December 2016 Zone Conference In State College

#Light the World

I love the symbolic nature of light. Think of how many times in the scriptures we read about light!

Helaman 14:3

And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day.

  The Tradition of Burning A Candle in the Window

At our home in Providence each Christmas we put a (solar) candle in each window.  We started this tradition years ago in the '80s when we lived in Boston for a number of years.   You will notice many houses here in Pennsylvania that carry-on that tradition which actually dates back to colonial times when candles were used. 

The fireplace was center of family life in days gone by and the candles were generally lit from that fire.  A candle was often placed in the window when a member of the family was away. The lit candle was also placed in the window as a sign of good news or as a beacon to weary travelers. Candles also represented friendship and were seen as a sign of welcome to others. 

In early America, homes were often miles apart. The sight of a candle in the window from a distance was a sign of welcome to those wishing to visit!

Think about this tradition as we read this scripture:

Matthew 5:

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 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.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Are we to do service in a boastful way so that people can see your good works is that what it says?  SO SHINE = In such a way!  We must make sure that our good works glorify our father in heaven and not us!

President Thomas S. Monson pointed out, “If you want to give a light to others, you have to glow yourself!"

Front Left:  Elder Goeckeritz, Pres. Mauro, Elder and Sister Thompson, Sister and Elder Samuelson, Sister and Pres. Johnson, Sister and Elder Clarke, Sister and Elder Christensen 

Row 2:  Elders Dagal, Aitken, Sisters Birch, McDonald, Terry, Smith, Chambers, Nelson, Faamaile, Pena, Penrod, Ewell, Smith, Carr and Wall

Row 3:  Elders Van Leeuwen, Bledsoe, Sisters Anderson, Roper, Morrison, Hansen, Hegewald, Hansen, Palmer, Brunner,  Simonsen,  Allen, Jackson

Row 4:  Elders Riggs, Manley, Boyes, Cannon, Aguinaga, Cowan, Bryan, Wood, Winfree, Butikofer, Halls, Payne, Nelson, Ibarra

Rows 5-6:  Elders Spencer, Montgomery, Ord, Olsen, Gardiner, Cuthbert, Madsen, Hatch,  Stock, Harper, Cahoon, Kinman, Holdaway, Herzog, Parke, Hansen, Torgerson, La Fon, Story, Argyle, Chafin and Walker

Back:  Elders Nelson, Ramos, Furniss, Bates, Williamson, Taylor, Taylor, Elliot, Wilkins, Gneiting, Smith