
I thought since this song is a tough one, this week my focus will be merely introducing the song. Then in the next few weeks I’ll work on reinforcing the words with the Sr. Primary and focus more rhythm/beat with the Jr. More to come.
Download the 2 following songs from iTunes:
- Scotland the Brave by The Drums & Pipes & the Cape Town Highlanders from their Scotland the Brave album
- Praise to the Man by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

For singing time, play Scotland the Brave for the Primary to listen to.
Ask them if they know what instrument is being played. Once guessed, pull out the picture of the bagpiper, pass it around for everyone to see and hang it on the chalkboard.
Then ask if they recognized the tune of the song. If not, play it again. If still not (hopefully this will be the case), play Praise to the Man.
Ask if they recognize this song. Explain it’s a hymn and we are learning it this month. The tune to this song is similar to the bagpipe song.
Now play the song again and ask who the song is about and who we are looking up to. Once guessed, pull out the picture of Joseph Smith and hang it on the chalkboard. Briefly give a little history about how this song came about. Wikipedia has a little info:
“Praise to the Man” (originally titled “Joseph Smith“) was a poem written as a tribute to Joseph Smith, Jr. by Latter Day Saint leader and hymn writer William W. Phelps. The poem was composed soon after Smith’s death, and was later set to music and adopted as a hymn of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). It was first published anonymously in the church newspaper Times and Seasons in August 1844, approximately one month after Smith was killed.[1] The hymn is still used within the LDS Church and is hymn #27 in the current LDS Church hymnal. The LDS hymnal now uses a melody based on “Scotland the Brave” in honor of Phelps’s Scottish heritage. The tune is modified to match the syllable count of the text.”
Pull out the Hymnbooks and sing through the 1st and 3rd verses with the kids. Using just the piano instead of the CD to sing along to may be easier. I think the Jr. Primary, even though they can’t read may enjoy holding a Hymnbook even if it’s closed. Have them all stand and try to sing and act like the Mormon Choir Tabernacle Choir.


Check out this quick tutorial video for accessing the Resource Library:
These printables are filed on my Resource Library page under Song Title > Praise to the Man.
5 thoughts on “Praise to the Man – Pat Graham”
I LOVE THIS! Thanks for sharing!
Wonderful!!! What a great way to introduce the song! I'll be doing this tomorrow. I'm interested in checking back each week to find out what else you do! Thank you!
I am SOOOO intimidated by this song. My juniors are going to seriously struggle. Thank you for this!! Its going to help sooo much!
Hello! Can you tell me where I can download or purchase this cartoon image of the Prophet Joseph?
Thanks!
Hi Zonnie!
It’s from Susan Fitch. Here’s the link with more information:
http://susanfitchdesign.blogspot.com/2015/02/more-follow-prophet-clip-art.html
~Camille