I Believe in Christ

There's a Sunday during my high school years that particularly stands out to me.  It was the day I saw my brother's testimony.  Brooks had been . . . living on the edge?  Partying a bit too hard?  He was often late to church or not at church at all, but this Sunday, he was there.  It was the rest hymn, and the chorister had motioned for us to stand while we sang.  "I Believe in Christ" was the hymn, and somewhere in the middle of the second verse, I noticed that Brooks had quit singing.  I glanced over and saw tears filling his eyes and streaming down his cheeks.  It was a powerful witness to me that he believed in the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He believed in Christ's atonement and it's ability to save and to change.

Even now, whenever I sing that hymn, I see my brother's tears, and I feel a stirring in my heart.  I can't get through it without choking up a bit.  My mind goes to the time when my brother understood the atonement in a way I hadn't yet, and it prepared me for a time when I would need his testimony.  "I Believe in Christ" is my favorite hymn now -- for that memory and for the words.

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.

(For the sheet music, see I Believe in Christ.  For a good rendition, listen to The Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing it.)


Thing I'm thankful for: Brooke, for letting me cry