BYU-Idaho department chair teaches students about the light of Christ

Jennifer O'Farrell, chair of the Brigham Young University-Idaho Department of Dance, taught students about the light of Christ in a devotional address given Tuesday, July 3.

O'Farrell began by reflecting back to the day she was baptized almost 10 years ago. She felt such joy knowing that Jesus Christ lives and wanted to share this joy with others. She also learned there is a way to find truth to the questions "who am I," "why am I here," and "what will happen to me after this life?"

While she considers herself blessed to know the truth to those questions, O'Farrell said there are many who struggle to have peace in this life and cannot find strength and guidance to rely on.

"Even with our knowledge of the gospel in this life, it takes daily devotion and commitment to retain a remembrance and assurance of all that we believe to be true," she said. "We must seek out the light of Christ to light our path and lift our hearts." 

Matthew 5:14-16 says, "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

We have been given gifts to "lift one another and together declare our joy and happiness that we know who we are, where we came from, and that we can return to our Lord and Savior if we continue in this path of hope and commitment to the gospel," she said.

O'Farrell said both the light of Christ and gift of the Holy Ghost have tremendously influenced her growth, understanding, faith and love of the gospel. O'Farrell describes the light of Christ as "not only luminous, but a contagious and heavenly source of energy. It was through the light of Christ that I was converted to the gospel." 

O'Farrell saw many blessings after initially being touched by the light of Christ. She believes angels came into her life, the first of which shared her testimony with O'Farrell. There was also a sweet elderly couple who invited O'Farrell into their home to begin her first discussions with the missionaries.

"At this time I did not have the gift of the Holy Ghost, but I did have the light of Christ working within me and around me," O'Farrell said.

O'Farrell also outlined the importance of being a light to others. "If we allow the light of Christ to work within us and allow ourselves to be prompted by the gift of the Holy Ghost in seeking after goodness, light and truth, we can become a covenant people," she said. The Lord needs us to minister the gospel to others.

O'Farrell used Mother Teresa as an example of a woman who desired to share the light of Christ and serve others. Her love for all of God's children is a result of her faith and love for God.

"If in your work you have difficulties and you accept them with joy, with a big smile, in this, like many other things, you will see your good works," Mother Teresa said. "And the best way to show your gratitude is to accept everything with joy."

O'Farrell asked why we can not be more like Mother Teresa and strive to be compassionate and understanding towards others. When we are kind to others, we feel the love of the Savior.

Finally, O'Farrell discussed the importance of the atonement. "Seeking after the light, living a life with light, and being a light to others depends upon our humility and reliance on the atonement. I see the atonement as a lifeline to freedom and goodness. The atonement can make us whole. It is the absolute core of the gospel," she said.

Next week's devotional speaker will be Jeffrey Bateson, secretary to the Priesthood Executive Council. This will be the final devotional of Summer Semester 2007.

Devotionals are held every Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Hart Auditorium with additional seating in the Taylor Chapel.  Devotionals are broadcast on KBYI-FM 100.5 at 2 p.m. and rebroadcast Tuesday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m.