The Lord is My Light

This morning during my scripture study I read Ether 6:10 which says:

10 And thus they were driven forth; and no monster of the sea could break them, neither whale that could mar them; and they did have light continually, whether it was above the water or under the water.

To give a little background, this is when the Jaredites are crossing the sea in their barges they made. They were confined to an enclosed space without sunlight. Earlier, the brother of Jared had gone to Lord in seeking guidance on how to light the barges. After much pondering and prayer, he had an experience in which he saw Jesus Christ, who, touched some stones and gave them light. The brother of Jared then used these stones to light the barges while they crossed the sea. This provided light in their lives whether they were "above the water or under the water."

The Lord is our Light. Regardless of what is going on, if we make Him the center of our lives and seek guidance and direction from Him, we will make it through. Only through Christ can we have continual light in our lives and joy whether things are going well and we are "above the water" or we are struggling with a hard trial and feel as if we are "under the water."

I have seen an amazing contrast between those times when I am making an effort to sincerely follow the Lord and keep my covenants, versus the times when I am being more complacent.

In Doctrine and Covenants 95:6 is says:

 6 They who are not chosen have sinned a very grievous sin, in that they are walking in darkness at noon-day.

Compare the difference between the two scriptures. In the first verse they did not have the physical sunlight, but they had the Savior in their lives and looked to Him for Light. They were living righteously and keeping the commandments. Those in the second verse had been wicked. Although they were physically in the sun "at noon-day," their lives were full of darkness.

Only Jesus Christ can give us the true Light and Life.

The Lord is my light, my all and in all.

There is in his sight no darkness at all.

He is my Redeemer, my Savior, and King.

With Saints and with angels his praises I'll sing.

- James Nicholson