We can understand light and truth in terms of relationships: God is their source, the Holy Ghost testifies of them, prophets share them with us, and we receive and act upon them. Jesus' role as our Savior is inseparable from His identity as the source of light and truth.
Seeing the Face of God
The first verse of Doctrine and Covenants 93 lays out a simple formula: Those who follow Christ will come to know Him. He promises that we will "see [His] face and know that [He is]," which implies far more than being in His presence. It means that we will understand and recognize Him.
That Ye May Not Be Deceived
How do you know whom to trust? Alma taught his people they they should not trust teachers who break God's commandments. God reinforced this teaching in 1831. We should trust gospel teachers whose behavior matches their message and whose message is consistent with the truths we have already received from God.
Hearken and Search
To hearken is to listen attentively, intending to act on what you hear. To search is to proactively seek understanding. In the preface to the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord invites us to do both. Good disciples are good listeners and good seekers.
“All…Things Pertaining to Righteousness”
Most of us are willing to accept some truths but not yet ready to accept others. Lamoni and his people were particularly receptive. Ammon was able to teach them "all things...pertaining to righteousness." They were willing to accept and apply those truths
Receive the Word with Joy
The impact of a message depends on its content, its delivery, and its reception. If your heart is darkened by cynicism, you may fail to receive and appreciate amazing messages from God. We need to learn to receive—and keep receiving—God's word with joy.
“From Darkness to Light”
Jesus came to bring light to those who walk in darkness. No wonder He told Paul that his mission was "to turn [people] from darkness to light." We all pass through periods of darkness, but we will receive the Savior's perfect light as we follow Him.
Blind
After healing a man who was born blind, Jesus taught the Pharisees about spiritual blindness. Unlike physical blindness, spiritual blindness is often willful, caused by trying to prove what we want to believe instead of accepting evidence at face value.
“In Part, but Not All”
In 1831, the Lord instructed Leman Copley, a recent convert, to return to his former congregation and share with them the truths he had learned in his new faith. The Lord described his former colleagues as being partly, but not fully, receptive: They desire to know the truth in part, but not all, for they... Continue Reading →
The Perfect Day
The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.Proverbs 4:18 Through the prophet Nephi, the Lord gave the following promise: "Unto him that receiveth I will give more" (2 Nephi 28:30). Alma taught the same principle in the city of Ammonihah: He that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word,... Continue Reading →