Shine Forth

The Hebrew word or (אוֹר) means light. When used as a verb, it means to be light or to become light.

Speaking to a future generation of Israelites who would be gathered home, Isaiah said:

Arise, shine; for thy light is come,

and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.

Isaiah 60:1

They could share light with others because they had received light from God.

Jesus said, “Ye are the light of the world” and instructed us to “let [our] light shine before men” (Matthew 5:14, 16, see also 3 Nephi 12:14, 16). He subsequently clarified, “I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do” (3 Nephi 18:24).

Soon after a group of church members began building a new city in Missouri, the Lord gave the same admonition:

Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations;

Doctrine and Covenants 115:5

Sister Elaine S. Dalton shared an experience she had while standing in the celestial room of the Reno Nevada Temple:

The light streaming into that room was brilliant and was made even more so by the crystal chandelier, which reflected the light on its many carved facets into rainbows of illumination everywhere. It took my breath away as I realized that the Savior is “the light and the life of the world,”that it is His light we must hold up and reflect. We are the tiny crystals that reflect His light,

“Now Is the Time to Arise and Shine,” General Conference, April 2012

Today, I will follow the Lord’s admonition to arise and shine forth. I will strive to reflect the Savior’s light by emulating His actions and sharing the joy that His gospel brings into my life.