WHEN HE COMES
"But behold, verily, verily, I say unto you that mine eyes are upon you. I am in your midst and ye cannot see me; But the day soon cometh that ye shall see me, and know that I am; for the veil of darkness shall soon be rent, and he that is not purified shall not abide the day."
-D&C 38:7-8
"The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not; nevertheless, the day shall come when you shall comprehend even God, being quickened in him and by him. Then shall ye know that ye have seen me, that I am, and that I am the true light that is in you, and that you are in me; otherwise ye could not abound.
-D&C 88:49-50
The Story Behind the Song
I wrote this song when I was 14 years old. It was one of the first songs I actually put to paper and performed for other people, and as such, it has always had a special place in my heart. I was attending my first stake youth conference and after an evening fireside, I felt the Spirit so powerfully. I don't remember who the speaker was or what the topic of the fireside had been, I only remember the overwhelming witness of the Holy Ghost. I was overcome by feelings of peace, of comfort, and love.
My initial reaction was to wonder why I was receiving such strong impressions. I was nobody. Why on earth should the Spirit speak to me? Then the questions started flooding my mind. If the Savior were to come today, would I be ready for Him? Would I recognize Him? More importantly, would He recognize me?
I thought about all the times in my life when the Spirit had born silent testimony, especially when I was most in need, and suddenly, I heard the music in my head. I wrote the words down on a paper towel, they came to my mind faster than I could write. Then I went to the common room in the large cabin where we were staying and sat at the ancient, out-of-tune, upright grand piano which was tucked away in a corner. In less than an hour, I had the song completed, and written out - literally all on paper towels.
Since then, I have been asked to perform this song many times. It seems to be everyone's favorite. I think maybe because it speaks to the doubts and fears we all feel at times, and yet reminds us of the powerful whisperings of the Spirit, and the knowledge that our Savior does know each of us, personally and intimately.
I look forward to the day when the Lord's promise will be fulfilled, that "....the day soon cometh that ye shall see me, and know that I am."
I will do everything I can in this life to be ready when He comes.
LYRICS
What do I know? What can I see?
Is it real? What does it mean to me?
Can I pretend while in my youth that I know?
Can I understand the truth?
That Christ the Lord will come again,
that He’ll walk and live among imperfect men.
Where do I stand? Is He my King?
Do I know that He died for me?
On that day when the Savior comes
Will I be ready?
Will I be with my King?
When He comes in all His glory
Will He know me?
Will I see His face
And feel His grace?
We chose to come into this earth
Keeping in mind our eternal worth.
To follow God, to live His ways,
To remember Him
In these Latter-days.
We passed through the veil, this was our test:
Have faith in God and know He’ll do the rest.
The light is dim, What if I fail?
Is he there? Maybe time only can tell
On that day when the Savior comes
Will I be ready?
Will I be with my King?
When He comes in all His glory
Will He know me?
Will I see His face
And feel His grace?
So down on my knees I humbly pray
That He’ll show me my Father’s way.
Will He come? Will I know
Which is the way that He wants me to go?
Then suddenly He is there.
I can feel His spirit with me there.
A silent voice, a whispered prayer
Lets me know He is always there.
On that day when the Savior comes
Will I be ready?
Will I be with my King?
When He comes in all His glory
Will He know me?
Will I see His face
And feel His grace?
On that day when the Savior comes
I will be ready!
I will be with my King!
When He comes in all His glory
He will know me!
I will see His face
And feel His grace
When He comes!