We Write of Christ

And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ...and we write.... to persuade [others] to believe in Christ. (2 Nephi 25:26, 23)

In our worship service this past Sunday, a group of beautiful teenage girls (or Young Women) sang so  words with such conviction that have made such an impression that I have not been able to get out of my mind. The intensity of its message has only increased with each reminder--inviting me, urging me, calling me to testify of Jesus Christ.

I Testify of Jesus Christ

Lyrics: John V. Pearson

I testify of Jesus Christ, My Lord, My King Omnipotent,

Who framed the worlds and scattered stars throughout the firmament.

Who from the dust of earth formed man and gave us breath that we might move.

And gave us laws to serve our God and live with Him in love.

I testify of Jesus Christ, My God, My Unseen Comforter,

For I have sought Him oft through prayer and found Him waiting there.

I have not touched His wounded hands nor yet beheld His holy face

But I have felt His love for me and heard His gentle voice.

I testify of Jesus Christ, Beloved Savior, Precious Friend,

Who suffered death and hell’s abyss to ransom me from sin.

Who came when demons sought my soul and banished them with sword of light.

And when despair would steal my hope His presence stilled the night.

When with all flesh my eyes shall see my blessed Savior face to face

My witness then shall not exceed the truth I know this day.

For God has written Jesus’ name with pen of flame upon my soul

And how can I but testify of Jesus Christ my Lord?

I Testify of Jesus Christ

Over the past year, a promising piano student has been working on her own lovely arrangement of the tender melody by Janice Kapp Perry. I have felt blessed to be buoyed up by those words each time she has come into my home to create her own way to testify of Christ.

I wondered how I could testify of Him?

As the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) President and Prophet leader Russel M. Nelson advised, "We begin by learning about Him." We can then draw upon the power and authority of His words.

For example, the convincing power of the lyrics of this song by cannot be taken lightly.  They describe Christ's love in His roles as Creator, Comforter, and Redeemer.

They describe my own experience of coming to know my Savior:

I have not touched His wounded hands
nor yet beheld His holy face
But I have felt His love for me
and heard His gentle voice.

As I struggle through the disappointments and perplexities of daily life, it articulates the hope I feel, allowing me to move forward with the peace that passeth all understanding (see Philippians 4:7):

And when despair would steal my hope,
His presence stilled the night.

These words have been my call to action:

When with all flesh, my eyes shall see my blessed Savior face to face
My witness then shall not exceed the truth I know this day.
For God has written Jesus' name with pen of flame upon my soul
And how can I but testify of Jesus Christ my Lord?

Now it is my turn to testify of Jesus Christ.

For we labor diligently to write, to write to persuade [others] to believe in Christ. (2 Nephi 25:23)