Sister Neill F. Marriott: Sharing Your Light

Read or watch the full talk here.

Sister Marriott started her talk with a reminder that we, each of us, have two responsibilities: “first, consistently adding gospel light and truth to our lives, and second, sharing that light and truth with others.” 

Her message reminded me of the common idea that you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of others. This is something I believe in, but that I am not always great at following. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that I am some amazing woman that spends her day serving others. I do what I can, but I should definitely do more. Sometime, however, I catch myself neglecting my health (both the spiritual and physical). When I neglect my spiritual and physical health, I become angry and frustrated. It also becomes hard for me to shine and share the light I do have. It’s something I’m working on. Hopefully this blog with help that.  

Early in her talk, Sister Marriott asked an interesting question. She prefaced it with a reminder that each of us is “valuable and essential in Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation” and that we are blessed to “know the truth of the restored gospel.” Then she asked the following question. 

“Are we ready to defend that truth?” 

This question made me pause. I couldn’t help reflecting on it. During the first post of this blog series, I said that I was nervous about this self imposed challenge. There is so much in the news, and in the world, about people criticizing Christians. I wasn’t sure I wanted to deal with the possibility that someone would come across this blog and start hassling me about my faith. 

On the same night, however, I overheard a man I greatly respect tell a friend that she needs to, and that she can, trust Heavenly Father. 

I couldn’t help wondering if I was trusting Heavenly Father. 

It would be easy to give up on this challenge and hide from people who might criticize me, but it would also be cowardly. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am tired of living in fear. Fear that I will offend someone, or that they might not like me. I want to live with faith. I want to trust my Heavenly Father.  

Ok, the nerves are hitting me again, but I feel like I need to share a secret. For a while now I am been contemplating a new project. I feel. No, that’s the wrong word. I know that Heavenly Father gave me the talent and the interest in writing for a reason. I keep on having ideas (I’m too nervous to officially call them promptings) about a book or website project where people share their testimonies. It wouldn’t be “I’m a Mormon,” but it would be something along those lines, except that it would have a wider scope. 
In my head I call it This Much I Know to Be True.

People from all faiths and backgrounds could share their testimonies about their personal life experiences. They could write about anything. Their faith, their hobbies, their careers, their family. Anything. 

Sometimes I think we forget just how similar we are. Two people might come from extremely different backgrounds, but if they try hard enough, if they open their hearts and minds wide enough, they will find a connection.

In my experience, eternal truths are the ideas that connect people across any and all barriers and differences. 

I would love the opportunity to help people cross those barriers and reconnect with the eternal family that is the human race.

Despite what some people might want to believe, none of us knows everything. But each of us knows something. We just have to be willing to share that something with the world. 

Ok, back to Sister Marriott’s talk. Another necessary reminder that she provided me was the truth that great things come to pass with small and simple acts. She was discussing the power of a mother in the lives of her children and made reference to all of the small and daily routines that were a part of her life: “folding laundry, reading children’s books, and putting casseroles together for dinner.” These may seem like small chores but the joyful completion of them carries “eternal significance.” 

I want to close today’s post with the final words of Sister Marriott’s talk. “I testify we have a living Savior, Jesus Christ, and with His power and light we will be enabled to push back the darkness of the world, give voice to the truth we know, and influence others to come unto Him. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”