The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is made up of some 360 men and women, all of whom are volunteers. There are many husband-wife combinations and many families have participated in the choir for generations. Choir members are currently limited to twenty years of participation, allowing new members to join the choir on a regular basis.
The choir was founded in August 1847, one month after the Mormon Pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. The choir is completely self-funded, traveling and producing albums to support their organization. Choir members are not paid for their participation or performances.
Although the choir has traditionally been recognized for its sound quality, the most recent director, Craig Jessop, a student of Robert Shaw, has made changes designed to improve the overall quality of the choir. Jessop's efforts to add vitality to the choir's sound include the formation of The Orchestra at Temple Square, the 2005 addition of The Bells on Temple Square (a hand bell choir), and continual refinement of the choir's tone, enunciation, and repetoire. The minimum age for participation has been reduced from 30 to 25. In addition, new choir members participate in The Temple Square Chorale training choir, a combination music theory/performance school led by associate director and composer/arranger Mack Wilberg.
A Child
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
35395, Children's Songbook, My Heavenly Father, A Child's
Prayer, 12'13
Heavenly Father, are you really there
And do you hear and answer ev'ry child's prayer
Some say that heaven is far away
Heavenly Father, I remember now
Something that Jesus told disciples long ago
'Suffer the children to come to me
Father, in prayer I'm coming now to thee
Pray, he is there
Speak, he is list'ning
You are his child
His love now surrounds you
He hears your prayer
He loves the children
Of such is the kingdom, the kingdom of heav'n
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir's song A Child's Prayer expresses a child's innocent and pure trust in their Heavenly Father. It begins with the child asking if their Heavenly Father is listening to their prayer and if he is really there. This line is an expression of the child's doubt and yearning for reassurance, which many children can relate to. The next line acknowledges that some people believe heaven is far away from the earth, but the child feels it close around them as they pray. This line represents the child's belief that their Heavenly Father is always with them even though he might feel distant at times.
The child then remembers something that Jesus told his disciples long ago: "Suffer the children to come to me." This line shows the child's understanding that they are welcomed by their Heavenly Father and that their prayers are important to him. The next line is a direct address to the Father, with the child saying "Father, in prayer I'm coming now to thee." This line shows the child's deep sense of trust and comfort in coming to their Heavenly Father with their prayer.
Overall, the song represents the pure and innocent trust that children have in their Heavenly Father. It shows their doubt, their trust, and their deep sense of comfort in coming to him with their prayers.
Line by Line Meaning
Heavenly Father, are you really there
The child is asking God if He actually exists and if He is present in their life.
And do you hear and answer ev'ry child's prayer
The child wonders if God listens to and responds to the prayers of every child.
Some say that heaven is far away
There are some people who believe that Heaven is a distant place.
But I feel it close around me as I pray
The child feels a sense of proximity to Heaven while praying.
Heavenly Father, I remember now
The child is addressing God and saying that they remember something that Jesus once said.
Something that Jesus told disciples long ago
The child is referring to a message that Jesus communicated to His disciples a long time ago.
'Suffer the children to come to me
Jesus said that children should be allowed to come to Him.
Father, in prayer I'm coming now to thee
The child is telling God that they are praying to Him.
Pray, he is there
If you pray, God will be there with you.
Speak, he is list'ning
If you speak to God, He will listen to you.
You are his child
The child realizes that they are a child of God.
His love now surrounds you
God's love envelops the child, providing them with protection and comfort.
He hears your prayer
God listens to the child's prayer, no matter how big or small it may be.
He loves the children
God has infinite love for all children.
Of such is the kingdom, the kingdom of heav'n
Those who have the pure hearts of a child will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: JAMES MACMILLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@1688mz
Night time, quiet time,
Loved ones gather at day's end.
I hold them close, I help them know
That God will always be their friend.
Then just before I say goodnight
My little ones kneel by my chair.
I close my eyes, I dim the lights,
And listen to this simple prayer:
Heavenly Father, are you really there?
And do you hear and answer every child's prayer?
