Akron Ohio Stake News

by Lisa Kay,  Stake Relief Society 1st Counselor

I love light! When my husband asked if I liked the higher or lower watt bulbs in our basement lights, I replied, “Higher, I like it bright like the sun!” While I enjoy bright visual light, the light that uplifts us all is the gospel light of our Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. This is shown in our actions as we uplift those around us with kind words and deeds, scattering sunshine to those we serve.

I memorized Matthew 5:14-16 when I was a youth at a Young Women’s Camp. It says, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” 

I love this scripture because we are reminded that when we serve others uplift them as well as show that we love our Heavenly Father. Our good works can encourage others to let their light shine.

Cathy Bearry was our YW Camp Director who had chosen this scripture as the camp theme. I knew her well. She was in my ward and served in our Young Women’s presidency for much of my youth. Cathy always had kind, encouraging words for a frustrated Young Woman. She taught us how to plan youth activities that were fun and at the same time taught gospel principles. She even took the time to take us, her rambunctious Laurels, three hours away to Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco for a memorable day of sightseeing and laughter. Cathy let her light shine!

Four years ago, my mom had a major stroke, and I went to California to help. One morning, I headed to the hospital to spend the day with my mom. When I arrived, I found Cathy there talking with my mom. Her smile and kind words brought light that both my mom and I needed in this difficult time.

President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “The candle that the Lord has lighted in this dispensation can become as a light unto the whole world, and others seeing our good works can be led to glorify our Father in Heaven and emulate in their own lives the examples they have observed in ours.

“Beginning with you and me, there can be an entire people who, by the virtue of our lives in our homes, in our vocations, even in our amusements, can become as a city upon a hill to which men may look and learn, and an ensign to the nations from with the people of the earth may gather strength.” “A City upon a Hill,” Ensign, July 1990.

In our stake, there are many examples of people who are a light. We have members who volunteer at their local food banks. There are parents who coach their children’s (and other people’s children’s) youth sports teams. A brother that was recovering from surgery and couldn’t return to work chose to spend the time working in his son’s elementary classroom. We have members working at the Bishop’s storehouse, some as volunteers and others serving as missionaries there. Some people volunteer at schools or hospitals. Members in our stake donate blood, and others donate time to organize or volunteer at blood drives. Some shovel driveways or mow grass to help.

Members of our stake index records on Familysearch.org so that others looking into their family history can have more information available. We have members who, when their bishop or Relief Society or elders quorum president identify a need, step forward to take care of it. Members who enthusiastically fellowship investigators and new members.

Some who drive the carless to appointments and church. Others who help with childcare, meals, or household chores when there is a need. Members who gather to help with a move by packing boxes, cleaning, or bringing boxes in from the moving truck. Many call or text kind words to encourage and uplift. We have youth reaching out to minister to others, and sometimes they bring cookies!

We can share light in so many ways. The little kind deeds can illuminate the lives around us. I invite you to join me in looking for ways to let your light shine. Together we can bring more happiness and joy into our lives and the lives of those around us.