Praise to the Man

Seeing these things in my own kids, gives me a testimony of the great power of music, for good or bad. I think kids can recognize the feelings different kinds of music bring out, even if they don't know what the words mean. I feel like I have a huge responsibility to really make sure that my kids listen to uplifting music. And it's kind of cool to think that now that they know the words to several hymns that those words can stick with them forever. (Don't believe me? Play your favorite song from 10 years ago and see if you still remember all the words, I bet you'll be surprised.) Maybe they'll feel like those songs, and those uplifting feelings that come with, have always been with them. (Which I'm betting they have, pretty sure there is music up in heaven.)

I don't know if every kid out there would choose to sing out loud for all to hear the way Lincoln does, that might not be their personality the way it is his, but I would bet that most kids can know the words and feel the feelings associated with the music they listen to. Otherwise why would they put such an emphasis on singing time in primary? Why would they even bother to try and teach a group of Jr Primary kids (ages 3-7) to sing a song such as Praise to the Man, which has words in it like "communed, Jehovah, anointed, dispensation, extol, revere," and so on. It's because they can do it. A two year old can learn and sing all the words to Praise to the Man, he might choose not to, or be too shy to do it in front of many people, he might stumble over a lot of the words, and he might have no idea what the song is talking about... but he can learn it. And more importantly, he can feel the Spirit that comes from it. And THAT is why music is so important for our kids. I believe that children can learn to recognize the spirit more distinctly, and at an earlier age, through music than they can through even the most well-planned lesson.

Anyways, I wanted to post these videos of Lincoln and Ivan singing Praise to the Man. I hope they'll do it just as well (or better) in the Primary program at the end of the year. :)