It's so true that or actions speak louder than words. It is an important thing to consider not just from a church perspective, but what kind of neighbor, employee, preschool mom, are you? Also good works does not mean you are a busy body and always doing above and beyond. It means the things you do are good and remind others to do good or think of the savior as well.
I was thinking along the same lines this week as I looked over this scripture. People don't always remember everything you say to them (except Brittney- she remembers EVERYTHING!), but they will remember things you did- especially if you do things FOR them, as the Savior would have.
The Lord doesn't care as much about what we say, but he does care about what we do, because he looks on our heart- not on our outward appearance to see who we really are. Anyone can say anything- but the things we do (our choices) reveal our true character.
In seminary this week and last week we talked about agency and faith a lot. The Lord's gift of agency is really an amazing thing, because no one can take it from you, it won't get used up, can't run out of batteries or get broken. We always have the opportunity to make a choice. If we end up making choices that lead us back to our Father in Heaven because that is truly what we wanted to choose- that is how he gets his reward and glory. That is the ultimate way we show our love and gratitude for him.
Why is light so important? I have a few observations. The first thing that Christ and Adam did after they organized the elements was to create light. And he saw that it was good. They then separated the light from the darkness, and called the light day and the darkness night. Light gives us vision, hope and a direction. I think it is interesting that in this world light does not just appear in the morning like a light switch. It comes a little at a time and it leaves a little at a time. Light is important for growth. If you look at plants they need a light source for growth. They grow toward the light. Christ was called the Light of the world. When he was born there was a new star in the sky. When he died there was darkness for 3 hours in the old world and 3 days in the new world. Heavenly Father and Jesus are light and truth. As we absorb their light as we learn the gospel, pray, do our callings, and serve others then they will be drawn to us. They will seek that light. I have heard the saying "your example may be the only scriptures some one else will ever read." I don't think we need to preach to our friends or neighbors they will see how we live our lives and come to us with questions. It has been interesting for me to see you share your lights. As you have created your families and shared your light with your children and your husbands their lights burn bright and they share that light with others. Each calling we have or each time we are able to do good will influence others. You will help them to have some of your light. The important thing is to always keep your light burning so you will be able to have a light to share with others. Mom
Light is necessary for seeing. For some seeing is believing. To see someone's good works there are some essential elements. First of all the good works need to be done (do soemthing), and they were likely done in the light. Next someone has to see (take notice) and that too is likely done in the light. But what happens if there is no light, or someone does not notice? Then were the works not good? No......God sees and God notices. And He can see even when others cannot or will not notice. But God also sees those works that aren't good. Unlike our good deeds, everyone seems to notice when we screw up.
So lets get past the obvious...light and good works seem to fit nicely together. Do I do my good works to glorify God? Or do I do them to receive the praise of man? In the first case there is no limit to the good I can do. In the second I give up control of my doing good to the individual, class, or ward that has to see my good deeds.
Thanks for the reminder Mariah. I have a long ways to go.
President Monson's Oct 2015 talk titled "Be an Example and a Light" talks about exactly what Mom mentions. (Nov 2015 Ensign pg 86) He even quoted Riah's scripture!
My thoughts on this scripture are, like mom and dad centered around the word light. Have you looked at the word light through the scriptures. It may be worth a read through. The following list of scriptures are my thread through the scriptures on the word "light". I use the prophets words. - "Let your light so shine before men that they my see your good works" Matt 5:16 - D&C 84:45-46 For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ. And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit. - D&C 50:24 That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day. - D&C 77:4 Their eyes are a representation of light and knowledge, that is, they are full of knowledge; and their wings are a representation of power, to move, to act, etc. - D&C 93:36 The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth. - D&C 88:6 He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth; - D&C 106:5 Therefore, gird up your loins, that you may be the children of light - 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
It makes sense to me. I hope it make sense sense to you
I don't want to be last this week and I love this scripture so much because it talks about light and we need to be lights to others and they will see the light within us and I love this scripture so much and we need to let our lights shine unto all men. Those are my insights this week ! love mariah
I loved all the comments. My thoughts. I'm not sure if I have much more to add to the awesome comments and scriptures except for this poem (my favorite) as to how we share out light.
I met a stranger in the night, Whose lamp had ceased to shine; I paused and let him light His lamp from mine.
A tempest sprang up later on, And shook the world about, And when the wind was gone, My lamp was out.
But back came to me the stranger— His lamp was glowing fine; He held the precious flame And lighted mine.
It's so true that or actions speak louder than words. It is an important thing to consider not just from a church perspective, but what kind of neighbor, employee, preschool mom, are you?
