“Cameron the Piano Player,” Friend, May 2023, 40–41.
Cameron the Piano Player
Cameron didn’t know how to play, but he wanted to help.
This story took place in the USA.
“I am a child of God,” Cameron sang with the other Primary kids. Cameron was hard of hearing, but he loved to sing. And soon they would be singing in the Primary program. It was only a month away!
When singing time was over, Sister Jones made an announcement. “Our Primary pianist is moving soon. We’d love to have some of you play the piano for the Primary program. Would any of you like to play a song or two?”
Cameron raised his hand. He wanted to help with the program.
Sister Jones wrote down the names of kids who wanted to help. “Emma. Ben. And Cameron! I didn’t know you could play.” She smiled.
Cameron had never taken lessons before, but he liked making up songs on the piano at his grandma’s house.
“I’m not very good yet,” he said. “But I think I can do it if I practice!”
“Thanks for being willing to serve,” Sister Jones said. She gave each child two songs to play.
Cameron felt like running down the hall. He’d always wanted to learn, and now he was going to!
“You look excited! Did something happen in Primary?” Mom asked when they got in the car after church.
Cameron grinned. “I’m going to play the piano for the Primary program!”
“I love that you want to help,” Mom said. “But you don’t know how to play the piano well enough to do that.”
Cameron sat up straight. “I can learn. I’ll practice super hard! I can use Grandma’s piano.”
“We’d better get started, then!” Mom said.
Mom helped Cameron find a piano teacher. The teacher showed him simple ways to play “I Love to See the Temple” and “The Church of Jesus Christ.”
Cameron practiced at Grandma’s house as often as he could. He practiced each line of the songs over and over again. He made lots of mistakes, but he kept trying and kept playing. Finally he could play both songs.
Soon it was time for the Primary program. “How do you feel?” Mom asked.
Cameron hugged his piano book close to his chest. “Nervous. But excited too.”
When it was his turn to play, Cameron’s hands shook a little. Heavenly Father, please help me, he prayed in his mind. He took a deep breath. Then he played the best he could. The other children sang along.
At the end of the song, he smiled. That was fun! He knew the Holy Ghost was helping him.
Now that he had played one song already, Cameron felt more confident. He started the second song. His fingers moved across the keys just like he had practiced.
This song was Cameron’s favorite. He thought about the words as he played. “I believe in the Savior, Jesus Christ. I’ll honor His name.” Cameron had worked hard to learn the songs for the program.
Maybe playing the piano is one way of sharing my testimony, Cameron thought.
After the program, Mom gave Cameron a big hug.
“How was it?” she asked.
“I was nervous at first, but it was fun!” Cameron said. He wanted to keep practicing and learn even more songs.
Illustrations by Adam Koford