This is my favorite church hymn—always has been.

“I Believe in Christ”
Hymn #134

1. 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.
2. 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.”
3. 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.
4. 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.

“Parting the Veil” by Jon McNaughton

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.