The Light of Everlasting Life

By Larry Doyle Crenshaw

MeditationsInLight.Blogspot.com

The marvelous light of Godliness

Dispels the darken clouds above

  And fills the vast barrenness     

Of my soul with peace and love

There is a distinctive, penetrating, and permeating light that gives life to all things and to all beings, including you and me.  Scientists try to describe this light in physical quantum terms, but fail to fully grasp its full purpose, meaning, and source.  This is a light, a power that indwells us in addition to our own personal spirit.  Its reference in the Bible is often obscured by multiple interpretations of “the Spirit of the Lord” which in some places means the Lord’s actual spirit; or in other places, the Holy Ghost; or in some cases “the light of Christ.”  John 1:9 comes closest to its essence by describing it as, “the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." John 1:9

In our day a modern text of divine doctrine and revelation has revealed more regarding this all-encompassing subject. “ … 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. 8 As also he is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made; 9 As also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which they were made; 10 And the earth also, and the power thereof, even the earth upon which you stand. 11 And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings; 12 Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space—  13 The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things.” Doctrine & Covenants 88:7-13

What a grand, beautiful, and glorifying doctrine of deity’s power and all-encompassing awesomeness. Our meditative verse describes this light of everlasting life based on the Book of Mormon text describing the conversion of a King in ancient America.  The verse gives way to a personal supplication for this light to burn away earthly fears and cares while bestowing peace and bringing fullness and wholeness. 

As the veil of fear is cast away

And the Spirit enlightens my mind

Heavenward I implore and pray

That my life in God will be aligned

The light of everlasting life

Burns warmly within my soul

It gives me power over the strife

Bestows its peace and makes me whole

The Light of Everlasting Life

Now, this was what Ammon desired, for he knew that king Lamoni was under the power of God; he knew that the dark veil of unbelief was being cast away from his mind, and the light which did light up his mind, which was the light of the glory of God, which was a marvelous light of his goodness—yea, this light had infused such joy into his soul, the cloud of darkness having been dispelled, and that the light of everlasting life was lit up in his soul, yea, he knew that this had overcome his natural frame, and he was carried away in God—

Book of Mormon   Alma 19:6

The marvelous light of Godliness

Dispels the darken clouds above

  And fills the vast barrenness     

Of my soul with peace and love

As the veil of fear is cast away

And the Spirit enlightens my mind

Heavenward I implore and pray

That my life in God will be aligned

The light of everlasting life

Burns warmly within my soul

It gives me power over the strife

Bestows its peace and makes me whole

      Shielded from sin by Godly behavior

I make my life a sacred offering

Giving it freely to my Savior

And denying death its sting

I kneel before God’s throne

And confess all that I have done

Asking Him make me His own

By the Atonement of His Son

  

Larry Doyle Crenshaw