This Is the Christ

For years, President James E. Faust, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, had wanted to create a song with his second cousin, composer Michael Finlinson Moody. In 1988, President Faust sent Moody a letter noting thoughts and scriptures that he wanted their song to express. Moody asked Jan Underwood Pinborough, who served with him on the Church’s General Music Committee, to express President Faust’s thoughts in a hymn text with rhyme and meter.

The resulting text bore President Faust’s powerful personal witness of the Savior, testifying of His suffering for us in Gethsemane and His post-Resurrection ministry to people in the Book of Mormon. Brother Moody and his wife, Maria Toronto Moody, then added a chorus based on references to the Savior from President Faust’s general conference addresses.

Brother Moody composed the music, and his family sang “This Is the Christ” for President Faust and his wife at a family Christmas party. The hymn was published in the Ensign in 2006. When President Faust passed away in 2007, The Tabernacle Choir sang it at his funeral as a tribute to his special witness of the Savior.

Find lyrics, sheet music, and recordings for This Is the Christ

Scriptures

Principles

Jesus Christ is a resurrected and glorious being.
Jesus Christ suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross for all of God’s children.
We can obtain our own spiritual witness that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer.

Questions to Ponder

What experiences have helped you to know that Jesus Christ is your Savior?
What can you do to gain a greater understanding of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ?
What might you do to help others learn what Jesus Christ has done for them?

Related Gospel Study Guides

From Topics and Questions, Gospel Library:

Activities for Families

Teach how this hymn testifies of Jesus Christ. Talk about the people in the Book of Mormon who saw the resurrected Savior and gained a personal witness of His atoning sacrifice. This witness is expressed in the words “This is the Christ,” which are repeated several times throughout this hymn. Listen to the music as a family, and invite your children to sing the words “This is the Christ.” As they become confident singing those parts, invite them to learn the rest of the lyrics and to think about the message of each verse. Singing and listening to this hymn can be a meaningful way for your family to feel and share their testimonies of Jesus Christ.
Discuss the names of Jesus Christ. The chorus includes several titles for Jesus that teach us about His attributes and His role in our lives. As you listen to the hymn together, help your children identify Jesus Christ’s titles and understand their meaning. Talk together about other names and titles for Jesus. Encourage each child to choose a favorite name or title of Jesus, write it in the center of a piece of paper, and then decorate it. Hang the papers in your home as reminders of Jesus Christ and His many names.