As a young girl in Oklahoma we would play well into the summer evening hours. By 6pm it would be pitch black outside. We never knew what time it was. It was so dark that you couldn't see your hand in front of you face. Just like a responsible Canadian mother would never allow her child to go out in the winter without a scarf, gloves, and toque. Any good southern mother would not send her child out into the summer night without a flashlight. I have many fond memories of chasing lightening bugs and flashlight tag.
Recently, one of our Interpretation Department events was recording the introduction of the Light of the World campaign in different languages. We see advertisements and invitations to Light the World everywhere on the Temple Square campus.
We also witnessed the lights being turned on throughout Temple Square. There are so many lights and it is so bright that it feels like daylight. We watched the ground's keepers begin in August and just barely finished a week ago. It was amazing to watch it all unfold. It is spectacular to see! As you walk through Temple Square you feel embraced in light.
Paul counsels us even today, "let us put on the armour of light" (Rom.13:12)
So How do I put on the armor of Light today?
God asked, "Whom shall I send?"
When I first read that, I was a bit puzzled. Wasn't the blueprint for this divine plan already established? Why ask the question? The answer is simply that agency was always going to be a fundamental principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
God was looking for a volunteer because the Plan required this undertaking to be a GIFT not an assignment. Jesus stepped forward as well as Satan. The deciding factor between the two proposed plans was that Jesus' offer was based on love of God and love of His fellowmen. Satan's offer was based from self-interest. Christ is the source of all light. Each Sunday we partake of the Sacrament where we promise to "put on the armor of Light" by taking upon us His name.
Light Brings Knowledge
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path" (Psalms 119:105)
Through the years this has become one of my "go to" scriptures that seems to fit every situation and can be the answer to all problems.
"Thy word" directs our minds to the scriptures. I believe that the intended meaning is more than just words. I believe that it is pointing to a higher level. What do we find in the scriptures? We find the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We read about not only principles but also ordinances. The scriptures are physical. Where the Gospel of Jesus Christ has a more spiritual nature. The scriptures teach us WHAT.... the Gospel teaches us HOW to apply it.
"Thy word is a LAMP". A lamp is much like my flashlight. It is a guide. It gives direction "unto my feet". Our feet takes us places. Our feet are also subject to the choices we make. Feet will only go in the direction of how we choose. So when we read about "feet" in the scriptures it is usually implying the choices we make.
"Thy word is a ...light". Who's word? The Lord's word is a light. The Lord's words can be a righteous influence for good. The path refers to the life style of this mortal journey.
The knowledge of the Gospel teaches me how to conduct myself. It can be a righteous influence on the choices that I make and give me direction for the lifestyle that I lead., meaning, being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Light Dispels Confusion
Recently in our Sacrament Service I was reminded of some scriptures that I used to teach often in Seminary. It was a sweet reminder and I learned new thoughts and ideas about what Isaiah was trying to emphasize.
"And kings shall be their nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord:" (Isaiah 49:23)
When Isaiah talks about the kings and queens he is referring to the Gentiles or the Lord's covenant people. They will help everyone. And why wouldn't they? They will have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in it's fullness. When they bow down their heads they are not being subservient they are being respectful and showing honor to those they teach. I could never find it appealing to be licking anything more or less the dust off of feet. I knew I needed to look at this with Isaiah's eyes.
If you Google "dust" you will find that one of the meanings of dust (ei. a cloud of dust) is confusion or disturbance. Feet again refers to the choices you make. With their tongues or words of the kings and queens they will dispel confusion from the places they live. The words they teach will help in the decisions that others make. Our missionaries today do that very thing. They bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a city or a community and the light of Christ blesses the people who are willing to listen. Therefore, light (meaning Jesus Christ) will take away confusion.
The crowning emphasis on this scripture is the Savior testifying, "know that I am the Lord". We have read many times the Savior say, "I am the light of the world". When I read that, in my heart, there is always an audible "YES". Matthew recorded the Lord's words a bit differently when he wrote, "YE are the light of the world" (Matt.5:14) Was the Lord trying to tell us that we can be like Him? We can exemplify the Savior? We can take upon us His name.
Putting on the armor of light just like my flashlight will protect us and give us safety. It will keep us on a correct path. It will lead us to Christ and help us to return to our Father in Heaven. Isn't this what we all want?
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