The Hope of God’s Light

Today the lovely sister Lisa Stoddard taught our lesson based on the talk The Hope of God’s Light. by Dieter F. Uchtdorf. She provided me with an awesomely detailed outline! And to make my task even simpler sister Katheryn Facer took notes on what our dear sisters commented on. I hope that you feel uplifted and inspired as you ponder about how God has blessed you with light in your life and how you can feel the light again when you feel darkness in your heart. Thank you to everyone who participated last today and I hope those who are reading join us next week if you missed today. 

PURPOSE:

·         Remind the girls that we can find hope and happiness and peace through relying on the Lord.

·         Teach them how to reach out to God, and how to bring God’s light in to their lives.

·         Focus on the good.

INTRO:

• Say what talk this is from (everyone should read it)
• Hope we can all learn by the spirit
• Invite everyone to comment, even if it’s just mildly related.
  
  

STORY from President Uchtdorf: (listen closely)

“I’d like to tell you about a woman who grew up in a room filled with darkness—I’ll call her Jane. (As I read this, think about what she did to bring the light of the gospel in to her life).

From the time Jane was three years old, she was repeatedly beaten, belittled, and abused. She was threatened and mocked. She awoke each morning not knowing if she would survive until the next day. The people who should have protected her were those who tortured her or allowed the abuse to continue.

In order to protect herself, Jane learned to stop feeling. She had no hope of rescue, so she hardened herself to the horror of her reality. There was no light in her world, so she became resigned to the darkness. With a numbness that can come only from constant and unrelenting contact with evil, she accepted the fact that any moment might be her last.

Then, at age 18, Jane discovered The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (LISTEN!)

The joy and hope of the restored gospel penetrated her heart, and she accepted the invitation to be baptized. For the first time, light entered her life, and she saw a bright path before her. She left the darkness of her world and decided to attend school a great distance away from her abuser. At last she felt liberated from an environment of darkness and evil—free to enjoy the Savior’s sweet peace and miraculous healing.”

1. SUMMARY: Jane went from dark, frightening place, to a place filled with light and happiness.
2. QUESTION: What initial steps did Jane take to increase the amount of light in her life?

• felt the spirit, was baptized, received gift of Holy Ghost, kept the commandments

3.                  TESTMONY: I think this story is so inspiring because it shows that no matter where you are in life, or how hopeless you feel, God is always there and you can always reach out to him for help – and he will hear you, and he will answer your plea for help.

1. STORY: When I wasn’t feeling God in my life. Not enough growth from trials. “Are you there?” 
   
   

STORY from President Uchtdorf – part two:

“Years later, after her abuser had died, Jane was again troubled by the horrible events of her youth. Profound sadness and anger threatened to destroy the wonderful light she had found in the gospel. She realized that if she allowed that darkness to consume her, her tormentor would have a final victory.

She sought counseling and medical help and began to realize that, for her, the best path for healing was to understand and accept that darkness exists—but not to dwell there. For, as she now knew, light also exists—and that is where she chose to dwell.

1. QUESTION: What do you think Jane did at this point to get rid of the dark feeling inside of her?

• Forgave her tormentors, let it go, decided to acknowledge that bad things did happen, but not to dwell on it too much, move on with life
• Darkness exists, but that doesn’t mean you have to dwell in it.
• Baptism, receiving gift of Holy Ghost
• : What did Jane do now she was in college to get rid of dark feelings towards her tormentor?
• - replace bad thoughts with good thoughts of God.
• - She went out to seek for help. She admitted she needed help.
• - She didn't let the situation dominate her life and didn't dwell on the unhappy things. CHOOSE! You have the power to choose what stays inside you and what can effect you.
• - Knew a lady with darkness in her home. You can see the light when you share your own light with others. Light is always there waiting for us. We just have to choose to accept it.
• - The little things always count.
• - She recognized something was wrong. Don't ignore the things that are wrong. When you realize/accept the bad you can overcome it.
• - Don't let anger get a hold of you.
• - In those moments of darkness think of how Christ forgave and suffered for us. She forgave her tormentors.

