Shine Your Light So Others May See

“The Savior’s call to “shine our light” is a call to intentionally focus our light to help others see their next step forward to come to Christ,” says Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women General President.

In her April 2020 general conference address, Sister Cordon shares a childhood experience when Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was hosted by her family on their farm in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and how she learned to be more effective in helping others find their way in unknown territory.

When Elder Perry offered to help her feed the chickens one night, she eagerly led the way through the dark night while swinging her flashlight. But she failed to realize that the light wasn’t helping him. Not knowing the terrain, he stepped into an irrigation ditch, soaking his leather shoe in mud.

On their return to the house after feeding the chickens, Elder Perry reminded the young Sister Cordon that he needed to see the light.

“I was shining my light, but not in a way that helped Elder Perry,” Sister Cordon said. “I focused the light just ahead of his steps. We returned home in confidence.”

“The call to shine our light is not an invitation to wave our light to make the world generally brighter,” she says. “It is about focusing our light so others may see their way to Christ ... to be more intentional in helping others see their next step forward.”

[DanielRobertThomson]

"This invitation is not just about randomly waving a beam of light and making the world generally brighter. It is about focussing our light so that others may see the way to Christ".

[atravismoore]

Awww, the L. Tom Perry portrayal was a welcome and accurate surprise. We miss him!

[jenniferhopkins]

It was great to hear this personal anecdote told again. And whoever played L. Tom Perry, he really nailed his voice and way of speaking. It warmed my heart!

[FamilyHandshake]

Thank you for your beautiful story. Sometimes it is hard to shine our light but we each bear our own testimonies that can help others.

[TheSwedishHistorian]

This woman came to our fsy conference in denmark. I was struck by her kindness and genuity

[shawnjames]

I loved this. It touched my heart, this simple message seemed like it was for me. Sometimes it’s hard to get my head out of my needs and focus on others as the Savior did.

[MrSpookyDave]

What a great story, and a spot-on impression of Elder Perry. I miss that great Apostle!

[KierraLife]

Such a cute way to portray this story!

[dariaorme]

When the actor playing Elder Perry first started talking I was like, "It's really him!" Excellent work.

[melaniemilby]

Very grateful for this illustration of how we can improve our efforts to help one another along the path to the greater peace and joys of eternal life with God! ❤️

[dalewalker]

Thank you Sister Cordon for sharing your touching story with us. It reminded me of how much I miss my neighbor L. Tom Perry and his radiant personality. He was a giant of a man, both physically and spiritually. When he was depicted in the video as shaking the water & mud off of his fine shoes, I could envision a flashback of him in my mind, of Elder Perry as a younger man, dressed in his U.S. Marine’s uniform and keeping his bright & shiny black boots meticulously polished in the proper Marine tradition. Thank you for the heartwarming memory of my friend, and may Elder Perry’s light continue to shine down upon us as well.

[leafmealoynederpydeu]

I love this so pure and beautiful I feel God in this so much! This is the Jesus I have been looking for. This God of love not hate

[ENFPSIS]

Wow, just a couple days ago, Missionaries from my ward came to my house, and invited me and my family to share the gospel with someone..and I prayed just last night to find someone who I can teach! Thank you!!

[angieluilabradley]

I love to hear the stories of other lives. This is wonderful thank you Sister Bonnie for sharing.

[lisadee.]

This honest & transforming testimony is a brilliant analogy to the light of Christ. As others have echoed Sister Cordon's statement:"The call to shine our light is not an invitation to wave our light to make the world generally brighter", (she says), Now that, right there, is a heed & pondering moment to meditate on the significance of her comment! Further she states: "it is about focusing our light so others may see their way to Christ"This is a transforming eye opener, if you get it, & live it out! ... Sister Cordon, then adds: "to be more intentional in helping others see their next step forward"~I love that! This is a soft & beautiful way to describe the element in illuminating Christ's likeness in us for others to see Him, the light & way. Absolutely Wonderful segment & share! I appreciate it.

[obeidakhater]

Thank you sister The message has arrived.
God bless you and bless all planet with his light and mercy.

[pedromoo]

I loved this experience and I have renewed my determination to focus my light for the benefit of others.

[noahclark]

I love that Elder Perry still needed the light.

[nolanbowen]

When I was a young kid in Montana I was tasked with doing chores for our chickens, cows, horse and hogs. On nights the moon was bright I would turn the yard light off. Though the moon is compared to the terrestrial light, it lit my way. I am grateful for parents wise enough to give me chores and I was and am grateful for the light of the moon.

[Saint_nobody]

I hope the Church produces more, elaborations, of conference talks like this one. Thank you.