That Our Light May Be a Standard for the Nations
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- Why do you think you would have followed the Savior if you had lived in His day?
- What does it mean to be the light of the world?
- How can observing the Sabbath day help you let your light shine?
- What role does temple and family history work play in being a light to others?
- How can you teach in the Savior's way to help others see His light?
Topics
Reflect on Your Commitment to the Savior
Elder De Hoyos begins by asking us to consider if we would have followed the Savior during His earthly ministry. He suggests that those who strive to be His disciples today would likely have done so then as well. He emphasizes the importance of hearing the Savior's voice through His servants and being a light in the world.
If you had lived in the Savior’s day, why do you think that you would have followed Him as one of His disciples?
It has become a constant experience for us to hear the voice of the Lord because when we hear the voice of His servants, it is the same.
- Why is it important to reflect on our commitment to the Savior?
- How can we hear the Savior’s voice today?
- How can you strengthen your commitment to follow the Savior?
- In what ways can you be a light to those around you?
Observe the Sabbath Day
Elder De Hoyos highlights the significance of Sabbath day observance in letting our light shine. He explains that keeping the Sabbath day holy helps us stay unspotted from the world and allows us to feel the Spirit more abundantly. This, in turn, enables our light to grow brighter.
The light that we are talking about comes from the devotion that we give to Sabbath day observance, in the Church as well as in the home.
Of all the blessings we can count, the greatest by far is the feeling of forgiveness that comes as we partake of the sacrament.
- Why is observing the Sabbath day important?
- How does keeping the Sabbath day holy help us let our light shine?
- What changes can you make to better observe the Sabbath day?
- How can you help your family understand the importance of the Sabbath?
Hasten the Work of Salvation
Elder De Hoyos discusses the importance of temple and family history work in letting our light shine. He emphasizes that dedicating time to finding the names of our ancestors and taking their names to the temple helps us become a standard to others.
Our light also grows as we dedicate and consecrate time to finding the names of our ancestors, taking their names to the temple, and teaching our family and others to do the same.
When we find and take names to the temple and teach others how to as well, together we shine as an ensign or standard.
- Why is temple and family history work important?
- How does participating in temple work help us let our light shine?
- How can you make temple and family history work a priority in your life?
- What experiences have you had with temple and family history work that have strengthened your testimony?
Teach in the Savior’s Way
Elder De Hoyos encourages us to learn how to teach as the Savior taught. He explains that teaching in the Savior’s way involves living as He lived and teaching the pure doctrine of the gospel by the Spirit. This helps others build their faith in the Savior and become more like Him.
The goal of every gospel teacher ... is to teach the pure doctrine of the gospel, by the Spirit, ... to help God’s children build their faith in the Savior and become more like Him.
The key to teaching as the Savior taught is to live as the Savior lived.
- What does it mean to teach in the Savior’s way?
- How can teaching in the Savior’s way help others?
- How can you improve your teaching to be more like the Savior’s?
- What have you learned from teaching others that has helped you grow spiritually?
Arise and Shine Forth
Elder De Hoyos concludes by reminding us of the Savior’s command to let our light shine. He encourages us to not hide our light but to be a standard for the nations. By reflecting the light of Jesus Christ, we can glorify our Father in Heaven and help others find the Savior’s light.
We should not and must not hide our light.
Our Savior commanded us to let our light shine like a city on a hill or like a light from a candlestick.
- Why is it important to let our light shine?
- How can being a light to others help them find the Savior?
- In what ways can you let your light shine more brightly?
- How can you be a standard for the nations in your daily life?
