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
Devin Miller (Mountain Green, Utah)
Father and Husband
Loves BYU
Outdoor enthusiast
Source of our Light
We are taught in the scriptures that Christ is the light of the world. This scripture certainly has metaphorical meaning. Christ brings light to our lives by the teachings of the gospel. The Spirit of Christ shines the light of the gospel into the lives of those in the darkness.
Literal Light of the World
Yet, in a very literal sense, Christ is the light of the world. When Christ was taken from the Earth, darkness literally covered the Earth. As he left the Earth, light was literally taken from the Earth. Not only was light was in the visible spectrum taken from the Earth for a short period of time, but light in the spiritual spectrum was taken from the Earth for an extended period of time. While most of humanity may not have noticed the light that was taken from the Earth, there is an abundance of evidence that the light left the Earth. book.
Dark Age
When Christ left the Earth people began stumbling in the dark. Shortly after Christ left the Earth and his apostles were killed, humanity went through the Dark Ages. This period of time is called the Dark Ages by historians because there was a lack of quality literature and culture during this period of time. Humanity stopped advancing in literature, technology, culture, and spiritual growth during this Dark Age.
When light is taken from our eyes, we are unable to see. We stumble around in the dark, unable to progress forward and improve. When light is in our lives, we are able to see the path in front of us, progress, and become more like our Savior.
The light began to come back to the Earth as Joseph Smith prayed in the sacred grove. Joseph Smith describes this experience as follows:
I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me… When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. - JSH 1:16-17
Let there be Light
Joseph Smith was born on the one day of the calendar year that brings brighter days to the earth. Joseph Smith’s birth marked the day a prophet was born who would later be called to “bring the Church out of obscurity and out of darkness,” and the first vision brought the spiritual light to the Earth that had been taken during the dark ages.
As we enter the winter season, where the light of the day is shortened, we have the opportunity to fill the darkness with spiritual light. We can make these dark days brighter than ever. How can we bring the light into dark days? By spreading the light of Christ. As Thanksgiving and Christmas approach, we can serve others, care for others, share the gospel, read the scriptures, visit the Lord’s house, and follow the example of our Savior. As we do so, a greater amount of spiritual light will be shown upon the Earth and more people will be able to see the path back to our Savior.
Increase Our Love
As we seek to increase our love for God and strive to love our neighbor, the light of the gospel will surround and uplift us.
- President D. Uchtdorf
As we fill the earth with spiritual light, the darkness will dissipate and more people will be able to see the path back to our Savior and our Heavenly Father.
