If you’re looking for meaningful ways to teach “My Own Sacred Grove,” this post is filled with creative and heartfelt ideas to help inspire personal connection and spiritual growth. Keep reading to discover simple, engaging activities that will help others create their own sacred moments with God.
Teaching “My Own Sacred Grove” can be a powerful way to help children and youth connect with the principles of prayer, revelation, and personal testimony. The song “My Own Sacred Grove” by Angie Killian has captured hearts worldwide, becoming a beautiful way to teach about Joseph Smith’s First Vision and the power of personal revelation.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or Primary leader, finding creative and meaningful ways to teach this concept can make it resonate deeply with those you teach.
And good news! The Church recently published this song in the Friend magazine, so you don’t need to get permission from the Bishopric to teach this in your primary anymore. This a simplified version which makes it even more accessible. You can learn more about it and get the printable version here.
Below is a list of ideas to help bring “My Own Sacred Grove” to life, fostering spiritual growth and helping individuals understand the importance of creating their own sacred experiences. Be sure to tell us what your primary enjoyed!
Some of these ideas are from Facebook groups for singing leaders. They are free to join but you will have to be logged into Facebook and a member of the groups in order to access some of the resources:
Round-Up of Creative Ways to Teach “My Own Sacred Grove”
Hand Motions for Enhanced Learning
Incorporate simple hand motions to bring the song to life. This is especially great for younger children, as it helps with focus and memorization. Camille’s Primary Ideas offers an excellent tutorial with hand motions that align perfectly with the lyrics.
Resource: Hand Motions for My Own Sacred Grove
Interactive Scarf Action
Use colorful scarves to create flowing movements that match the melody. This activity is perfect for teaching rhythm while visually representing the spiritual journey described in the song.
Resource: Scarf Actions on YouTube
Name That Tune
How to Play: Play or hum a few notes of “My Own Sacred Grove” and let the kids guess the title. Once guessed, sing the song together.
Why It Works: Challenges kids’ memory and sharpens their listening skills.
Spin the Wheel
How to Play: Create a spinner (or use a digital spinner app) with various singing styles like “opera,” “whisper,” “staccato,” or “robot.” Spin it to decide how the kids will sing the next verse.
Why It Works: Keeps the energy high and makes learning repetitive songs fun.
Sign Language
Sign language is always a great way to teach songs, and the kids usually really enjoy it. Here are a couple of videos that you can use for inspiration
Chromatography
This was a really fun idea I found on Facebook from a woman named Erin. If your primary loves science experiments, this will be a huge hit. You can read the details and see pictures here. Erin says about the activity, “Something kinda fun and different! I created this Animal Chromatography Mystery Activity to go along with teaching the bridge part of My Own Sacred Grove.
Chromatography is a technique that separates a mixture into its individual parts, in this case, the different colors that combine to create a black ink. (Don’t worry. You don’t have to be super science-y to make this happen. I’m certainly not! )
The kids get to see a science project, solve a mystery, and learn how prayers don’t always get answered immediately….we need to not get frustrated, but be patient.”
My Own Sacred Grove Jingle Bells
Jingle bells are such a fun and simple activity that all kids usually enjoy. Primary Singing put together a great activity for My Own Sacred Grove using Jingle Bells, including a printable.
Picture Book Exploration
Read through a picture book that narrates the First Vision alongside the song’s lyrics. This approach provides a visual and auditory experience that helps learners connect with the story more deeply.
Resource: “My Own Sacred Grove” by Angie Killian (picture book that has the lyrics)
Symbolism Discussion
Lead a discussion about the symbolism of the Sacred Grove, emphasizing the importance of having a place to seek revelation. Invite everyone to share experiences of their own sacred moments or places.
Song Story
This is a great way to bring a song to life. You read parts of a story and then sing parts of the song throughout it. Amanda created a free printable song story that you can access in her post on Facebook.
Melody Map
Melody maps are really fun ways to engage the kids. Celeste created a version and provided instructions in the Sharla Dance Facebook group, which you can check out there.
Envelope Match
A woman on Facebook shared her idea for teaching “My Own Sacred Grove” using this envelope game taught by Sharla Dance. In the link below, she shares the words and images to do this game for My Own Sacred Grove.
Another variation from “Wendy” on Facebook, “I’ve played this game a couple of ways– one variation is to give all the kids one word. We gather around the chalkboard and sing the song all the way through, while they listen for their word. Then we sing it again– this time they put their word on the board when they hear it, in order. We sing it again to check if any words need to be rearranged. My Sr primary has about 15 kids in it, so it’s totally doable.”
