The Murder of Light

By Larry Doyle Crenshaw

MeditationsInLight.Blogspot.com

Can a person murder light?

Surely not in the final sense

But the attempt is not so slight

And the consequences are immense

 As some of us emerge from the long night of winter and begin to bask in the bright warmth of sunnier days, we reflect on how good it feels to be touched by the radiant warmth and brightness the sun’s light.  Likewise, we walk uncertainly into a darkened room and move forward hesitantly until someone turns on a light.  Light illuminates our way in the world both physically and spiritually.    

We are told in the scriptures that the light of the sun, the moon and the stars are energized by something known as the light of Christ.  We are told further that this light is from everlasting to everlasting (Psalms 90). We learn from another scriptural text that such light is in all and through all things, that it gives life to all things, and has the unifying force of law by which all things are governed. (Doctrine and Covenants 88:6-12)  

Such is the power of the light of Christ which, when followed, will lead harkening spirits to the waters of baptism and then to receive the Holy Ghost.  By its continuing influence we are led to God’s holy temple and there the heavens are figuratively opened to us, and, as we return again and again, we come to know God and His plan for us.  In this manner the temple is a portal of light connecting us with the powers of heaven.

The Holy Ghost is the purveyor of heavenly light and truth.  Therefore, is it any wonder then that God places the denial of the Holy Ghost in such drastic and spiritually felonious terms – noting that our immortal souls are in jeopardy should we do so.    “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men…neither in this world, neither in the world to come.” Matthew 12:31-32

Such is the state of those who commit what is known as the “unpardonable sin.”  Given that the prerequisites are formidable, it may be that those who qualify for this burden will be few.  Today’s meditative verse ponders the terrible consequences of this sin noting that….

The attempted murder of God’s light

Is a felony of spirit - belying forgiveness

Surrendering our light to Satan’s fight

Forfeiting all for which God might bless

Such a crime is not hid from the Lord

For it tears apart and harrows up the soul

Sounding a harsh and discordant chord

As we are judged and sin takes its toll

The Murder of Light

Know ye not, my son, that these things are an abomination in the sight of the Lord; yea, most abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost?  For behold, if ye deny the Holy Ghost when it once has had place in you, and ye know that ye deny it, behold, this is a sin which is unpardonable; yea, and whosoever murdereth against the light and knowledge of God, it is not easy for him to obtain forgiveness;

Book of Mormon  Alma 39:5-6

Can a person murder light?

Surely not in the final sense

But the attempt is not so slight

And the consequences are immense

For if the Holy Spirit is denied

Once it has place in our soul

If He is refuted and defied

The unpardonable sin may be our dole

The attempted murder of God’s light

Is a felony of spirit - belying forgiveness

Surrendering our light to Satan’s fight

Forfeiting all for which God might bless

Such a crime is not hid from the Lord

For it tears apart and harrows up the soul

Sounding a harsh and discordant chord

As we are judged and sin takes its toll

Let us rejoice in the light of the Word

And be a true friend of truth and right

May the robe of the righteous around us gird

As we find joy with the pure, the true and contrite

Larry Doyle Crenshaw