Look unto Christ

As a young adult, author and composer Sherrie Manwill Boren battled anxiety. During one particularly dark time, she felt prompted to open her scriptures to the Topical Guide and read each reference listed under “Comfort.” She soon realized that almost every verse pointed to Christ as our greatest source of peace and reassurance. This realization marked a turning point in her life. Sister Boren recalls, “As I reached for my Savior, I began to feel His power flowing into my life, bringing comfort and peace, along with the courage and strength to face future challenges. I have never looked back.”

With this experience in mind, Sister Boren wrote her hymn “Look unto Christ.” As it slowly took shape, she felt a deep gratitude for her Savior along with a desire to help others find comfort and courage in Him. She testifies, “We may be encompassed by darkness and uncertainty, but as we rivet our focus upon the Savior, our fears will fade and we will find the strength to move forward, trusting that He is by our side.”

Find lyrics, sheet music, and recordings for Look unto Christ

Scriptures

Principles

When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we can overcome doubt and fear.
When we struggle in difficult circumstances, Jesus Christ can provide guidance, comfort, and strength.
When we focus our life on Jesus Christ, we can obtain spiritual help to resist worldly messages and temptations.

Questions to Ponder

When has your faith in Jesus Christ helped you recognize His hand in your life?
What are some ways that you can look unto Christ and increase your faith in Him?
What gospel principles can help a person who doesn’t currently recognize God’s love and help?

Related Gospel Study Guides

From Topics and Questions, Gospel Library:

Activities for Families

Be prepared with four slogans for times of need. Focus on four key phrases of this hymn to remember: “Doubt not,” “Fear not,” “Heed not,” and “Press on.” Have family members listen for three places in each verse where these words are repeated. Practice together by first saying, then singing “Doubt not” in the three places where it occurs in verse 1. As family members become familiar with the melody, sing the words until the entire hymn becomes familiar. Try this same activity with verses 2, 3, and 4.
Teach how faith in Jesus Christ relieves tension. Help children understand the tension and release inherent in the phrase “Doubt not,” and relate this to faith in Jesus Christ.
- Whenever the word “doubt” occurs in this hymn, there is a musical chord that creates a feeling of tension, while the chord on the word “not” releases it. For fun, have family members shrug their shoulders in tension when singing the word “doubt” and relax their shoulders when singing “not.” Try this with “Fear not” in verse 2 as well.
- As a family, talk about how faith in Jesus Christ relieves the tension of doubt and fear, bringing peace and confidence.