Good morning, brothers and sisters. I would like to thank the students who have offered prayers, the scripture, and the music for today’s devotional. It is very humbling to be sharing a message with you today, and I pray for the Spirit to be with us that we may all learn together what I have studied and felt prompted to share.
Gospel Topics states: Every man, woman, and child are born with the Light of Christ within them. “The Light of Christ is the divine energy, power, or influence that proceeds from God through Christ, and gives life and light to all things. The Light of Christ influences people for good, and to do good which thereby prepares them to receive the Holy Ghost. Our manifestation of the Light of Christ is what we call a conscience,” [1] which enables us to judge good from evil. [2] The prophet Mormon taught:
The Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. . . .
And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged. [3]
To describe the Light of Christ, I will compare or liken it to the light of the sun. Sunlight is familiar to everyone; it is present, and it can be seen and can be felt. Life itself depends upon sunlight. The Light of Christ is like sunlight. It, too, can be seen and it can be felt and is needed for our spiritual well-being. In His perfect love for us, God grants the Light of Christ to every person to be prompted to do good continually. As we intensify our faith in Christ, we receive light in intensifying measure until it dispels all darkness that might gather around us.
A few years ago, I was given the opportunity to travel to the BYU–Hawaii campus with the Workday project, and while there, I stayed on the North Shore, right across from the ocean. Now, I am not a morning person, so I do not often watch many sunrises, but because of the time difference, I was able to view the sunrise. I left the hotel room when it was still dark and walked across the street and down a dark and winding path that led to the beach. It was so beautiful to watch the sun rise over the ocean, to feel the warmth and marvel in the change of the sky within moments of the sun lifting over the horizon. The clouds changed colors and the sand seemed to glow. I not only saw the light as it shone brightly, but I felt the light through its warm rays.
How many times in life do we feel that we are walking down a dark path waiting for light?
Or do we feel that there is no light and the darkness has surrounded us? Just as sunlight bathes the earth to renew and sustain light, you can daily brighten the light within you when you choose to follow our Savior Jesus Christ.
I want to share with you a time when I felt that the difference between feeling the light and being surrounded by darkness. Growing up, I was not raised as a member of the Church. I was a convert, baptized by the missionaries at age 10. When I met and married my first husband, Scott, he was also a baptized member but had been in active in his youth. Scott and I lived in a great ward with many friends who invited us to baseball games and ward picnics. They encouraged us to come to church and to a Gospel Doctrine class. Next, they attended a Temple Preparation class with us and were there when we chose to attend the temple to be sealed for time and all eternity. At the time we were sealed, we were expecting our son Jake, and I felt like we were on top of the world. How little did I know that less than two years later my eternal companion would die in a tragic accident. My world went dark. The accident was nine days before my son’s second birthday, and I had only been active in the Church for two years. There were many nights that I would pour out my heart to my Heavenly Father with questions and grief. I felt so alone and empty and wondered how I could do this alone. Again, those faithful friends and ward members ministered to me faithfully. I was loved, looked after, and helped to find my new normal. I learned I was never truly alone, that my Savior had been with me during those dark hours. I learned the power of prayer, the power of priesthood blessings, the power of repentance, and the power of the Atonement. I had to grow my testimony on faith, endurance, and hope. My testimony of eternal families is my light; my use of the Atonement is my light; my covenants are my enduring light through my darkest times.
I love this picture of my family. It was taken in the fall with the light shining brightly on us. Through the ups and downs of the journey I have been on so far, this is my reason to never give up and to have a perfect hope of everlasting happiness. President Russell M. Nelson said, “How you deal with life’s trials is part of the development of your faith.” [4] I know my faith has been strengthened by my trials, and while I will not say they were or are easy, I will say that my faith has grown along with my testimony.
In his 2017 April general conference address, “Brighter and Brighter until the Perfect Day,” Elder Mark A. Bragg of the Seventy said:
Paul shared a wonderful message of hope with the Corinthians: “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.”
What was the source of Paul’s hope? Listen to his explanation: “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
Even in the most difficult and darkest of times, there is light and goodness all around us. Last October, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf reminded us, “We are surrounded by such an astonishing wealth of light and truth that I wonder if we truly appreciate what we have.”
However, the adversary would rather have us focus on “mists of darkness . . . which blindeth the eyes, . . . hardeneth . . . hearts . . . and . . . leadeth . . . away.”
