These Nephi’s Courage Primary singing time ideas teach your Primary kids how they can be like Nephi! Because every child needs an example from the scriptures of demonstrating courage in difficult situations.
Guess what? I am not a professional musician! So if you’re not either, never fear! I have developed an understanding of effective singing time techniques through years of leading singing time and know you’ll gain from my singing time experience!
Whenever a Primary song tells a story, I love to bring that story to life! My favorite singing time idea below utilizes stick puppets to tell Nephi’s story as it’s sung in this beloved Primary song!
Teach the Primary song, Nephi’s Courage using these various singing time methods (click on the link to jump to that section):
This information comes from Stories from The Children’s Songbook by Sister Pat Graham.
This favorite song was first published in the Friend magazine in 1986 when the focus of Primary was the Book of Mormon.
It was written by a husband and wife team, Bill N. Hansen, Jr. and Lisa Tensmeyer Hansen, who like children to have fun when they sing.
Brother Hansen, an attorney, said, “I believe that living the gospel can be fun as we develop our many talents in the service of others.”
Sister Hansen, a Kimball Scholar at BYU and mother of five, said, “I know the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I felt the Spirit reveal this to me when I was eleven years old.”
It was suggested that this song have a third verse to apply the message to the child. The Hansen’s responded with verse three, which is a good match for Nephi’s commitment in the chorus.
Find the sheet music to Nephi’s Courage on the Church’s website. Or the January 2024 Friend magazine featured the simplified sheet music of Nephi’s Courage. Like the song history suggests, the 1st and 2nd verses sing about Nephi’s stories in the Book of Mormon. The 3rd verse is a message to the child that coordinates wonderfully to the chorus!
1. The Lord commanded Nephi to go and get the plates From the wicked Laban inside the city gates. Laman and Lemuel were both afraid to try. Nephi was courageous. This was his reply:
[Chorus] “I will go; I will do the thing the Lord commands. I know the Lord provides a way; he wants me to obey. I will go; I will do the thing the Lord commands. I know the Lord provides a way; he wants me to obey.”
2. The Lord commanded Nephi to go and build a boat. Nephi’s older brothers believed it would not float. Laughing and mocking, they said he should not try. Nephi was courageous. This was his reply:
[CHORUS]
3. The Lord gives us commandments and asks us to obey. Sometimes I am tempted to choose another way. When I’m discouraged, and think I cannot try, I will be courageous, and I will reply:
[CHORUS]
You may also want to check out the sing along video for Nephi’s Courage! It’s a great way for you to easily become more familiar with it or to show to your Primary during singing time.
Find Nephi’s Courage lyrics in a printable flip chart format so you can easily post the words in your Primary!
Nephi’s Courage flip chart that contains illustrations from Susan Fitch is also available.
Find more details on Susan Fitch’s Nephi’s Courage clip art set.
The 1st and 2nd verses of Nephi’s Courage highlight the inspiring stories of Nephi! Use stick puppets (interspersed with simple actions on the chorus) to enhance those stories complete with Susan Fitch {my favorite!} Clip Art!
This singing time idea focuses on teaching the 3rd verse to Nephi’s Courage. The 3rd verse in Nephi’s Courage likens how we can be like Nephi so I thought, what better way to convey that message than to dress up the kids like Nephi during singing time!
Rae shared these pool noodle actions that incorporate a “C” and “O” shape when “C” and “O” words are sung in the song! Super fun!
Then Rachel shared these rhythm stick actions that reiterate the strong and steady beat found in Nephi’s Courage!
Kari taught Nephi’s Courage with finger lights and some very simple actions! Find more information on using and purchasing finger lights.
Megan shared this Nephi’s Courage Sing a Story on the Primary Music Leader’s FB page that you might want to try!
A Children’s Songbook Companion contains a singing time lesson plan for every single song in the Children’s Songbook including Nephi’s Courage.
These printables are filed on the Resource Library page under Song Title > Nephi’s Courage.
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This handbell chart for Nephi’s Courage plays the chords on the chorus. For more help, make sure to check out using handbells in singing time.
Merry Bells also has a play-along video for Nephi’s Courage:
If you love Sharla Dance, make sure to check out all her ideas for teaching Nephi’s Courage:
How will you teach Nephi’s Courage in singing time? Leave a comment with your suggestions and ideas!
These printables are filed on my Resource Library page under Song Title > Nephi’s Courage.
Singing time just got even easier! With my Singing Time To-Go, all you have to do is print! Be prepared for the entire month – every month!
Be prepared in singing time for the entire month – every month! And all you have to do is print!
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Singing time just got even easier! With my Singing Time To-Go, all you have to do is print! Be prepared for the entire month – every month!
4 thoughts on “Camille’s Primary Ideas: Nephi’s Courage Lyrics and Visual Aids for Singing Time”
You say that if we have premium access, we get the clipart for free. How do we access that? I love Susan Fitch’s artwork
Hi Linnae!
Any printables that coincide with songs taught during in singing time are free with PREMIUM and located in 2 areas in your membership login:
1. The first location is attached to the individual Singing Time To-Go lesson plans. For example, with Nephi’s Courage in February, if you open February’s Singing Time To-Go Google Drive folder and click on”02.04.24 Nephi’s Courage To-Go Lesson Plan,” all the visuals are there.
2. Or, if you log in and click on the Premium home page then scroll down to “Included Downloads,” Nephi’s Courage visuals are also there. It’s the same for January’s I Will Be What I Believe from last month.
I hope that clarifies. If you have any other questions, please let me know. Thank you as always for subscribing!
~Camille
I’d like to try the pool noodle noodle actions for “C” and “O” words by Rae when I review Nephi’s Courage later in the month, but the link is broken (content has been removed). Is this idea with instructions posted somewhere else? I found a similar idea online, but it was more complicated. Thanks!
Hi Jeanne!
The link worked for me. You will need to be logged into your FB account and a member of the group in order to access the link. Also try copying and pasting this link after you are logged in:
https://www.facebook.com/SRaeWardArt/videos/235054360330983/?idorvanity=498750880136182
Let me know if that still doesn’t work for you.
~Camille