Elder Vern P. Stanfill: Choose the light

Elder Vern P. Stanfill (Mormon Newsroom)

Elder Vern P. Stanfill shared the lessons he learned from light after a bicycle ride.

Elder Stanfill began by describing his bike excursion as a trail that included trestles and long tunnels. Elder Stanfill and his family and friends had been warned about the darkness of the tunnels and that strong lights were needed. Soon into his ride, Elder Stanfill realized that his light were inadequate.

In the darkness, Elder Stanfill became 'embarrassed to admit (his) anxieties' and struggled to stay upright on his bike. Eventually, Elder Stanfill expressed his concerns and was able to draw closer to the more powerful light of a friend.

Close to the end, Elder Stanfill was able to see the light at the end of the tunnel and became reassured as he peddled towards the light.

With his personal experience as context, Elder Stanfill shared three important lessons he learned from his bike ride.

First, no matter how intense the darkness of doubt, people choose how long and to what extent they allow it to influence them.

Elder Stanfill explained that Christ, the Spirit, friends, leaders, or a parent can be temporary light. He advised against listening to people or sources that do not have our best interests at heart because 'these ever-present naysayers prefer to tear down rather than elevate, and to ridicule rather than uplift.'

Elder Stanfill also counseled against personal pride, which allows the fear of embarrassment to inhibit action.

'When we realize that the light and comfort the Savior can extend to us is far too precious to lose to pride, then inspired church leaders, parents or a trusted friend can help us.'

Elder Stanfill's second lesson was that people must trust in the Lord in order to develop spiritual strength within themselves.

Elder Stanfill encouraged people to remember past spiritual feelings to combat doubt and to seek for new spiritual experiences to help them reach the end of the tunnel.

The last lesson was that there is no darkness so dense, so menacing or so difficult that it cannot be overcome by light.

Elder Stanfill concluded by reaffirming Elder Neil L. Anderson's teaching that the increase of wickedness in the world is always accompanied by increased righteousness.

'We have not been left alone to be influenced by every whim and change in the world's attitude, but we have the power to choose belief over doubt.'

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