"Let your light so shine" vs "That thine alms be in secret" and the age of the internet

[jerome1232]

In general I think I get this concept. We do good things, we don't go bragging about them to show how great we are. Yet here in the age of the internet and social media, it seems to me that we have to brag about what we do in the public light if anyone is to notice it.

So when does it change from letting your light shine to bragging to make yourself look good? Is it an internal thing? So long as you are glorifying God you are good to talk about the great stuff you do all you like?

I've always been hesitant to speak of anything I do for fear of boasting of myself, but then I see religion in general and the lds church sometimes specifically targeted in social media as not doing enough humanitarian work, I am beginning to think perhaps we do need to brag.

What are your thoughts?

[bytebear]

When I read this post, I was reminded of conversion stories, and one in particular, because fame makes it well documented.

http://ldsmag.com/article-1-12092/

 

If you read the story, each person introduced to the church were introduced because they had a light that attracted people to the truth. 
 

“Since I joined the Church, I desire to be more and more obedient to God. As I do so, many people say to me, ‘I see a light in you more than ever before. What is it?’…During one performance at Disney world…[a member of the audience asked,] ‘Could you please tell us…how you got that light?’

“the question was direct. so I gave a direct answer: ‘I have become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

I think this is what is meant by letting your light shine.

[Anddenex]

As per my experience, motivation.  The core principle in this verse of scripture is glorifying God, or as pertaining to one of my favorite scripture, "He must increase and I must decrease."

 

If our light shines that others might see our good works and inwardly I am saying, "I am such a good man, I know (keep the praise coming)," then my works are to be seen of men and I have my reward.

 

What is our personal motivation when we do good?  The praise and honor of men, or glorify be to the father.

[pkstpaul]

I think social media is evolving. A lot of what we see as the constant shining the light on one's self will eventually go away as people find it isn't really a very smart thing to do. People will learn and we'll find and equilibrium again.

[NeuroTypical]

My wife excels at letting her light shine in secret.  She's always been able to figure out when someone is just about to ask "so who are you anyway?" and just walk away and disappear before the question comes.  Hauling people out of ditches, stopping at the accident scene before the first responders arrive, buying someone's groceries with quick covert card swipes and winks to the cashier.

 

She never tells these stories.  Well, other than she tells me and I broadcast them to the world.  I think she'd prefer I didn't.  

[Guest]

I hope this is germane to the topic.

 

I was listening to non-gen. conf. talk by one of the General Relief Society Presidency a few years back.  She recounted an interview with a reporter on how oppressed the women of the Church were.  She did a machine gun response about the things Mormon women have done in the past and are going to do in the future.  She ended each item on the list with "Does that sound like oppression to you?"

 

The interview went on with a couple more "accusations" with equally flooring responses.  Then she finally said,"You could hand pick 100 women anywhere in the world and I would still hold a random 100 Mormon women up against them and find the Mormon women to be more impressive".

 

I believe the women of this church are among the greatest of unsung heroes anywhere.  Now, THAT's a light that should shine a lot more than it does because of the bushel of modern culture.

Edited November 27, 2015 by Guest

[Guest LiterateParakeet]

I think these scriptures are talking about two very different things.

 

First, let you light shine is using your understanding/wisdom to help others.  There is a really long entry about different definitions of "light" in the Websters online 1828 Dictionary...with scripture references.  You can read it here:

http://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/light

 

Second, letting your alms be in secret refers to not bragging about any help you give to the poor.   

 

The online Webster's 1812 Dictionary defines alms as:

 

'ALMS noun, 'amz. [Eng. almesse; Latin eleemosyna; Gr. to pity.]

Any thing given gratuitously to relieve the poor, as money, food, or clothing, otherwise called charity.

A lame man was laid daily to ask an alms Acts 3:2.

Cornelius gave much alms to the people. Acts 10:2.

http://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/alms

 

Edited November 28, 2015 by LiterateParakeet

[jerome1232]

I am not convinced that our light and our alms are two separate things. We are told repeatedly to let our good works, our example, be the symbol of our faith. I feel it is this, our example, and our good works that compose our *light* that Mathew, and many of our modern day prophets advice us to let shine.

If no one witness your good works aren't you at least partially obscuring your light under a bushel?

I used the word "brag" and to be concise that is not actually what I meant, I meant we shouldn't take extra care to obsfuscate our humanitarian works, charitable donations, and etc... from others. Maybe the church could do more to get out the word that they assist and partner with humanitarian non-profits etc...

I suppose our light could also be something spiritual as well. I honestly had not considered that. At most though I feel it could only be a part of our light, and not the entirety.

I appreciate the insights!

Edited November 28, 2015 by jerome1232

[Guest LiterateParakeet]

Okay how about if we look at it this way...

 

It is one thing to have people witness you helping an older person across the street, and it is quite another to go around telling everyone after lunch that you helped an older person across the street.

 

The first is done simply to bless the older person regardless of whether anyone sees it done or not.  The second is done to bring recognition to oneself.

 

So perhaps the difference is in the intent of your heart--which we can never hide from the Lord. 

[zil]

Perhaps translation would clarify...  The first two quotes are from Matthew 6 (Sermon on the Mount) and the third is from Matthew 5 (Sermon on the Mount).  I think the order is relevant, but I want to end my post with the Matthew 5 bit.  (I'm quoting multiple verses because context is vital when understanding the scriptures - technically, I would have to quote 100% of all the standard works to provide context, but that would be a bit much.)

