Righteous in the Dark

You know how when you get food, you want to find the perfect thing to watch before you eat it? I saw this in a video about things we all do, but don't admit to, and I laughed - because I definitely do it! So last year, I started making it into a good habit. At least once a day, when I brought food to my desk, I'd pull up a General Conference talk and therefore be physically and spiritually fed at the same time. It works wonders! :)

So yesterday, I grabbed a sandwich and pulled up YouTube, where I found myself listening to a talk by James E. Faust: The Light in Their Eyes. It's always been a favorite, but this time, a new quote hit me.

"Once when President Brigham Young was asked why we are sometimes left alone and often sad, his response was that man has to learn to “act as an independent being … to see what he will do … and try his independency—to be righteous in the dark." That becomes easier to do when we see the "gospel glow … radiating from … illuminated individuals." – James E. Faust

Let's be honest. Very few people are the same in public as they are at home. When we're out and about, we want to feel attractive and genuine to the world. We're being watched, and we know it. But what about at home? What happens when no one's looking?

The truth is ... God is always looking. This used to be on my wall:

Because sometimes we need a reminder. This world is full of closed-door problems, and one of the biggest is pornography. Sometimes human beings forget that they're not only accountable to other human beings, but also to the man upstairs. He sees you. He knows you. And He's waiting to see what you'll do on your own.

This life is all about choices, agency, proving ourselves and learning lessons. We're here for a reason. There are countless ways that we can be taught God's will, His gospel, and His commandments. But after we're taught, what really matters is what we do with it. Do we shut it in a closet and make poor decisions? Or do we use it, every day, to align our will with His and make our lives what they need to be?

When we're doing the right things, we do glow, and we can't be afraid of that. It's amazing what a good example can do for someone else. As I read the quote above, I also realized that it's not only what we do when we're alone, but also what we do when we're with people who have different standards. Just because they swear, doesn't mean you should. Just because they drink, doesn't mean you should. And just because no one's watching who cares? Well, that's never true. Because God is watching, and He cares, and now is the time to show Him that we care. When we stand up for what we believe in, we can inspire others. We can make a difference. We can be the light in the dark.

Have a great rest of your weekend, everyone! Don't be afraid to shine. And I'll just leave this here, because it's one of the best things ever. <3

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” - Marianne Williamson

Bonnie Gwyn