Mormon Life - Light tag

FHE: Light

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:04:00 -0600

by Shauna Gibby
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: "That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light . . . until the perfect day." (D&C 50:24)

Conference Talk:
For more information on this topic read “The Spirit of Revelation,” by David A. Bednar, Ensign, May 2011, 87.

Thoughts:
The gradual increase of light radiating from the rising sun is like receiving a message from God “line upon line, precept upon precept” (2 Nephi 28:30).

(David A. Bednar, “The Spirit of Revelation,” Ensign, May 2011, 87.)

Song:
“I Love to See the Temple,” Children’s Songbook, p. 95.

Scripture:
That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

(Doctrine and Covenants 50:24)

Lesson:
Turn out your house lights, light a candle, and read D&C 14:9–11 to your family by candlelight. Ask:

• What did Jesus testify about himself? (He is the Son of God, the creator, and a light in the darkness.)

• What will this “light” bring forth? (The gospel.)

• How is that “light” or “gospel” to be brought forth?

Review with your family the section heading for D&C 14 and the historical background above. Then read D&C 14:11 and ask:

• Who is this revelation to? (David Whitmer.)

• Why was it given?

• What did the Lord want David to assist in doing? (Bringing forth the gospel.)

• What blessing was David promised if he faithfully assisted the Lord?

• How can we also be blessed both temporally and spiritually?

Share your testimony of how the Savior has brought light into your life and of the blessings that have come as you also have assisted in the work of bringing the light of the gospel into the world.

(Dennis H. Leavitt and Richard O. Christensen, Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The Doctrine and Covenants, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2004], p. 29.)

Story:
“Revelation: A Light from Heaven”
Harold B. Lee

I was sent several years ago to New York to select a patriarch. We decided upon a certain man and went to his home. He had been out with his sons on the welfare farm, pitching manure all day, and was tired and weary. . . . After he changed his clothes and came in, I made him more weary when I told him what it was that I had come for—that he was to be called as the patriarch to that stake.

The next morning in conference he bore a remarkable testimony. Then afterwards we went to the Manhattan Ward, where I was to ordain him. The office was down in the basement, where there was no natural light. . . .

This is the story as told to me by the stake president’s wife: “As you walked over to put your hands on the patriarch’s head, I thought to myself, this is a man with whom we socialize; we have gone on trips with him, and he has been in our social group. Now part of his responsibility is to declare in patriarchal blessings the lineage from which each one has come. He hasn’t been a student of ancient languages—how is he going to know?

“With these thoughts in my mind, I saw you walk over and put your hands on his head, and a light came from behind you and went right through you and into him. I thought to myself, ‘Isn’t that a strange coincidence that the sunlight has come in just at this moment.’ Then I realized that there was no sunlight; I was witnessing the answer to my question. That light came from somewhere behind you, Brother Lee, and went through you into the patriarch. Then I knew where he was going to get that information: from the revelations of Almighty God.”

(Leon R. Hartshorn, Classic Stories from the Lives of Our Prophets, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1971].)

Activity:
Show the players an article to be hidden. Explain the game and then ask them to leave the room.

Hide the object ‘in plain view,’ that is, place it in an out-of-the-way spot where it may be easily seen when a player flashes his flashlight upon it if standing in just the right spot.

When the object is ‘hidden’ call the players back to start the hunt. As soon as a player sees the object, he sits down. The hunt continues until everyone spots the object and is sitting down.

Note: A flashlight is needed for each player or team them in pairs with one flashlight to a pair.

Variation: One player with a flashlight hunts for the object while the group watches, calling out HOT, COLD or WARM as the player gets closer or farther from the hidden object.

Refreshment
Quick Lemon Pie

1 quart vanilla ice cream

1 (6-ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate
1 prepared 8- or 9-inch graham cracker pie crust

Soften ice cream and mix with lemonade concentrate. Spoon into pie crust and refreeze. Soften 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

Serves 6.

(Janet Peterson, Remedies for the “I Don’t Cook” Syndrome, [Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2001] p. 300.)

Click here to access the PDF version of this lesson.

"Truth and Light"

Mon, 13 Oct 2003 11:19:00 -0600

by Richard Eubank
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Help the students understand that it is easier to do their work and receive truth when they have all the lights on, or are keeping the commandments. Song: # 239 "Choose the Right"

Items Needed:

A lamp

A flashlight

A glow stick or a clock with a glowing dial

Previous Preparation: You may need to make the room as dark as possible by covering windows, etc.

Lesson Idea:

With all the lights on have the students read Isaiah 2:5.Turn out the lights and turn on a small lamp and have the students read Matthew 6:22.Turn off the lamp and turn on a flashlight and continuously move the beam around the room and have them read 2 Nephi 10:14.Now turn off the flashlight and activate the glowstick and ask the students to read Doctrine and Covenants 93:26-29.Put away the glow stick and have them try reading anything.

It is more difficult to receive the word of God as the light of truth dims, or our keeping the commandments diminishes.Help the students understand that it is easier to do their work and receive truth when they have all the lights on, or are keeping the commandments.Once we start breaking commandments, then the light gets darker and darker until we are lost completely.Challenge them to think of one or two of their life's darker areas and to set goals to make them brighter.

Scriptures:

Isaiah 2:5

Matthew 6:22

2 Nephi 10:14

D&C 93:26-29

"Don't Park in the Dark"

Mon, 29 Sep 2003 10:58:00 -0600

by Richard Eubank
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Discuss how the gospel helps us focus on truth and knowledge. Discuss the tremendous blessing of gospel light and the fact that we do not have to be in the dark about gospel truths. Song: # 27 "Praise to the Man"

Items Needed:

A flashlight

Batteries for the flashlight

A neon glow stick or a clock with a glowing dial

Previous Preparation:

Remove the batteries from the flashlight. Set the flashlight and the glow stick on a table so all can see. Have the batteries nearby but not seen.

Lesson Idea:

Ask if the power went out and it became dark and you needed to see, which of these would you choose. (The flashlight.) Pick up the flashlight and attempt to turn it on. Ask the students what is wrong, what is needed?

Discuss briefly the Dark Ages. Activate the glow stick. Ask what this represents. (A flicker of truth during those times.) Explain that the world needs the power of the priesthood (light and truth). Put the batteries in the flashlight and turn it on.

Discuss how the gospel helps us focus on truth and knowledge. Discuss the tremendous blessing of gospel light and the fact that we do not have to be in the dark about gospel truths. Living with the light of the priesthood we see more clearly, stumble less frequently, are able to help others more often and progress more rapidly.

Scriptures:

Amos 3:7

1 Corinthians 4:20

Words of Mormon 1: 17

D&C 45:9