Helping with Hymnbooks

By Savannah L. Tanner

A true story from Denmark.

Amalie loved to be a helper. She helped Mom put plates on the table. She helped Dad find his shoes. And she said the prayer at family scripture time.

Young woman greeting two girls at church

Every Sunday, Amalie’s family went to church. Mom played the piano. Her older sister, Emma, held the door for everyone. Dad said the announcements. Her older brother, Alexander, passed the sacrament. Everyone got to help at church.

Everyone except her!

Amalie knew that Jesus Christ helped everyone He met. She wanted to help like He did! But she couldn’t play the piano. She couldn’t help with the announcements either. She felt a little sad. Maybe she would get to help when she was older.

A man in a suit talking to a girl at church

One day before church, the branch president came up to Amalie. He smiled “Would you pass out the hymnbooks?” he asked.

Amalie smiled back. “Yes!”

Carefully, she took a stack of green hymnbooks off a shelf. She put a book on each seat.

Man, woman, and girl sitting in a church pew and using hymnbooks to sing

When church started, everyone opened their hymnbooks. Amalie felt so happy. She had helped them all so they could sing together!

From then on, everyone in Amalie’s family helped at church. Mom played the piano. Emma held the door. Dad said the announcements. Alexander passed the sacrament. And Amalie put the hymnbooks on the seats.

Amalie felt happy that she could help Heavenly Father. She knew He wanted her to help like Jesus did.