Do any of you remember learning the signs to Love One Another as a Primary child? I sure do! I love that the Children’s Songbook includes this! Teach this CLASSIC Primary song using any of the singing time ideas I have listed below!
Simplified ASL
This is the only song in the songbook that includes simplified sign language! I wonder why? Regardless, I have a printable using these signs to make teaching it a cinch! Check out my post HERE.
Holly also has videos available for teaching Love One Another. Check out her explanation video here:
Once you have the signs learned, sign along here:
Then make sure to check out my post HERE for more helpful tips for teaching sign language in singing time!
A Children's Songbook Companion
A Children’s Songbook Companion contains a singing time lesson plan for every single song in the Children’s Songbook including Love One Another. More details on this book can be found HERE.
Access this in my Resource Library. Instructions for accessing my Resource Library are found at the bottom of this post.
Teach Love One Another with Handbells
I have 2 handbell chart options for Love One Another. One is for the optional obbligato. Make sure you are familiar with this as it can be a tad bit tricky. The words in this chart coincide with what is sung on the regular melody.
Then I have a chart that uses chords.
Access these printables at my Resource Library. Instructions for accessing the Resource Library are found at the bottom of this post.
Merry Bells
Merry Bells has handbell charts for Love One Another. There are several options to choose from:
- Play Along DVD Primary Songs HERE
- Digital Download Multi-Note Harmony HERE
- Digital Download Single-Note Melody HERE
- Printable Handbell Charts HERE
Make sure to use coupon code CPI for 10% off your entire order!
Barbara Gill
I attended a Barbara Gill singing time workshop (more details HERE). She demonstrated paper plate actions for this song. This is her demonstration video:
These are her notes that are linked on her website HERE:
More Singing Time Ideas
Primary Singing has 7 Love One Another singing time ideas if you are looking for something more than signing.
Also check out a few more ideas from LDS Primary Printables.
Love One Another History
This information comes from Stories from The Children’s Songbook by Sister Pat Graham (more information on that book HERE).
Luacine Clark Fox’s [author & composer] beloved song is part of a cantata. The background music and dialogue surrounding “Love One Another” tells the Easter Story. Sister Fox explained how the song came to be:
It is always my habit to pray before doing any writing or composing. This I did while in the process of working on Psalm of Easter, from which “Love One Another” is taken. In searching the scriptures, I came to the words of the Savior at the Last Supper wherein he gave his new commandment to love one another. I knew that I had found the theme I wanted. As I jotted down the words in my notebook, taken from John 13:34-35, the melody to accompany them came into my mind, and I wrote it down as well.The final result of words and music was exactly the same as had come to me initially, with no variation whatsoever. It is my witness that whatever is of worth in the song came from the Lord.”
Sister Fox is the Laughter of J. Reuben Clark, who was an Apostle and counselor to President David 0. McKay. She feels that music is the most heavenly of all the arts, and says, “When we sing to Heavenly Father, it is like praying.”
She believes that “there can be no greater fulfillment in the exercise of a God-given talent than to use it in connection with the work of the Lord.”
She wrote and appeared on a children’s radio program, “Storytelling Time,” and was active for many years as a writer for City Rep Children’s Theater in Salt Take. She also served on the YWMIA General Board, and she and her husband were missionaries in Nauvoo, Illinois.
Sister Pat Graham’s Author’s Note: Sister Fox brought a choir to Whittier Ward to perform her Easter cantata. I was sixteen and serving as the ward organist and had the blessing of accompanying her group. I treasure the copy of the original handwritten score she gave me.
Over the years, many people sent ideas for a second verse to Sister Fox. She did write another verse, although it has never been published. The syllables are not matched exactly to the original melody notes, but it is an appropriate follow-up message. Her idea was to sing verse one, verse two, and then verse one again:
Thus spake the Savior unto His disciples.
Thus speaks the Savior unto us all.
May we endeavor, now and forever, This sacred counsel—to recall.
Leave your Love One Another Singing Time Ideas
How will you teach Love One Another in singing time? Leave a comment with your suggestions!
Check out this quick tutorial video for accessing the Resource Library:
These printables are filed on my Resource Library page under Song Title > Love One Another.
