Collin Mathias/page 1

Outshining the Darkness

When you have questions or concerns about the gospeldont lose hope. Heavenly
Father sends his guidance to you while you are doing your best to progress.
On a cold, dark night in 1972, more than 100 people died because the crew of their plane
was more focused on a light bulb that had burned out than on reaching their destination safely.
The preoccupation with this light bulb distracted the pilots from noticing the planes changed
course. By the time anyone noticed something was wrong, it was too late, and the plane crashed
into the Everglades.
In his 2009 general conference address We Are Doing a Great Work and Cannot Come
Down, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf warns against allowing distractions to derail you from
progress in the gospel. Some concerns you may have with the Church may turn out to be like
burnt-out light bulbs that could land you in the swamp below.
The Old Testament tells of someone who did not let concerns stop him from progressing.
Nehemiah rebuilt Jerusalems walls in 52 days. During that time, his enemies made very real
threats against him. When confronted with opposition, though, Nehemiah said, I am doing a
great work, so that I cannot come down (Nehemiah 6:3). Instead of allowing his concern for the
safety of his people as well as his own safety to distract him from the Lords command,
Nehemiah kept working with faith that the Lord would take care of them.
You may have real and important concerns, but Heavenly Father needs you to trust him
and obey his commands: then answers will come. President Uchtdorf says, He seeks those
whose actions conform to their wordsthose who say with conviction, I am doing a great work
and cannot come down.
Read or watch President Uchtdorfs talk We Are Doing a Great Work and Cannot Come
Down to learn more about the work Heavenly Father needs you to do.
Source: LDS General Conference
Collin Mathias, Mormon Insights
Find more insights
Check out To Simplicity and Beyond to learn how to prioritize based on what is truly
significant.
For more thoughts about dealing with questions and doubts, read or watch Elder Vern P.
Stanfills address Choose the Light.
Watch Have I Done Any Good in the World Today to listen to President Thomas S.
Monson bear testimony of the power of serving God.
Watch and listen to Alex Boy and Carmen Rasmusen Herberts cover of Have I Done
Any Good in the World Today and be inspired to act on your faith.
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