The Light and the Life of the World

One of the declarations of the scriptures of the Restoration is that Jesus Christ is the light and the life of the world. In the Book of Mormon Abinadi boldly declared before being slain for his testimony, “He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death” (Mosiah 16:9). Speaking of how the Savior was “a merciful Being, even unto salvation,” Ammon also declared, “For this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo” (Alma 26:36). Ammon’s friend Alma similarly declared unto 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. Behold, he is the word of truth and righteousness” (Alma 38:9). When the Savior’s voice was heard by the Nephites after the great destruction in the land they were told, “I am the light and the life of the world. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning of the end” (3 Nephi 9:18). And when He came soon after that to visit them in person, He declared again, “Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world. And behold, I am the light and the life of the world” (3 Nephi 11:10-11). Towards the end of the book Moroni gave us this testimony of the Savior: “I am the Father, I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world. Come unto me, O ye Gentiles… Come unto me, O ye house of Israel” (Ether 4:12-14). The repeated witness of the Book of Mormon is that Christ is the source of light and life, and we must come unto Him. 

               In the Doctrine and Covenants the Savior repeatedly testified as well that He is the light and the life of the world. He concluded on revelation saying, “And now, remember the words of him who is the life and light of the world, your Redeemer, your Lord and your God” (10:70). To Hyrum Smith He witnessed, “Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the life and the light of the world” (11:28). Joseph Knight Sr. received these words from the Savior: “Behold, I am the light and the life of the world, that speak these words, therefore give heed with your might” (12:9). To Orson Pratt the Prophet revealed these words: “Hearken and hear and behold what I, the Lord God, shall say unto you, even Jesus Christ your Redeemer; the light and the life of the world, a light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not; who so loved the world that he gave his own life” (34:1-3). The Savior declared to James Covel, “Hearken and listen to the voice of him who is from all eternity to all eternity, the Great I Am, even Jesus Christ—The light and the life of the world; a light which shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not” (38:1-3). In another revelation the Prophet received these words: “For verily I say unto you that I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the light and the life of the world—a light that shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not” (45:7). The Savior declared in another revelation, “I am the truth light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world…. The light and the Redeemer of the world; the Spirit of truth, who came into the world, because the world was made by him, and in him was the life of men and the light of men” (93:2,9). Again and again He declared that He is our light and our life.

So what does it mean for the Savior to be our life and our light? Ultimately these two things must go together; there could be no life on earth without the light of the sun, and without life what good does light do? I believe these many verses testifying of the Savior are meant to help us see that He is literally the source of all light and He is the reason we have life. He is the great Creator who gave us the sun and the stars in the beginning and gave us the earth upon which life could thrive. In the Olive Leaf revelation, Joseph revealed this powerful description of the Savior: “He comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth…. He is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made. And also is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made; As also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which they were made; and the earth also, and the power thereof.” All of these sources of light came from the Savior: “And the light which shineth, which given you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings; which light proceedeth forth the from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space—the light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things” (88:7-13). He is both the physical source of light—the majestic Creator of all sources of light which provide for life on earth—as well as the spiritual source of light which opens our understanding and leads us back to that eternal life prepared for us with the Father.