One of the most consistent conversations I have with my 4 year old is that we can control how we feel. We do not need to give into the anger or hurt feelings that are sometimes provoked by the circumstances we find ourselves in. We can choose to have a positive spin on life or to do our best to be happy when things do not go our way. Of course, the 4-year old is not the best student on this subject and after a really hard day this week, I don’t think I am either. But what more could I do to make my day be positive? Music. Music is the thing that can give us an extra push when we fall behind. With a prayer in our heart and a song in our minds, music can be the difference in brightening our spirits. I know that as I have had this trial come upon me, as I have thought the lyrics of an uplifting song in my head or hummed the tune of it, the burden feels lighter. While it may only be a temporary lift, it is an easy solution that I know works repeatedly.

We have all had ups and downs in our lives, and sadly that usually means (for me) that we rely on the Lord more heavily during those down times. At one point in my life I absolutely loved to sing the Hymn, Abide with Me, ’tis Eventide, and would do so as I went to sleep or drove alone in the car. That hard time in my life has since passed, but my love for the hymn has been stored in my heart.

But while at church on Sunday, the congregation sang that hymn during Sacrament meeting. I was suddenly back to that point in my life and a flood of emotions came pouring. However, as I continued to sing, the way I interpreted the song earlier in life was much different than how I interpret it now, but both are and were so applicable for me. I appreciate the experience and it added to my testimony of how some things in life don’t always matter, but I think the music director was inspired to choose that hymn for me that day even though any other hymn would have also been appropriate.

What about you? Do you have a hymn that is tied to a part of your life? I’ve attached a clip of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing this beloved hymn for your enjoyment.

We would like to introduce you to the latest addition to LDSMusicNow.com: Down by the River by Vickie Christensen. This fun and exciting music for children inspires values. Each ideal is also accompanied by free coloring pages and lesson plans to really makes the lessons stick with your children. You can check out the previews here, download the free album extras here, watch the one-minute videos here and purchase the album (or individual songs) here.

Vickie adds: I began writing songs for my grandchildren–songs to inspire their imaginations, songs to make them dance and sing, songs that teach them values and how to approach life. That was the beginning of Children’s Values Schoolhouse. As the list of songs grew, I wanted to share the musical joy not only with my family, but also with friends and other families in an ever-widening circle of acquaintances.

My goal in producing and publishing these first songs is to have a professional, engaging and approachable album that inspires:

· Values
· Imagination
· Thoughtfulness
· Joy & Laughter
· Learning moments

We welcome Vickie to the LDS Music Now world of artists and are excited to have her enriching songs part of our library.

What did you do for Pioneer Day? On the actual holiday, I was in charge of sharing time. It was exciting to talk just about the Pioneers and how much they did for us. The Junior Primary was especially excited. I had a pioneer outfit from a youth trek, so I put on a bonnet and an apron and showed them all how to make butter. Then we watched clips of Legacy to introduce the concept to the younger kids that haven’t seen or heard much about the pioneers. It was a neat experience to watch them learn and ask questions.

On the Pioneer Observance Day, we watched the parade, had a BBQ and set off fireworks. What did you do to celebrate? run the marathon? go to the parade? help make a float?

Check out this float. I think it was my favorite this year:

You can see a recap of what went on by clicking here.

This week’s free download includes the PDF print of Rebecca Lopez’s song Reach out with Love from the album When you Believe. Rebecca is a great artist that started as a soloist for BYU’s Living Legends performing group. According to the bio, ” ‘When You Believe’ captures Rebecca’s lifelong desire to share her faith, testimony and love of the Lord through her music.” The songs are currently available in English (that is the format for the free download this week). But you can take the words from the Spanish CD jacket and sing along with them in Spanish as well!

You can download the free download by clicking here.

One of our local LDS Music Now artists, Joshua Creek, is going to sing the National Anthem at Dodger Stadium on July 22. It is also Mormon Night, so if any of you are from the area, come and support! We would love to have our listeners cheer them on. If you’re not in the area, check out their calendar here to see where you can catch them here in Utah. Have any of you ever sung the National Anthem at a sporting event?

I love so many patriotic songs. One of my first memories is the 4th of July, sitting at our local Freedom Festival event “Stadium of Fire” and watching the fireworks play to music. I remember the warmth as they used fire and displays to tell stories and set off the fireworks to the melody of each song. Later I remember sitting at the same event listening to the song “Amazing Grace” and starting to realize what freedom really means to me.

I remember learning the story of our National Anthem and trying to imagine what Francis Scott Key was seeing that morning. There is a line in the original poem of the Star-Spangled Banner that goes: “And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave, While the land of the free is the home of the brave.”

So as we sing patriotic songs, eat hamburgers and set off fireworks this weekend, remember that it is up to us to appreciate our freedom and strive to be the best we can be. That way the Star-Spangled banner will continue to fly and we can celebrate for years to come.

I think we have all probably gathered by now that I currently work in the Primary at church. As I was preparing my Sharing Time lesson for Sunday, I got thinking about a concept outlined in the manual. After we do a scripture activity, we are supposed to sing the words to the song “The Holy Ghost” (Children’s Song Book, pg 105). The lyrics go like this:

When Christ was on the earth,
He promised he would send
The Holy Ghost to comfort us,
Our true, eternal friend.
The Holy Spirit whispers with a still small voice.
He testifies of God and Christ and makes our hearts rejoice.

And when we are confirmed
By sacred priesthood pow’r,
The Holy Ghost is giv’n to us
To guide us ev’ry hour.
Oh, may I always listen to that still small voice.
And with his light I’ll do what’s right each time I make a choice.

As we sing, we are going to stop each time the children hear a quality of the Holy Ghost (and write it on the chalkboard.) But as I was thinking about this, it hit me how very cool it is that our children have music as a resource to remember the gospel. So later in life, if they are lost and confused, maybe they can remember that the Holy Ghost is there for us even though no one else may be. Or perhaps one of us can recall that the Holy Ghost is in fact a true friend that we can rely on.

It is just further evidence to me that Heavenly Father has a plan in all things — even the music we sing — and that is a great comfort.

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’m sure most of you are familiar with the new ad campaign “I’m a Mormon” and the message they are trying to convey. It is fun to watch these and listen to the lives of other people living the way that you live in their own element.

At the beginning of the month, a new one was released featuring Ryan Wright, a music executive living in New York City. I thought of LDS Music Now listeners as he described listening to music. He said, “Something happens to me when I listen to music that I love. I feel connected to my past, to my future, [and] to who I am.”

Go ahead and click on this link to watch the movie and read the brief article that accompanies it. It is a fun way to connect and feel the passion others have for our faith.