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About the Hymns: Build an Ark

“About the Hymns: Build an Ark,” About the Hymns (2026)

About the Hymns

Build an Ark

Text and music: Marianne Porter; original language: English

In 2003, Marianne Porter moved into a new ward. For an upcoming sacrament meeting, the bishopric invited her family to speak on the topic of preparedness and to also sing a musical number.

While preparing her talk, Sister Porter read Hebrews 11:7: “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, … prepared an ark to the saving of his house.” She felt Noah’s story was a powerful way to teach about faith and being spiritually prepared. Just as Noah built an ark to protect his family before the rain started, we can choose to strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ before challenges arise. When spiritual storms rage in our lives, we will be protected as we have faith in Jesus Christ, pray, and follow the prophet.

Sister Porter had written many songs before, and she decided to compose a song for her children to sing for the musical number. Normally she struggled with writing lyrics, but this time both the words and the music came quickly. She taught the song to her children, and they sang it in sacrament meeting the following Sunday. “Build an Ark” was later published in the September 2010 issue of the Friend magazine.

Find lyrics, sheet music, and recordings for Build an Ark

On This Page

Scriptures

Principles

  • God has called prophets in our day to help us know how to follow Jesus Christ.

  • We can be obedient like Noah and do what God asks even when it is hard.

  • When we have faith in Jesus Christ and trust in His prophets, God will help us endure and overcome our trials.

Questions to Ponder

  • How can having faith in Jesus Christ and following His prophets help you feel safe?

  • Why is it helpful to read about prophets and their teachings in the scriptures?

  • When have you tried to follow the teachings of the prophet?

Related Gospel Study Guides

From Topics and Questions, Gospel Library:

Activities for Families

  • Build a model of Noah’s ark. As you listen to or sing this song together, invite family members to build a simple ark using materials you have at home—like a cardboard box, a paper plate, or craft sticks. While you build, talk about ways we build spiritual protection today, just like Noah built physical protection with his ark.

  • Talk about having faith like Noah. Sing the second verse of the song together as a family. Then talk about what it means to have faith like Noah. Invite your children to answer these questions:

    • How is faith in Jesus Christ like Noah’s ark?

    • How can faith in Jesus Christ keep us safe today?

    • According to the song, what are some ways we can strengthen our faith?

    • If you were Noah, which of these things would you say our family should work on this week?

    Invite each person to share an idea. Then choose as a family one thing you will work on together to build your “ark” of faith this week.

Music Helps

  • This song includes fermatas fermata in three places. A fermata above (or below) a note means you should hold the note for longer than its normal length. When singing in a large group, look to your music leader to know how long to sing it.

  • This song includes repeated measures and multiple endings. Music between the repeat signsrepeat symbol is played and sung twice. The first time through the song, use the measures for the first ending first ending symbol. Repeat as indicated, this time skipping the first ending and using the second ending second ending symbol instead.