Music CD's of Primary Music
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I was called as a counselor in our new VERY large Primary. I learned that I'm also in charge of the October program and this ward hadn't passed out CD's or anything. So last week I passed out CD's with this yrs music, the words and a page of Family Home Evening ideas that people can do using the program songs. I went into to Sunday School and Relief Society and said "don't raise your hands, but who knows what they're teaching for Family Home Evening tomorrow? If you're like me nothing yet, well Primary has your answer! Here's a page of Family Home Evening ideas using the songs on this CD." I then explained how the program was coming up and we really needed their help, etc, etc.

Following is the Family Home Evening ideas sheet. Then I told the kids about it (and to bug their parents to use the ideas) and when it's their turn to teach to ask Mom and Dad for the paper. Hopefully this makes sense.

What am I going to teach tomorrow for Family Home Evening?  This is a frequent question in our families. The Primary has the Answer!

President James E. Faust said, "Church hymns and children's songs can invite the Holy Spirit into family home evening. The Lord has said that "the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads" (D&C 25:12).

Today your family has received a CD and the words to our Primary songs that we're learning this year. Each song also has a scripture attached. Our Primary will be singing these songs in our program in October and we would love your help in preparing your children.  Often the Spirit speaks to us through music, whether we're listening to it or the Spirit brings it into your mind. First though, we need to know the songs. We'd like to invite you to use this CD as a springboard for a plethora of lessons this year.

· As a family, make up visuals for different songs. You can do it together or as teams.
 

· Use a song to teach a principle of the gospel ("Did Jesus Really Live Again" teaches us about the resurrection).

· "Follow the Prophet" has enough material for tons of lessons!
o Act out each verse
o Make up verses about other Prophets including President Hinckley
o Sing a verse, then study about that prophet, etc.

· Use these songs as opening and closing songs.

· Have a child "teach" a song to your family (there are two songs that aren't in the Children's Songbook or hymn book).
 
· Teach a lesson on how to lead music using these songs.

· Make up a word search or crossword using the words in a song and see if your family members can guess which song it is, or have your kids make up puzzles for Mom and Dad to solve and guess.

· Study the scriptures attached to each song, see if you can find other scriptures that relate to the song.

· Write down the Gospel Standards on index cards or cut out the cards from June '06 "Friend" p. 36. As you sing a song, pass one of the cards around the circle. Stop singing, and have the person holding the card read the standard aloud, then tell how it could help him or her choose the right. Play again.

· Hum or sing the middle of a song and see you can guess it first.

· Use inspiration and imagination!

We'd like to leave you with another thought by President Faust: "I wonder if having unplanned and infrequent family home evenings will be enough to fortify ourselves and our children with sufficient moral strength to meet the complexities of our day. Infrequent family scripture study may be inadequate to arm ourselves and our children with the virtue necessary to withstand the moral decay of the environment in which we live. Where in the world will we learn chastity, integrity, honesty, and basic human decency if not at home? These values will, of course, be reinforced at church, but teaching them in family home evening can be particularly consistent and effective. To combat the world's evil influences, we need the strength that comes from family home evening."  We love you and thank you for all your help as we serve your children. Please let us know if you have any questions. 
 
The Primary Presidency