Do any of you remember learning the signs to Love One Another as a Primary child? I sure do! But whether or not the ASL is nostalgic for you definitely teach Love One Another using these Primary singing time ideas.
I love that the Children’s Songbook includes the signs so I can teach my own Primary children those same actions I learned in Primary! And you’ll LOVE them even more since they’re now enlarged and easier to use!
However, make sure to utilize any of these methods for teaching the Primary song, Love One Another as well (click on the link to jump to that section):
This information comes from Stories from The Children’s Songbook by Sister Pat Graham .
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.”
Find the Love One Another Sheet Music on the Church’s website. The gentle flow of the song conveys the gentle love our Savior has for each one of us:
As I have loved you, Love one another. This new commandment: Love one another. By this shall men know Ye are my disciples, If ye have love One to another.
Check out this added information regarding a second verse to Love One Another also from Stories from The Children’s Songbook by Sister Pat Graham:
“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.”
Several flip charts are available for Love One Another. Find Love One Another lyrics in a printable flip chart format so you can easily post the words in your Primary!
Also available is a flip chart for Love One Another containing pictures and several phrases per page.
As previously mentioned, this is the only song in the songbook that includes any type of sign language! I wonder why? Regardless, use these printables to help teaching the signs to Love One Another a cinch!
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 signing in singing time. It contains more helpful tips for teaching sign language in singing time!
A Children’s Songbook Companion contains a singing time lesson plan for every single song in the Children’s Songbook including Love One Another.
Access this in my Resource Library. Instructions for accessing my Resource Library are found at the bottom of this post.
Two handbell chart options are 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.
This handbell chart for teaching Love One Another utilizes simple chording. Find more details for using handbells in singing time.
Access these printables at my Resource Library. Instructions for accessing the Resource Library are found at the bottom of this post.
Merry Bells also has a play-along video for Love One Another:
I attended Barbara Gill’s singing time workshop. She demonstrated paper plate actions for this song. This is her demonstration video:
Download her Love One Another notes from her website.
Harley shared her Love One Another puzzles on the Primary Music Leader’s Facebook group. She said:
I decided to make some puzzles with pictures of kids serving as well as some of the ways the Savior served… I have some puzzles that only have 6 pieces, some with 9, and then a couple of 12 pieces for the oldest group.
Then I am going to ask them what does the picture have to do with the song we just sang?
Her file is also available to download in the Resource Library.
Kynda also shared her Crack the Code file on the PML FB group. It contains the key and is pretty straight forward. This file is also available to download in the Resource Library.
Check out this demonstration video for teaching Love One Another in singing time using the puzzles and crack the code lesson plans:
You can also find this Love One Another puzzles and crack the code video on my YouTube channel. I’d love it if you’d like and subscribe!
How will you teach Love One Another in singing time? Leave a comment with your suggestions and ideas!
These printables are filed on my Resource Library page under Song Title > Love One Another.
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!
These singing time ideas for teaching the Primary song, Love Is Spoken Here will help your Primary fall in love all over again with this song! My favorite is using a match-up activity that puts the double melody together! But whatever you choose, these Love Is Spoken Here singing time ideas are bound to accommodate your Primary’s learning style and needs!
The 2nd hour of church has significantly changed for Sunday School, Relief Society, Elders Quorum and all youth classes. However, Primary received a minor change that you might not have noticed.
Add an extra touch of fun to your Primary program by passing out invitations. On the big day, pull it all together with a unique 2026 Primary program bulletin created by your Primary children!
Hundreds of printables organized by song title and category that coincide with my singing time lesson plan posts!
Sign up to join the singing time party:
Sign up to receive emails to get you started in singing time!
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 “Love One Another Primary Song”
You always have such great ideas and put so much thought and effort into the information you share about music. I’ve come to your site regularly looking for ideas. We’re also doing sign, but I wanted to mention why I am not using the book . I think it shows SE (Signed English), but it’s not ASL. There’s an excellent You Tube of ASL (look for the blonde woman wearing red). I sign, but I wanted something children could practice at home if they wanted. Maybe this will help future readers. It’s way toooo late for the program. 😁
Hi Gale!
Thank you for that clarification! I don’t know much beyond the very basics of sign language so any added information I receive is always appreciated! I’ll go in and update the post to reflect that the songbook is “Signed English.” I didn’t really even know that was a thing! Oh, the things I learn every day! Thanks again!
~Camille
Looking for some ideas to teach a Primary class while on a Senior Mission. Teaching Love on Another and you really helped me out. Thanks.
Hi Debrah!
Thank you for such a kind comment – I’m so happy to help! Sounds like your ward is lucky to have you!
~Camille