Have you ever been in a place that was so dark that when you switched off the lights you could almost feel the darkness? Perhaps you have been in a cave that is so deep and dark that you can’t even see your hand in front of your face?
Have you tried to find your way in a strange room with no lights? We don’t like that. We don’t know what we may bump into. We don’t have control of the situation when we are in that kind of position.
In John 1:1-5 we read:
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
“the light shineth in the darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not.” Different English translations say “and the darkness does not overcome it” or “and the darkness does not extinguish it”.
If you take a light into a dark room or a dark cave, you will find that no matter where you put the light or no matter how small the light is, the darkness can’t hide the light. Once light enters a dark room it can be seen by all.
How important is light? Without light, we are in darkness! Without light, there can be no life!
We live in a dark world. A world that needs the light of the Gospel. A world that needs Jesus Christ who is the light that John spoke of.
Let’s look in Matthew Chapter 5 verses 14-16:
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 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.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
When I was a child we used to sing:
I’ve got a little Gospel light, I’m gonna let it shine
I’ve got a little Gospel light, I’m gonna let it shine
I’ve got a little Gospel light, I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine let it shine all the time
Don’t you try to shoosh it out, I’m gonna let it shine
Don’t you try to shoosh it out, I’m gonna let it shine
Don’t you try to shoosh it out, I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine let it shine all the time
We are the light of our world. We have the honour of being the light at work, at school, at the grocery store, at the bank, and on social media.
Are we as followers of Jesus Christ letting our light shine for the world to see?
Elder Joseph B Wirthlin said:
“The influence of the gospel is to extend beyond each individual. It is to be as a light that dispels the darkness from the lives of those around us. No one of us is saved solely and simply for himself alone, just as no lamp is lighted merely for its own benefit.”
We don’t want to let Satan “shoosh” out our gospel light! We don’t want to hide it or shoosh it out ourselves.
In D&C 123: 12 we read:
For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it.
This means that there are many people in the world who are looking for the light but they can’t see it because they have been spiritually blinded and they can’t find the truth because they don’t know where to look for it. This is where we come in. The need to hold up our light has never been greater in all human history. We have to be like lighthouses shining a light to those who are in the dark. That is what the Lord wants us to do. That is what he asks us to do.
The gospel is nothing to be ashamed of. It is something to be proud of.
“Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord,” wrote Paul to Timothy (2 Tim. 1:8).
This is not always easy. Some of us would rather do anything than bring up the subject of faith and religion to our friends and work colleagues. We worry about what they might think of us or how it might harm our relationship. It doesn’t need to be that way because we have a joyful message to share.
Before He ascended up to Heaven, our Saviour gave a final instruction to his followers. It is known as the Great Commission:
19 ¶ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20aTeaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto theeend of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20)
This instruction, the Great Commission, is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed. It has also never been revoked. As the Prophet Joseph Smith declared,
“After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the Gospel.
If we truly believe that in the Restored Gospel we have the answer to life’s questions -doesn’t it follow that we should be ready, willing, and able to share this GREAT NEWS with anyone who will listen?
Opportunities for sharing the gospel are everywhere. What we have to do is:
- Pray for the opportunities
- Look for the opportunities
- Take the opportunities
Pray for opportunities:
I remember an occasion when our missionaries at home challenged my wife and I to pray for opportunities to share the Gospel. We accepted the challenge and found that opportunities popped up all over the place.
What we did not do was consistently pray for opportunities. Consistent prayer will bring consistent opportunities. We should pray that we will be led to those who are prepared to receive the message of the Restoration.
Look for opportunities:
We should pray for the spiritual sensitivity to recognize these opportunities. Believe that God will answer your prayers. God will place in our path His children who are being prepared to receive the restored gospel.
When we pray, we become much more aware of opportunities around us. We don’t have to be great gospel teachers – we just have to love, share and invite.
Act when those opportunities arise:
My wife and I try to be good missionaries. We try to Love, Share and Invite. Sometimes people accept our invitations and sometimes they don’t. I don’t think anyone was ever offended by an invitation. No one ever stopped being a friend because we invited them to a Church activity.
Sometimes we say to ourselves – there is no point sharing the gospel with him or her. They would never accept it. We need to have more faith. Faith is a real power, Elder Neil L Andersen said.
“Faith can cause things to happen that need to happen. It can bring someone who would not normally listen to the missionaries to awaken to God.”
The Lord will bless those who assist in this all-important work.
“And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
“And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!” (D&C 18:15–16).
The Saviour invites all to receive His gospel. As His disciples, we follow His example, inviting everyone to come unto Christ.
Latter-day Bloke 