LIGHT IN THE MIDST
OF DARKNESS
Testimony by Kristin Peterson
One evening, a few years ago, I unexpectedly had to drive home early from a class I'd been attending. Earlier that day I sulked a little at going to class because the summer day had been particularly beautiful, and the evening looked like it would be as well. It seemed a shame to miss out on such a lovely evening. As I began driving home on Highway 13, I chuckled a little that I was going to be able to enjoy the evening after all. I barreled down the road without a care in the world and not a cloud in sight.
Suddenly and without warning, a terrible storm rushed in. The sky was immediately plunged into darkness. The clouds rolled in fast, and the rain came pounding. The storm was so severe that it was near impossible to see anything. Headlights did not help, as the rains poured down the windshield so fast that the wipers couldn't keep up. A slow moving but steady string of dimly lit cars continued to plow obstinately down the road, and because of this, it was possible to make it as far as my next turn off.
As I turned onto OO Highway, however, there was no more help. The road is hard enough to navigate on a clear day, much less during a thunderstorm. Except for one very straight and seemingly out of place three-mile stretch, the highway has many twists and turns. It is also shrouded by trees much of the way, making it a little darker than normal. The safe course would have been to simply pull over and wait for the rain to calm down. Instead of obeying logic, some strange, unnatural, yet unwavering inclination inside me insisted that I continue pressing forward.
After several minutes of despair and wonderment at why I had decided to continue driving at all, I suddenly came to that very straight stretch of highway. Instantly, the sun broke through the clouds and shone with stunning brightness. The rains continued to pound severely, but visibility had been restored. Around me on all sides was complete and utter darkness, but directly in front of me was the brightest light I had ever beheld! I was nearly blinded at first, but as I continued on the straight path of road in front of me, my eyes adjusted. A great rush of calm swelled over me, and I was assured that the way had been provided for me.
Although that straight section of highway is fairly short, I seemed to dwell there in the light for many long minutes. As I drove, I reflected upon several ideas. It was clear to me that God had brought me to this specific place and time, with a specific purpose, to minister several truths to me. I was reminded of Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life. The darkness of the storm seemed reminiscent of the exceeding great mist of darkness: "They who had commenced in the path did lose their way, and they wandered off and were lost." I remembered that the mists of darkness represents "the temptations of the devil, which blindeth the eyes, and hardeneth the hearts of men." I also recalled that not all were lost. Some "did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron." They stayed on the path that led to the fruit of the tree of life. I also reflected on how narrow and straight the road was that was illuminated before me. I was clearly being reminded that "the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel." [2 Nephi 6:81] (Also see 1 Nephi, Chapter 2)
I also thought about how we should choose to look at the "light" rather than the darkness all around. I was reminded of one of my favorite scriptures: "The light of the body is the eye; therefore when thine eye be single to the glory of God, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness." [Luke 11:35] Another scripture about light was also impressed upon me, which is contained in Section 85 of the Doctrine and Covenants: "And the light which now shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings; which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God, to fill the immensity of space."
The sun breaking through the storm clouds and illuminating my path provided me with the simplest example of these truths. I could perceive in that moment both the brightness of the straight and narrow path before me-and also the broad expanse of darkness that lies all around. It became clear to me how easy it is to wander off the right path and become lost. More importantly, I understood that falling by the wayside is not something that happens to us, but by us because of our choices. The light is blindingly obvious when you are in the midst of it. You must either ignore it or shut your eyes or allow yourself to be blinded when you submit to temptations. How hard, once you have strayed, to struggle through the darkness and find your way back, and yet the way is provided and is being illuminated with the light of Christ. He is the way, the truth, and the light.
At that moment, I was filled with a sense of hope, but also an immense need for repentance. I asked God to forgive me for the times I had gone astray, for choosing darkness rather than light and allowing myself to fall into temptation, and for seeking after things of and about this world rather than seeking after righteousness. I had allowed myself to become distracted over time, and I let my mind be filled with the clutter and confusion that satan uses to try to divert and obstruct God's light.
Just as I had ended my contemplation, the road suddenly curved again, and for an instant, I could see no longer. I panicked in despair and felt as though I had been deserted. The rains became even more torrential. The light ended so abruptly that it was painful! I thought how desperately I wanted to see the light again and wondered how I would possibly be able to continue on.
Then God answered me. The storm instantly calmed, and the pounding rain turned into a light sprinkling. The clouds dissipated, and the sky was alight again, not just directly in front of me, but all around me. It was impressed upon me once more that God had provided a way through the darkness. God had lighted the way home. I drove the remaining few miles in peace, thanking God for the truth He had shown me that day. U
