Let Your Light So Shine

What is the point of staying positive through all our hardships and trials? Can't we just let ourselves get angry, frustrated, sad, and just overall "have a tough time?" Sure, we can, and by virtue of the Fall, we all do experience negative emotions. We all experience darkness in our lives, but it's not because we let it in, but that we let our light shine dimmer than before. That is when we begin to experience despair. We experience it as we are exposed to the reality of the effects of the Fall, our carnal and imperfect state.

We become acquainted with what the natural world has to offer, and are prone to acquaint ourselves more with its offerings as we fall into a pattern of placating pain and anxieties in the manner that takes the least effort out of our self. But what happens when we buck the trend, and morph into something that goes beyond the expectations of the natural world? What happens when we pain ourselves in the right way, going against the grain of the natural world?

This action, in my mind, is the very pursuit of light, and its result is that we absorb and then emanate the true light which we find. Christ said,

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

...But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. (Matthew 5: 14-16; Luke 22:32)

So how do we go about doing this? How do we go from the active pursuit of light and truth to the active conveying of that which is good? In my mind, it is simple. It comes in not pursuing in secret, i.e., not holding in the great things we find as we search the Gospel. This can come in the form of Gospel conversations, the bearing of testimony, reading the scriptures with someone else, or just being open and honest in all things, including our faith. Quentin L. Cook said in our last General Conference the following:

The moral foundation of our doctrine can be a beacon light to the world and can be a unifying force for both morality and faith in Jesus Christ. We need to protect our families and be at the forefront together with all people of goodwill in doing everything we can to preserve light, hope, and morality in our communities.

If we both live and proclaim these principles, we will be following Jesus Christ, who is the true Light of the World. We can be a force for righteousness in preparing for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We look forward to that beautiful day when “free hearts will sing when the lights go on again all over the world.”

Have a great week!