My Life Is a Gift LDS Song: Lyrics and Meaning

The Melody of Meaning: Exploring “I Will Follow God’s Plan”

Few phrases resonate as deeply in the hearts of generations of Latter-day Saints as the opening declaration: “My life is a gift; my life has a plan.”

Though widely recognized and lovingly referred to by its core themes, the official title of this beloved piece is “I Will Follow God’s Plan” (found on page 164 of the Children’s Songbook of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). From Sunday Primary rooms to global congregations, this short, inspiring hymn packs profound theology into an accessible melody that teaches identity, purpose, and direction.

Origins and Authorship

Written with a bright, energetic rhythm (traditionally marked With excitement), the song is a collaborative creation by two notable Latter-day Saint writers:

• The Text: The lyrics trace their origins to Mabel A. Jones Gabbott, a prolific and revered writer of Church hymns and poetry.
• The Music: The sprightly, uplifting tune was composed by Vanja Y. Watkins, who is one of the most prominent contributors to the modern Children’s Songbook.

Commissioned originally as a class song for older Primary children (specifically the historical Merrie Miss age group), the piece quickly transcended its classroom roots. Its message proved universally resonant, finding a permanent home in the hearts of adults and children alike.

Deconstructing the Message: A Theology in Four Lines

The brilliance of “I Will Follow God’s Plan” lies in how much doctrinal depth it introduces in its opening verse:

My life is a gift; my life has a plan.
My life has a purpose; in heav’n it began.
My choice was to come to this lovely home on earth
And seek for God’s light to direct me from birth.

1. A Sacred Gift: Life is framed not as an accident, but as an intentional endowment from a loving Creator. This establishes inherent self-worth and sacred respect for the human body and soul.
2. Pre-mortal Existence: The lyrics quietly affirm the doctrine of the pre-earth life (“in heav’n it began”)—the belief that humans lived as conscious spirit children of heavenly parents before coming to mortality.
3. Agency and Choice: The song emphasizes that coming to earth was an active choice (“My choice was to come”), highlighting the foundational theological principle of moral agency.
4. Divine Guidance: Earth life is portrayed as a purposeful journey focused on seeking divine light and alignment with spiritual truths rather than wandering aimlessly.

The Commitment of the Chorus

Following the foundational truths of the first half, the chorus shifts into an active personal commitment:

I will follow God’s plan for me,
Holding fast to His word and His love.
I will work, and I will pray;
I will always walk in His way.
Then I will be happy on earth
And in my home above.

Rather than passive belief, the song calls for active discipleship—working, praying, studying scripture (“Holding fast to His word”), and striving for enduring joy both in mortality and in the eternal realms hereafter.

Enduring Legacy

Though categorized as a children’s song, “I Will Follow God’s Plan” serves as an anchor hymn across all demographics. Its simple question-and-answer cadence provides children with a vocabulary for their divine identity, while offering adults a refreshing reminder of fundamental spiritual truths during times of complexity or trial.

By grounding everyday existence in a framework of divine design, the song transforms routine living into a sacred journey of faith, purpose, and ultimate homecoming.

I Will Follow God’s Plan LDS Primary Song Lyric Video

This lyric video provides a classic visual presentation of the song, making it easy to follow along with the uplifting words and traditional melody.
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