ReplyDeleteAlso good works does not mean you are a busy body and always doing above and beyond. It means the things you do are good and remind others to do good or think of the savior as well.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteLissa- way to go being first this week!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking along the same lines this week as I looked over this scripture. People don't always remember everything you say to them (except Brittney- she remembers EVERYTHING!), but they will remember things you did- especially if you do things FOR them, as the Savior would have.
The Lord doesn't care as much about what we say, but he does care about what we do, because he looks on our heart- not on our outward appearance to see who we really are. Anyone can say anything- but the things we do (our choices) reveal our true character.
In seminary this week and last week we talked about agency and faith a lot. The Lord's gift of agency is really an amazing thing, because no one can take it from you, it won't get used up, can't run out of batteries or get broken. We always have the opportunity to make a choice. If we end up making choices that lead us back to our Father in Heaven because that is truly what we wanted to choose- that is how he gets his reward and glory. That is the ultimate way we show our love and gratitude for him.
Why is light so important? I have a few observations. The first thing that Christ and Adam did after they organized the elements was to create light. And he saw that it was good. They then separated the light from the darkness, and called the light day and the darkness night.
ReplyDeleteLight gives us vision, hope and a direction. I think it is interesting that in this world light does not just appear in the morning like a light switch. It comes a little at a time and it leaves a little at a time.
Light is important for growth. If you look at plants they need a light source for growth. They grow toward the light.
Christ was called the Light of the world. When he was born there was a new star in the sky. When he died there was darkness for 3 hours in the old world and 3 days in the new world. Heavenly Father and Jesus are light and truth.
As we absorb their light as we learn the gospel, pray, do our callings, and serve others then they will be drawn to us. They will seek that light. I have heard the saying "your example may be the only scriptures some one else will ever read." I don't think we need to preach to our friends or neighbors they will see how we live our lives and come to us with questions.
It has been interesting for me to see you share your lights. As you have created your families and shared your light with your children and your husbands their lights burn bright and they share that light with others. Each calling we have or each time we are able to do good will influence others. You will help them to have some of your light. The important thing is to always keep your light burning so you will be able to have a light to share with others.
Mom
Light is necessary for seeing. For some seeing is believing. To see someone's good works there are some essential elements. First of all the good works need to be done (do soemthing), and they were likely done in the light. Next someone has to see (take notice) and that too is likely done in the light. But what happens if there is no light, or someone does not notice? Then were the works not good? No......God sees and God notices. And He can see even when others cannot or will not notice. But God also sees those works that aren't good. Unlike our good deeds, everyone seems to notice when we screw up.
ReplyDeleteSo lets get past the obvious...light and good works seem to fit nicely together. Do I do my good works to glorify God? Or do I do them to receive the praise of man? In the first case there is no limit to the good I can do. In the second I give up control of my doing good to the individual, class, or ward that has to see my good deeds.
Thanks for the reminder Mariah. I have a long ways to go.
DAD
President Monson's Oct 2015 talk titled "Be an Example and a Light" talks about exactly what Mom mentions. (Nov 2015 Ensign pg 86) He even quoted Riah's scripture!
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts on this scripture are, like mom and dad centered around the word light. Have you looked at the word light through the scriptures. It may be worth a read through. The following list of scriptures are my thread through the scriptures on the word "light". I use the prophets words.
ReplyDelete- "Let your light so shine before men that they my see your good works" Matt 5:16
- D&C 84:45-46 For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ. And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit.
- D&C 50:24 That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.
- D&C 77:4 Their eyes are a representation of light and knowledge, that is, they are full of knowledge; and their wings are a representation of power, to move, to act, etc.
- D&C 93:36 The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth.
- D&C 88:6 He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth;
- D&C 106:5 Therefore, gird up your loins, that you may be the children of light
- 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
It makes sense to me. I hope it make sense sense to you
I don't want to be last this week and I love this scripture so much because it talks about light and we need to be lights to others and they will see the light within us and I love this scripture so much and we need to let our lights shine unto all men. Those are my insights this week ! love mariah
ReplyDeleteI loved all the comments. My thoughts. I'm not sure if I have much more to add to the awesome comments and scriptures except for this poem (my favorite) as to how we share out light.
ReplyDeleteI met a stranger in the night,
Whose lamp had ceased to shine;
I paused and let him light
His lamp from mine.
A tempest sprang up later on,
And shook the world about,
And when the wind was gone,
My lamp was out.
But back came to me the stranger—
His lamp was glowing fine;
He held the precious flame
And lighted mine.
- Lon Woodrum
Thanks for lighting me up!