Light of Truth
By Linda and Richard Eyre
Note:
Each week this column provides a short essay on one particular
aspect or facet of the Lord’s personality and character.
It is intended that the reader focus on this facet while partaking
of the sacrament this Sunday. (Click here to
read full introductory column.). Review previous columns by
going to the What Manner of Man Archives.
Perhaps
this facet of Christ’s character transmits the same light as
last week’s facet of intelligence, for intelligence has been
defined by the Lord as “the light of truth.”
The
Savior referred to himself in three ways:
- “The Son of man” or “the Son of God” (meaning the
Son of exalted man, the literal offspring of God the Father
in the flesh);
- “Life” (for he gives life to all); and
- “Light” (for light also he gives to all)
When Christ says that he is Light and when we speak of the
“light of Christ” or the “light of truth” or the “light of the
gospel,” there is much more than symbolic truth contained
in those descriptions. Christ is more than a symbol of light
or an analogy with light: he is the source of light (and
light is far more than what we know it to be).
He is responsible for the light our eyes see, and he is responsible
also for the light our minds see. These two types of light are
related: they both illuminate and they both come from the same
source. All that awakens, opens, cleans, energizes, brightens,
frees, and lifts is light. All that illuminates and brings joy
is light — just as all that closes, confines, dims, hides, or
hurts is darkness.
Christ’s influence is an army of light — a light brigade that
aims to shine into every corner and every mind.
One cannot think about or ponder the true Christ without feeling
both the brightness and the warmth of the light. I feel it as
I write and you feel it as you read; but even more, each of
us feels it when we pray.
Not only can things we see be classified as light or dark;
things we hear and things we feel can also be thus classified.
Gospel principles, moral thinking, even mathematical or logical
facts have a “ring to them” — a light of truth about
them that is unmistakable to one in tune with the Spirit.
There is not a phrase of scripture from our Lord that does
not carry that light, that ring of truth; and there was not
an action or thought in his life that did not reflect and magnify
its brightness.
In a natural progression, next week we will focus on the clarity and comprehension
of the Savior’s mind and spirit.
