Full of Light

I noted a couple of days ago that the scriptures declare in numerous place that Christ is “full of grace and truth” and that they likewise testify that He “full of” numerous other positive attributes such as compassion, patience, and mercy.  In that context, it is perhaps instructive for us to look at what attributes the scriptures teach that men should be “full of”.  Christ taught, “The light of the body is the eye; if, therefore, thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.  But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If, therefore, the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” (3 Nephi 13:22-23)  With the choices we make each day we work towards become more “full of light” or more “full of darkness.”  Here are some of the attributes the scriptures teach us we should be “full of” to gain that light in us. 

               The most prevalent reference to men being “full of” something in the scriptures is the Holy Ghost.  We read that Adam was “full of the Holy Ghost” when he prophesied about his posterity towards the end of his days (D&C 107:56).  Nephi testified boldly to his brothers when they were rebelling, “Behold, I am full of the Spirit of God, insomuch that my frame has no strength” (1 Nephi 17:47).  When the apostles searched for new leaders to help settle disputes, they said, “Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.”  They then “chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 6:3, 5).  When that same Stephen was being stoned Luke emphasized again that he had the Holy Ghost: “But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55).  Luke also described Barnabas with a similar description: “For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord” (Acts 11:24).  The great men and women of the Lord have always been full of the Holy Ghost.  Another attribute that we are to seek to be full of is love.  The Savior taught in our dispensation: “And no one can assist in this work except he shall be humble and full of love” (D&C 12:8).  Later the Saints received this counsel, “Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith” (D&C 121:45).  In the Book of Mormon the angel taught King Benjamin that we need to become “a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord,” which means that we need to become “as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love” (Mosiah 3:19).  Mormon invited us to seek with all our hearts to be full of this love: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love” (Moroni 7:48).  To be true disciples of the Lord we strive to be full of love.

               Several other attributes that we should seek to be “full of” are also mentioned in the scriptures.  Alma taught us that we should seek to be full of patience and long-suffering: “And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering” (Alma 7:23).  He also taught his son to be full of gratitude every morning: “When thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God” (Alma 37:37).  Paul wrote to the Romans telling them that they were “full of goodness,” and Luke described Tabitha as being “full of good works and almsdeeds” (Romans 15:14, Acts 9:36).  Nephi and Lehi were filled with joy and glory as they served the Lord as missionaries among the Lamanites: “And Nephi and Lehi were in the midst of them; yea, they were encircled about; yea, they were as if in the midst of a flaming fire… and they were filled with that joy which is unspeakable and full of glory” (Helaman 5:44).  So, as we strive to fill our lives with the light of the Savior, we must seek to be filled with the Holy Ghost and be full of love, patience, goodness, and ultimately the joy and glory that the gospel brings.