The following is the talk I prepared to give but unfortunately we weren't able to attend church that day for unforeseeable reason. Luckily my Mother-in-Law presented it for me. I have had a lot of people comment and share their enjoyment of the talk and thought I would share it on here. I hope you too enjoy it and get something out of it. It was based on the wonderful talk "Turn On Your Light" by Sister Sharon Eurbank (Second Counsellor in the General Relief Society).
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In D&C 115:5 it says “Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations”
This Christmas Season, we have been invited to #Light The World. However, Christmas isn’t the only time we should turn on our lights or shine brightly. As we turn on our lights we are showing that we are disciples of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that we have a desire to be like him and do as he did. We have been taught countless times how we can infact do, just that.
Today I want to talk about the 5 points that Sister Eurbank talked about.
First to be righteous, There are the basics, church, scripture study, prayer, temple, FHE, you know all the answers. But it's so much more than that, however, "Being righteous doesn’t mean being perfect or never making mistakes”. A huge part of this, is our willingness to repent. Repentance is a joyous gospel principle that can not only change our lives, but the lives of others. As we repent we are showing our faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, we are changing the way we see ourselves, and the world. We are opening ourselves to let God use us to bless the lives of others ( Dieter F. Uchtdorf).
Through Righteous acts we grow closer to our saviour and learn to rely on His strength. [And He has said] “If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me.” (Moroni 7:33)
Maybe those things he wants us to do are hard, maybe he wants us to love and serve somebody that is hard to love, maybe to forgive someone we can’t seem to forgive, maybe to even have faith and confidence in ourselves and truly understand our divine nature.
As we act in righteousness we will greater see the difference in believing that the Lord can, and knowing that He will help us in our righteous deeds and is standing shoulder to shoulder with us in His work.
The second, be articulate. I love this point because as much as actions speak louder than words, sometimes the pen is mightier than the sword. Sister Eubank said “Being articulate means to clearly express how you feel about something and why.” And stated that we each need to be better at articulating the reasons for our faith. For example “How do you feel about Jesus Christ? Why do you stay in the Church? Why do you believe the Book of Mormon is scripture? Where do you get your peace? Why does it matter that the prophet has something to say in 2017? How do you know he is a real prophet?” And then said “Use your voice and your power to articulate what you know and feel—on social media, in quiet conversations with your friends, when you’re chatting with your grandchildren. Tell them why you believe, what it feels like, if you ever doubted, how you got through it, and what Jesus Christ means to you. As the Apostle Peter said, “Be not afraid … ; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you.”
What is also important is that people see the passion you have for what you are talking about. While on Temple Square we taught large volumes of people at one time, anything from 1 - 50 people, sometimes even more during the summer. They often didn’t care about the words we said until they could see the passion in our eyes for the things which we were saying. This is a little harder on social media, but not impossible, people will still see that you care as you share your faith.
The third, is to be different. It is no secret that we as members of the church are a peculiar people to the rest of the world. We believe and do things differently to most of society. Sometimes this proves dificult when we are made to look like the ones who are wrong. But we are never wrong or never fail when we are following Gods commandments.
Sister Surbank Said “We aren’t always going to fit in with the world, but being different in positive ways can be a lifeline to others who are struggling.”
A perfect example of this is in a movie I recently watched called the Christmas Prince on Netflix. A young girl is set to write a story about the scandals of a royal family, when she can’t find answers she goes undercover to be a tutor for the young princess Emily who has spinobifida. Many others either see the wheelchair or the tiara and didn’t treat her like a normal girl, so naturally she rebelled, this journalist obviously aware of both things treated her like the girl she wished others did. Through this a wonderful bond was formed between the two. Young Emily gives the journalist a beautiful charm bracelet for Christmas to remind them of there times together the journalist states that she has nothing for her, but Emily replies that she gave her the greatest gift of all. By being different she was a life line and support to this young princess. We too can do the same with our peers where ever we may be. People will notice that your different, they may not know exactly what it is, but they will see a light in your eyes that comes from being a disciple of Christ. And most importantly, use the qualities that make you, YOU. You have qualities and talents the Lord has blessed you with, use them to shine your light.
