Naomi W. Randall

Naomi Ward Randall is known by the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for her song “I Am a Child of God,” which was included in both the Children's Songbook and in the 1985 Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her friend Mildred T. Pettit set the words to music. “I Am a Child of God” has been translated into more than 140 languages.

Naomi also penned “When Faith Endures” (hymn #128) and “I Want to Live the Gospel” (Children's Songbook).

She also wrote lesson manuals and Bible picture stories (the series ran for 13 years). She was frequently published in The Children's Friend magazine and served on the editorial board of the magazine.

She served for 27 years on the Primary general board of the Church of Jesus Christ. She served for six years as a counselor in the Primary general presidency (under President LaVern W. Parmley). She traveled worldwide teaching children and Primary teachers and leaders. She was the chair of the Primary committee that created the CTR ring. In October 1998, she was awarded a presidential citation from Brigham Young University’s president Merrill J. Bateman for her lifelong service to the children of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints].

Naomi was born on October 5, 1908, and grew up on a dairy and cattle farm in rural North Ogden, Utah. She and her husband, Earl A. Randall, were the parents of one daughter. Naomi died on May 17, 2001, in La Mesa, California.