I love the convenience of taking my iPhone and iPad to church with so much information, especially since I have young kids. I have all my manuals, study guides, scriptures, calendars and notes in one easy place. The  LDS Church apps LDS Tool is very helpful too, considering your ward/stake directory are all in one place.

The one thing that really bothered me about the Gospel Library app was it’s lack of music — it only had the words — no notes or time signatures. So I usually brought along my mini hymn book or opened a real one so I could better contribute and follow along. But the Church  released a new app called LDS Music (find it here) that includes all of the information in the hymn book! You’ll love it. It’s even available for iPad. Check it out here and install it for Church tomorrow. I promise you’ll love it!

We all know the feeling of sitting down in church, looking up at the hymns and thinking, “Man, who picked that one? I’ve never heard it and don’t know how to sing it.” My parents mentioned they sang “Ring Out, Wild Bells” last Sunday, but they had never heard it. But in one of my wards, the chorister picked that song every new year, so I was familiar with it and enjoy singing it.

But we all have our favorite hymns to sing, especially as the seasons change. What are some of the songs you like to sing that maybe others haven’t had a lot of practice singing? Or are you the chorister that forces everyone to sing something other than Come, Come Ye Saints?

We think now is a good time for a giveaway.

The deadline to enter is December 15. Best of luck!

So, ladies, what do you do when the men are at Priesthood Session? This was always the worst night to be a server in Provo. The ladies would come with the children at 5:30, eat healthy and cheap, then stay and chat until 8:00. Then the men would come with their teenage sons and eat not healthy and cheap. Either of those combinations would never tip! Haha.

But sometimes we go to dinner. Sometimes we get crafty. Sometimes we prepare for something for Sunday. Sometimes we stay home.

What do you do? What other fun Conference Traditions do you have?

I remember loving to sing the familiar Primary song, “I’m so glad when Daddy comes home, glad as I can be!” I remember waiting by the window for my dad on summer days as my mom would cook dinner. I knew he was coming and I knew he would be excited to hear what I did that day. Somedays he would come play basketball with us or help us with a project. He was always willing to make some cookies and take us to the store for a quick treat.

Now that I am a parent, I am beginning to understand the sacrifice that comes along with having children. I know I still have a lot to learn, but now I know how much you have to work to make memories (like I listed from my childhood) and a lasting impression to do good. I cling to these memories and hope that me and my husband have created and will continue to create these memories for our children.

So this Father’s Day, remember who has helped you create everlasting memories of fun and has been an example of what you can do in your own family.

I have a story that leads to a valid point, I promise! But first you need to know a couple things about me:

• I have played an instrument since I can remember. I started with the piano when I was young (I think around age 7) and moved on to the flute when I was 11.
• When I was 9 they changed the boundary lines and I was forced to go to a different elementary school.
• I never really thought (and kinda still do) I could sing very well. And that lead to me thinking those that could sing well came by it naturally.

So one of the things I did in my childhood mid-life crisis (when I switched elementary schools) was try out for the school play to try and make new friends. The play was Snow White and I was certain I wouldn’t get a speaking part, I just wanted to make new friends.

The morning of the audition came. I had practiced and practiced the excerpt of the script I knew was fit for me. There was also some song I needed to sing for the judges, but I didn’t pay much attention. I knew I wasn’t good at it anyway. But when I got to the school, my new-found friend Jodie was kind enough to talk to me about my audition. One thing lead to another, and before I knew it she had me practicing my audition song for her. I knew it was terrible, but I somehow got through however much she wanted me to sing. Then she started giving me feedback and telling me how I could work on certain areas. I still remember thinking how crazy she was for critiquing my voice; I mean, it’s awful. But as we kept practicing, I sang a line and it actually sounded GOOD. I was stunned! Who knew that you needed to (or even COULD!) practice vocals!

Now, looking back, it’s hysterical to think that it didn’t occur to me that we practiced singing during Primary every week. And when my dad went to choir practice after  church, what did I think that meant?

Anyway, I wish you well during your vocal practices at church this week!

We talk a lot about the music we like to listen to; whether it be from the Hymn book or from a featured LDSMusicNow artist, but the last few weeks I have been fascinated by the power of the Primary songs.

My little boy just turned 4, so he has only been a Sunbeam for a few months. They sing songs in nursery, of course, but the dedicated amount of singing time every Sunday has really impacted not only his life, but our entire home. For instance, we have a program in our Primary and we sing “Scripture Power” every Sunday. It totally melts my heart when he goes around the house during the week singing it. Last Sunday he asked me if we are going to sing it before we got to church. I love that he gets the doctrine and the fun at the same time.

But the way and time we learn Primary songs is not coincidental. I still remember several of the songs from my childhood. And now that I am the teacher and trying to teach rest of them doctrinal concepts, I know the children can always connect with the songs.

What about you? How have songs from the Children’s Songbook impacted you and your home?

Hey LDS Music fans: check out the Jimmer Fredette National Player of the Year poster! For only $14.95 — with free shipping — you can enjoy a great custom-designed poster that was created in celebration of Jimmer’s record-setting career and award-winning season.

• 24×36″ on high-quality paper
• includes printed signature
• protective satin coating
• exclusive & only authorized poster

Watch the “Making of the Poster” video at the studio with Jimmer and photographer Doug Martin by clicking here. Hurry and buy yours today!

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A recent LDS Church video, “Turning the Hearts” features underscore music from Greg Hansen Music Production’s large custom music library, available nowhere else. Most 3-8 minute videos can have custom edited music at a cost of $100-$500. For more information, email Greg at greg@greg-hansen.