When the Bible declares that our God is light, and evil is darkness, I believe that as well as being a convenient symbolic equation, the authors intended their words to be taken quite literally. In a latter-day scriptural record, it states that, "[Jesus Christ's] eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying,
"I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father." - Doctrine and Covenants 110:3
Light is associated inextricably with life; when the days lengthen, the earth warms and brings forth new growth. Spiritual light has been associated with intelligence, truth, power, and divinity. Christ has declared that he is the Life and the Light of the world; he is the creator whose word brought our mortal sun into existence, and his truths enlighten the minds of men and women who dare to listen. The Light of Christ is able to penetrate even the deepest darkness.
As there is light, so there is certainly darkness. Physical darkness prevents or retards the growth of life, and causes those who wander in it to lose their way. Spiritual darkness is synonymous with confusion, fear, despair, and a state of being lost to the truth. Satan, who was once named Lucifer, Son of the Morning, desires to shroud every soul in thick darkness that will prevent us from seeing by the Light of Christ. His mission is to deceive and snare, and when we cannot see clearly, it is so much the easier for him to achieve his objectives.
The Light of Christ is a gift given to all, through the grace of Christ's Atonement. He, who descended into the deepest darkness of any living creature, brings light to all who will receive it. It takes faith to walk through darkness toward that light, and courage, but Christ's light can heal all broken hearts and bring lasting growth and change to those who seek it.
"Behold," our Lord has declared, "I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the same that came unto mine own, and mine own received me not. I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not."
His Atonement, wrought in the garden of Gethsemane and finished on the cross at Calvary, is the great and last sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. His resurrection from the dead three days later has ensured that every human being who has ever lived will someday have their soul and body reunited, never to separate again. Our Redeemer brings freedom to the captive, joy to the sorrowing, and light to those who live in darkness. He lives!
I testify that just as darkness and evil is real, so is the penetrating light of the Savior of the world. By it we can see more truly, know more surely, and be changed forever into new creatures, redeemed from our fallen and mortal state, sanctified and cleansed so that we may someday stand with confidence before our God, to be judged according to the light that we have sought during our mortal sojourn, and by the light we have given to others along our path. For to his disciples he has said, "Ye are the light of the world . . . let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
I pray that I may follow the path that the Lord has set out for me and that his light will illuminate my path. For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he is the Son of God.
"He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death." - Mosiah 16:9
The Light of Christ is a gift given to all, through the grace of Christ's Atonement. He, who descended into the deepest darkness of any living creature, brings light to all who will receive it. It takes faith to walk through darkness toward that light, and courage, but Christ's light can heal all broken hearts and bring lasting growth and change to those who seek it.
"Behold," our Lord has declared, "I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the same that came unto mine own, and mine own received me not. I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not."
His Atonement, wrought in the garden of Gethsemane and finished on the cross at Calvary, is the great and last sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. His resurrection from the dead three days later has ensured that every human being who has ever lived will someday have their soul and body reunited, never to separate again. Our Redeemer brings freedom to the captive, joy to the sorrowing, and light to those who live in darkness. He lives!
I testify that just as darkness and evil is real, so is the penetrating light of the Savior of the world. By it we can see more truly, know more surely, and be changed forever into new creatures, redeemed from our fallen and mortal state, sanctified and cleansed so that we may someday stand with confidence before our God, to be judged according to the light that we have sought during our mortal sojourn, and by the light we have given to others along our path. For to his disciples he has said, "Ye are the light of the world . . . let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
I pray that I may follow the path that the Lord has set out for me and that his light will illuminate my path. For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he is the Son of God.
"He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death." - Mosiah 16:9
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