Nevertheless, with perfect understanding of the challenges of our day, the Lord promises, “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.”
We are children of God. Receiving light, continuing in God, and receiving more light are what we are created to do. From the very beginning, we followed the light; we followed our Heavenly Father and His plan. Seeking the light is in our spiritual DNA. [5]
Brothers and sisters, please take comfort that there is light available to us. Here are three ways we can seek and receive light. Seeking the Light is about developing our light so that we may see the way unto Christ. As we develop and focus our light, we will lead others to the Light of Christ. I’ve shared just three ways of learning from Gospel Topics.
Truth
How can we find truth? Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf said: “If you follow the Spirit, your personal search for the truth inevitably leads you to the Lord and Savior, even Jesus Christ, for He is ‘the way, the truth, and the life.’ This may not be the most convenient way, but it will be His way— the Savior’s redeeming way.” [6]
The prophet Alma said, “Whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good.” [7] But how do we actually discern light and truth? Through the gift of the Holy Ghost, we can have access to an even greater measure of light and truth. We receive this gift when we are confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The mission of the Holy Ghost is, in part, to testify of truth, a witness that often comes as a feeling of peace and reassurance. There is still much that we do not know about the nature and power of the Holy Ghost and the Light of Christ. However, we can have unshaken confidence that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of Lights.” [8]
Obey
Keep God’s commandments. In Sister Barbara McKenna’s devotional, she quoted Mosiah 2:41 which perfectly expressed my thoughts: “And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.”
For those who are struggling with questions or doubts, it is more important than ever to keep the commandments. Obedience helps us remain worthy to receive revelation and discern light and truth when the Holy Ghost speaks peace to our hearts and minds. Obedience helps us remain on safe ground while we seek for answers to our questions. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, “Please, first doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith. We must never allow doubt to hold us prisoner and keep us from the divine love, peace, and gifts that come through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.” [9]
Pray
Sincere prayer invites personal revelation. The Bible Dictionary states: “Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God but to secure for ourselves and for others, blessings that God is already willing to grant but that are made conditional on our asking for them.” [10]
Many years ago, I was struggling with moving me and my children to a new home. My stake president had called and wanted to drop off a gift basket of food to us. When he arrived at my home, he had another man with him who had wanted to meet with me. We had a lovely chat and he asked if he could leave us with a word of prayer. The prayer he offered was of peace and comfort for our difficulties and that through our faithfulness we would find joy. Later I received a letter from the man, Elder David S. Baxter of the Seventy. In the letter he said, “I know that as you continue to move forward, in faith and hope, then Heaven will move with you; there will be an abundance of blessings, particularly in relation to your children, whose achievements will be significant.” To this day, I keep that letter next to my bed to remind me that my Heavenly Father knows me and loves me. He sends earthly angels to minister in our times of need. He answers our prayers in His way, and He knows the end from the beginning in our journey in life.
In our office prayer meeting I asked the question shown on the week 1 devotional discussion board: “What are ways you can share gospel light with others?” Here are some of the great responses:
Shayna Rush shared, “One great way Elder Uchtdorf taught in general conference a few years ago is to include Christ and church in my conversations. When someone asks about my weekend, I try to remember to share that I went to church and something about church that I enjoyed.”
Peggy Gibson shared, “I think some of the ways I share the gospel light with others is to have a happy attitude, and when I feel someone is down, I remind them that they are a child of God and to remember to ask for His help.”
Becky McKnight shared, “I believe that the light of the gospel shines forth in each of us by how we live our lives. Others will see that light in us just in our everyday actions and the way we interact with others.”
Sam Bluemel shared, “One of the biggest ways we can be like Christ is never turning others away from the light. The world needs a little more love and when you share your light and love endlessly by including others you are changing the world! I get so proud when I see students on campus sharing their light by including everyone.”
Angie Martin shared, “I think sharing the gospel light can be as simple as being friendly and kind to others. Just a smile or saying hello to someone can brighten their day. If we have the gospel light within us it will show as we offer a helping hand or a kind word to those in need.”
In a general conference address, Elder Gerrit W. Gong shared, “In Him, we find cause to do good, reason to be good, and increasing capacity to become better. In Him, we discover abiding faith, liberating selflessness, caring change, and trust in God.” [11]
The Lord teaches us, “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” [12] We must act, expecting that the Lord will fulfill His promise to lift us from the darkness if we draw near unto Him. The adversary, however, will try to convince us that we have never felt the Light of Christ, and he seeks to keep us on the dark path.
