Let There Be Light

" Money and happiness get all of the ink, but living with purpose might be the truest and straightest line to health and happiness. " (Bob Condor, http://www.abc26.com/health/sns-health-life-purpose-happiness,0,7101337.story))
I have to agree with "cutting edge science."  It reminds me of this story:

There is the old story you have heard so many times of the question asked of three builders of St. Paul’s cathedral in London, “What are you doing here?” The first one answered, “I am working eight hours a day. I am putting in time. I am earning my living this way.” The second one said, “I am putting brick on brick and I am building a structure here.” The third, when asked, raised himself to full stature and said, “I am building a great cathedral.” (Spencer W. Kimball, “A Vision of Visiting Teaching,” Ensign, Jun 1978, 24)

I've thought about that story. It is very short, but you still can clearly see the difference in the men's feelings about their lives. They were going through very similar motions throughout the day, but the third- the third knew he was creating something of lasting value. I especially love the line "raised himself to full statures." He felt his life was being spent in a meaningful purpose, and the satisfaction and happiness he felt in that stood out. It resonates with me because as I came to really study the scriptures and received a witness of who I am and why I am here, I honestly felt that, for the first time, I grew a backbone- a feeling of purpose. I came to understand that the creation of the earth was only preparatory to the ongoing creative work of the Lord, and miraculously, I could have a part in that. Hence, the master creator laid out for me important information about how to successfully go about doing my part in our creative partnership.

First, consider parallels between the creation of the earth and the process we need to go through to be born again and accept the "challenge to become" (Elder Oaks). The earth is described as "void," "without form," -a little bit of purposeless matter until it heard and responded to the voice of the Lord. Because it responded with obedience to each of the Lord's commands, it eventually became a vibrant, beautiful, living creation, with great purpose- an instrument in the hands of the Lord in supporting and nurturing others.

Now look as us. The scriptures teach us that the Savior is the "light of the world."(John 8:12, D&C 88:5-13) And the Lord laments that " that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light." The Lord describes those who have rebelled, or been unable to receive gospel light, as "those that sit in darkness." (Psalms 107:10, Luke 1:79, Doctrine & Covenants 57:10) But He promises those who faithfully follow Him, who make it their work and their purpose to receive and act upon the light they do receive -literally obey as the earth did- they eventually will become full of light and truth. And, along the way they will become beings who are instruments in the Lord's hands in offering life and spiritual nurturing to others.

That which of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light and that light growth brighter and brighter until the perfect day. (Doctrine & Covenants 50:24)

And if your eye be single to my glory (see John 7:18), you’re your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you, and that body which is filled with light compreheneth all things. (Doctrine & Covenants 88:67)

I particularly love the way the story of Alma and the Sons of Mosiah in the Book of Mormon illustrate. Shortly after painfully deciding he "lacked wisdom" and would turn to the Lord, Alma talked about his prior condition:

"My soul hath been redeemed from the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity. I was in the darkest abyss; but now I behold the marvelous light of God." (Mosiah 27:29)

Later, Ammon, one of the sons of Mosiah, reflects on the power of the Lord, and how, through His power, they have become joyful, purposeful instruments in the Lord's hands:

And this is the great blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about his great work….I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold my joy is full, yea my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God…Yea they were encircled about with everlasting darkness and destruction; but behold, he has brought them into his everlasting light…they are encircled about with the matchless bounty of his love….yea we will rejoice, for our joy is full….I cannot say the smallest part which I feel. (Alma 26:3-16)

Of course, if you are familiar with the story, you know that prior to that day of great rejoicing there were several struggles. The mission that ended with such success began with most of them being beaten and imprisoned, and the other becoming a servant assigned a duty calculated to end in his death. These men, and so many other examples from the scriptures, all follow the pattern we see in the creation. They continue to strive to faithfully follow the Lord commands through several creative phases. Learning, growing, becoming better able to discern light and darkness for themselves, and in turn, become instruments in the Lord's hands in offering it to others.

There is so much more to learn from the creation, but as I think about it, I think discussing those lessons fit better with specific examples we will encounter as we go through the Old Testament, so I'll save those notes for later. So I close with these words of encouragement:

I am asking you not to give up “for ye are laying the foundation of a great work.” That “great work” is you—your life, your future, the very fulfillment of your dreams. That “great work” is what, with effort and patience and God’s help, you can become. (Jeffrey R. Holland, “However Long and Hard the Road,” New Era, Sep 1983, 38)