"Seeing More of Jesus Christ in Our Lives", Elders Quorum Lesson
The talk by Sister Tracy Y. Browning can be found here:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/10/13browning?lang=eng
Sister Browning's beautiful talk can be sumarized by this beautiful line:
"Jesus Christ is both the purpose of our focus and the intent of our destination. To help us to remain fixed and heading in the right direction, the Savior invites us to see our lives through Him in order to see more of Him in our lives."
This reminded me of a definition of Faith offered by Dr. Mark Wrathall (a member of the Church, who teaches philosophy at the University of Oxford):
"Faith in Christ is not a cognitive evaluation of the doctrines or teachings about Christ; it is a practical evaluation of the world in the light of Christ." (Alma 30-63, a brief theological introduction, p. 49)
What do you think it means to see our life through the Savior? What does that look like?
Sister Browning asks a provocative question:
"[Are we] carrying out "outward performances" without allowing those practices connected to God's laws to "strengthen [our] faith in Christ" or to demonstrate understanding that Jesus Christ is the only source of power in [our] observances?"
Maybe, therefore, a better and clarifying question would be, how do we live a life of gospel living where we always understand (or remember) where the source of power comes from?
Sister Browning offers us the primary answers and says that seeing more of the Savior in our lives takes "rigorous effort".
In an effort to really make a difference, I am going to direct much of the lesson focused on the doctrine of the Light of Christ. It is my hope that when we understand this "gift which has been given to every man" we will have an important key to see our lives through the Savior and, therefore, see more of Him in our lives.
First, we can start from this description in the Church's "Guide to the Scriptures":
"[The light of Christ is] Divine energy, power, or influence that proceeds from God through Christ and gives life and light to all things. It is the law by which all things are governed in heaven and on earth (D&C 88:6–13). It also helps people understand gospel truths and helps to put them on the gospel path that leads to salvation (John 3:19–21; 12:46; Alma 26:15; 32:35; D&C 93:28–29, 31–32, 40, 42).
The light of Christ should not be confused with the Holy Ghost. The light of Christ is not a person. It is an influence that comes from God and prepares a person to receive the Holy Ghost. It is an influence for good in the lives of all people (John 1:9; D&C 84:46–47).
One manifestation of the light of Christ is conscience, which helps a person choose between right and wrong (Moro. 7:16). As people learn more about the gospel, their consciences become more sensitive (Moro. 7:12–19). People who hearken to the light of Christ are led to the gospel of Jesus Christ (D&C 84:46–48)."
We are going to create a web diagram on the board and list all the things we can about the light of Christ.
What do we learn here about the light of Christ?
Why would it be important to know that the light of Christ "proceeds from God through Christ"?
"Everlasting covenant was made between three personages before the organization of this earth and relates to their dispensation of things to men on the earth. These personages according to Abrahams's record are called God the first, the Creator; God the second, the Redeemer; and God the third, the Witness or Testator." - Joseph Smith (1)
In short, it probably isn't too speculative to say that this power proceeds through Christ by virtue of this "Everlasting covenant". That is another large key to seeing Christ more in our lives. He gives life and light to all things by virtue of a covenant.
(PUT 'COVENANT' IN LARGE LETTERS IN ONE OF THE WEB BUBBLES)
Read D&C 88:6-13
"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;
7 Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made.
8 As also he is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made;
9 As also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which they were made;
10 And the earth also, and the power thereof, even the earth upon which you stand.
11 And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings;
12 Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space—
13 The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things."
What additional characteristics or descriptions do you see about the Light of Christ here?
How might these details help us to see Christ more in our lives?
Some more scriptures.
D&C 50:24
"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 84:48
"45 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."
D&C 131:7-8
"7 There is no such thing as immaterial matter. All spirit is matter, but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes;
8 We cannot see it; but when our bodies are purified we shall see that it is all matter."
What additional things do we learn about the light of Christ from these verses or even clarifications to things already listed?
Understanding that there are many synonyms used in the scriptures for the power of the Light of Christ and understanding that it is all matter, let us read some more scriptures to inform our understanding.
D&C 93:28-30, & 37
"28 He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.
29 Man was also in the beginning with God. Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be.
30 All truth is independent in that sphere in which God has placed it, to act for itself, as all intelligence also; otherwise there is no existence.
37. Light and truth forsake that evil one."
Alma 32:35
"35 O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good; and now behold, after ye have tasted this light is your knowledge perfect?
D&C 88:67
"And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things."
That is enough of a scriptural exercise for now but only scratches the surface of what they teach about it.
What do we learn here that can help us see our lives through Christ and, therefore, see more of Him?
"It is the light of Christ; it is the life that is in all things; it is the law by which all things are governed; it is truth shining forth in darkness; it is the power of God who sitteth upon his throne. It may be that it is also priesthood and faith and omnipotence, for these too are the power of God." - Elder Bruce R. McConkie (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith, p. 257)
"Men captained by Christ will be consumed in Christ... They set fire in others because they are on fire." - Harold B. Lee (Stand Ye in Holy Places, p. 192)
"In the study of light, physicists have discovered that light has a spectrum. The visible portion of that spectrum displays many colors. The light spectrum has proven useful as physicists and engineers have designed equipment that allows each color to be used as a conduit, thereby multiplying the carrying capacity of light. The visible spectrum of light has a spiritual counterpart. The spiritual spectrum relates to various levels of intelligence, beginning with animal instinct and moving to more refined forms of light and truth. These gradations include man’s reasoning ability and conscience, the light that comes through the Holy Ghost prior to baptism, and the light one receives through the gift of the Holy Ghost after entering the Lord’s kingdom. Finally, a fullness of light is received when one has proven worthy of the Second Comforter and receives the “more sure word of prophecy” (2 Pet. 1:19; D&C 131:5)." - Elder Merril J. Bateman (Learning in the Light of Christ, BYU Speeches, August 21st 2000)
"There are three phases of the light of Christ that I want to mention.
The first one is the light which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world;
The second phase is the gift of the Holy Ghost;
And the third is the more sure word of prophecy." - President Marion G. Romney (2)
What do we learn here that might help us see Christ more in our lives?
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