Barbara A. McConochie

Barbara A. McConochie is the lyricist and composer of the children’s song “Keep the Commandments,” which was also included in the 1985 Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She also wrote and composed “You’ve Had a Birthday,” which is included in the Children's Songbook.

In July 1972 Harold B. Lee became the eleventh President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One hour after the announcement was made, he met with newspaper and television reporters. One of them asked him if he had a message for Church members.

President Lee said: “The safety of the church lies in the members keeping the commandments. There is nothing more important that I could say. As they keep the commandments, blessings will come.” (See Church News, 15 July 1972, page 3.)

Barbara A. McConochie, a Church member, was so impressed with his words that she wrote the song “Keep the Commandments” (above) for Primary children. Its words tell us of two blessings that come from keeping the commandments: “In this there is safety and peace.”[1]