The Light of the World

Every month, the NCRM publishes a newsletter we call the Tar Heel.  It contains messages from and Sister James, from a counselor in the Mission Presidency, and from Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders, along with various statistics, information about birthdays in the next month, recent baptisms, and hellos and goodbyes to missionaries coming and going from the mission.

In the September Tar Heel, Sister James's article really touched my heart, and caused me to ponder things of great significance. I decided to share it with you here:

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(My daughter Robin took this picture in Rexburg, Idaho)

"On Monday, August 21, 2017, there was an eclipse (our moon's path crossing in front of the sun). Millions of people in the 80-mile wide "Total Eclipse Zone" experienced a total eclipse of the sun. The "Total Eclipse Zone" began in Oregon and ran across the United States through South Carolina. Others, on the fringes of the shadow, used special glasses to see degrees of the eclipse.  There was much excitement over this event, and many people traveled thousands of miles to experience the eclipse.  I was reminded of the ancients who rightly attached great importance to the sun, and even worshiped it. How great is the sun? The light and warmth of the sun are critical to life on the earth.

"As the eclipse occurred, I remembered some of my favorite scriptures on light.

"John 8:12: 'Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.' How great is the Son? Christ is the light of this world. He created the sun. How great is He?

"I am reminded of D&C 50:24: 'That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter until the perfect day.'

"The moon's shadow traveled at approximately 1500 miles per hour across the United States, and the total eclipse lasted in any one place only about 2 1/2 minutes. Unless there is cloud cover, we see a sunset and a sunrise every 24 hours. These are more gradual.

"The beautiful light of Christ affects us at times like a total eclipse, but most of the time it is more gradual and more constant like the rising or the setting sun. The eclipse caused us to ponder earth life without the sun -- an impossibility of course. Let us not take the light of Christ for granted. Our spiritual lives depend upon it. Let's appreciate it, let's embrace it, let's share it with others. Remember Matthew 5:14-16: 'Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.'

"The world needs the light of Christ. Our brothers and sisters need your light. Let it shine, Elders and Sisters, let it shine! God bless you as you 'do it' is my prayer."

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I am so grateful to have the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. I am also grateful to have the opportunity of serving God as a missionary.  There is so much joy in service.  I see it lighting up the faces of the young missionaries I see every day.  I see that same light in the faces of my children and grandchildren, and I am so grateful for your goodness and faithfulness.  I love you, and miss you all very much, but I know I am where I am meant to be at this time.