Musings on Light

In pathway this week we read some of my favorite passages in the Book of Mormon.  3^rd Nephi 12-17.  This is when the Savior visits the Americas.  He visits the Nephites teaching, ministering and extending invitations to follow Him.  I really liked 3^rd Nephi 12:14-16-

14 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the light of this people. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.

15 Behold, do men light a candle and put it under a bushel? Nay, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house;

16 Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

3 Nephi 12:14-16

I love His description and invitation to the people.  He asks them to be a light.  Light is significant to me for many reasons, but I thought I would start with looking up what the Webster dictionary said about light

Full Definition of light

1.      1 a :  something that makes vision possible

1.      b :  the sensation aroused by stimulation of the visual receptors

2.      c :  electromagnetic radiation of any wavelength that travels in a vacuum with a speed of about 186,281 miles (300,000 kilometers) per second; specifically :  such radiation that is visible to the human eye

2.      2 a :  daylight

1.      b :  dawn

3.      3 :  a source of light: as

1.      a :  a celestial body

2.      b :  candle

3.      c :  an electric light

4.      4 archaic :  sight 4a

5.      5 a :  spiritual illumination

1.      b :  inner light

2.      c :  enlightenment

3.      d :  truth

6.      6 a :  public knowledge

1.      b :  a particular aspect or appearance presented to view

7.      7 :  a particular illumination

8.      8 :  something that enlightens or informs

The word light is amazing.  It has so may contexts, all involving vision, of one kind or another.  Mental, Physical, emotional, and spiritual light.  I love the word light because it means so much to me, not only in scripture, but also in art, and yoga. 

I love photography, which is a graphing of light.  Understanding how to capture it makes some beautiful images and gives an understanding of how light can illuminate a subject, or keep it in shadow. In yoga we talk about how every person has an inner light, that we can connect with personally, and use that light to connect with God.  We also acknowledge that light in the expression when we say Namaste at the end of every class.  “The light and love in me acknowledges the light and love with in you”.  All beings have that divine spark, an inner light.   .  Light is an energy, it sustains life.  Light is necessary for so many reasons, yet it is so readily available we may take it for granted.  When the Savior talks about light in 3^rd Nephi 12:14-16, He talks to us about light, in the form of a candle.  He asks a question, would you light a candle and hide it?  Would you deprive yourself or others of the light?  No!  You would put it on a candle stick so it would give light to all the house.  To me, this means to be fearlessly yourself.  Be an example of righteous living to all.  Don’t be ashamed or embarrassed or afraid to share your light.   The world needs your light.  You have no idea when or where that light is needed, so don’t hide it.  Don’t turn it off.  I don’t think that the Savior randomly chose to call Himself the Light of the World.  Light is a concept that is easily understood by all.  He is the ultimate light, when we follow Him, we make His light that much stronger.  We shine so He can be known in the world. 

It mattereth not

I am now in my second semester in Pathway.  I can’t believe that I have made it this far.  It has been great, but also a lot more work than I had originally thought.  IN my religion class this week we from Alma 43-63.  The mere fact that I read 20 chapters in a week was enough to treat myself to a little treat as I write this blog post.  Thank goodness that it is girl scout season.  What I read in the last chapters has had a lasting impact on me.  Let me introduce you to my current favorite Book of Mormon hero: Pahoran.  Here’s why:  As a yogini, I look to my teachers for guidance and wisdom.  I have had some truly amazing teachers, and I really think Pahoran would be some kind of prophet yogi sage today.  The situation he was in when he received an epistle from Moroni was not great.  He had been unseated in his land, and fled with many people to the land of Gideon.  Moroni did not know any of this when he wrote is epistle.  Pahoran’s response is a well thought out RESPONSE.  Not a reaction.  Not more accusations.  He was not on the defensive, he validated all of Moroni’s concerns, and empathized with him before he said this in verse 9 of chapter 61

“And now, in your epistle you have censured me, BUT IT MATTERETH NOT; I am not angry, but REJOYCE in the greatness of your heart.”

I love this because in yoga, we talk a lot about Reaction versus Response.  Pahoran’s example was a perfect example of how to respond without taking offence.  He was wise enough to understand that Moroni was suffering, and that those words, even though true, were written under duress.  He was able to see that and take his pride out of it, and in doing so see the strength, passion, and love Moroni had for his men, and the God he served.  What an amazing example. A reactionary response is the opposite.  

One of my favorite talks by David A. Bednar is “And nothing shall offend them” form October 2006 general conference.  In it he talks about the example of Pahoran as a gauge of spiritual maturity. 

One of the greatest indicators of our own spiritual maturity is revealed in how we respond to the weaknesses, the inexperience, and the potentially offensive actions of others. A thing, an event, or an expression may be offensive, but you and I can choose not to be offended—and to say with Pahoran, “it mattereth not.”

We are in charge of ourselves.  We have no control over others.  We cannot be acted upon.  There is no way we can know for certain the intentions and thoughts of others.   There is such freedom and peace when we cultivate the ability to take nothing personally, like Pahoran did. 

Patience is a Virtue.

First off, I would like to publicly admit something that I am proud of, but is also embarrassing at the same time.  It’s time to air out the shame.  This is officially the furthest I have read in the book of Mormon in the shortest amount of time since I graduated high school in 2001.  There it is. 

This week we were finishing up in the book of Mosiah, and launching into the marathon.  The book of ALMA.  I don’t know why, but I have this mental block with Alma.  It is super intimidating, so I am publicly stating this: This year in Pathway, I will completely read the book of Alma.  I read somewhere that if you write it down, it will happen.  So it’s happening.

I really enjoyed the first seven chapters of Alma this week.  I have a lot of respect for Alma the Younger. To give you some background as to what is happening in chapter one, Mosiah doesn’t have anyone to pass his kingdom on to, and so he sets up what we know as ‘the reign of the judges’.  Basically to prevent there being an evil king who leads the people away from the church, he sets up a panel of men, chosen by the people, to carry out and enforce the rules.  Alma is the chief judge.  In the second year, we hit a bump.  The people who are not part of the church are beginning to persecute those who are in the church.  ‘Even to blows’ as the scriptures say in Alma 1:22.  Fighting in the streets, persecuting those who believed in Christ.  I like to think of it as if people really said face to face what they say or post on Facebook. This brings me to my main discussion point. 

 In Alma 1:25

Now this was a great trial to those that did stand fast in the faith; nevertheless, they were steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of God, and they bore with patience the persecution which was heaped upon them.
Alma 1:25

I feel like there have been several times in my life where I have felt persecuted because of my beliefs.  Especially lately.  It was made even more difficult that those who chose to tell me what I believed, and how I was living my life was not Christ like were actually my friends who used to be members of the church.  It was very confusing and hurtful.  However, this was a turning point for me.  I knew what I believed was true.  No amount of hurtful words or misconstrued ideas was going to change that.  I prayed and fasted, and feel like I was given an understanding into those who choose to persecute.  People often persecute what they don’t understand.  Let’s take it a step further.  A person who understands, or at one point understood true doctrine, could be desperately trying to make themselves feel right about doing wrong.  Thus trying to make you as miserable as they are.  Back to Alma 1:25-“ they bore with patience the persecution that was heaped upon them.”  I like to think that the Nephite people who were diligent in keeping God’s commandments were patient because they understood why those persecutors were so upset.  It changes your perspective.  I bet there was even some pity for those people who were trying to make the righteous’ lives harder.  I know I do.