PERSONAL STORY:

a.                   Family member with anger problems

b.                  The Point: I learned a lot about forgiveness from her as I was growing up. Not just from forgiving her and being forgiven by her when I got annoyed and yelled back at her, but from watching her struggle with her anger. I never really understood it much because I’m pretty easygoing and don’t like to hold on to things. But I watched it poison her and cause her unnecessary stress. And she was never okay until she told everyone sorry and decided to just forgive whatever wrong was done to her.

c.                   Phone Stolen in Norway

17.              How hard it was to forgive them.

2. Is anyone wanting to share a story about forgiveness right now?

GEM W/ SCRIPTURES: not only do you gain a lot when you are forgiven, but you gain just as much when you forgive others.

a.                   Alma 36: 17-21 (The pain Alma felt from his sins is just as strong as the pain that some people feel from their anger)

b.                  I’ll read it, everyone follow along and note where I change the words, so it applies to this better.

“And it came to pass that as I was thus ^aracked with torment, while I was ^bharrowed up by (my anger) {the ^cmemory of my many sins}, behold, I ^dremembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.

Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, ^ahave mercy on me, who am ^bin the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting ^dchains of ^edeath.

And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my ^apains ^bno more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of (the wrongs that have been done to me) {my sins} no more.

And oh, what ^ajoy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!

Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.”

• Takeaway: We can pray to Heavenly Father for help in forgiving others, so that we can let go of anger and sadness and move on.

Comments:

• When you hate someone, it doesn't hurt the other person; it hurts you.
•  To hate someone, you're judging them which is a sin. Remember how Christ forgave and didn't judge others.
•  Getting married, you feel moments of, "Ugh! I hate when (blank) happens..." But then your spouse is there to tell you, "No. You don't really HATE it. Hate is too strong of a word for those kinds of things."
•  The Atonement can heal us when we're the victims of another persons sins. Learn to be "Christian" be Christ like. We can't be healed if we don't' forgive.
•  Holding a grudge is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.
• Learn form children and how they forgive and be innocent like they are.  

STORY from President Uchtdorf – part three:

“Given her dark past, Jane could easily have become vindictive, venomous, or violent. But she didn’t. She resisted the temptation to spread the darkness, refusing to lash out in anger, hurt, or cynicism. Instead, she held fast to the hope that with God’s help she could be healed. She chose to radiate light and devote her life to helping others. This decision enabled her to leave the past behind and to step into a glorious, bright future.

She became a schoolteacher, and today, decades later, her love has influenced the lives of hundreds of children, helping them to know that they have worth, that they are important. She has become a tireless defender of the weak, the victimized, and the discouraged. She builds, strengthens, and inspires everyone around her.

Jane learned that healing comes when we move away from the darkness and walk toward the hope of a brighter light. It was in the practical application of faith, hope, and charity that she not only transformed her own life but forever blessed the lives of many, many others.”

1. SUMMARY: Trials that come to us are most often for our own good. I’m sure Heavenly Father did not enjoy watching Jane go through the pain of her younger years, but she was better able to bless the lives of others because of what she went through, and she probably learned some valuable lessons about forgiveness.           
2. SCRIPTURE: Alma 38:5

a.                   “And now my son, Shiblon, I would that ye should remember, that as much as ye shall put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day.“

b.                  Question: In your own words, what is this scripture telling us?

·         Put trust in the Lord and He will deliver you from and trust in His timing.

·         Have hope and faith that God is there and will help you. We can help each other to have this hope and faith during hard times. (Visiting teaching?)

QUOTE FOR SOMEONE TO READ President Uchtdorf:

“There may be some among you who feel darkness encroaching upon you. You may feel burdened by worry, fear, or doubt. To you and to all of us, I repeat a wonderful and certain truth: God’s light is real. It is available to all! It gives life to all things.¹ It has the power to soften the sting of the deepest wound. It can be a healing balm for the loneliness and sickness of our souls. In the furrows of despair, it can plant the seeds of a brighter hope. It can enlighten the deepest valleys of sorrow. It can illuminate the path before us and lead us through the darkest night into the promise of a new dawn.”

