The Light In Their Eyes

I was sitting at work one day, second day on the job, and I was bored out of my mind. I’ve been back in the United States for not even two weeks, and I’m listening to a presentation about some software that isn’t applicable because we’re not allowed to use the software. At the end of the first day I wondered why I even accepted the job, how on earth this could be benefitting me, and just how long I would last.

So as I’m lost in thought about my dislike for this job, our trainer starts to divide us into groups. I’m with two guys who had introduced themselves briefly the day before, I remember that one is an ex-Marine and the other has worked at bars most of his life. I don’t know how to even begin a conversation that would include both of them, especially stuck in my own self pity of a wretched job. But then the bartender turned to me and asked, “So how was Portugal?”

The introductions the day before had been about 30 seconds. Everyone in our class introduced themselves with a set of 10 questions that our trainer gave us. I briefly talked about Portugal- what else do I remember about my recent life that’s worth explaining?- but it was very brief, and I was not expecting anyone to remember. But when the bartender asked, the ex-Marine, Greg, perked up and was very curious too. I remembered then that he also introduced himself explaining that he liked Gospel music, and I’d been very curious about the confidence he had to specifically include that detail. We started to talk about travel, I asked where either of them would really like to visit, and Greg started to talk about a mission trip his church would be taking to Guatemala in a few months for which he was very excited and very anxious. We talked about what it means to be a missionary, what kind of things they will do and what kinds of things I did. He asked about the name of the church, had only heard it in passing, and he and the bartender admitted that I was the first member of the church they’d ever met. I asked them if they’d ever read, or even heard of, the Book of Mormon. Neither had, and both willingly accepted a copy. I started to explain to Greg more about the Book of Mormon, but we were being dismissed from our groups and moving on to a new project. Greg said, “You know, before you even introduced yourself or talked to me, I thought there was something different about you. Your… manner, your… I don’t know how to explain it. Your way of being? Something was different. And then you got up and explained that you were a missionary, and I though, ‘Ah, that’s why.’”

I was stunned. Absolutely stunned. I’ve been home so little time but already felt so far from what it is to be a missionary. I thought that glow stayed in the stake president’s office at the exit interview. Normal life had started again, and the rush of adjusting left me feeling a little bit lost. And on top of that, I was in a rotten mood because of how much I hated my job. The one at which I had just been given an opportunity to share with someone else what it most precious to me.

I had some serious repenting to do : )

This brief interaction had a huge impact on me. I thought of a favorite scripture that I used many times in Portugal, which we find in Luke 11: 34.

“The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.”

I grew to love this scripture because in the search for people with whom we could share our message, we could see in their faces the yearning to find something more, something better, and it truly was the look in their eyes. I really never thought about what it meant for our eyes, as missionaries. Of course people can tell who we are long before we talk to them, I always assumed it was the mantle of our calling, and that we just “glowed” in general. But it was much more than that.

In Isaiah 60:3, we learn,

“And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.”

People will be drawn to that light! That light, which we learn in Luke is manifest to the world through our eyes, will be the means of people seeking the truth and finding it. We have to work hard to maintain that light. Moroni teaches us that we were all born with the light of Christ, but just like a candle, the light has to be maintained or it will go out.

The Lord teaches us, through His instructions to Nephi, what we need to do to maintain that light.

“And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led.” (1 Nephi 17: 13)

How do we cultivate that light? We obey the commandments and recognize the Lord in our lives. He shows us His light so that we may emulate it, thereby having opportunities to be the light on a hill for those around us. That light that He shows us teaches us what we must do in every instance, every situation, even when we think the light is not there. I had no idea what I would say to either of these men when we had opportunity to talk. I was perhaps willing, but it took a minute for me to recognize the Lord trying to help me because of my grumbling attitude. In this is the mercy of the Lord- He just wants to love us and help us, even when we have selfish, or less than will of the Lord-seeking attitudes.

“ 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.” (D&C 88:67)

In Luke 11, we learn our potential. In verse 67 we learn more about the potential and the promise, “that body…comprehendeth all things.” And in the following verse, we learn what it is that we need to do.

“Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will.”

What a wonderful promise! In this verse are so many of the glorious truths of the gospel- namely that our Heavenly Father loves us and wants our happiness more than we do. The Lord will guide us in everything He needs us to do! I know with certainty that this is a promise He constantly fulfills. The Lord wants us to have that light and joy in our lives, and He needs to bless us so that through us He may bless others.

The Light in Their Eyes

There are, in my ward in Boise, two people who were recently baptized. They were introduced to the Church by caring friends in California and sought out the Church when they moved up to Boise to go to school. If you were to walk in to church on Sunday or in to any Church function at which they are present and glance across the crowd, you would have much difficulty figuring out who they were since they integrated with the members of the Church here in Boise so well. If you were then to ask me to point them out, I would point across the room and say, “See the dark haired guy and the blond girl that just radiate? That’s them.” Indeed, in talking to them, you would never guess that they, in fact, weren’t baptized members of the Church. Even before they were baptized, Claire and Ian were always shining, and they always radiated light and a contagious, genuine happiness.

You may simply contribute that happiness to their naturally optimistic personalities. Indeed, I did not know them before they gained testimonies of Jesus Christ and of His gospel of peace and hope and therefore I do not know what their personalities were like then. However, no matter their optimistic natures before they were introduced to the Church, I am confident that the light that shines from them is the light of the knowledge of the restored gospel and of a burning testimony of Jesus Christ and His great atoning sacrifice. These two friends have sacrificed much and gone through many trials in order to be baptized, including a general rejection by their own families. But they know the Church is true and they know that the key to true happiness is a life following Christ. And that knowledge and testimony sustains them and gives them happiness and a hope of a better future.

President James E. Faust (1920-2007), apostle and counselor to the prophet, once told a story of a friend who also noticed a light in the eyes of those members of the Church with whom he had come in contact. President Faust said:

“What was that light in their eyes which was so obvious to our friend? The Lord Himself gives the answer: ‘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.’1 Where did that light come from? Again the Lord gives the answer: ‘I am the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world.’2 The Lord is the true light, ‘and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit.’3 This light shows in our countenances as well as in our eyes.”4

We grow and develop that light as we embrace the things of God. As we strive to follow the example of Jesus Christ, we become converted to His gospel and the Spirit lives within us stronger and more frequently. We put off the natural man and become saints though His Atonement, allowing that light to shine unrestricted.5 The Lord said, “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 that perfect day.”6 Jesus commanded us to “hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up--that which ye have seen me do.”7 As we cultivate that light and strive to be examples of the believers, His light will shine through us for the blessing of all those around us.

Remember the words of the Savior, “I am the light and the life of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”8 That promise is for all who desire to live in the light of His love.

Jeremy

1. Doctrine and Covenants 88:11; emphasis added.
2. Doctrine and covenants 93:2.
3. Doctrine and Covenants 84:46.
4. President James E. Faust, “The Light in Their Eyes,” Ensign, Nov 2005.
5. See Mosiah 3:19; 4:1-3; 5:1-5.
6. Doctrine and Covenants 50:24.
7. 3 Nephi 18:24.
8. John 8:12.