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” [13] The Church is a beacon of light in a darkening world. In Elder Mark A. Bragg’s conference address, he concluded with: “May we be strengthened by the light that is available to us through greater participation at church and greater application of gospel principles in our families. May we see the Light of Christ in others constantly and help them see it in themselves.” [14] Through the light of the gospel, families can resolve misunderstandings, contentions, and challenges. Families torn by discord can be healed through repentance, forgiveness, and faith in the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Now more than ever, our families must be the sources of great light to everyone around us. The Restoration of the gospel brought light and hope to the world, breaking through clouds of darkness and confusion that existed for so many centuries. Though life is full of ups and downs and untraversed roads, the voice of the Lord can guide you.
We need not think that the Light of God is limited only to the things of the Spirit. God’s light includes physical light we see, which makes us feel warm and comfortable and allows us to see things through that light. I want to share with you a time that I lost the physical light and had to rely on patience and faith to endure that trial.
Eight years ago, I lost my eyesight in one eye because of a condition called “optic neuritis.” This caused me to go completely blind in my left eye, and it forced my right eye (which is my lazy eye from birth) to see. This was terrifying for me. I am a single mom to three kids, and I work full time in the Accounting Office. My job is paying invoices for the university, and it is important to do that job accurately. I work with numbers and spreadsheets with rows and columns of data. There is no room for error when you work with numbers! I was told by my neurologist that over time the optic nerve would heal, but there would be damage, and while my vision may return it would never be the same.
Over a period of 18 months, I did gain back about 75 percent of my vision, but I found I am also partially colorblind in that eye. I have had to learn to adjust my life to compensate for what I have lost by being careful about what situations I am in visually. Darkness in a room can be good when my eyes hurt, but hard to see tricky objects like shoes on the floor, doorjambs, or my children’s dogs when they are at my house playing. It takes the right amount of physical light for me to see my computer monitor, read a book, and drive my car. Even today while speaking in devotional I was able to work with the audio-visual and broadcast team so that I could see the words on the teleprompters. I have used the light from a physical and spiritual source to prepare this devotional, and as you can probably guess, I am a visual person who likes to see things.
In one of my favorite movies, Star Wars, there is a scene where Obi-Wan Kenobi is teaching Luke to use his lightsaber. He drops the visor over Luke’s eyes and says, “Your eyes can deceive you; don’t trust them.” [15] He was teaching him to use his power from within. Wise council indeed.
Satan knows our weaknesses. He puts attractive snares in our paths at just those moments when we are most vulnerable. His intent is to lead us from the way that returns us to our Heavenly Father. We cannot always trust what we “see” on our path in life. Sometimes we must close our physical eyes to use our spiritual eyes. As we look with our spiritual eyes, we can become more like our Savior. We can choose to see those around us with love, patience, inclusion, and acceptance. There will always be those around us who look different, are different, believe differently, and live a different lifestyle than we choose. But as we learn to live more like our Savior, we can be the light that will brighten the darkness in the world. For those who are struggling in the darkness and feel that there is no light, please know that you are never alone, that your Heavenly Father is there for you, and He will show you the way into the light. I know this is true. I testify that He is there, and He is always willing to keep His promise of eternal happiness if we choose to follow Him and His plan. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes
[1] Gospel Topics, “The Light of Christ.”
[2] Gospel Topics, “Conscience.”
[3] Moroni 7:16,18.
[4] Russell M. Nelson, “Face the Future with Faith,” Ensign, May 2011.
[5] Mark A. Bragg, “Brighter and Brighter until the Perfect Day,” Ensign, May 2017.
[6] Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “What is Truth?” BYU devotional, Jan. 13, 2013.
[7] Alma 32: 35.
[8] James 1:17.
[9] Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Come, Join with Us,” Ensign, Nov. 2013.
[10] Bible Dictionary—Prayer.
[11] Gerrit W. Gong, “Room in the Inn,” Ensign, May 2021.
[12] Doctrine and Covenants 88:63.
[13] John 8:12.
[14] Mark A. Bragg, “Brighter and Brighter until the Perfect Day,” Ensign, May 2017.
[15] George Lucas, dir. Star Wars: Episode IV—A New Hope, 20 th Century Fox, 1977.