by Alison Palmer

For those of you who were fortunate enough to enjoy Primary as a child, what are your favorite memories of this time?

I have precious few memories of my time in Primary. I do remember having to sing in a few Primary programs. In one my friends and I got to dress up in our baptism dresses, stand on the clerks table, and sing “I Am a Child of God” (Children’s Songbook, 2). I remember practicing endlessly because I couldn’t keep the order of the verses straight.

A few years later, I had to sing a solo of a different song. I missed my cue. After finding my voice I found something else as well. I found that I believed what I was singing: “He gave me my eyes that I might see the color of butterfly wings, He gave me my ears that I might hear the magical sound of things…. For all His creations of which I’m a part. Yes, I know Heavenly Father loves me.” (Children’s Songbook, 228)

I don’t remember a single lesson or particularly amazing singing time, but I left with the most important messages planted in my heart: I Am a Child of God and He loves me.

That simple, clear, message is the center of the 2008 Primary theme: I Am a Child of God.
What a blessing to feel this knowledge in our own hearts. What a blessing to share it with our children. The General Primary Board has chosen to focus on one of the most pure statements of faith a child can developed.

The song, “I Am a Child of God” was first created for a Primary Children’s conference in 1957. Since that time it has created a standard of belief that is wholesome, beautiful and true. Camilla Kimball has been quoted as saying that the song contains the “gospel in a nutshell.”

It teaches the plan of salvation, individual worth and divine nature; it emphasizes hope, faith and a sincere desire for righteousness. President Kimball witnessed an early performance of this song and suggested the only simple, but vital change to its message.
He asked that the word “know” be changed to “do.” Consequently, these words have been sung for many years, “Teach me all that I must do, to live with Him someday.” This special knowledge is truly a principle of faith, a principle of action.

How do we take these principles and instill them in our own children? First and foremost is setting a righteous example as loving, protective parents so that children come to understand the nature of their Heavenly Father through your actions. Second, is establishing communication: between you and your children, between your child and Heavenly Father, between yourself and Heavenly Father.

These connections act as your guidance and pathway to knowing what your child needs most from you and where they can turn for the kind of loving support and answers that they need. Third, recognize and value each child’s individual nature, help them to understand the strengths and blessings of character that they have received from Heavenly Father and develop the faith to become more like him every day.

Yes, I am a child of God is a beautiful message. If they remember nothing else from their time in Primary, or their time as a child for that matter, I hope it’s that simple message and the faith and conviction to do good that comes with it. May we each resolve to be a little more focused, a little more specific in expressing the value of each precious child, that they may leave our homes and hearts with the most important message impressed upon their hearts, minds and testimony. They may remember little else we would like them to, but a knowledge that “I am a child of God” is the most important truth they can have.