#305 "The Light Divine

I remember learning this in Primary as a young girl, but I don't think I've played it much or sung it much since then.  I like the tune a lot--especially the harmonies.  The text has a great message, too.  I would like to sing this more often, but most people don't seem to be familiar with it.

#304 "Teach Me to Walk in the Light"

This is another wonderful primary song that I learned in my youth and have loved for years.  I remember being about 11 years old and learning to play it by ear.  (I didn't play it in the correct key, but it still worked!)  I remember being very proud of myself for figuring it out.  It was probably one of the first songs I taught myself.  (The other being "Joy to the World".)  This will always be a favorite song of mine!

#303 "Keep the Commandments"

I remember teaching this in Primary for the Children's Sacrament Meeting Presentation years ago.  I really like the song--both its tune and its message.  The children like it, too.  The Children's Songbook lists a second verse that isn't in the hymnbook.

#302 "I Know My Father Lives"

This is another primary song that the children love to sing.  I love its simplicity--both in words and music.  It really sounds best when sung in unison without any fancy accompaniment.  Just focus on the message of the text.

#301 "I Am a Child of God"

This is an LDS classic hymn and my favorite children's song.  I've probably played this song more than any other in the hymnbook.  I remember learning this song when I was a little kid growing up in the Monterey Park Ward.  Back then, the words of the chorus read, "Teach me all that I must know / to live with him some day."  After a suggestion from Spencer W. Kimball, the line was changed to read "Teach me all that I must do / to live with him some day." 

In the Children's Songbook, there is an additional verse:

 I am a child of God

His promises are sure

Celestial glory shall be mine

If I can but endure.

I remember teaching this verse for a Primary Children's Sacrament Meeting presentation.  This song continues to be a favorite with the children.  I was glad to see it was placed on the first page of the Children's Songbook!

#300 "Families Can Be Together Forever"

I remember when this song was first written for a Children's Sacrament Meeting presentation. At that time I was the Primary Music Director in our ward and I immediately loved the message and tune of this hymn.  It became a favorite with the primary children, too.  We've sung this in primary and sacrament meeting many, many times.  It is definite favorite of mine!

#299 "Children of Our Heavenly Father"

I first heard this hymn at a funeral held in a Lutheran church for my friend's father.  He was Swedish and this hymn tune is a Swedish melody.  The second verse is the one that makes it appropriate for a funeral:
Neither life nor death can ever from the Lord his children sever; Unto thme his grace he showeth, and their sorrows all he knoweth.
I don't remember singing this for choir, but there are notes in my personal hymnal that has it organized like this:
Verse 1: SATB
Verse 2: Women in unison
Verse 3: Unison with Free accompaniment.  I don't know if this hymn has a free accompaniment from T. T. Noble, or if I wrote that because this well-known hymn tune would somewhere have a free accompaniment available.