My Light Experience

Let your light shine in every way possible.

This week I want to share with you an experience I had this past week. I did not plan for it to be like this, but this is what happened so I want to share it with you today! This past week, I had an experience with The Light Of Christ! Actually there were a few small experiences, and then one bigger experience that changed my life.

Let's start with the smaller experiences:
First, I was sitting by a girl I know from school in the chapel of an LDS church meeting house waiting for an activity to start. This young lady is one of the more popular girls at school, and I am not. This beautiful young lady turned and told me: "Samantha, I just wanted to let you know that I think your eyes are beautiful. It's like they are smiling all the time. The light radiates through your eyes and makes you shine. Thank you for being an example to me." Little did she know how much that meant to me. At a time where I was feeling alone and useless to others: she told me that I, the "invisible" girl at school, was an example to her, the popular, beautiful girl at school that everyone knows.
Second, I was sitting in seminary this week, and we were learning about Christ's light and how it makes people "shine" when they choose to follow Him. My teacher turned to the class and asked us "Who do you know that is 'shiny'?" Everyone immediately started naming people from school, people that most of the class knew. My teacher then answered and said: "You know who I think is shiny? I think all the people you named are shiny, but I also believe that Samantha Stout is shiny." Everyone turned to me and started nodding and saying nice things about me and how I was an example to them too. I don't know why my seminary teacher chose me, out of all the kids she teaches and has taught, but I do know that it made me feel visible and loved, and like my hard work to be happy and help others wasn't useless.

Now for the bigger experience of the week:
This past week I had the opportunity to go help with special needs mutual (Young Men's/Young Women's for the disabled) What a magnificent experience that was. I was surrounded by these beautiful people from ages 12 to 75 for about two hours. These people have a spirit that can only be felt when you are in the midst of "shiny" people; for every single one of these "disabled" people carries around the Light Of Christ, and it shines brighter in them than any person I know. They are truly angels sent to live among us. Being with them brightened my heart and soul. The way they smile and love every single person they meet is incredible. They don't care if you are rich or poor, they don't care if you are popular or shy. They don't care what your circumstances are: they love you unconditionally the way Christ loves each of us. When leaving them, I couldn't help but think: "They aren't ones who are disabled, for I hold the disability. They see with the eyes of Christ, and they love every single person as He does. They love you immediately, as if you are an old friend, just as Christ would. They judge not, and love all. Oh how I wish I could be like unto them." How blessed I was to be in their presence, for I was supposed to be teaching them; but they were the ones who did all the teaching. We are told to surround ourselves with greatness. These people are great, and changed my life. I would say unto you: surround yourself with their greatness for they are truly angels.

I want to close with a short video and my testimony. The video is called: Angels in Disguise This video taught me that when we surround ourselves with angels, (or people with the constant true gospel Light Of Christ) we too can become angels. Brothers and Sisters I wonder what our lives would be like if we too were "angels in disguise." I invite you to serve others, mourn with those that mourn, comfort those in need of comfort, visit the sick, clothe the naked, teach the gospel, and love all around you. I invite you to talk to all those you pass on the street and open your mouth, for it shall be filled. Join with me in becoming "angels in disguise" and angels will dot the earth and prepare the world for the time when He shall come again: for it cometh quickly. Do not wait, the time is now.
In the name Of Jesus Christ,
Amen

Love,
Samantha

Light Of Christ

"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
(Matthew 5:16) 

I realized today that I talk a lot about this element of "light" and the "Light of Christ." For some reason it hit me today that some of you reading this may not know what I'm talking about when I say this. Today I hope I can give you understanding of the things I am saying when I use these phrases concerning the "Light Of Christ", "Light in their eyes", etc. Today I want to help you understand what LIGHT is.

The bible dictionary says this about the the Light Of Christ: "The Light of Christ is just what the words imply: enlightenment, knowledge, and an uplifting, ennobling, persevering influence that comes upon mankind because of Jesus Christ. For instance, Christ is the 'true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world'."

