Accumulating Light

OH MY GOODNESS I LOVE THIS TALK

The Light of the Perfect Day




Larry R. Lawrence likens our spiritual progress to gathering light.

"Our physical bodies grow bigger when we feed them nourishing food. Our spirits grow brighter when we feed them light. “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). Our Father in Heaven was once a mortal man who gradually progressed until He became a being with a fulness of light. He wants the same for you and me because a fulness of light means a fulness of joy."

Aside from just being a cool metaphor, it's extremely helpful as we make decisions about what to do.

Should I watch this movie? Play this video game? Date this person? Eat this food? Do this activity? If you make the decision based on whether or not it's going to bring you light, then decisions will be easier.

It's not always apparent why you SHOULD do family history work rather than playing video games, but this helps explain why. One will help you gather light. The other will squander your light.

Sources of light in my life:

• Temple worship 
• Family history work 
• Studying the scriptures
• Exercising 
• Eating healthy food 
• Service
• Spending time with friends and family 
• Diligence in achieving worthwhile goals 

Sources of darkness in my life: 

• Spending large amounts of time on the internet (idleness) 
• Spending large amounts of time alone entertaining myself (idleness) 
• Succumbing to physical appetites for food, ogling young women, etc, etc 
• Listening to loud music 
• Going to bed too late 

In looking at my life I see that I need more of the following.

MORE scripture study. 

LESS idleness 

ORE getting up early

LESS eating unhealthy food 

All right! Sounds good. 

Larry R. Lawrence suggests 5 ways for us to get more light. 

1. Love others (he suggests that service is the ideal way to love our fellow mortals.) 

Service-->Love-->Light 

2. Study the Scriptures (he suggests memorizing scriptures is a good way to get additional light.) 

Pray-->Study-->Apply-->Light

OR

Memorize-->Recall-->Light

3. Keep the commandments (this is closely related to step 2) 

Study-->Obey-->Light

4. Hearken to the Holy Ghost

Expect-->Act-->Repeat-->Light 

If the Holy Ghost asks you to do something that is difficult (like break a bad habit), and you listen and obey the prompting, you will experience a spurt of spiritual growth and a big infusion of light.

5. Serve in the Temple 

Attend-->Light 

Interesting Comments on Light on which I want further clarification: 

• "According to the Doctrine and Covenants, truth is just another name for light (see D&C 84:45)."
• “The people of the neighborhood came running together (hearing an unusual sound within, and seeing a bright light like a pillar of fire resting upon the Temple).” Joseph Smith
• “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).
• “The Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world” (D&C 84:46).
• “That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day” (D&C 50:24).