BYU-Idaho faculty member teaches about spiritual light in university devotional

 

Steve Hunsaker, a member of the Brigham Young University-Idaho Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures faculty, taught students about the importance of spiritual light in a university devotional address given Tuesday, August 15.

Hunsaker explained the word "light" is used hundreds of times in the scriptures and often has different meanings.  "Light is used in invitations-‘come ye and let us walk in the light of the Lord' (2 Nephi 12:5), and in warnings-‘he that repents not, from him shall be taken even the light which he has received' (Doctrine & Covenants 1:33)," Hunsaker said. 

"Among other things, these verses teach us that to increase in the light is to increase in knowledge of the truth, to become increasingly filled with the Spirit, and to walk in safety by drawing nearer unto and becoming more like God."

Hunsaker cited one of President Gordon B. Hinckley's favorite scriptures, Doctrine and Covenants 50:24:  "That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day."  This scripture emphasizes the importance of receiving light.

"By revealing doctrines, principles, commandments and covenants unto us, our Father in Heaven strives to bless us with light," Hunsaker said.  "Our adversary, on the other hand, strives to take light out of our lives.  Satan will try to take away light and truth from you by twisting your perception of God's doctrines, principles, commandments and covenants and by distorting your response to them."

Hunsaker also taught students to continue in God and receive more light.  He observed there is no reason to go through life with a small, dim light.  Rather, as obedience increases, so does the light given to each person by the Lord.  Often, Hunsaker taught, many miss the light Lord blesses them with.

"If we are expecting a flood of light in response to our prayers, we might miss the Lord's subtle efforts to bless and lead us," Hunsaker said.  "Rather than blessing us with a burst of brilliant light all at once, the Lord blesses us with carefully timed and situated packets of light."

Hunsaker concluded by teaching students light will grow brighter and brighter as they draw nearer and nearer to the Lord.  "When we come to the table of the Lord, he expects us to come with a hearty appetite-for light," Hunsaker said. 

"Figuratively speaking, don't put your napkin on the table, push your chair back and excuse yourself yet!  Your host may have only served the appetizers.  The Lord is ready to bless us all with abundant new light, but he can't if we are too satisfied and comfortable to really seek it in class, in sacrament meeting, during devotional, in the temple or any other setting."

This was the final devotional of the 2006 Summer Semester. The next devotional, with BYU-Idaho president Kim B. Clark and his wife Sister Sue Clark, will be held on Tuesday, September 5. Devotionals are held every Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Hart Auditorium with additional seating in the Hinckley Chapel, Taylor Chapel and Kirkham Auditorium.

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.