Sister Eubank begins her talk by sharing an experience in which the lights of the Salt Lake Temple, visible from her office, went out.

What did you take from this story?

Have you had experiences where you have looked for light and seen only darkness?

One of the fundamental needs of growth is to stay connected to the ultimate source of light — Jesus Christ.

How has Jesus been a source of light to you?

Tasks that are easy in the light can also become very difficult in darkness. When our children were young I once got up early for work and decided to get dressed in the dark so that my wife and children would not be disturbed. I drove through the dark streets to the office and it was only in the bright glare of the office fluorescent lights that I discovered that in the darkness I had put on my ‘decorating’ shirt which was liberally covered with gloss paint!

As our light, the Lord shows us the path, gives us comfort as we walk along it and illuminates the obstacles in our way. When we walk in His light, we do not stumble. Enemies are not able to hide in the dark and catch us by surprise.

Have you ever lost your way or stumbled in darkness?

Seeing darkness where I expected to see light reminded me that one of the fundamental needs we have in order to grow is to stay connected to our source of light—Jesus Christ. He is the source of our power, the Light and Life of the World. Without a strong connection to Him, we begin to spiritually die. Knowing that, Satan tries to exploit the worldly pressures we all face. He works to dim our light, short-circuit the connection, cut off the power supply, leaving us alone in the dark. These pressures are common conditions in mortality, but Satan works hard to isolate us and tell us we are the only one experiencing them.

What are some of the ways in which Satan tries to isolate us or to dim our lights?

“In this age we are blessed daily by electrical light. It takes a power failure to remind us how much we take that blessing for granted. As Jesus told his followers in the above passage, however, there is never a spiritual power failure when the gospel ‘casts away the veil of unbelief’ and dispels ‘the cloud of darkness,’ thus producing an endless daytime of understanding and rejoicing. The gospel can ‘light up [our] minds,’ so that we can function as illuminated individuals-without interruption. (See Alma 19:6.)” (Elder Neal A Maxwell, A Wonderful Flood of Light [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1990], 53.)

When tragedies overtake us, when life hurts so much we can’t breathe, when we’ve taken a beating like the man on the road to Jericho and been left for dead, Jesus comes along and pours oil into our wounds, lifts us tenderly up, takes us to an inn, looks after us. To those of us in grief, He says, “I will … ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, … that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.” Christ heals wounds.

‘We search for happiness. We long for peace. We hope for love. And the Lord showers us with an amazing abundance of blessings. But intermingled with the joy and happiness, one thing is certain: there will be moments, hours, days, sometimes years when your soul will be wounded.’ (Elder Neil L Andersen, General Conference, October 2018)

No matter a person’s situation in life, Christ is the ultimate source of light, healing and rest.

Have there be times when you have felt that your soul was wounded? 

How does Christ heal those wounds?

I testify you are beloved. The Lord knows how hard you are trying. You are making progress. Keep going. He sees all your hidden sacrifices and counts them to your good and the good of those you love. Your work is not in vain. You are not alone. His very name, Emmanuel, means “God with us.” He is surely with you.

“Following the path of least resistance makes men and rivers crooked.” Saints should be men and women who are prepared to meet the greatest resistance when necessary.  God is not calling us to an easy life, but a life of obedience and faith despite the circumstances. But our Saviour Jesus Christ is always there to comfort and support.

What is the key to reconnecting to the power of Jesus Christ when one’s faith is flickering?

If you feel that the beacon of your testimony is sputtering and darkness is closing in, take courage. Keep your promises to God. Ask your questions. Patiently melt stone to glass. Turn to Jesus Christ, who loves you still.

How can the Saviour help us to keep going?

Take a few more steps on the covenant path, even if it’s too dark to see very far. The lights will come back on. I testify of the truth in Jesus’s words, and they are filled with light: “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”

How can we draw near to our Father in Heaven?

‘Sacrifice of our personal agendas is required to make room for the eternal plans of God. The Savior, who speaks for the Father, pleads with us, “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you.” Drawing near unto the Father can mean learning of His truth through the scriptures, following prophetic counsel, and striving to do His will more completely. ‘ (Sister Neill F Marriott, General Conference, October 2017)

How does keeping covenants bring the Savior’s light to our life as well as the lives of people we love?

(Passages in italics are excerpts from Sister Eubank’s address.)