I have always really enjoyed sunshine and the warmth that it brings. I guess it's apropos that I served my mission in the Sunshine State. :-) Contrarily I have never liked the darkness and cold that comes with it. I think that's just human nature --we are all born with The Light of Christ and are hardwired to seek light.
It has been scientifically proven that light elevates mood in people. There is a medical condition called SAD -- seasonal affective disorder. This is when people's moods are depressed because of lack of sunlight generally due to shorter days during winter. The treatment? Light therapy. I believe the theory is that it is the light absorbed through the eyes that affects mood, not through the skin.
Light also has been used -- and I believe it is still being used to treat certain types of cancer.
And let's not forget exposure to sunshine producing vitamin D through absorption of sunlight in the skin.
Light is the source of energy that sustains life on earth.
So it's not much of a stretch to see the correlation between the Savior and light. There are multiple places in the Scriptures which state that Jesus is the light of the world. Here's just one:
"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." --John 8:12
Speaking about light absorbed through your eyes elevating your mood-- it's not hard to see the correlation between the light in your eyes -- in other words the brightness or sparkle that others can see when they look into your eyes -- and your level of conversion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and obedience to His commandments.
"And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?" -- Alma 5:14
To quote a popular song by Janice Kapp Perry:
Have you received His image in your countenance?
Does the Light of Christ Shine in your eyes?
Will he know you when He comes again because you will be like Him,
When he sees you will the Father know His child?
We seek for light and learning as followers of Christ
That all may see His goodness reflected in our lives.
When we receive His fullness and lose desire for sin
We radiate His perfect love, A beauty from within.
The ways of man may tempt us and some will be deceived,
Prefering worldly beauty, Forgetting truth received,
But whisprings of the Spirit remind us once again
That lasting beauty, pure and clear must come from deep within.
I was only going to quote the chorus but the other two verses were pertinent so I included them.
Anyone who has ever watched a football game on TV has seen this sign in the audience "John 3:16". You probably know that Scripture and can quote it. But have you ever read the verses that follow?
John 3:16-21
"16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."
Have you ever noticed that places of ill repute or anywhere people go to commit sin or do things contrary to the will of God are always dark establishments? I personally am uncomfortable in those kinds of dark dingy often smoke filled places such as casinos or bars, etc.. But as the Scripture states above, men -- meaning people in general -- whose deeds are evil -- meaning those who sin and do things contrary to God's commandments -- love darkness rather than light.
I really think that's a good way to measure your level of conversion/spirituality/dedication to the Lord and His gospel -- where are you most comfortable? Are you more comfortable in darkness or light?
Along the same lines, I was watching the priesthood session of General conference (April 2014) yesterday and in President Monson's talk he quoted the father of the popular basketball star, Jabari Parker. Jabari's father is not a member of the Church but gave his son some wonderful advice. I will paraphrase. "Are you the same person in the dark as you are in the light?" Or maybe it was "be the same person in the dark as you are the light" something to that effect.
Are we the same person in the dark as we are in the light? In other words, does our behavior change depending on who we are with or where we are? Are we like the young man in President Monson's talk who gave a spiritually uplifting talk in church one Sunday and later that evening was seen walking down the street smoking a cigarette?
I hope we all strive to be as Job who said, "till I die I will not remove my integrity from me". I hope we are not hypocrites like the young man who portrays himself as an upstanding member of the church who preaches the Gospel to people over the pulpit and then goes against everything he has just taught hours later.
The following Scripture really struck a chord with me. I know it's long and I was going to only include a couple verses but I think it flows better to read the entire excerpt. These are the writings of the apostle Paul speaking to the people of Thessalonica.
1 Thessalonians 5:2-23
"2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake.And be at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly,comfort the feeble minded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
I think that is beautifully written. It is full of hope and good counsel. The apostle Paul tells us in the above scripture that we are all the children of light. I like that he clarifies that we are all the children of light. My interpretation of that is that we are all given the light of Christ when we are born. We all naturally gravitate towards light. But it's also very easy to let Satan pull us away from the light towards the darkness. That's what Paul is warning us of in the above scripture. It takes work to stay on the straight and narrow path. It's easy to get lost in the mists of darkness if we let go of the iron rod. But if we do falter, As we all do at times, let's remember that there is a way back. It may not be an easy road-- in fact it may be very difficult--but through our Savior's atonement, repentance is possible. We are all children of light.
Anyway that's what I got out of the scripture in Thessalonians.
well, this has taken me three days to write and so I hope it's not too disjointed. I really just wanted to write this to tell you my favorite article in the Ensign this month -- and I got a little carried away :-).
As evidenced by my overly tanned arms and face -- I really enjoy being out in the sunshine. I love the warmth I feel on my face and it really does elevate my mood. Similar to the happiness I feel when I am trying hard to follow the Lord's commandments and live the gospel to the best of my ability.
That's my two cents.
I really think that's a good way to measure your level of conversion/spirituality/dedication to the Lord and His gospel -- where are you most comfortable? Are you more comfortable in darkness or light?
Along the same lines, I was watching the priesthood session of General conference (April 2014) yesterday and in President Monson's talk he quoted the father of the popular basketball star, Jabari Parker. Jabari's father is not a member of the Church but gave his son some wonderful advice. I will paraphrase. "Are you the same person in the dark as you are in the light?" Or maybe it was "be the same person in the dark as you are the light" something to that effect.
Are we the same person in the dark as we are in the light? In other words, does our behavior change depending on who we are with or where we are? Are we like the young man in President Monson's talk who gave a spiritually uplifting talk in church one Sunday and later that evening was seen walking down the street smoking a cigarette?
I hope we all strive to be as Job who said, "till I die I will not remove my integrity from me". I hope we are not hypocrites like the young man who portrays himself as an upstanding member of the church who preaches the Gospel to people over the pulpit and then goes against everything he has just taught hours later.
The following Scripture really struck a chord with me. I know it's long and I was going to only include a couple verses but I think it flows better to read the entire excerpt. These are the writings of the apostle Paul speaking to the people of Thessalonica.
1 Thessalonians 5:2-23
"2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake.And be at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly,comfort the feeble minded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
I think that is beautifully written. It is full of hope and good counsel. The apostle Paul tells us in the above scripture that we are all the children of light. I like that he clarifies that we are all the children of light. My interpretation of that is that we are all given the light of Christ when we are born. We all naturally gravitate towards light. But it's also very easy to let Satan pull us away from the light towards the darkness. That's what Paul is warning us of in the above scripture. It takes work to stay on the straight and narrow path. It's easy to get lost in the mists of darkness if we let go of the iron rod. But if we do falter, As we all do at times, let's remember that there is a way back. It may not be an easy road-- in fact it may be very difficult--but through our Savior's atonement, repentance is possible. We are all children of light.
Anyway that's what I got out of the scripture in Thessalonians.
well, this has taken me three days to write and so I hope it's not too disjointed. I really just wanted to write this to tell you my favorite article in the Ensign this month -- and I got a little carried away :-).
As evidenced by my overly tanned arms and face -- I really enjoy being out in the sunshine. I love the warmth I feel on my face and it really does elevate my mood. Similar to the happiness I feel when I am trying hard to follow the Lord's commandments and live the gospel to the best of my ability.
That's my two cents.
Awesome post Tam.
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