GOD OF LIGHT

 

Samuel the Lamanite could not have possibly given a more apt sign to the Nephites of the Saviour’s birth than the withholding of darkness (Helaman 14:3). His words were fulfilled 6 years later when the day before Christ’s birth ‘there was no darkness when the night came’ and instead, only light reigned (3 Nephi 1:15).

It is only fitting that this sign was given to herald the God of Light coming into the world to save mankind by proclaiming: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life…the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world….the Light that proceedeth froth from the presence of God and giveth life to all things” (John 8:12; 1:7,9; D&C 88:12-13).

Equally fitting was Samuel’s prophecy of darkness that would envelop the American continent for three days as the sign of the Saviour’s death (Helaman 14:20). Thirty-three years later the God of nature suffered and tempests, earthquakes, fires, whirlwinds, and physical upheavals attested to the crucifixion and death of the Saviour of the world and darkness reigned for three days (1 Nephi 19:12; 3 Nephi 8:5-19). The God of Light had withdrawn from the earth.

Such a poignant witness of His death reminiscent of His descent into darkness of hell to gain “the power to carry the lowest of the lowly back up into the light of salvation. Christ placed himself in darkness, not only below the most disobedient of mortals, but below the accumulated darkness of all sins committed throughout the history of time” (B. Grant Bishop, The LDS Gospel of Light, p 96).

When the Saviour comes for the second time, there will be no last-minute warnings, signs or miracles. He will come as ‘a thief in the night’ (1 Thessalonians 5:2). The world will be in commotion and destruction will come upon them but we will not be in darkness because we are ‘children of light’ (v 3-5). Instead of signs and wonders in the sky, we have been admonished to prepare thus that we might ‘be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (v 16-22) :

·        Rejoice evermore;

·        Pray without ceasing.

·        In everything give thanks;

·        Quench not the Spirit;

·        Despite not prophesyings;

·        Hold fast that which is good;

·        Abstain from all appearance of evil.

And when He comes, Zion will rise to a Millenial glory, and the ‘sun shall be no more our light by day; neither for brighteness shall the moon give light unto us, but the Lord shall be our everlasting light….(Isaiah 60:19)’, the true light which lighteth every man (John 1:9), the King of Heaven will be a light unto us forever (2 Nephi 10:13,14), the light and the Redeemer of the world (D&C 93:9).

Should the stars fall

from heaven,

And the sun refuse

to give its light;

Should the earth become

the darkest night,

You will ever be

My only guiding light.

 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: The Bridegroom by LDS ART)