Light

I was reading an article from the September 2004 Ensign entitled Light and Growth and I found it quite applicable to our theme of Living It.  In this article, Elder Mickelsen share a few examples of how important light is when growing crops- he says, "I was impressed with the parallel between the role of light in a plant's life and in our own lives.  Plants always grow towards the light.  A sunflower follows the sun across the sky every day until it becomes "stiff-necked"; then it withers and dies.  When a potato seed sprouts and begins to grow, a clean white stem grows upward through the earth toward the light.  A fungal disease called rhizoctonia may attack the tender stem.  If allowed to progress, the fungus destroys the stem so that the light cannot reach the root system.  Yet if the stem can reach the surface of the earth and form leaves, the light can reach the root system, and the potato plant becomes strong enough to overcome the fungal enemy."
I found it very interesting the examples that Elder Mickelsen used, describe two different ways that we can be cut off from the light of the gospel.  As we come unto Christ, we grow towards His light and receive the strength to stand tall like the sunflower.  However, if we become proud and stiff-necked we are unable to turn towards the light of the Savior and grow strong.  Likewise, if we are diligent in growing towards the light, like the potato plant, we can push past our challenges and rise above the soil of trials.  But if we allow the fungus of temptation or addictions take hold of our roots and overcome us, our growth will be stunted.
Elder Mikelsen tells us of 6 things we can do to receive the light of the Savior and grow strong.  The first is we must have FAITH in the Lord.  Each of you should read Alma 32:26-43.  This imagery of comparing faith to a seed ties in directly to Elder Mikelsen's examples of the sunflower and the potato plant.
The second thing we must do is pray.  In 3 Ne 19:25 we read, "And it came to pass that Jesus blessed them as they did pray unto him; and his countenance did smile upon them, and the light of his countenance did shine upon them..."  How many of us would like the countenance of the Savior to shine upon us?  I know I would!!! Prayer is crucial to the livelihood of our spirits.
Third, we need to repent of our sins- sin limits light.  The process of repentance is the strength we need to push through the dirt of the world and break free into the warming and encircling light that the Savior offers us.
Next, it is important to always remember the covenants we can and do make when we enter the waters of baptism.  To those who have not yet been baptized, I extend the same invitation that was offered by Alma at the waters of Mormon:
"...now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light;
Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life-
Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?" [Mosiah 18:8-10].
The covenants we make at baptism are to strengthen those around us, to help one another, to act as the Savior would, and to take His name upon us- meaning we represent Him in all that we do.  I told the Birds of Prey in one of our devotionals that taking the name of the Savior upon us is like taking the name of a company upon us.  If you worked for Taco Bell but wore a McDonald's uniform and only promoted McDonald's food, would you be a very good Taco Bell employee?  Probably not.  The same can be said for taking upon yourself the name of Christ- do you represent Him or do you represent things of the world?  Do you promote living the standards found in For The Strength of Youth or do you promote wearing short shorts, using foul language, and engaging in worldly activities?  We live our baptismal covenants by representing the Savior in all that we do.
Another way we can receive the light of the Savior in our lives is to look to our patriarchal blessings.  In 1 Peter 2:9 we read, " But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; they ye shew forth praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:"  As we obtain and read our patriarchal blessings often, we can be sure of the divine heritage we each possess and understand more fully how we can LIVE IT every day.
Lastly, Elder Mikelsen counsels us to follow the prophet.  As we follow President Monson we can be sure that we will never go astray.  The Lord has called him to lead us, to guide us, and to experience life with us.  President Monson and the other prophets, seers, and revelators are always receiving the counsel necessary to help each and every one of us through our trials.  We must sustain (support) the prophet through our obedience and our prayers; we must share the gospel with others so they, too, can heed (listen to) the counsel of the prophet of the world and make the choices that will help them come unto Christ.
I love the gospel!  And I'm so grateful for the challenge we have each taken to Live It!  I hope that you will think about the things that Elder Mikelsen discussed and find one thing you can live a little better today to receive more of the Savior's light in your life.  I love you all!! :) Keep it up and remember that you know the truth... so live it!