 and loving others, love one another, we become 00:26:01.799 --> 00:26:05.380 more like Him day by day. And I know that the 00:26:05.380 --> 00:26:07.759 Lord's holy temples, I'd love to see the temple, 00:26:08.180 --> 00:26:11.690 and His houses here on earth, In them, we make 00:26:11.690 --> 00:26:13.430 sacred covenants, receive eternal blessings, 00:26:13.549 --> 00:26:15.890 and learn more of Him and feel more of His presence. 00:26:16.309 --> 00:26:18.089 The temple is the place of learning, peace, and 00:26:18.089 --> 00:26:20.609 preparation for our lives. I testify that the 00:26:20.609 --> 00:26:22.690 efforts we make to teach and sing these primary 00:26:22.690 --> 00:26:25.109 songs to our children are not simply a nice part 00:26:25.109 --> 00:26:27.650 of our religious tradition. They are sermons 00:26:27.650 --> 00:26:30.490 for disciples of Jesus Christ, testimonies of 00:26:30.490 --> 00:26:32.910 the truthfulness of the restored gospel, and 00:26:32.910 --> 00:26:35.630 prayers set to music. Sacred music can shine 00:26:35.630 --> 00:26:37.470 the light of Christ on the hearer and can pour 00:26:37.470 --> 00:26:39.809 it into the heart of the singer. Dear friends, 00:26:39.849 --> 00:26:44.750 Jesus still wants us for sunbeams. And she does 00:26:44.750 --> 00:26:47.970 this testimony in the sacred name of Jesus Christ. 00:26:48.369 --> 00:26:52.430 Amen. Amen, Abby. That was fantastic. She's amazing. 00:26:52.509 --> 00:26:55.589 She is. I love listening to her. Thank you for 00:26:55.589 --> 00:26:59.609 being with us this week. We hope you enjoy incorporating 00:26:59.609 --> 00:27:02.869 some music into your week and hope that it has 00:27:02.869 --> 00:27:05.690 a great effect on you as it does on us. Have 00:27:05.690 --> 00:27:06.170 a great day.