We can edify and rejoice together - that which is of God is light

One of the great beauties of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that because we are all equals, and we are all children of a loving father, we all have the opportunity to grow and enhance our spiritual gifts together.  He wants to give to us all generously and has given us ways to learn and improve and take full advantage of the gifts with which he has blessed us.

One of the blessings from the Lord is the opportunity to edify and help each other grow and learn. In Doctrine and Covenants 50:13-22, the Lord talks about the roles of the Spirit, teachers, and students. 

In verse 22 it says:

"Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another and both are edified and rejoice together." 

In verse 24 it says:

"That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day." 

There is so much we can learn from these verses. When we work together to edify one another, we all benefit. It reminds me of one of my favorite sayings, "Rising tides raise all boats." In addition, when we bring light into our lives, it grows and grows. There is no limit to growing our light. What an amazing blessing! 

A couple of weeks ago in Sunday School I emphasized a scripture and talk from Jan E. Newman that I did not share on my blog. I want to share it now because it feels so relevant to  Doctrine and Covenants 49-50, and the Come Follow Me study emphasis: "That Which is of God is Light."

When we gather as a class, we shouldn't expect the teacher to talk at us. We should expect an open discussion where we can contribute not just what the Spirit whispers to us at that time, but what we learned in our homes and in our personal study. Some of the most edifying things I have learned in class were comments from parents that shared an experience about learning in their homes. For example, one sister shared that her child has anxiety. They had recently studied an ancestor of theirs together and learned that this ancestor also had anxiety. It gave the young girl a special connection with her ancestor that comforted her. It was a a powerful example to me during a lesson where we discussed family history work and learning as a family. I would not have that memorable story in my heart and mind had that young mother not decided to speak up and share her experience.

During General Conference in April, Jan E. Newman, the second counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency, talked about this:

Talk link here.

To me, this is why is significant in Matthew 18:20 that, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." 

What a powerful thing! That we can pray to Heavenly Father in our minds and in our hearts but we can also gather together to have him in our midst.