The Sun and Moon: Reminders of Christ

In the idea that “all things bear record of [Christ]”, the scriptures show us how the sun and the moon should be continual reminders to us of the Savior (Moses 6:63).  First, we know that they were created by Him: “And I, God, made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night, and the greater light was the sun, and the lesser light was the moon” (Moses 2:16).  As we observe the light from the sun and moon we should remember that they were created by God to bring life and light to the earth.  We read in D&C 88:7, “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.”  Secondly, as we view light from the sun and moon we should be reminded of the testimony of the scriptures that Christ is the Light of the World.  Christ Himself declared, “I am the Light of the World” (John 9:5).  Other prophets affirmed this witness.  Abinadi testified, “He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened” (Mosiah 16:9).  Alma told his son Shiblon, “There is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, he is the life and the light of the world” (Alma 38:9).  As we view these heavenly bodies, we should also remember that despite their grandeur and magnitude, they are only temporary and in some future day the Lord will reign on earth without need for a sun or moon.  Isaiah wrote, “The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory” (Isaiah 60:19).  The ultimate source of light from the sun and moon is the Lord anyway, and apparently they will no longer be needed at some time in the future.  Lastly, the sun and moon should help us remember that we are here in preparation for eternal life.  These are the symbols the Lord used as He described the kingdoms prepared for us.  The celestial kingdom is compared to the sun: “These are they whose bodies are celestial, whose glory is that of the sun, even the glory of God, the highest of all, whose glory the sun of the firmament is written of as being typical” (D&C 76:70).  The terrestrial kingdom is compared to the glory of the moon: “Wherefore, they are bodies terrestrial, and not bodies celestial, and differ in glory as the moon differs from the sun.” (D&C 76:78).  So as we see the sun and the moon in our day to day lives, they should help us remember that our ultimate goal should be to obtain a celestial body through the atonement of the Savior.  The contrast between the light of the moon and the sun should help us to reflect on the glory of God and to strive to return to the presence of the Savior.