Resource: Facebook post with images and text
Build the Sacred Grove
Kelly on Facebook did a really fun activity with some props she had where they built the Sacred Grove.
“We introduced My Own Sacred Grove today. I had the backdrop already from teaching virtually during COVID. I got the standup flora and fauna on Oriental Trading very cheaply. I scattered the standup props around the room and each child got to choose one to bring up to the table to “build” our Sacred Grove. After each new figure was added, we added a phrase from the song to build the song at the same time. It allowed us to repeatedly sing the song as each new figure and each new phrase was added. They were very engaged.”
Picture Match Game
How to Play: Create a set of picture cards that represent words or phrases from the song. As you sing, hold up the pictures in the correct order, or let kids put the pictures in order while singing.
Why It Works: Visual aids help younger kids focus and connect with the song’s meaning.
Picture Sheet Music
A woman named Amanda has come up with a really clever and engaging way to display the words for the children by putting pictures on sheet music. She did this for “My Own Sacred Grove” and you can check it out here, along with some simple ideas for teaching.
Flip Chart Sing-Along
Use a flip chart with lyrics and pictures to help learners follow along. This is especially useful for large groups and visual learners.
Resource: My Own Sacred Grove Flip Chart
Primary Choir Challenge
How to Play: Divide the kids into two groups. Assign each group a part of the song to sing, or have them compete to see which side can sing the loudest, softest, or most reverently.
Why It Works: Builds teamwork and encourages reverent singing.
Sacred Grove Walk
If possible, organize an outdoor activity where participants can find a quiet spot in nature to ponder and pray. Relating the experience to Joseph Smith’s prayer in the grove can create a powerful teaching moment.
Handbell Choir
Teach the melody of “My Own Sacred Grove” using handbells. This group activity not only teaches music but also emphasizes teamwork and harmony.
Resource: Singing Time Handbell Ideas
Video Presentation
Show a video featuring the song with visuals of the Sacred Grove. This can be a great way to introduce or conclude a lesson.
Resource: Sacred Grove Video
Scripture Connection
How to Play: Share a scripture that relates to the song’s message and talk briefly about it before singing. For example, a scripture that beautifully relates to the message of “My Own Sacred Grove” is James 1:5:
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
This verse inspired Joseph Smith to seek God through prayer in the Sacred Grove, leading to his First Vision. Similarly, it reminds us that we can turn to God with our questions and concerns, trusting that He will guide us through personal revelation. Teaching this scripture alongside the song helps reinforce the message of seeking God in our own sacred moments.
Why It Works: Helps kids understand the spiritual meaning behind the songs.
Musical “Hot and Cold”
How to Play: Choose a child to leave the room. Hide a small object (like a picture of Jesus or a music note) somewhere in the room. As the child returns, the Primary sings louder as they get closer to the hidden object and softer as they move away.
Why It Works: Keeps kids engaged and focused on singing while having fun.
Musical “Hot and Cold”
How to Play: Choose a child to leave the room. Hide a small object (like a picture of Jesus or a music note) somewhere in the room. As the child returns, the Primary sings louder as they get closer to the hidden object and softer as they move away.
Why It Works: Keeps kids engaged and focused on singing while having fun.
Comic Book Illustrations
How to Play: Hand out pieces of paper with a different line from the song to the children and ask them to illustrate it. While everyone is coloring, sing the song or play a recording of it. Put all the images on the board and sing the song once more.
If you have a larger primary, you could have larger pieces of paper and have groups of kids work together to draw the sections they’ve been given, or you can put all the lyrics and boxes on one page and have everyone illustrated their own.
Why It Works: Keeps the kids alert and attentive during the song.
Coloring Book
Another idea that the artists in your primary will love is a coloring book. Marci made this great printable coloring book that you can print off and give to the children. They can color it while they listen to the song or take it home for reinforcement there.
Storytelling Through Song
How to Play: Tell a story related to the song’s message (e.g., the First Vision for “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer”), then sing the song together.
Why It Works: Makes the song more meaningful and memorable.
Teaching “My Own Sacred Grove” provides a unique opportunity to inspire personal reflection and deepen faith.
Whether you choose hand motions, crafts, or a quiet moment in nature, the goal is to help participants feel connected to Joseph Smith’s experience and encourage their own moments of revelation.
What are your favorite ways to teach this song? Let me know in the comments or share your ideas!
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