Christ is the Light of the World

 Talk given Feb 12,2023

Harvest Park Ward

There are many names by which our Savior is known.  Each of those names denotes something special and divine about Him.  We can learn much by studying the names of Christ.  The name I want to discuss today is “Light of the World”.  Some of the earliest things we know about Jesus Christ have to do with light.  From the Book of Moses we read about the creation of the earth.  The Lord said;

Moses 2

3 And I, God, said: Let there be light; and there was light.

4 And I, God, saw the light; and that light was good. And I, God, divided the light from the darkness.

In the Doctrine and Covenants we learn more about Christ and Light.

D&C 88

6 [Jesus Christ] 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;

7 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.

8 As also he is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made;

9 As also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which they were made;

10 And the earth also, and the power thereof, even the earth upon which you stand.

11 And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings;

12 Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space—

13 The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed

Jesus Christ is quite literally the Light of the World and this light is the law by which all things are governed.  Sometimes we call this truth the Light of Truth or the Spirit of Christ or the Light of Christ.

D&C 93:2 says, “I am the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world”

The light of Christ is different from the Holy Ghost.  The light of Christ is upon every person born into this world.  Sometimes we call this our conscience.  We know of eternal truths because of our Savior Jesus Christ.  We can be blessed by the light throughout our lives.  Elder David A Bednar said, “Jesus Christ is the light that dispels fear, provides assurance and direction, and engenders enduring peace and joy.”

There is a lot in that short sentence.  Jesus Christ is the light that dispels fear.  We are told numerous times in the scriptures to fear not.  2 Timothy 1:7 says For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Fear is something that we all experience.  We are promised that Jesus Christ is the light that dispels fear.  If we are trying to follow Jesus Christ why do we still feel fear?  How is this true?  I think that fear is much like many of the negative emotions that we feel.  Besides fear, we feel anxiety, doubt, contention, anger, sadness, insecurity, and so much more.  It is natural that in our life full of trials and tribulations that we will feel these things.  It does not mean that we don’t have the Light of Christ in our lives.  But having the Light of Christ enables us to have the faith that through Jesus Christ we can overcome all these obstacles.  And the more faith we develop, the more obstacles we will be able to overcome.

I am reminded of a story my grandfather used to tell about when he was on a mission in Australia.  Way back before the Great Depression my grandfather Stevens went to Australia to serve a mission.  Back then they often traveled alone and didn’t have companions.  One day he felt very prompted to take a train to a distant city to work for the day.  He looked in his pocket and he only had enough money to buy a ticket to get to the city but not enough for the return trip.  I can imagine his fear and uncertainty.  He was a farm boy from a small town in Northern Wyoming.  He was all alone in a foreign country.  He had no idea how he would get back if he went to that city but he had a strong impression to do so.  Summoning his faith in Jesus Christ he bought the ticket and traveled to that city.  After proselytizing all day long he had not had any apparent success.  He could see no reason why he had been prompted to travel to this city.  Now did he not only doubt his ability to receive revelation, he was stuck in the city with no way home.  As he was wandering the street pondering on these things and seeking guidance he found a small handkerchief lying on the sidewalk.  When he picked it up he found folded up in the handkerchief exactly the amount of money he needed to buy a train ticket back home.  He shared with his family that he believes that he was prompted that day to go to that city, not for anyone in the city, but for himself so that he could see how our Savior is mindful of us, will help us overcome our doubts and fears, and will provide for us.

I have learned that in order to have the Light of Christ bless our lives we have to allow it.  Often that requires taking a step into the unknown with the faith that the Lord will help us overcome those things.  I have seen people in the church who want God to dispel their fears before they move on.  While this would be nice, it doesn’t work that way.  We have to move on and then He will dispel our fears.  I see a great example of this in our young missionaries.  Most of them have some fear in their eyes as they embark on their mission.  You have several young people from your ward who are now serving or will very shortly be serving as full-time missionaries.  It is a bold step to commit to the service, but having committed to it and taking that step they all have seen the hand of the Lord in preparing the way for them and helping them in ways they had not imagined.  I hope it is a lesson they will carry with them throughout their lives and one that I hope we can learn or remember from younger days.  With faith in Jesus Christ, take a step into the unknown, His light will illuminate our way and dispel the fears and uncertainties of our path.

Maybe……I had an assignment this week that I was a little nervous about

Extend a calling and it didn’t work out like I planned…..

Maybe……Jesus Christ is the light that

Engenders enduring peace and joy.  We talked in ward conference of joy..