Some say that heaven is far away,
But I feel is close around me as I pray.
Heavenly Father I remember now
Something that Jesus told disiples long ago:
"Suffer the children to come to me."
Father, in prayer I'm coming now to thee.
Pray, He is there. Speak, He is list'ning.
You are His child, His love now surrounds you.
He hears your prayer, He loves the children.
Of such is the kingdom, the Kingdom of heaven.
Heavenly Father, are you really there?
And do you hear and answer every child's prayer?
Some say that heaven is far away,
But I feel is close around me as I pray.
Pray, He is there. Speak, He is list'ning.
You are His child, His love now surrounds you.
Heavenly Father I remember now
Something that Jesus told disiples long ago:
"Suffer the children to come to me."
Father, in prayer I'm coming now to thee.
He hears your prayer, He loves the children.
Of such is the kingdom, the Kingdom of heaven.
Heavenly Father, are you really there?
He hears and answers every child's prayer.
Please hear my prayer.
@nanikdasani4547
Heavenly Father, are you really there
And do you hear and answer ev'ry child's prayer
Some say that heaven is far away
But I feel it close around me as I pray
Heavenly Father, I remember now
Something that Jesus told disciples long ago
'Suffer the children to come to me
Father, in prayer I'm coming now to thee
Pray, he is there
Speak, he is list'ning
You are his child
His love now surrounds you
He hears your prayer
He loves the children
Of such is the kingdom, the kingdom of heav'n
@dwj1231
Night time, quiet time,
Loved ones gather at day's end.
I hold them close, I help them know
That God will always be their friend.
Then just before I say goodnight
My little ones kneel by my chair.
I close my eyes, I dim the lights,
And listen to this simple prayer:
Heavenly Father, are you really there?
And do you hear and answer ev'ry child's prayer?
Some say that heaven is far away,
But I feel it close around me as I pray.
Heavenly Father, I remember now
Something that Jesus told disciples long ago:
"Suffer the children to come to me."
Father, in prayer I'm coming now to thee.
Pray, he is there;
Speak, he is list'ning.
You are his child;
His love now surrounds you.
He hears your prayer;
He loves the children.
Of such is the kingdom, the kingdom of heav'n.
@williowjackson4665
Inactive member here, but I still listen to the songs and watch our leaders give talks and testimony. I really hope I get back to church and Heavenly Father again. I know this is the true church and no matter what or where in life I am. My faith will be with the lord and the church of Latter Day Saints.
@bestberryj
Don't waste any time, please come back! I know I can personally promise so many blessings of peace that will come when you return.
@barbarabailey6833
We have missed you as each of us is needed in the kingdom. You were created by Heavenly Father to bring your special attributes that no one else can bring! Whatever is keeping you inactive, please take baby steps and then giant leaps to find a ward that you can join! I have found that going to Primary helps me when I have been distanced from the Lord. I can feel the spirit stronger there than anywhere else. 💗
@davidfindlay9074
Pray to know what to do and to feel the Lord's love. You got this!
@novagutter8611
Powerful testimony Brother. Thanks.
@tumelomachabe7852
You loved and cherished.
Get back to the covenant path...it's never too early nor too late With the Lord.
@emmasueferguson3634
I am LDS and have played this primary song and cried all the way thru it while the children sung it so sweetly. May God bless us all!!!!
@elijahnewell1027
I was the only bald kid in high school, during my senior year, so people started calling me agent 47. Then, I started seeing the number 47 everywhere, so I looked up DC 4:7 and it says: "Ask, and ye shall receive. Knock, and it shall be opened to you. Amen." It's interesting because prayer is my biggest testimony of this church. All my prayers were always answered when they needed to be. Prayer is a huge part of my life, and I'm so grateful to my Heavenly Father for providing such a blessing for all of us.
@dalerider3124
ELIJAH, that is a wonderful, great testimony. Thank you for sharing it. May you always receive answers to your sincere prayers!
@carolynflinders796
Thank you for sharing. Prayer is such a blessing.