LDS.org says this about The Light Of Christ: " The Light of Christ is the divine energy, power, or influence that proceeds from God through Christ and gives life and light to all things. (Doctrine and Covenants 88:6-13) The Light Of Christ influences people for good and prepares them to receive the Holy Ghost. One manifestation of the Light of Christ is what we call a conscience."
"Conscience is a manifestation of the Light of Christ, enabling us to judge good from evil. The prophet Mormon taught: 'The Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.' (Moroni 7:16, 18)"
"As people learn more about the gospel, their consciences become more sensitive (Moro. 7:12–19). People who hearken to the light of Christ are led to the gospel of Jesus Christ (D&C 84:46–48)."
Doctrine and Covenants 88:49-50 reads: "The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not; nevertheless, the day shall come when you shall comprehend even God, being quickened in him and by him. (50) Then shall ye know that ye have seen me, that I am, and that I am the true light that is in you, and that you are in me; otherwise ye could not abound."

(A link for additional information and scriptures will be listed at the end of this post.)


Alright, if you are unsure about this whole "light" thing, I just threw a ton of information at you and your head is probably spinning. Let me share with you a few videos that may help explain the references I just shared.
Video #1: Light Of Christ
Video #2: Patterns of Light: The Light Of Christ
Video #3: Patterns of Light: Discerning Light
Video #4: Patterns of Light: Spirit of Revelation

I just want to close with my testimony of the Light of Christ. The light of Christ has changed my life and I know that it is real. I see it every single day in the eyes of those people I am around. I know that this light has changed lives and influenced others for good. I know that every single one of us is born with this light, and I know that if we choose the right the light grows and grows. However if we do not choose the right the light diminishes. I want to encourage each of you reading this to let that light grow each and every day. This light will grow by the small and simple things. The gospel really isn't that complicated, so allow it change you and allow the light to grow. I know your example and light will bless the lives of many. Never give up, and remember always that The Lord loves you and that YOU are a child of a King!

In the Name of Jesus Christ,
Amen

Love,
Samantha

These links will contain more information regarding Light
Link one
Link two

If you have any questions: please email them to me at dancer.techie@gmail.com and I will do my very best to answer them!

Valentines Day is Coming...

Love one another.

As the title of this post reminds us: Valentines Day is approaching quickly!! In preparation for this day: I wanted to share a short message with you about what matters most. It's not the candy, the stuffed animals, the cards, the chocolate, the flowers etc. (I'm not saying these things are bad- they aren't. They can just very easily distract from what is most important.) I dare say: It's about the memories and those who you make those memories with. (And not just for Valentines day, but every day of the year.) I want to share this short video with you. It is called: "What Matters Most"

I just want to bear my testimony that I know that it's not always easy to show your love and appreciation for others: but may I say- Don't over think it. Write a short note, give a hug, be available, etc. Smalls things make all the difference. Ask yourself: "In 20 years when I look back at who I was today, will I smile or regret that I wasn't there when it was most important for me to be?" I want you to know that being there can make all the difference. I understand we are busy people, but I guarantee that you want to be there, or you will regret it later. Ask your Father In Heaven for help to know how to be there and show your love and appreciation in small simple ways* that could change someone's day. Ask for help to be that person someone needs today. Then: you must listen to the spirit and follow the whispers of His still, small voice. That's the tricky part. Asking is easy, but we must learn to listen after we ask. It's a process, but it's a major blessing once we can learn how to be better at listening to the voice of The Lord.

I know these things are true and they will bless your life.
In the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen

Love,
Samantha
*Alma 37:6 "Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise." (Found in the Book Of Mormon)

Not quite sure why

You can endure all things.

"I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it." -Jesus Christ
 I know that sometimes we are in so much confusion and hurt from our situations that all we can say in our humble prayers to our Lord is "Hope you know I'm having a hard time." We all go through trials and heartache in our lives. We have all experienced that feeling and question of "Why me?" But I am here to testify to you that He loves you and you are not alone.
Please watch this video: Hope ya know

I just want to add my testimony to that of Elder Quentin L Cook's: that I know He lives. I know He loves you. I know that we can endure hard things because of the enabling power of the atonement. I know you are not alone. Cry unto Him for help. He hears you. He will never leave you comfortless and alone. He will always provide a way. These things I know.
In His Holy name,
Amen

Love,
Samantha

*to watch the whole talk from Quentin L Cook click here