Good afternoon brothers and sisters. I pray that the Holy Ghost might allow our spirits to communicate one to another so that we both can receive light and truth from our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and feel of Their goodness and love.
In October 2005, President James E. Faust told the following story,
"I recently recalled a historic meeting in Jerusalem about 17 years ago. It was regarding the lease for the land on which the Brigham Young University's Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies was later built. Before this lease could be signed, President Ezra Taft Benson and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, then president of Brigham Young University, agreed with the Israeli government on behalf of the Church and the university not to proselyte in Israel. You might wonder why we agreed not to proselyte. We were required to do so in order to get the building permit to build that magnificent building which stands in the historic city of Jerusalem. To our knowledge the Church and BYU have scrupulously and honorably kept that nonproselyting commitment. After the lease had been signed, one of our friends insightfully remarked, 'Oh, we know that you are not going to proselyte, but what are you going to do about the light that is in their eyes?' He was referring to our students who were studying in Israel.
"What was that light in their eyes which was so obvious to our friend? The Lord Himself gives the answer: 'And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings.'[1] Where did that light come from? Again the Lord gives the answer: 'I am the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world.'[2] The Lord is the true light, 'and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit.'[3] This light shows in our countenances as well as in our eyes."[4]
With this story in mind, I would like to read some counsel given to us by the Savior. This counsel is recorded in the fifth chapter of Matthew. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
During our time together today, I would like to pose for your consideration three questions concerning light:
- First, what is this light which shineth?
- Next, how can we obtain this light?
- Finally, how then do we let our light shine so others can see it?
What is this light which shineth?
Elder Craig Christensen very clearly explains, "... when we talk about light, we are really talking about our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."[5]
The Bible Dictionary adds this definition, "The light of Christ is just what the words imply: enlightenment, knowledge, and an uplifting, ennobling, persevering influence that comes upon mankind because of Jesus Christ."[6] In other words, this light, which gives us enlightenment, knowledge and has the ability to uplift us, comes from Jesus Christ.
We use the word light both to explain temporal and spiritual enlightenment or knowledge. Teachers talk about the moment when a student understands a concept as "a light turns on." It is that "aha moment," the moment you say to yourself or others, "I get it." Light and darkness are also used as metaphors to illustrate and teach many gospel concepts. We use the word light to explain the Plan of Salvation, revelations from God, the difference between Christ and Satan, right and wrong, truth and falsehood.
Physical light has always fascinated me. I am drawn to light. When I consider all the beauties of this earth that Heavenly Father has created through his Son, Jesus Christ my heart swells with gratitude for the wonders and beauties around us. However, for me, all these creations are even more beautiful with the addition of light; the glow of the mountains at sunrise or sunset; light from the moon and stars that illuminate an otherwise dark sky, light breaking through the clouds after a storm is some of the most dramatic light, the light that shines through the droplets of water creating a rainbow lifts my spirit. Where there is light, there is life and hope.
In contrast, the absence of light is darkness. Darkness feels lonely and cold. When I was a little boy, I was afraid of the dark. Fears and doubts seemed to overwhelm me in the darkness. Where there is light, doubt and fears are dispelled. I found that my eyes were always searching for a source of light, however small. That small glimmer of light could be coming from a night-light, a closet light, or a crack under the door.
My brothers and sisters this is true with spiritual light as well. President Henry B. Eyring has stated, "You make choices every day and almost every hour that keep you walking in the light or moving away toward darkness."[7] When we turn away from the light by the daily decisions that we make, we soon are surround by the mists of darkness. We can stumble, become lost, discouraged and disoriented. Always remember, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that light is Christ.
In these times of darkness, perhaps we are like the apostle Thomas who asked the question, "How can we know the way?" The Savior answered Thomas' question by stating, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."[8]
How can we obtain this light?
Once we understand that the light we are talking about is Jesus Christ, we should seek to obtain His light. How do we do this?
Earlier this year Sister Cheryl A. Esplin spoke to the students at BYU. She stated, "The search for knowledge, light, and truth is one of the reasons we are on earth. It is a lifelong pursuit that requires great effort and diligence on our part, whether by study or by faith."[9] We are at this university, as part of our lifelong search for knowledge, light, and truth. It is a wonderful blessing to be at a university where both temporal knowledge and spiritual light and truth are taught as one. Where we can teach that the best way to protect our computers and networks is a layered approach and then compare it to the way that Captain Moroni prepared his people for war. We can teach that computer security having passwords, firewalls, and virus protection are very similar to digging ditches, building breastworks of timbers, and building towers. A layered defensive approach can also be applied to protecting ourselves from Satan's influences. By having our daily prayers, reading our scriptures and serving others, we can keep that light bright and diminish the powers of darkness.
What a great blessing it is to be at a university where we begin classes with prayer, inviting the Holy Ghost to aid in our teaching and learning. It is that gift of the Holy Ghost, when conferred upon us and righteously received, that enables us to receive light and truth so that we can comprehend all things.
"And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things."
