More on the Subject of Light

When I was getting up this morning, shortly after dawn, I couldn't help noticing how beautiful the sunlight was. Light, especially sunlight, is often used as a symbol of God, or of His influence, His love, and His guidance. In April 2011, Elder David A. Bednar gave a General Conference talk relating sunlight and other forms of light to revelation. Revelation guides us and inspires us, showing us the path our Heavenly Father wants us to take. Sometimes, revelation comes suddenly and brilliantly, just when we ask for it, like the light that shines as soon as we hit the light switch. Other times, and far more frequently, Elder Bednar adds, revelation comes slowly and gradually. Like a sunrise on a cloudy morning, most revelation comes so seamlessly that we may not even know the exact moment the revelation came. Yet, before too long, we have enough light to find our way, even if we can't see the source of that light through the clouds.

Some people find it hard to accept that they need heaven's light to guide them. Some people, like me, would like to be able to find their own way, without guidance, and to be able to accomplish their goals without help. Only those who have tried things that way know just how difficult it is to follow an unlit path.

In another talk, this one given by Sister Virginia U. Jensen in October 2000, Sister Jensen said, "There are all kinds of darkness in this world: darkness that comes from sin; darkness that comes from discouragement, disappointment, and despair; darkness that comes from loneliness and feelings of inadequacy." In essence, all of us are subject to one or more types of darkness almost our entire lives. The trick is to repel the darkness with the Light of Christ, for "the light of Jesus Christ is stronger than any darkness we face in this life, if we have faith in Him, seek after Him, and obey Him."

Sister Jensen also said that even "amidst encircling gloom, amidst the darkest possible circumstances, it is possible to feel hope, peace, and comfort—all because of the light which is stronger than all darkness, the light of Jesus Christ."

However, she also offered us this wise warning: "Christ’s light and the gospel message of light and salvation can be darkened in our own lives only by our disobedience and lack of faith. In like manner the Savior’s light increases in our lives as we keep the commandments and strive continually to be like Him. For '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.' ” See Doctrine and Covenants 50: 24.

Therefore, it's up to us to gain and maintain Christ's light in our lives. As long as we're keeping God's commandments, or at least striving to do so, the light that he sends to guide us will grow brighter and brighter, filling our hearts with comfort and hope.

I love this doctrine. It's hard to accept, sometimes, that we desperately need God's help, and that we must keep the commandments to fully get it, but it's an essential lesson to learn. And once we learn this lesson, we learn how we can get God's help to overcome the trials in our lives. I consider it a blessing to have inspired teachers like David A. Bednar and Virginia U. Jensen to tell us how we can follow the paths of light, and what a blessing that light can be in our lives.