The fourth is to be distinct. Meaning to be recognizably different in nature from something else of a similar type. “The restored gospel is recognizably well defined. But we have to be distinct about how we follow it.”
Although we are Christian, we have distinct ways about how we live our faith. These things set us apart from even those with religious backgrounds and faiths. Because of this we are blessed with the opportunity to have amazing missionary experiences if we will just open our mouths and share what we believe and how we live our faith. What greater way we can shine our light! In Doctrine in Covenants 30 We are told you open our mouths and declare the gospel, to fear not but give heed to the words given to us.
And finally, the fifth is to do one through four in happy ways. What point is it all if we do not do it with real intent? Just like the scriptures that say without charity we are nothing. Think of it like a math equation, if you multiply a billion with zero, it will still be zero. You can have all the faith in the world and if you have no charity it means nothing. You can have all these amazing ways to shine your light, but if you are not sincere and true to that, it goes in vain. Be Joyful, enjoy the journey, count your blessings, tell Heavenly Father about your experiences. I know that as we serve and shine our lights our joy will increase and we will have a continuous desire to do good.
“And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.” Mosiah 2:41
In the Lords service the path is not always easy, it often requires sacrifice and we will likely experience adversary. But in serving the Lord and in Turning on our lights, we will discover that his hand is truly over us.
The Lords expects us to be as faithful, as devoted and as courageous as those who have gone before us. They were called to give their lives to the gospel and we have been called for the same purpose.
As we turn on our lights we may be able to provide people with a glimpse of heaven. But we will not do it alone. The Lord wants to help us, He wants us to abide in Him. He tells us to “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5)
We may only be a small sparkle if we do these things on our own, but if we do it with the Lords help and strength we can be a blinding light to those around us.
Sister Eurbank concluded her talk with this invitation with I would like to further extend to you she said “I appeal to each of you to put yourself in a place where you can feel the generous love God has for you. You cannot put yourself beyond the reach of that love. When you feel His love, when you love Him, you will repent and keep His commandments. When you keep His commandments, He can use you in His work. His work and glory is the exaltation and eternal life of women and men.”
In D&C 115:5 it says “Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations”
This Christmas Season, we have been invited to #Light The World. However, Christmas isn’t the only time we should turn on our lights or shine brightly. As we turn on our lights we are showing that we are disciples of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that we have a desire to be like him and do as he did. We have been taught countless times how we can infact do, just that.
Today I want to talk about the 5 points that Sister Eurbank talked about.
First to be righteous, There are the basics, church, scripture study, prayer, temple, FHE, you know all the answers. But it's so much more than that, however, "Being righteous doesn’t mean being perfect or never making mistakes”. A huge part of this, is our willingness to repent. Repentance is a joyous gospel principle that can not only change our lives, but the lives of others. As we repent we are showing our faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, we are changing the way we see ourselves, and the world. We are opening ourselves to let God use us to bless the lives of others ( Dieter F. Uchtdorf).
Through Righteous acts we grow closer to our saviour and learn to rely on His strength. [And He has said] “If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me.” (Moroni 7:33)
Maybe those things he wants us to do are hard, maybe he wants us to love and serve somebody that is hard to love, maybe to forgive someone we can’t seem to forgive, maybe to even have faith and confidence in ourselves and truly understand our divine nature.
As we act in righteousness we will greater see the difference in believing that the Lord can, and knowing that He will help us in our righteous deeds and is standing shoulder to shoulder with us in His work.
The second, be articulate. I love this point because as much as actions speak louder than words, sometimes the pen is mightier than the sword. Sister Eubank said “Being articulate means to clearly express how you feel about something and why.” And stated that we each need to be better at articulating the reasons for our faith. For example “How do you feel about Jesus Christ? Why do you stay in the Church? Why do you believe the Book of Mormon is scripture? Where do you get your peace? Why does it matter that the prophet has something to say in 2017? How do you know he is a real prophet?” And then said “Use your voice and your power to articulate what you know and feel—on social media, in quiet conversations with your friends, when you’re chatting with your grandchildren. Tell them why you believe, what it feels like, if you ever doubted, how you got through it, and what Jesus Christ means to you. As the Apostle Peter said, “Be not afraid … ; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you.”
