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Show world and for ages, darkness was over the minds of men. This period of the Apostasy was known as the Dark Ages, he said, because the light of the gospel was withdrawn from the earth. More recently, in modern revelation, the Lord has declared: And when the times of the Gentiles is come in, a light shall break forth among them that sit in darkness, and it shall be the fullness of my gospel. X (D&C 45:28) We are encouraged to remain faithful through a promise of increased light and knowledge, for he said: That which is of God is light; and he that receives light, and continueth in God, receiveih more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day. (D&C And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things. (D&C 88:67) How glorious and how desirable! Who would not want to strive for such a blessing? res. N. Eldon Tanner, speaking Sunday morning, jrges all to earn the blessing of light of Christ. asked Christ leads to knowledge' Defining light as something hat makes vision or spiritual illumination possible, he said, Without physical light we cannot see the things around us; and without spiritual light we cannot have knowledge or which all things are governed. (D&C 88:6 and 13) Continuing to illustrate his point that only through the spirit of Christ can people expect enlightenment and truth he said: Since the restoration of the gospel, and the investiture once again of the power of God as given to man through the priesthood of God, it is remarkable to note the advances in all fields of learning. All truth, he said, is discerned through the spirit of truth or the light of Christ, as President Tanner explained that through the Great Apostasy, light was taken from the President N. Eldon Tanner of the First Presidency Elder Howard W. Hunter, Council of the Twelve Elder Boyd K. Packer, Council of the Twelve Elder David B. Haight, Council of the Twelve Elder A. Theodore Tuttle, First Quorum of the Seventy Sunday morning was sunny, but misty and brisk, and the hundreds of people who formed lines around the Tabernacle and in front of the Visitors Center shivered as they talked excitedly to one another and awaited entrance to conference. Inside, members of the Tabernacle Choir, the men in dark blue suits, the women in long, light blue dresses, took their places in preparation for the weeuly broadcast Music and the Spoken Word, at 9:30 a.m. After the broadcast, and just before conference began at 10 a.m., the group, led by Donald Ripplinger, sang, Arise O Glorious Zion. Beloved, it is wonderful to meet with you this day," said President Spencer W. Kimball, as he opened the session. President N. Eldon Tanner was the first speaker, and four others followed. the following scripture For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is spirit, even the spirit of Jesus Christ. Further explaining the effects of the light of Christ on our earth, he related how darkness spread over the face of the earth at the time of the crucifixion as men rejected this light. Darkness enveloped the American continent and was not dispelled for three days. It was restored with the appearance of the Savior. Darkness also struggled with light before the Prophet Joseph received his first vision, he explained. President Tanner thoroughly reviewed these events and said, Every individual has the right to and can have the light of Christ in his life as an abiding influence. But he must earn the privilege and blessing. Each of us must so live as to be worthy of the blessings of the Lord to attend us. This means we must know and understand and keep his commandments. Through the saving principles of the gospel we can use . f o 8 12) Sjtf a -- ? -- - the light in our lives to dispel the darkness in the world. Speaking of President Kimball, he added, We have a prophet of God upon the earth today through whom God speaks to man just as he did in former days and as we accept his counsel we will receive further light and knowledge. President Tanner then turned his attention to giving some instructions to parents. Parents have a particular responsibility to teach their children the importance of following the light and avoiding the darkness. This applies to both their spiritual and physical surroundings. It is a fact that most evil is perpetuated under cover of darkness. Our sons and daughters should know 3- - 0 0 Congregation stands silently X. 4 ; YL as Pres. Spencer W. ius i 5 1 fete I T that they are actually spirit children of God, and that He loves them and wants them to succeed and be happy. He will give to each of us, as he did to Joseph Smith, and as he has done for his children from Adam until the present, an answer to our prayers, the comforting influence of the Holy Ghost, and the light and knowledge we need to keep us from stumbling in the Ah A A t ver- ifies: I Reading from the gospel of John he said, Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 3 de- He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth-whic- h truth shineth. The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by President Tanner defined darkness as a condition devoid of light; not receiving, reflecting, transmitting or radiating light, not clear to the understanding or else showing evil traits and desires. understanding. He then turned to the scriptures. Again reading from John he And this is concontinued, demnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light. (John President Tanner. Consider the following scription of the Son of God: The light of The meaning of light was explained by President N. Eldon Tanner, first counselor m the First Presidency, in the Sunday morning session. 50-2- Sunday morning speakers Kimball 4 S approaches podium area before meeting. ,,A Photo by David Conley 18-2- WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 8, 1977 CHURCH 13 |