Truth Shines!

I wasn't really afraid of the dark when I was a child. But I had, maybe, a little too much imagination, and sometimes I would wake up in the middle of the night and see shapes and silhouettes that looked menacing to me. I could convince myself logically that there was no crooked-backed man standing at the foot of my bed, or no misshapen monster in the corner of the room. But I usually had to get out of bed and turn on the light to see that I had thrown my clothes on the vacuum cleaner, or left a sloppy pile of books on my little desk.

Now, some forty years later, I really am afraid of the dark. My cancer and its treatment have left me with very poor vision, and I need more light to see than most people do. Because I also have a problem with balance, standing in a dark place is terrifying to me. I get disoriented, and at great risk of losing my way or falling.

Because of these problems, my clever and caring husband bought several portable motion-activated lights. Now I can step into the darkness, knowing that the little light will turn on. And if need to, I can carry the light with me to get safely to my destination.

 But even for those with good vision and balance, light is an important commodity – and it always has been.

Without sunlight, no plants could grow. No animals could survive without plants. And that means we couldn't live. Even while the sun is doing its job well (as it almost always does) it could be difficult and even dangerous to do things in the darker hours. So, over many years, we've used candles, kerosene lamps, and electric lights to light our homes and our work.

We know that the first words of God recorded in the Old Testament are about light:

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. 

And He has been sending light ever since.

O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. (Psalms 43:3)

For the Restored Church of Jesus Christ, the dispensation opened with light:

"I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me."

That Light cleared away the darkness and the malicious feeling of evil that Joseph Smith had felt moments before.

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It is important that we understand the significance to each of us when Jesus taught “believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.” We must have faith and know that we are children of light and that through faith in Jesus, our Savior, and obedience to his commandments we may have his Spirit, his light, to be with us to guide us always. If we are to be children of light, we must walk in the light and, with our agency, choose the right. Yes, walk in the light and shun darkness; we must choose the right and defend the right when the choice is placed before us. (Robert D. Hales, Nov. 3, 1996)

When Jesus Christ came to earth to fulfill his mission as our Savior and Redeemer, the heavens gave great light.

 

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:6 - 7)

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:8 - 11)

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. (Matthew 2:10)

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This was the Greatest Event of Light – the Light of the World had come to save us all. And we, in song and scripture, still celebrate His Light.

"Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth."

The day dawn is breaking, the world is awaking,

The clouds of night's darkness are fleeing away.

While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. (John 12:36)

Teach me to walk in the light of His love . . .

And again, verily I say unto you, and I say it that you may know the truth, that you may chase darkness from among you. (D&C 50:24–25)

Let the Holy Spirit guide;
Let him teach us what is true.
He will testify of Christ,
Light our minds with heaven’s view. 

 "How can anyone read this touching story of the birth of Jesus Christ without wishing to forsake his sins? Have we permitted it to permeate and influence our lives? Have we accepted it in its full meaning without reservations? Do we believe that this babe was in very deed the only begotten Son of God in the flesh? Do we have abiding faith in his mission and are we willing to obediently follow him?"  (Joseph Fielding Smith)

One of my favorite scriptures – one that always gives my heart a little lift – is in D&C Section 88:

He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth; Which truth shineth.

This is the light of Christ.  As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made. 

Truth Shines! Truth is light that dispels darkness. The light that helps us see truth during difficult trials. It gives a path to follow leads us to eternal live and everlasting joy.

The word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ (D&C 84:45).

    

Maybe remembering this will help us step out of our "comfort zones" even if it seems dark and scary – knowing that the light will come. We can, in our own small way, divide the light from the darkness in our lives.


And when we do that, we can share His light.

 

 

 

  

 

 

“Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the life and the light of the world.” 

He lives and while He lives I'll sing – He lives my Prophet, Priest, and King!

If you have a an extra three or four minutes to spare, I highly recommend watching this choir sing their touching song. This isn't the most professional choir you'll ever see, and not the best-looking, either, but I love their beautiful message of following the Lord's light and being willing to follow His call to share it.

https://youtu.be/gcL9S5a3weU