“Be a Shining Light,” New Era, September 2015, 20–21
Be a Shining Light
Katelynn Mika Isaacson lives in Missouri, USA.
From the darkness I was in, I noticed one friend always seemed to glow with light.
Photo illustration by David Stoker
I was in what felt like the deepest hole I could possibly imagine. I was just having a horrible time, and I didn’t think that there was anyone I could turn to. I hadn’t been taught about our Heavenly Father yet.
There I was in the middle of class, and I saw this boy across the room. He was shining. It wasn’t anything new. Every time I looked at him he was shining. I couldn’t understand how he was so happy all the time. Finally, after five years of wondering, I got just an ounce of courage to try to get to know him. We talked at school, but I wanted to know more. He was different.
One day when we were watching a movie with some friends, I noticed he had his eyes covered. I asked if something was wrong. He said that he shouldn’t be exposed to what was on the screen. I was rather confused. We were in high school. Hadn’t he watched movies like that before?
Later I asked if we could hang out again, but instead he asked me if I wanted to come work with him on his family farm. I happily agreed. I started going to work with him as much as I could. When we worked, we really worked hard, and it felt good. But what I admired most about him is that while we worked he taught me of his beliefs, the gospel, and the Book of Mormon. Once we became a little better friends, he would read to me out of the scriptures. Then he would explain to me what it meant. Eventually he invited me to church. I was so excited.
Only a few months later I was in the bishop’s office asking to be baptized. I eagerly told my friend that I wanted him to baptize me. I know it meant a lot to him. He couldn’t confirm me because he was a priest, so his father did. I was baptized on December 14, 2008, at the same time as his little sister. It was such a wonderful experience.
I have a challenge for you. I challenge you to become a better missionary. High school is tough, but be the shining light across the room. “Ye are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).
In conversation, just bring up one of your beliefs. Maybe not every person you talk to is ready to hear what you have to say, but someone will be. I know I was. Now I am being a missionary to my nonmember family, and what a great feeling that is. I am regularly bringing my mother to church, and my sister has attended some youth activities. My parents have supported my decisions in the Church all the way. But for now I am going to be a missionary just like that kid at school. I encourage you to do the same. You never know how many lives you can change by answering a couple of questions.