I WILL BE A LIGHT
"And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart,
and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?"
-Alma 5:26
"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world:
he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
-John 8:12
That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light;
and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.
-D&C 50:24
The Story Behind the Song
This song was written for a youth conference fireside with the theme “Share the Light.” As I was studying talks and scriptures to prepare for the fireside, one thing that stood out clearly to me was that without the light of Christ in our lives, we will not be able to see Him when He comes. I love the imagery and symbolism of light in the scriptures. (And the Lord uses it EVERYWHERE! In my studies, I found at least 513 references to light in the Standard Works. There are probably more!) One talk that really influenced me as I was writing this was given by Sister Elaine Dalton of the Young Women General Presidency in a 2006 General Conference address. Her talk was titled “It Shows in Your Face,” and in that talk, she quoted a poem her grandfather taught to her (author unknown). One of the lines from that poem said, “If you live close to God and His infinite grace, You won’t have to tell, it will show in your face.” I love that line, and can’t claim any credit for it, but as I read it, I heard very clearly where it needed to be used in this song. I testify that Jesus Christ is our light, and if we follow Him, we will never walk in darkness. And the more we follow Him, the more quickly we replenish our own light, until He comes again, and our light will be “brighter and brighter” on that “perfect day.”
LYRICS
Life will have its storms, but we look to the light
Of the Savior of all, dispelling the night.
Just as night disappears with the light of the day,
Arise and shine forth, let His light lead the way!
I will be a light! I will shine for all to see.
I will be a light! His love will radiate from me.
I will work all my life to fill the world with light.
The light of my Savior in me.
I will not give way to the darkness of sin,
For the light of His truth will shine from within.
If I live close to God and His infinite Grace,
The light of His love will shine through my face.
I will be a light! I will shine for all to see.
I will be a light! His love will radiate from me.
I will work all my life to fill the world with light.
The light of my Savior in me.