Clara McMaster composed the song after struggling to find the right words to express the joy and comfort she felt. She sought divine help and was inspired to remember her childhood on a farm. The imagery in the song includes lilac trees, velvet roses, and a blue sky.
Clara's daughter Diane explained that one night, Clara asked the Lord to help her find the right words, and she received an impression that said, "Tell them what you know".
Clara Elizabeth Watkins McMaster was born at Beaver Dam, Box Elder County, Utah, the youngest of eleven children, to Joseph Hammond and Lydia Ella Hancock Watkins, on October 30, 1904. She died peacefully in her sleep on March 18, 1997.
She was raised in rural simplicity in Box Elder and Cache counties, graduated from Box Elder High School in Brigham City, and attended Utah State University at Logan prior to marrying her high school sweetheart, J. Stuart McMaster in the Salt Lake Temple on June 17, 1927.From her earliest days, music was a significant part of her life. She was born of parents and grandparents noted for their musical contributions to Pioneer life and many of her brothers played professionally with some of the big name bands of the twenties and thirties. She sang in the Tabernacle Choir for twenty three years. Was a member of the music committee of the Primary General Board for fourteen years. Over a period of more than sixty years she and her husband sang duets before countless church and community gatherings. In 1978 they were presented with the Franklin S. Harris Fine Arts Award from Brigham Young University in recognition of their service.
She was an active and faithful church member for all of her years, noted for the willingness and enthusiasm with which she approached each assignment. She was an active and vital component of the presidency of her husband in the Kansas-Missouri Mission of the church from 1970 to 1973, and never tired of following the lives of her more than 300 `extra sons and daughters.'
She had pure, unaffected qualities, an even disposition, and a fresh-air-wisp of charming humor that endeared her to nearly everyone who knew her. She composed many popular songs for children among which are: primary favorites `Teach Me to Walk in the Light of His Love' and `My Heavenly Father Loves Me'
"When I was a child, as a family we went on vacation to a beach on the coast of my native country, Chile. I was excited to spend some days enjoying the summer with my family. I was also thrilled because I thought I could finally join in and do what my two older brothers usually did for fun on the water.
One day my brothers went to play where the waves were breaking, and I felt big and mature enough to follow them. As I moved toward that area, I realized the waves were larger than they appeared from the shore. Suddenly, a wave rapidly approached me, taking me by surprise. I felt like the power of nature had taken over me, and I was dragged into the depths of the sea. I couldn’t see or feel any reference point as I was tossed around. Just as I thought my adventure on the earth might be coming to an end, I felt a hand pulling me toward the surface. Finally, I could see the sun and catch my breath.
My brother Claudio had seen my attempts to act as a grown-up and had come to my rescue. I was not far from the shore. Even though the water was shallow, I was disoriented and had not realized I could have helped myself. Claudio told me that I needed to be careful and, if I wanted, he could teach me. Despite the gallons of water I had swallowed, my pride and desire to be a big boy were stronger, and I said, “Sure.”
Claudio told me I needed to attack the waves. I told myself I would surely lose that battle against what seemed like a huge wall of water.
As a new big wave approached, Claudio quickly said, “Look at me; this is how you do it.” Claudio ran toward the incoming wave and dove into it before it broke. I was so impressed with his dive that I lost sight of the next incoming wave. So again I was sent to the depths of the sea and tossed by the forces of nature. A few seconds later, a hand grasped mine, and I was again pulled toward the surface and air. The flame of my pride was extinguishing.
This time my brother invited me to dive with him. As per his invitation, I followed him, and we dove together. I felt as if I was conquering the most complicated challenge. Certainly, it was not very easy, but I did it, thanks to the help and example shown by my brother. His hand rescued me twice; his example showed me how to deal with my challenge and be victorious that day."*