We all have learned that, "The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth."[10] To gain intelligence or the glory of God, we must be diligent to God's commandments and the covenants we have made with Him. The light and truth, which God possesses, is only gained by hard work. What are those habits, which, if consistently adhered to, will lead us to obtain light and truth?
There are many good habits, which when practiced, will enable us to become receptors of light and truth. We refer so some of them as "the Sunday School answers". The Sunday School answers are easy to give but giving them will not result in the desired outcome. It is in the daily practice of the Sunday School answers that light is obtained. May I suggest to you a few daily habits, which are worthy, of our best efforts:
- Keep the commandments faithfully.
- Feast in the scriptures daily.
- Improve your daily prayers by expressing gratitude.
- Bear your testimony of the Son of God as the Savior of the world.
- Lift and Serve others.
Several things will happen when you make these a part of your daily practices. You will soon recognize, "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."[11]
As we receive God's light and continue to practice these small daily tasks, we will receive more light until our body is filled with light and we comprehend all things. However, if we do not study, keep the commandments and diligently seek to know truth, this light will cease.
In addition to the daily habits I have suggested, Elder S. Gifford Nielsen suggests listening to good music as a way to obtain light.
"Uplifting music can overcome darkness. One-third of our hymns directly reference light, and most of them allude to it in some way. We can become enlightened by listening to inspired music and memorizing sacred words. President David O. McKay (1873-1970) taught, 'Music is truly the universal language, and when it is excellently expressed how deeply it moves our souls!'"[12]
I was truly taught this principle in February of this year while I was visiting my wife's parents. My mother-in-law is in the later stages of Alzheimer's disease. I read from my journal, "I am sitting in sacrament meeting, in mom and dad's ward in Salt Lake City. The ward choir is singing a hymn, 'Now Let Us Rejoice.' Mom is sitting next to me in the congregation. She is quietly singing along with the choir. I am amazed that even as mom struggles to remember her own children, she still remembers the music and every word of the hymns. I am touched by the Spirit and realize the importance for all of us to learn and sing the hymns of the church. The sacred music that we sing as we worship speaks to more than our mind, it speaks to our spirit."
In the hymns, there are many examples of the Savior's light, as it uplifts us both spiritually and physically. In 1833, an Englishman by the name of John Henry Newman traveling to England booked passage on a small boat. "Not long after the ship set sail, thick fog descended and obscured the hazardous cliffs surrounding them. Trapped for a week in the damp, gray darkness, the ship unable to travel forward or back, Newman pled for his Savior's help as he penned the words we now know as the hymn "Lead, Kindly Light."[13]
"Lead, kindly Light, amid th'encircling gloom; ...
"The night is dark, and I am far from home; ...
"Keep thou my feet; ...
"one step enough for me...
"Lead thou me on!"[14]
This hymn illustrates that even if our trials and challenges cause us to lose our way, we can look to Christ and He will be our light in times of darkness.
After first obtaining light, how do we then let our light shine so others can see it?
All of us have experienced, or are now experiencing, struggles in our life or perhaps in the lives of family members or close friends. Many of these we quietly deal with. These struggles are real and many of them are in dark and scary places. We need to know where to find light and how to use that light to help others and ourselves.
To illustrate this I would like to tell you of a struggle one family, who is dear to me, has experienced. This family has chosen to seek the light rather than let the darkness and evil of the world overcome their hearts.
Eric a senior at the local high school loved music. He played the piano, guitar and the cello. His home was often filled with the sound of him playing one of these instruments. He gave of himself to others with kind words and helping hands. He shared the talents and light that he had with everyone. Every day when he came home and before he went to bed, he would tell his mother he loved her. One spring day, Eric and his sister came home from school for lunch and interrupted a burglary in progress. Eric was shot and killed.
When the family was finally able to return to their home after this tragic event, some of the family members were reluctant to use the room where his death had occurred. Eric's mother told the family, "We can either think of this as the spot where Eric was shot, or we can think of this as holy ground, and we are going to think of it as holy ground."
Since that day, the family has remembered the lives Eric saved through his organ donation. They have celebrated Eric's love of music by awarding an annual music scholarship at his former high school. This past month over fifty family members and friends just finished participating in the 19th Annual Victory Over Violence Walk/Run with all proceeds being given to anti-violence programs in the community.
I quote from an address given by Eric's mother in Sacrament meeting on Easter 2013:
"Three years ago I stood at this podium and spoke to the ward. As I was speaking, I remember looking over and seeing my son Eric and his father sitting at the sacrament table. For some reason, that really touched me. In fact, I believe it was the only time they blessed the sacrament together. I remember thinking how lucky I was to be part of such a wonderful family. The following day, my daughter and Eric went home for lunch. Intruders were in our home. Luckily, my daughter escaped, but Eric did not."
This good mother continued by quoting from her favorite hymn, "I Know That My Redeemer Lives."
"'He lives to silence all my fears.
'He lives to wipe away my tears.
'He lives to calm my troubled heart.
'He lives all blessings to impart.'[15]
"In my hour of deepest sorrow, I found peace from the words of the angel that first Easter morning: 'He is not here: for he is risen.'[16] Without this knowledge of the resurrection and without the knowledge that we can be reunited in the next life, I could not have born the loss.
