Brighter and Brighter until the perfect day

Today I had to teach in Relief Society from a talk given by Elder Mark Bragg: "Brighter and Brighter until the Perfect Day" He started by saying: "Paul Shared a wonderful message of hope with the Corinthians: 'We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not despair; persecuted, but not forsaken, cast down, but not destroyed.'

What was the source of Pauls Hope? Listen to his explanation: For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." Even in the most difficult and darkest of times, there is light and goodness all around us.

President Uchdorf reminds us ' We are surrounded by such an astonishing wealth of light and truth that I wonder if we truly appreciate what we have.' However, the adversary would rather have us focus on "mists of darkness... which blindeth the eyes... hardeneth ...hearts...and leadeth ...away.' Nevertheless, with perfect understanding of the challenges of our day, the Lord promises, 'that which is of God is light, and he that receiveth light, and continuity in God, receiveth more light, and light growth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.'

May I suggest, he explained, three areas where we will always find light:

1. The light of the Church
The Church is a beacon of light to a darkening world. This is wonderful time to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints! The Church is stronger than it has ever been and quite literally grows stronger each day as new members join us, new congregations are formed, new missionaries are called, and new territories are open to the gospel.

2. The light of the Gospel
The light of the Gospel states: "Through the light of the gospel, families can resolve misunderstandings, contentions, and challenges. Families torn by discord can be healed through arepenctace, forgiveness, and faith in the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Now more than ever our families must be the sources of great light to everyone around us. Families increase in light as they increase in love and kindness. As we establish families of faith... repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, and compassion,' We will feel an increase in love towards the Savior and towards one another. The family will grow stronger, and the light in each of us will grow brighter.

3. The light of Christ
You can not speak of the light in the world without speaking of the light of the world, Jesus Christ. A manifestation of a loving Heavenly Father is that everyone who comes to this life is blessed with the Light of Christ to help them return home. President Packer taugh: 'The spirit of Christ is always there... The light of Christ is as universal as sunlight itself. Wherever there is hunan life, there is the Spirit of Christ." The Light of Christ 'inviteth and enticeth to do good continually.'

The Savior teaches that He is the light that ' enlighteneth your eyes, quickeneth your understanding, and giveth life to all things.' The Light of Christ will help us see others through the Savior's eyes. We will be more loving and understanding of the struggles of others. It will help us be more patient with those who may not worship as we do or server as we might, it will help us understand the heat plan of happiness more fully and see how we all fit into that great loving plan. It fives life, meaning and purpose to all that we do. Now, with all the happiness that will come to us as more fully understand the Light of Christ, it will not match the joy that we fell when we see the Light of Christ working in others: family friends and even complete strangers.

"Let us put on the armor of light' I testify of Christ. He is the Light of the World. May we be strengthened by the light that is available to us thorough greater participation at Church and created application of gospel principles in our families. May we see the Light of Christ in others constantly and help them see it in themselves. As we receive that light, we will be blessed with more light, even until the perfect day when we again see the Father of lights,' our Heavenly Father."

That is in a nutshell what we discussed, and even though I prepared the lesson for the past three days, I had some upsetting news early this morning that made me not be able to concentrate and to focus on the lesson and I became preoccupied by this one email Ani sent Daniel, but despite of it all, I tried doing my very best and glad it's over.

Con amor,
Vero