In a very symbolic sense, people often talk about reflecting Christ's light to others. However, after I spent a good deal of time pondering this phrase, I had a thought. We are not mirrors reflecting Christ's light to others. If I were to compare us to any object in this analogy, I would say we are prisms that refract Christ's light to the world. We cannot perfectly reflect the light of Christ, nor can we do it without it affecting us. The greater light we attain inwardly is outwardly manifest, in our own unique way, thus giving color to a grey mortality. Unlike the inanimate prism however, we have our own agency. Elder David A. Bednar has taught this principle on multiple occasions:
"In the grand division of all of God’s creations, there are “things to act and things to be acted upon” (2 Nephi 2:14). As children of our Heavenly Father, we have been blessed with the gift of moral agency, the capacity and power of independent action. Endowed with agency, we are agents, and we primarily are to act and not merely be acted upon—especially as we “seek learning … by study and also by faith” (D&C 88:118).
As gospel learners, we should be “doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). Our hearts are opened to the influence of the Holy Ghost as we properly exercise agency and act in accordance with correct principles—and we thereby invite His teaching and testifying power."
"As you and I come to understand and employ the enabling power of the Atonement in our personal lives, we will pray and seek for strength to change our circumstances rather than praying for our circumstances to be changed. We will become agents who “act” rather than objects that are “acted upon”"
We can choose where we place ourselves, in a position to receive more light, or less (Psalm 37:5-6). this can come as we seek it -- by studying the scriptures (Psalm 119:130), which will light our path (Psalm 119:105), pray, and go to church. This is crucial because we will not receive greater light and knowledge against our will. We are by nature fallen, with our own impurities. In the light of the gospel, these impurities are made more distinctly visible. (Ether 12:27) Our flaws are often most visible in the refiner's fire. These impurities are not permanent however, and we can, through Christ's atonement be made whole, and "be ... Clean that bear the vessel of The Lord." This is the process of "becoming children of light".
Being made clean without spot, we can then let our light so shine leading others to glorify God. This is what the intention of the light of Christ is. We have been molded into who we are for a reason, that is to share Christ's love, and let our personality shine through it. What is the light of Christ? It is His influence that all are born with, and can be magnified, or extinguished. It is prerequisite to feeling the power of the Holy Ghost, and takes root in the hearing of the word. "You cannot obtain the divine light of life from men." we of ourselves cannot produce that light, only amplify it. "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) Christ's light is to be spread through us, getting "brighter and brighter, until the perfect day".
Do you feel prepared to stand in the light, and have your imperfections revealed? As Alma said, "I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?" (Alma 5:19) If you can answer yes to that, keep going! If not, join the rest of us that are still working on it. Take time to pray, read the scriptures (I have already provided plenty here), and come to church!
Once you have received a witness, you become one. The Book of Mormon teaches us that once we receive this witness for ourselves, we take upon ourselves the name of Christ through baptism, and covenant that we will serve God and keep his commandments:
"And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life— Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?" (Mosiah 18:8-10)
It is crucial that we recognize the need to stand as witnesses of God, and even the requisites for baptism included in the Doctrine & Covenants of the church include manifesting by their works a determination to serve Him to the end.
D&C 20:37 "And again, by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner of baptism—All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church."
Being A Witness
As we live a Christ-like life, we teach others first by example, then by invitation. It has been said "Defend your beliefs with courtesy and with compassion, but defend them." Section 4 of the Doctrine & Covenants declares so simply:
"Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day. Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;" (D&C 4:2-3)
We serve because we want to, we share what we have come to love. We aren't leaving our comfort zone, we are bringing others into it. That is the gospel of Jesus Christ. There are so many searching for the truth, and don't have it because they simply don't know where to look. Having received a witness of truth, we rejoice in sharing it and making it known to the world around us. We are not alone in these things, God always provides additional witnesses of truth.
Our primary source of truth is the prophets. It is most important to share those of The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ;
2 Nephi 33:10 - "And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good."
The Blessings
There are some powerful blessings promised to those who share the gospel, I will just name a few. When you help another person feel the redeeming power of the atonement of Jesus Christ, you feel it yourself, and you find joy in service. We see throughout history in the scriptures, and even more recently that The Lord is willing to bless those that teach the word of God and stand as a witness for Him. "And again, I say unto you that it is my will that my servant Lyman Wight should continue in preaching for Zion, in the spirit of meekness, confessing me before the world; and I will bear him up as on eagles’ wings; and he shall beget glory and honor to himself and unto my name." D&C 124:18
"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;... And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth! Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people. And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!" - D&C 18:10,13-16
