The Hope of God's Light

I am sorrowfully aware of the numerous trials many of you Sisters are currently enduring. I am also certain there are still many more of you who bear your burdens in silence, which tells me many of your hearts are heavy. Yet, amidst your trials at this time, there is still a perfect brightness of hope extended to each of us from our loving Heavenly Father. It is by our demonstration of hope and faith that brings us out of the darkness and into the perfect light of Christ.

Many of us were deeply touched by the spiritual feast of General Conference. I was especially touched by the spiritual application for so many of us from President Uchtdorf's insights in "The Hope of God's Light."

He said:

"There may be some among you who feel darkness encroaching upon you. You may feel burdened by worry, fear, or doubt. To you, and to all of us, I repeat a wonderful and certain truth: God's light is real. It is available to all! It gives life to all things. It has the power to soften the sting of the deepest wounds. It can be a healing balm for the loneliness and sickness of our souls. In the furrows of despair, it can plant the seeds of a brighter hope. It can enlighten the deepest valleys of sorrow. It can illuminate the path before us and lead us through the darkest night into the promise of a new dawn.

Nevertheless, spiritual light rarely comes to those who merely sit in the darkness waiting for someone to flip the switch. It takes an act of faith to open our eyes to the light of Christ.

So how do we open our eyes to the hope of God's light? First, start where you are. Second, turn your heart toward the Lord. Third, walk in the light by following the Savior."

This talk and many others fed my hungry soul to give me hope to continue on in the Light of Christ. Yes, sometimes the darkness seems to swallow us up to appear never ending, causing us the pain of loneliness, doubt, and fear. I join my testimony with those of many others who reminded us that we are not alone on this earthly journey. The Atonement dispels all darkness which then brings us into the brilliant light of the Savior Jesus Christ who has all power to save.

Debra Newcum
RS President