HOW TO OPEN OUR EYES TO THE HOPE OF GOD’S LIGHT:

2.                  Start where you are

a.                   Alma 34:31 (Now is day of your salvation, plan of redemption shall be brought to you).

i.                        Summary: Today is the day! You can start today on this Sunday, and you can invite the light of God in to your life – or just add on to the light that you already have.

ii.                        You don’t need to be perfect to receive blessings. Just start where you are.

3.                  Turn your heart toward the Lord

 .                    QUESTION: How do you turn your heart toward the Lord? What things can you do? (pray, read scriptures, read patriarchal blessing, go to the temple, serve others).

• Keep a prayer in your heart always. Turn your heart to Him in prayers. Everyone will do that in their own timing.
• - Remember blessings and positive things that happen to you then give the credit to Him.
• - Show Him He is the most important thing in our lives. Show Him we love Him by doing His will.
• - Keep a check on where your attitude is. Focus on the small things and be positive.

2. PERSONAL ADVICE: Write in your journal! Write blessings and answers to prayers, then go back and read about them. That always gives me strength.

c.                   QUESTION: Do any of you have an example of a time when you felt God’s light enter your life? What were you doing to receive it?

d.                  SCRIPTURES:

i.                        D&C 19:38 (pray always and you will have the spirit)

ii.                        D&C 10:5 (pray always that ye may come off conqueror)

3.                  Walk in the light

 .                    Endure to the end. Life is like a downward escalator. If you’re not actively improving yourself, you are slowly going backwards.

a.                   SCRIPTURE: 2 Nephi 28:30

 .                        For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, ^aprecept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn ^bwisdom; for unto him that ^creceiveth I will give ^dmore; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.

LIGHT

• QUESTION: What is light?
•  D&C 50:24 That which is of God is ^alight; and he that ^breceiveth ^clight, and ^dcontinueth in God, receiveth more ^elight; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.
• Touch these stones, oh Lord, and fill them with light (Ether 4)
• FROM UCHTDORF: “God’s light is real. It is available to all! It gives life to all things.¹ It has the power to soften the sting of the deepest wound. It can be a healing balm for the loneliness and sickness of our souls. In the furrows of despair, it can plant the seeds of a brighter hope. It can enlighten the deepest valleys of sorrow. It can illuminate the path before us and lead us through the darkest night into the promise of a new dawn. This is “the Spirit of Jesus Christ,” which gives “light to every man that cometh into the world.”²

Light of Christ	Holy Ghost
Law by which all things are governed	Third member of the Godhead
Is in all things	Personage of spirit
Influence for good in lives of all people	The spirit, comforter
Spirit of the Lord	The Holy Spirit
Spirit of Christ	Spirit of God, Spirit of the Lord
Light of Life	Witnesses of Father and Son
Conscience is a manifestation of HG	Teaches truth of all things (revelation)
Everyone can feel the Light of Christ	Sanctifies (makes clean) after we repent
	He is Holy Spirit of Promise

• SCRIPTURES:

• D&C 88: 11-13 (light of Christ)
• D&C 84: 45-46 (light of Christ)

CLOSE WITH THIS – from Uchtdorf

“Yes, from time to time our lives may seem to be touched by, or even wrapped in, darkness. Sometimes the night that surrounds us will appear oppressive, disheartening, and frightening.

My heart grieves for the many sorrows some of you face, for the painful loneliness and wearisome fears you may be experiencing.

Nevertheless, I bear witness that our living hope is in Christ Jesus! He is the true, pure, and powerful entrance to divine enlightenment.

I testify that with Christ, darkness cannot succeed. Darkness will not gain victory over the light of Christ.

I bear witness that darkness cannot stand before the brilliant light of the Son of the living God!

I invite each of you to open your heart to Him. Seek Him through study and prayer. Come to His Church, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Learn of Him and of His gospel, participate actively, help each other, and joyfully serve our God.

Brothers and sisters, even after the darkest night, the Savior of the world will lead you to a gradual, sweet, and bright dawn that will assuredly rise within you.

As you walk toward the hope of God’s light, you will discover the compassion, love, and goodness of a loving Heavenly Father, ‘in [whom there] is no darkness at all.’”

- Bear Testimony -