This is my favorite church hymn—always has been.
“I Believe in Christ”
Hymn #134
- I believe in Christ; he is my King!
With all my heart to him I’ll sing;
I’ll raise my voice in praise and joy,
In grand amens my tongue employ.
I believe in Christ; he is God’s Son.
On earth to dwell his soul did come.
He healed the sick; the dead he raised.
Good works were his; his name be praised. - I believe in Christ; oh blessed name!
As Mary’s Son he came to reign
‘Mid mortal men, his earthly kin,
To save them from the woes of sin.
I believe in Christ, who marked the path,
Who did gain all his Father hath,
Who said to men: “Come, follow me,
That ye, my friends, with God may be.” - I believe in Christ–my Lord, my God!
My feet he plants on gospel sod.
I’ll worship him with all my might;
He is the source of truth and light.
I believe in Christ; he ransoms me.
From Satan’s grasp he sets me free,
And I shall live with joy and love
In his eternal courts above. - I believe in Christ; he stands supreme!
From him I’ll gain my fondest dream;
And while I strive through grief and pain,
His voice is heard: “Ye shall obtain.”
I believe in Christ; so come what may,
With him I’ll stand in that great day
When on this earth he comes again
To rule among the sons of men.
Text: Bruce R. McConkie, 1915-1985. (c) 1972 IRI
Music: John Longhurst, b. 1940. (c) 1985 IRI
Why is this my favorite hymn?
Throughout my life, I have struggled to accept the Gospel. As a child, I was exposed to the fullness of the Gospel and developed a basic testimony that God lives; His son, my Savior, lives; and Joseph Smith was inspired to restore the Gospel. However, as I entered adulthood, I actively chose to leave the fullness of the Gospel to see what the world could offer and teach me.
I learned the world was both fascinating and horrible. To comfort me, I needed more than the world could offer. I needed God. I needed His son, my Savior and yours. Even though I was not a church-goer, I still had the gift I had been given when I was baptized: the Holy Ghost. It testified of the truth that I still believed in Christ. I had been steadfast in that knowledge and had independently determined its truth. I was comforted by this, but I did not believe that His loving gift of the Atonement could apply to me.
As I repented, my knowledge of the Gospel strengthened and I made additional covenants with God. After a time, I knew that Christ was my personal Savior and that I would “strive through grief and pain, …. [since] I believe in Christ; so come what may, With him I’ll stand in that great day, When on this earth he comes again, To rule among the sons of men.”
I love the Savior, Jesus Christ. He is my exemplar. He is my brother and yours. He strengthens me and He can do the same for you.
I testify of these truths, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.