"I know that my Redeemer lives. As President Monson said, 'This is the knowledge that sustains. This is the truth that comforts. This is the assurance that guides those who are bowed down with grief—out of the shadows and into the light.'"[17] For me this family has exemplified how our light can shine before men. Sister Cheryl A. Esplin further explains,
"...we will have to do our best to hold on to whatever light and truth we currently have, especially in difficult circumstances. The answers to our prayers may not come dramatically, but we must find quiet moments to seek greater light and truth. And when we receive it, it is our responsibility to live it, to share it, and to defend it."[18]
When I was a freshman here at Ricks College, we had an activity the first week of classes called "Hello and Smile" week. We would walk across campus, we would smile and say "Hello" as we passed each other. Okay, maybe we did not say hello to everyone, but we tried to smile as we passed each other. I know it sounds corny. It was just a smile, but what a light it radiated across campus. "Verily I say unto you all: Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations;"[19]
Many times during my youth, my family would drive from New Jersey to Connecticut to visit my grandparents. As part of our trip, we would often visit my father's alma mater, Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.
On one of these visits to Yale, my father and I were talking about the Yale seal. I asked him to explain the meaning of the inscription. My Dad explained that Lux Et Veritas was Latin for "light and truth," and that this phrase was a goal of higher education—to enlighten our minds with knowledge.
I then asked my father what the Hebrew symbols meant. He said he did not know. I jokingly said, "What? You don't know!" I thought to myself, "My dad knows everything." I then asked, "You have a degree from this school and you don't know what the school seal means?" I guess he missed the foundation class lecture that explained the meaning of the seal.
In the years that have passed since that conversation with my father, I have often wondered what that Hebrew inscription meant. A few years ago, while reading an article I discovered their meaning. Imagine my excitement at solving one of the mysteries of my youth. Now try to imagine my excitement when I learned that the translation of the Hebrew text means Urim and Thummim!
Wait a minute! What is the connection between the Yale seal and the item that the Prophet Joseph Smith used to translate the Book of Mormon? In order to answer this question, I did what any good Latter-day Saint would do. I turned to the Bible Dictionary.
The Bible Dictionary, states that Urim and Thummim is Hebrew for "lights and perfections." It also explains that it is an instrument prepared of God to assist man in obtaining revelation from the Lord. In other words, the Hebrew translation of Urim and Thummim gives us the very purpose for which God intended the instrument to be used, that of obtaining revelation from Him—or light and truth.
Shortly after I started teaching at BYU-Idaho, I was struck with the thought, "If any university should have a motto of light and truth it should be BYU-Idaho." The Lord has blessed us with so very much at this university. To honor our Father in Heaven and his son Jesus Christ, we should strive to walk daily in the light. We should diligently learn all that we can. We should use the light and truth we obtain while at this university to help and lift others, whether it be through a kind word or just a smile. We should invite all to come unto Christ. We should be the beacon set on a hill.
In his book, Standing for Something, President Gordon B. Hinckley has expressed these ideas in this way. "We need another dimension in our lives, a compelling need and drive within each of us to feel that somehow, somewhere we have made a difference—that our lives have mattered.
"It is not enough just to be good. We must be good for something. We must contribute good to the world. The world must be a better place for our presence. And the good that is in us must be spread to others."[20] Just as the BYU students in Jerusalem referred to by President Faust, we too have a responsibility to take the light that the Lord has blessed us with and share it with others. "It is our responsibility to live it, to share it and to defend it."
Brothers and sisters, it is my prayer that each of us may strive to "Let [our] light so shine before men, that they may see [our] good works, and glorify [our] Father in heaven."[21] In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes
[1] Doctrine and Covenants 88:11
[2] Doctrine and Covenants 93:2
[3] Doctrine and Covenants 84:46
[4] James E. Faust, "The Light in Their Eyes," Ensign, November 2005
[5] Craig C. Christensen, "Becoming Children of Light," Ensign, August 2014, From a devotional address, "Children of the Light," given at Brigham Young University-Idaho on March 19, 2013
[6] Bible Dictionary
[7] Henry B. Eyring, "Walk in the Light," Ensign, May 2008
[8] John 14:6
[9] Cheryl A. Esplin, "The Abundant Life," February 10, 2105
[10] Doctrine and Covenants 93:36
[11] Doctrine and Covenants 50:24
[12] S. Gifford Nielsen, "Put On the Armour of Light," March 2015
[13] Virginia U. Jensen, "Lead Kindly Light," Liahona, January 2001
[14] "Lead, Kindly Light," Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 97
[15] "I Know That My Redeemer Lives," Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 136
[16] Matthew 28:6
[17] "Now Is the Time," Thomas S Monson, General Conference, October 2001
[18] "Filling Our Homes with Light and Truth," Cheryl A. Esplin, General Conference, April 2015
[19] Doctrine and Covenants 115:5
[20] Gordon B Hinckley, Standing for Something, p.58. 2000
[21] Matthew 5:16