The original poem was shared by Bruce R. McConkie (1915-1985) as part of his discourse in the April 1972 General Conference of the church. It was his testimony of Jesus Christ. McConkie was an apostle in the church and was known as one of the church’s leading scholars. He often had a very strong manner of delivery and the strength of his testimony was one that was surely felt.

 

At General Conference in April 1985 a musical setting to McConkie’s poem, composed by John Longhurst (b. 1940), was premiered by The Mormon Tabernacle Choir. This was the last conference before McConkie’s death. In that conference he left powerful testimony of the Savior both through music and in word as he said, “I testify that he is the Son of the Living God and was crucified for the sins of the world. He is our Lord, our God, and our King. This I know of myself independent of any other person. I am one of his witnesses, and in a coming day I shall feel the nail marks in his hands and in his feet and shall wet his feet with my tears. But I shall not know any better then than I know now that he is God’s Almighty Son, that he is our Savior and Redeemer, and that salvation comes in and through his atoning blood and in no other way.”

 

We join our testimony to his.

 

John Longhurst, long time organist for The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, named the tune WHITE CITY because he began work on the tune while riding the White City bus in Salt Lake City.