The Lower Lights

In the October 2012 session of General Conference, President Packer told a story of attempting to cross a dangerous reef by boat in the middle of the raging storm. He explained that a light was set up on a nearby hill, and a second one was to be lit on the beach. When the boat was at the location in which the two lights lined up in a straight line, it could safely cross the reef. President Packer related his experience to that of the hymn, in which is sung:

Brightly beams our Father’s mercy

From his lighthouse evermore,

But to us he gives the keeping

Of the lights along the shore.

Let the lower lights be burning;

Send a gleam across the wave.

Some poor fainting, struggling seaman

You may rescue, you may save.

                The words of this hymn teach a concept that can also be found in 1 Thessalonians 1:6. In this verse, Paul tells that people that “ye became followers of us, and of the Lord.” When we read that verse, it’s not hard for us to understand what Paul is saying when he tells the converts that they have become followers of the Lord. Perhaps what is more surprising is that he acknowledges the fact that these converts have also become followers of Paul. I believe that in this verse, Paul is simply teaching the same concept taught in that hymn: there are two important examples we need in our lives—the “upper light” of Christ, and the “lower light” of human examples.

The “upper light” is obviously the Lord Jesus Christ. President Kimball explained that the reason why we needed a perfect example such a Christ. He terms the word “fixed principles” to explain the perfect qualities that Christ embodied. In President Kimball’s words: “He really does embody all those virtues and attributes the scriptures tell us of. If we don’t accept that truth and that reality, then we will not have the fixed principles or the transcendent truths by which to live out our lives in happiness and in service.” In other words, if our best example had only lived 99% perfect, then we could never shoot for 100%. Knowing that everyone has weakness, it becomes immensely easier to justify what you or I might consider “the 1%”, and excuse weakness or mistakes as an unchangeable part of our nature. The perfect example of Jesus Christ takes away that excuse, because from a position of perfection Christ could command us to be perfect, even as he is. Of that command, President Kimball said “In urging us to be perfect as our Father in Heaven is perfect, Jesus was not taunting us or teasing us. He was telling us a powerful truth about our possibilities and about our potential.” It’s only through looking at the perfect “upper light” of Jesus Christ that enables us to reach higher within ourselves and find the way to struggle for perfection.

 In His perfect wisdom, Heavenly Father knew that the very perfection of Christ would also open the door for Satan and his lies. Compared with such an incomparable standard, can you or I ever help but occasionally wonder when Satan whispers “You’re not good enough. You’ve already made mistakes, and you’re a lost cause?” It can at times be extremely disheartening and depressing to see our own inadequacies and have to compare them to the bar set by the Savior. That is why we also need “lower lights”—the examples of good men and women, who fight through their imperfections and show us that while they too make mistakes, they also have the potential to do great and amazing works of righteousness. I find such examples invaluable in those moments when it seems I’m too wicked or sinful to ever measure up to the Savior. In those moments, I look around at family, friends, acquaintances, and church leaders, and I take hope from knowing that they have made just as many mistakes as I have, yet still go on to accomplish incredible things.

The question that now lies in front of you and I is simple: will we be a lower light in our light? There are those out there who are waiting for us, who look to us as their second beacon in the night. We have a powerful potential to help out others and draw them closer to the true light of Jesus Christ. I conclude with the words of President Kimball:

Each of us has more opportunities to do good and to be good than we ever use. These opportunities lie all around us. Whatever the size of our present circle of effective influence, if we were to improve… even a little bit, that circle would be enlarged. There are many individuals waiting to be touched and loved if we care enough to improve.