You might notice that themes related to darkness and light—both physical and spiritual—are repeated throughout 3 Nephi 8–11. What do you learn from these chapters about spiritual darkness and light?... Why do you think the Savior chose to introduce Himself as "the light and the life of the world"? (3 Nephi 9:18; 11:11). How has Jesus Christ been a light in your life?
"Each time you choose to try to live more like the Savior, you will have your testimony strengthened. You will come in time to know for yourself that He is the Light of the World….You will come to feel light growing in your life…. You will be a light to the world as you share your testimony with others. You will reflect to others the Light of Christ in your life." (Henry B. Eyring, A Living Testimony, April 2011 General Conference). Also watch this personal testimony of the Savior from President Eyring.
"With the hope of the Atonement and the Resurrection, you have a third great hope, the hope of eternal life. ... Because you have a Savior, you also believe in a happy, eternal life of creating, serving, and learning. You are already in the strait and narrow path, and there is hope smiling brightly before you. ... You just need to stay in, pressing forward with a brightness of hope" ("There Is Hope Smiling Brightly before Us," Liahona and Ensign, May 2003, 103–5).
The following video from the 2016 LIGHTtheWORLD campaign encourages us to follow the example of Jesus Christ and to share His light by serving as He served.
What are some ways you can help light the world? This blog post shares several ideas of how to be a light using family history:
Light the World—Aid someone in his or her family history quest, index
Light the Community—Share your family's heritage with friends and neighbors
Light Your Family—Learn about someone important to you
Light Your Faith—Consider the gifts you enjoy because of your ancestors
If you are lucky enough to have grandparents living, get to know them. Talk or write to them to find out about their lives. Ask them questions about when they were your age and growing up.
Plan some celebrations of their lives. Ideas might include writing their stories, making timelines, photo books, posters, and family history gifts. Remember them by sending pictures and letters, e-cards or postcards, and do family history together in person or online.
Celebrate the Lives of Your Ancestors
Discover some of the important events in your ancestors' lives. Go to the Calendar of Ancestor Moments. Log in and see if any of your ancestors have the same birthday or anniversary as any member of your family. Connect your ancestors' events with important events in your family with FamilySearch Auto-Reminder to Celebrate Ancestral Moments.
Looking Ahead: Christmas Gifts and Decorations with Family History
Often when you hear "Light of the World," you think about Christmas. Although it is early in the year, some gifts and decorations require time and preparation. So, when you do begin to think about Christmas, here are a few family history ideas to consider.
Create keepsake ornaments to remember your ancestors.
Fun Family History Gifts suggests creating a nine-generation color fan chart of your family tree or put your family names into a name cloud for display.
Have you ever felt that you were struggling to understand a message that God was communicating to you? Perhaps the experience of the people in 3 Nephi 11:1–8 can help you understand some principles of hearing and understanding God's voice. You might note the characteristics of God's voice that the people heard and what they did to better understand it. How might this account apply to your efforts to hear and recognize the voice of God in your life through personal revelation?
"And again the third time they did hear the voice, and did open their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound thereof; and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, from whence the sound came.
"And behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard; and it said unto them:
"Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him." (3 Nephi 11:5-7)
In Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives, President Russell M. Nelson taught: "Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart. And then listen! Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings and follow through with actions that you are prompted to take. As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will 'grow into the principle of revelation' [Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 132]."
"One of the ways we can enhance our personal revelation is to write down and record spiritual insights and impressions when they come. When we do so, we show the Lord we value His counsel and are ready for more." (Tad R. Callister, Record Spiritual Insights to Receive More Revelation in Your Life) Elder Callister also taught that recording spiritual promptings results in the following blessings: 1) It preserves the integrity of the message, 2) It preserves the feelings of the moment, 3) It facilitates future sharing, 4) It enhances future sharing, and 5) It enhances future revelation.
Share experiences together that you have had with the Holy Ghost. You may want to begin with a personal experience. (Remember, spiritual experiences are sacred and should not be talked about unless family members are comfortable sharing.)
Encourage family members to identify daily spiritual experiences and how the Lord has blessed them. Suggestions might include: How were your prayers answered? Did your scripture reading answer a question? Were you given the words to say at the exact time you needed them? Did an opportunity arise at the "right" time?
Extend a challenge to record these experiences. Recording events in a journal or other format help you remember events of your own life as well as learning from your ancestors' lives and experiences. 5 Unique Ways to Record and Remember Revelation gives some ideas that might help you decide on a method that works best for you and your family.
Learning from Journal Stories
Have family members look through their journals or find stories of ancestors for experiences of when they have felt the promptings or have received personal revelation. (See the Week 22 activity for details.) Share some experiences and discuss some of the following questions. (Again remember, spiritual experiences are very personal and should only be shared as family members feel comfortable.)
Describe the experience. (When, where, why, and how did it occur?)
Was there any preparation before the experience?
How did you feel or how do you think your ancestor felt?
What can you do to have other experiences?
Your Personal History
Write one brief story about your life as you study each Come, Follow Me lesson. By the end of the year, you will have compiled 50 stories to add to your personal history. Save as a story (also consider audio-recording it) and add it to your FamilySearch memories to preserve it. Use your own questions, those from (or inspired by) Come,Follow Me, or the #52 Stories Project. See below for ideas:
How has Jesus Christ been a light in your life?
How do you hear the voice of God in your life through personal revelation?
