Stake Presidency Message 

“The Light of the World”

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“All things are created . . . to bear record of” and to “typify” Jesus Christ (Moses 6:63; 2 Ne. 11:4; Ps. 19:1; Alma 30:44). There is no better example of this than light, which testifies of and typifies the Light of the World. Einstein’s theory of special relativity teaches that everything in the known universe travels at a relative velocity. For example, when a professional quarterback passes the ball, its speed varies depending on the benchmark by which it is being measured. For the fans sitting stationary watching the game, the ball may be traveling past them at 55 mph. But or a wide receiver running 20 mph in the same direction to catch the ball, the ball is traveling only 35 mph. Likewise, for a defensive back running 20 mph in the opposite direction to try to intercept the pass, the ball is traveling at 75 mph. The velocity of everything in the universe is thus relative. Everything except for one thing: light. The speed of light is constant. Light travels at 670 million mph in relation to all else in the universe. If a quarterback could shoot a photon of light, that photon would travel at 670 million mph relative to the fans, the receiver, and the defensive back. It never varies.

The constancy of light is not limited just to its speed but includes also its very existence. Einstein further taught that “light does not get old; a photon that emerged from the big bang is the same age today as it was then. There is no passage of time at light speed.” Brian Greene, The Elegant Universe.

In a world of so much uncertainty and even upheaval, we can find great comfort in knowing that Jesus Christ, like the light that typifies Him, is constant; He will always be there for us. He is “the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17; Morm. 9:9). As we study the Old Testament this year, whose central message could be that the Lord of Hosts will fight our battles if we turn to Him, I pray that we will remember that Jesus Christ will always be there for us—no matter what. As the Lord Himself reminds us:

Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour (Isa. 43:1–3).