Songwriter Janice Kapp Perry, sits at her piano in her home in Provo, Utah, on Oct. 20, 2004
Photo credit: Keith Johnson, Deseret News
I listened to Janice Kapp Perry this week as she was interviewed for The Church New Podcast. As I listened, I was reminded how much I love Sister Perry and how much she has touched my life. The Church News webpage says this about the podcast.
Janice Kapp Perry joins this episode of the Church News podcast to discuss the power of music, sharing her testimony of the Savior and the profound lessons she has learned during her remarkable and varied life.
Sarah Jane Weaver introduces Janice Kapp Perry for the interview with this monologue:
Janice Kapp Perry has composed 3,000 songs and hymns beloved by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her well-known repertoire includes Primary hymns, “A Child’s Prayer,” “I Love To See the Temple” and “I’m Trying To Be Like Jesus.” She started her music career later in life after two lucky breaks — a broken TV and an injury — took her from the sports court to roadshow music writing.
Her work has been featured in the Church hymnbook and Primary songbook and translated and sung around the world. From 1993 to 1999 she performed with The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, often singing her own music. In 2020, Brigham Young University conferred upon her an honorary degree, a Doctor of Christian Service in Music. Her acceptance speech, “Filling the World With Music of Faith,” was posted online due to the pandemic.
Janice Kapp Perry joins this episode of the Church News podcast to discuss the power of music, sharing her testimony of the Savior and the profound lessons she has learned during her remarkable and varied life.
You can listen to The Church News Podcast that I listened to this week by clicking here. (Be sure to click onto the 49 minute interview)
I first learned about Sis. Perry's life experiences by listening to an interview that was aired April 10, 2014 by the LDS radio program called Everything Creative. The website says this about the interview:
Janice Kapp Perry is our special guest for this episode of Everything Creative. She shares stories about how her music service began with helping those around her. The music spread to other wards and stakes and eventually was published in songbooks such as the Children's Songbook and even our LDS hymnal.
Click here to listen to the Everything Creative interview.
Through these two interviews and the videos below, I learned that Sister Perry is a very humble, inspired, and talented songwriter.
The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square Youtube webpage featured the history of three songs Sis. Parry wrote:
History of A Child's Prayer
You can also view it by clicking here
A Child's Prayer
1. 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.
2. 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.
History of Love is Spoken Here
You can also view the video by clicking here
Love is Spoken Here
1. I see my mother kneeling with our family each day.
I hear the words she whispers as she bows her head to pray.
Her plea to the Father quiets all my fears,
And I am thankful love is spoken here.
2. Mine is a home where ev’ry hour is blessed by the strength of priesthood pow’r,
With father and mother leading the way,
Teaching me how to trust and obey;
And the things they teach are crystal clear,
For love is spoken here.
3. (ending) I can often feel the Savior near
When love is spoken here.
The History of I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus
You can also view the video by clicking here
I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus
1. I’m trying to be like Jesus;
I’m following in his ways.
I’m trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say.
At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,
But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers,
[Chorus]
“Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.”
2. I’m trying to love my neighbor;
I’m learning to serve my friends.
I watch for the day of gladness when Jesus will come again.
I try to remember the lessons he taught.
Then the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts, saying:
