Tell this story to the children, singing the song as directed.
Joshua stood outside the temple waiting. His sister, Ashleigh, was inside getting married. He stood on one foot, then the other foot, then finally decided to walk around the temple one more time. “I wish I could have gone in to see what the temple was like,” he thought.
Sing I Love to see the temple, I’ll go inside someday
As Joshua walked, he thought about how excited Ashleigh was for this day. He remembered the talk they had had last night when Dad gave Ashleigh a blessing and told her to make her covenants with deep convictions. Joshua didn’t quite understand that, but he did pick up from the conversation that Ashleigh was going to promise something big to Heavenly Father.
Sing I’ll covenant with my Father, I’ll promise to obey
Rounding the corner, Joshua saw a little family with their heads bowed in prayer by a tree near the side of the temple. For some reason, seeing this really touched Joshua. He felt a special feeling warming up his chest. There was something amazing about being here at the temple grounds. And there was something special for some reason about seeing that little family.
Sing For the temple is a holy place, where we are sealed together.
Joshua was getting impatient. Where was his family? Then all of the sudden, there was Joshua’s dad waving at him. Joshua ran up and gave him a hug. When he asked his dad where Ashleigh was, he said she was almost ready to come out. Pretty soon Joshua’s mom came out, and right behind them was Ashleigh and her new husband, Jake. Joshua really liked Jake. He was glad they were family now.
Sing As a child of God I’ve learned this truth. A family is forever.
Kathy
I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate the things you share. They make singing time a joy and behavior issues non-existent ?. Bless you!
Celes
I decided this morning I was going to do a story song for this verse on Sunday and thought I’d have to come up with one on my own. This is perfect! Thank you thank you!
Kristina
A beautiful story, thank you!
Naomi
Thank you for sharing this idea to teach little ones a way to remember and make memorable the 2nd verse.
I changed the story slightly to use my own son’s name and retell of when we were sealed as a family when he was 7 (11 years ago)…Here it is if anyone else wishes to use it:
Zachary , 7, stood outside the temple waiting. His family was about to go inside and be sealed today. He stood on one foot, then the other foot, then finally decided to walk around the temple one more time with his family. “I can’t wait to go inside and see what the temple is like,” he thought. He had only been a toddler during the temple open house and couldn’t remember what it was like.
Sing I Love to see the temple, I’ll go inside someday
As Zachary walked inside, he thought about how excited his mum and dad were for this day. He remembered the talk they had had together about a blessing and covenants they would make with deep faith. Zachary didn’t quite understand that, but he did pick up from the conversation that we were going to promise something big to Heavenly Father.
Sing I’ll covenant with my Father, I’ll promise to obey
Rounding the corner dressed in white, Zachary and his brothers were ushered into a beautiful room by grandma and aunty. He saw lots of friends and some other family members sitting and waiting in the room. His mum and dad were kneeling at an altar smiling. Zachary kneeled down beside his dad. He and his brothers all placed their hands on each other’s and a special prayer and blessing was given. Zachary, felt a special feeling warming up his chest. When he looked up, many had happy tears in their eyes. There was something amazing about being here at the temple. And there was something extra special for some reason about being with his family that day.
Sing For the temple is a holy place, where we are sealed together.
Zachary gave his mum and dad a big hug. When they all stood up they looked into mirrors that seem to show their family going on forever. Zachary really liked that. He was glad they were a forever family now.
Sing As a child of God I’ve learned this truth. A family is forever.
Sharla Dance
This is beautiful. Thank you!
Lynda Pearson
Hi there Sharla,
Thank you so much for all your great ideas and posts. Just a note about the posts – I signed up for notifications and the newsletter but they haven’t been coming through. Any advice would be great. Primary is so much more enjoyable thanks to you.
Jana Shakespeare
Thanks. I did this one today with our joint primary, and it worked very well. I had been looking for a simple idea to reinforce the second verse without too many bells and whistles. We needed a calmer week. This was perfect and helped provide gospel teaching.
Chanin Mauery
Beautiful. My littles will love this.
Brittany
I was just called as primary music leader in my ward. It is my dream calling, and i am so excited to start! I was even more excited when I found this website! I felt so strongly that this is what I wanted to do for my primary. But it seems that you have stopped posting lessons. Are you no longer working on this website? Also if you have any pointers for me I could use all the help I can get. We have a combined primary and our program is oct 23. The previous chorister was not trained and had no idea she was supposed to be preparing the children for the program so they only know the first verse for three songs! Thank you for all of the wonderful info!
Sharla Dance
Dear Brittany, My son just got married and had his reception at our house. It took all my extra time. I would love to help you with the program, though. Do you have specific things you would like me to post just for you this week?
Take care, Sharla
Angie
Hi Sharla! My music time has gotten pretty boring since you’ve been busy and stopped posting 😉 Any suggestions on how to review a lot of songs in one Sunday? Our program is 4 church Sundays away.
Sharla Dance
Dear Angie, You make me smile. Thanks for asking. (My son’s wedding is now past with all of the receptions and preparations.)
Last Sunday we reviewed the songs in the order we are singing them in the Program. Younger – If I Listen = scarves (circle, circle, freeze until “But as I” when we switched to waving overhead back and forth in time with the music). I Will Follow God’s Plan = rhythm sticks to the beat, and I changed the pattern on the chorus. Stand for the Right = big drum beats on our lap as we sang. Praise to the Man = Body Rhythm patterns (patsch, patsch, clap,clap. Change to rolling my hands, patsch, patsch on Hail to the Prophet) The kids were super happy and involved. I challenged them to sing and NOT move on some of the songs and they sang out with gusto.
With the Older children, I just did more complicated movements with the same songs, but I challenged them to sing AS they moved. Hope this helps! Take care, Sharla
Garrett
Is your book available in PDF format? I’d love to have a digital copy.
admin
It is available in PDF form. It is not on my website right now, I will ask my technical support (my son 😉 to add it so you can get it.
Anna Kaanga
Awesone … mahalo
Katrina Parry
Do you sing the song again after the story, in it’s entirety? Does that question even make sense? I understand that you are essentially singing the song one line at a time, interspersed throughout the story… but then do you sing the song again in it’s whole?