Light

This week there are so many great things in the 3 Nephi 12-17 scripture block that are share worthy. I want to reflect on 3 Nephi 12:14-16. 

Jesus says:

14- Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the light of this people. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.

15- Behold, do men light a candle and put it under a bushel? Nay, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house;

16- Therefore let your light so shine before this people that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Jesus said something very similar in Matthew 5:16

How many of you have heard the song "This Little Light of Mine"?

In the version below they don't sing the second verse, which by the way was my all time favorite as a little child... "Hide it under a bushel, Oh No! I'm going to let it shine". 

It's interesting how songs can get stuck in our heads and help us remember what it is we are supposed to be doing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBcP4x_RcAU

What is this "light" that is being referred to? I found a definition that I think sums it up pretty well for me at this point in my life. We are to be:

An illuminating agent or source, as the sun, a lamp, or a beacon.  Light: Dictionary.com

My summary of what I think it means to be a light to the people is that we are responsible to be a source for goodness to the world. We are to be examples that are in the world, but not of  the world. Holding fast to the teachings of our Savior, Jesus Christ; and then living and sharing those teachings.

So how do we let our light shine?  I believe that by acting on the things the Savior shares in the following video, we will stand out to the world, showing that we glorify the Father. This video clip is known as, The Sermon on the Mount: The Beatitudes.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTO7-Jarl-E

I also believe that in order for people to see our light, that we need to be about the Father's business by serving others, and as I said earlier by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It does no good to hide it under a bushel. 

I came across the following quote from Adrian Ochoa, Ensign, September 2012, entitled "Ye Are the Light of the World".

Under the section The Savior: Concentrating on Others, he says:

"And finally, the Savior, who is our example in all things, taught me not to worry so much about myself but to concentrate on the salvation of others. His entire life was about others. Sometimes in considering sharing the gospel with those of other faiths, we are afraid of what they will think of us or how they will respond. . .  He [Jesus Christ] taught His followers to "seek...first the kingdom of God," and "all these things" would be added to them. (Matthew 6:33)

The same is true for us. As we seek to follow and reflect the Light of the World, blessings will come to the world and ultimately to us as individuals. May we all seek not to hide that light but to bring it forward throughout our lives."

I hope that I can be light for the Savior in showing  people that there is joy in following His example and living His gospel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtsuwtP3d2Y

Thanks for taking some time to reflect with me. I'd love to hear how you let your light shine. 

Remember Him

One of my favorite spots.  Wormley Creek, Yorktown, VA

For the last few weeks, I have been through a lot of personal trials. It seemed to me that there was an unfair portion of things being dumped on our family, and I couldn't really figure out why. I'm a questioner, a truth seeker, a need to know"er". This week for my religion class we studied Helaman 10-16. One of the first things that really made me stop in my tracks was the following passage of scripture:

Helaman 12:3 And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him.

Now while my recent trials have not involved death, famine, and pestilence, they did involve some afflictions and a little bit of terror. When I read the above passage, I have to honestly say it made me a little upset and I found myself becoming prideful to think that God needed to chasten me, so that I would remember Him. 

The truth is this- when things are going well in my life, I do tend to "not" remember Him as much. So, this did cause me to do some pondering and questioning of myself. Why do I forget God when things are going well? I think it's this- while I may go through the motions of doing the "right" things most of the time, my will is not necessarily always aligned with His will.

In order for me to truly remember Him, I have to turn my will over to Him, seek forgiveness, and let go of my pride; I need to realize I'm not the one that's in control; and I need to ask Him for help, guidance, forgiveness, and the ability to let go of any number of other things. I also need to be humble, teachable, and grateful in my circumstances. I don't know about you, but for me, that last one, being grateful in my circumstances, can be really difficult at times. I also know from my own personal experience that as trials are heaped on me, I turn to my Heavenly Father more earnestly as I'm pleading for help to deal with, accept, and/or overcome afflictions. I truly do remember Him more when I am suffering...

That being said, I know that trials come to everyone and that not every bad thing that happens in our lives is because God is chastening us. Sometimes bad things happen to good people. We are here to be tested and tried and to hopefully turn to our Savior Jesus Christ and allow His atonement to work in our lives so that we can go back to our Father in Heaven. Not just to be in His presence, but to dwell with Him and our Savior again.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coef8G5ax6E

Samuel the Lamanite had this to say:

Helaman 13:11- But if ye will repent and return unto the Lord your God I will turn away mine anger, saith the Lord; yea, thus saith the Lord, blessed are they who will repent and turn unto me, but wo unto him that repenteth not.

The Lord our God wants us to choose Him so that He can bless us with all of the things He has promised us. I am so grateful to know that while He chastens us at times, that He loves us and wants to bless us if only we will repent and return to Him. If life seems overwhelming or too difficult, no worries. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, has our back. He loves us. He sacrificed His life for us. He atoned for us. All we need to do is turn to Him. He is there, waiting for us to seek Him out in the storms of life. He wants to help us overcome whatever is ailing us. Because of Him our lives and hearts can be changed forever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S3TI4bYerU

Thanks for spending some time with me. I love hearing from you, and would love to know what you do to draw closer to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ during difficult times.