What is also important is that people see the passion you have for what you are talking about. While on Temple Square we taught large volumes of people at one time, anything from 1 - 50 people, sometimes even more during the summer. They often didn’t care about the words we said until they could see the passion in our eyes for the things which we were saying. This is a little harder on social media, but not impossible, people will still see that you care as you share your faith.
The third, is to be different. It is no secret that we as members of the church are a peculiar people to the rest of the world. We believe and do things differently to most of society. Sometimes this proves dificult when we are made to look like the ones who are wrong. But we are never wrong or never fail when we are following Gods commandments.
Sister Surbank Said “We aren’t always going to fit in with the world, but being different in positive ways can be a lifeline to others who are struggling.”
A perfect example of this is in a movie I recently watched called the Christmas Prince on Netflix. A young girl is set to write a story about the scandals of a royal family, when she can’t find answers she goes undercover to be a tutor for the young princess Emily who has spinobifida. Many others either see the wheelchair or the tiara and didn’t treat her like a normal girl, so naturally she rebelled, this journalist obviously aware of both things treated her like the girl she wished others did. Through this a wonderful bond was formed between the two. Young Emily gives the journalist a beautiful charm bracelet for Christmas to remind them of there times together the journalist states that she has nothing for her, but Emily replies that she gave her the greatest gift of all. By being different she was a life line and support to this young princess. We too can do the same with our peers where ever we may be. People will notice that your different, they may not know exactly what it is, but they will see a light in your eyes that comes from being a disciple of Christ. And most importantly, use the qualities that make you, YOU. You have qualities and talents the Lord has blessed you with, use them to shine your light.
The fourth is to be distinct. Meaning to be recognizably different in nature from something else of a similar type. “The restored gospel is recognizably well defined. But we have to be distinct about how we follow it.”
Although we are Christian, we have distinct ways about how we live our faith. These things set us apart from even those with religious backgrounds and faiths. Because of this we are blessed with the opportunity to have amazing missionary experiences if we will just open our mouths and share what we believe and how we live our faith. What greater way we can shine our light! In Doctrine in Covenants 30 We are told you open our mouths and declare the gospel, to fear not but give heed to the words given to us.
And finally, the fifth is to do one through four in happy ways. What point is it all if we do not do it with real intent? Just like the scriptures that say without charity we are nothing. Think of it like a math equation, if you multiply a billion with zero, it will still be zero. You can have all the faith in the world and if you have no charity it means nothing. You can have all these amazing ways to shine your light, but if you are not sincere and true to that, it goes in vain. Be Joyful, enjoy the journey, count your blessings, tell Heavenly Father about your experiences. I know that as we serve and shine our lights our joy will increase and we will have a continuous desire to do good.
“And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.” Mosiah 2:41
In the Lords service the path is not always easy, it often requires sacrifice and we will likely experience adversary. But in serving the Lord and in Turning on our lights, we will discover that his hand is truly over us.
The Lords expects us to be as faithful, as devoted and as courageous as those who have gone before us. They were called to give their lives to the gospel and we have been called for the same purpose.
As we turn on our lights we may be able to provide people with a glimpse of heaven. But we will not do it alone. The Lord wants to help us, He wants us to abide in Him. He tells us to “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5)
We may only be a small sparkle if we do these things on our own, but if we do it with the Lords help and strength we can be a blinding light to those around us.
Sister Eurbank concluded her talk with this invitation with I would like to further extend to you she said “I appeal to each of you to put yourself in a place where you can feel the generous love God has for you. You cannot put yourself beyond the reach of that love. When you feel His love, when you love Him, you will repent and keep His commandments. When you keep His commandments, He can use you in His work. His work and glory is the exaltation and eternal life of women and men.”
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Stay Blessed, Jenn
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