The Light of Christ (C&A VE2)

Whether we have made covenants or even have received the commandments, we all have the light of Christ with us. It is this light that helps us to know good from evil.

Moroni 7:16-19 says this about the light of Christ:

16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. 17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him. 18 And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged. 19 Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ.

We are meant to progress in this life. By choosing the good, we can increase our knowledge and understanding, and this "Light" can be with us stronger. Light itself is a very unique thing. We know on the gospel side that light is synonymous with truth and with the spirit. In the scientific world, light can be related to energy, heat, reaction, and frequency. It is interesting to ponder this grouping of words and think of how the molecules we are made up of are affected by light.

Some of us choose unwisely, however, against the light and start a sad and lonely cycle of regression. I have met people like this. It is a sad experience because you have to accept their agency. All you can do is pray for them, be an example, and know that the atonement will be there for them when they are ready. On the same token, sometimes we are the ones that have found ourselves slipping in that direction. We can try and justify our actions, even though we know what we are doing is wrong. But we must not forget that it is never too late to reverse the cycle through repentance, remembering the miracle of forgiveness and the power of the atonement.

"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all...if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:5,7)