Let It Shine

Nearly a thousand Christians marched to the White House in a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest this weekend. They sang a gospel song which I am familiar with but which I didn’t know was associated with the civil rights movement: This Little Light of Mine. It is a song that we often sing with our children as we try to encourage them to let their light shine to others. Some of the lyrics, at least as we sing them, include:

 

This little light of mine

I'm going to let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

Hide it under a bushel? No!

I'm going to let it shine

Don't let anybody blow it out!

I'm going to let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

 

The text of course is inspired by the Sermon on the Mount in which the Savior said, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 5:14-16). We want our children to know that they are of great worth and can do good things in their life to give light to others and glorify God. And the message of this protest was surely in part that all people, black and white, have a light worthy to shine and lift the world. I would have gladly joined that group to sing in defense of the right for all to equally let their light shine.

               The scriptures make it clear indeed that all of God’s children, regardless of gender, race, or anything else, are of infinite worth and through repentance can come unto Him. Perhaps the most powerful statement saying such in the Book of Mormon is this one from Nephi: “He inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile” (2 Nephi 26:33). Other passages highlight the fact that God is willing to reveal Himself to all mankind, even “every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.” The same chapter from Nephi declares, “And that he manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost; yea, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, working mighty miracles, signs, and wonders, among the children of men according to their faith” (2 Nephi 26:13). The Savior will grant the Holy Ghost to all those who have faith in Him, regardless of who they are. He similarly taught, “Behold, all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people shall dwell safely in the Holy One of Israel if it so be that they will repent” (1 Nephi 22:28). The requirement to receive all the blessings the Savior has to offer is the same for everyone—repent. Nephi put it another way in these words: “Behold, the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; he that is righteous is favored of God” (1 Nephi 17:35). To receive the blessings of God you do not need a new skin color or a different race or gender or age or anything else; you only need to keep His commandments. The Savior testified to the Nephites that in the last days the Father would work “among all nations in preparing the way whereby his people may be gathered home” (3 Nephi 21:28). His people are among all nations and the Father is seeking to gather them home. And who are His people? The Savior in 3 Nephi 30:2 made it clear it is all those that all those who repent of their evil doings and come unto Him: “Come unto me, and be baptized in my name, that ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people who are of the house of Israel.”

               The Savior declared, “I am the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:2). Ultimately He is the light that gives us all worth and infinite potential. He gave His light to every man—meaning all mankind, men and women—and made no distinction based the categories we use to define ourselves here on earth. We must work to let His light shine through us and allow all others to do the same.