How do you look today?

Today's post is brought to you today by Isaiah 3:9.

It reads "9. The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves."

I'm going to reread that first line- "the shew of their countenance doth witness against them"

President David O McKay had something to say regarding that.

“Every man and every person who lives in this world wields an influence, whether for good or for evil. It is not what he says alone; it is not alone what he does. It is what he is. Every man, every person radiates what he or she really is. . . . It is what we are and what we radiate that affects the people around us.

“As individuals, we must think nobler thoughts. We must not encourage vile thoughts or low aspirations. We shall radiate them if we do. If we think noble thoughts; if we encourage and cherish noble aspirations, there will be that radiation when we meet people, especially when we associate with them.’ ( Man May Know for Himself, p. 108.)

This concept has been going through my mind all week since Monday when I read it. I know it's true that we radiate the good or bad inside of us, we see it all around us. There's a certain darkness to those that are not living as they know they should, and a light with happiness in those that are living the gospel as taught in the scriptures and by the prophets.

Little kids are great examples of this. Most little kids radiate so much light and happiness. Now, this doesn't mean they are perfect, as my son has recently taken to screaming and throwing himself on the floor when he doesn't get his way, but he always is quick to apologize and say he is sorry and move on. He also LOVES so deeply and generously, which sometimes causes him to hurt his baby sister, but he just wants to give her hugs that turn into tackles, which turn into her getting hurt on the floor. But he wants to express his love freely to everyone. He has a purity in him that is expressed in a shining happiness. And it's not just my son! It's in all children. Especially as I have been observing other children this week, no matter their parents or who else is around them, children have this amazing light inside their eyes.

Now this isn't true about adults. I see many adults with darkness, weighed down by life and for many their choices which are contrary to what God has commanded, but what the world says is right. The darkness I see in them makes me sad, because they are sad, for wickedness never was happiness. (Alma 41:10)

Now, did I say my son was perfect to get that light? No, he is just pure. And I think purity is a key component of the spirit being a part of your life. What does purity mean to you, and why would that be so crucial for the spirit?

O.k. one last thought. Elder Parley P. Pratt once described the effects of the Holy Ghost like this:

“[His influence] quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands and purifies all the natural passions and affections; and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use. It inspires, develops, cultivates and matures all the fine-toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings and affections of our nature. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness and charity. It develops beauty of person, form and features. It tends to health, vigor, animation and social feeling. It invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens, and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being” (Key to the Science of Theology, 9th ed. [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1965], p. 101)

Isn't that great?!? Do you want to gain more beauty? Live the commandments better. Do you want to get stronger? Try to invite the spirit more in your life. More joy? More spirit. It's so simple, yet we often choose other things over the spirit. But you will radiate that choice. You cannot hide it, just like you cannot hide the goodness in you. Because your countenance will shine with whatever you have been thinking and doing.

So shine a little brighter today. Go serve someone, exercise your physical body, pray a little more, love a little harder, forgive a little more easily. It will be worth it, I promise!