1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

Modern American Mormon translation: Don't cram your tithing envelope to obvious bulging and then play the "Rocky" theme song on your iPhone while trotting to the stand with both hands raised, one holding the iPhone and the other waving the bulging tithing envelope, 2 minutes before Sacrament Meeting starts to hand said envelope to the Bishop, with a flourish.  (Nor anything like unto it.)
 

5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Modern American Mormon translation: Don't stand out in front of the church / temple / your place of business shouting a prayer (full of words you picked out of a thesaurus last night) that sounds like it came straight off a Rameumptom. (Nor anything like unto it.)

 

13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 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.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Modern American Mormon translation: You are to be an example to the world, and to share with them the gospel, but you cannot do that if you're never out among the people who need to learn and see your example.  Further, you must continue in good works (so you don't "lose your savor") and you must do these things with the intent that others will know God has inspired you to do this (or that you are in the service of God and your fellow men), so that they will glorify God (not you).

 

(Or something like that.)

Edited November 28, 2015 by zil

[Guest]

I believe there is a difference between what the Church does as an organization and what we do as individuals.

 

I believe there is a difference between doing good works when others "happen to be around" as opposed to calling attention to the work you're doing either during or after the work just so you can get the attention.

 

I believe there is a difference between doing good work because it's the right thing to do (or because of our love for others) as opposed to doing good work so you can just check it off your list as your good works quota for the day.

 

Our light as Mormons shines a lot more than you'd think.

 

1) A recent list of "10 things about Mormons you didn't know" happened to mention that our skin tends to be healthier because we don't drink alcohol or caffeine nor do we smoke.  I never thought of that.  But it makes sense (see #2 & 3 on this list).

 

2) I had an investigator tell me that she found that Mormons "glowed".  -- Uhm, thank you.  I'll try to remember that next time I stub my toe in the middle of the night.

 

3) A friend mentioned to my BIL that she figured that you couldn't be a Mormon unless you were attractive because all the Mormons she knew were really good looking. -- Well, I'm not going to argue with you.

 

4) The Stillwater, OK stake was formed because of a positive review of Mormons by one individual (non-LDS).  And it has proven to be true.  I've also heard this many times from my bosses and co-workers at several offices.

 

5) Some practices (emergency prep & geneology are the most prominent) are well known among non-LDS that we are the place to go for help.

 

6) An anti-Mormon on a forum I used to frequent even admitted that he often found Mormons to be among the smartest people he knew.  This same statement has been repeated by many people I have met in various settings.

 

7) Anywhere honesty and clean living are requisite for the task at hand, many people look to the saints.  Government offices or govt. contractors where Top Secret clearance is required have an inordinate number of LDS.  My other BIL's office (80% require TS clearance) has about a 30% LDS population where the LDS concentration in the area is closer to 3%.  Vegas casinos prefer Mormons to handle the cash and security (PBS story).

 

8) Even here in the Bible belt where they have all kinds of misconceptions about us and our beliefs, many still like having Mormons around for a number of reasons.

 

9) I heard a caller on the radio during Romney's run for President who said, "At least we don't have to worry about any skeletons in the closet because the guy's a Mormon."  He was referring to sex scandals or criminal past and so forth.  The host agreed.  And no one called up to rebut him.

 

Are there people who still hate us and insult us because of our faith?  Of course.  But even they have to admit Mormons provide a positive influence on society.

[zil]

Just ran across clarification: 3 Nephi 18.24 "24 Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do."

 

We could take that as testifying of the things Christ has done, following his example, or both.

[Guest]

I have to admit, I find it distasteful to see Facebook statuses that say things like, "Today I was in line behind someone who didn't have enough money for their stuff, so I stepped up and paid the difference. It feels good to give back." Okay. . . awesome thing you did, but kind of tacky to go around telling everyone you did it.

[Vort]

As others have pointed out, this is about hypocrisy. Those who brag about their good deeds have their reward -- they are recognized of men as being wonderful -- and so should not complain when the heavens do not recognize their good deeds. They are playing a part, not being authentic. They are hypocrites. God doesn't want hypocrites, but authentic doers of good.

 

These will indeed let their light shine so that a person, seeing their good works, will glorify his Father in heaven. It's not about getting glory for ourselves. That -- and that alone, I might add -- was "Satan's plan" in his churlish response to the Father's question, "Whom shall I send?" The Savior's response was far more instructive: "The glory be thine [i.e. the Father's]." Indeed, the glory should be the Father's, for it is his plan. Even the Savior, himself God, cared not for the glory of his own actions. The glory was the Father's, and there it must remain.

 

Whatever light we have is indeed pale and feeble when compared with the Father's. If we then show that light, we must do so only to point others to the source of all light, and never pretend to any glory for the tiny amount we might have. If we do pretend to glory, then ironically enough, we will dim and perhaps even extinguish what little light we possess.

[Blackmarch]

In general I think I get this concept. We do good things, we don't go bragging about them to show how great we are. Yet here in the age of the internet and social media, it seems to me that we have to brag about what we do in the public light if anyone is to notice it.

So when does it change from letting your light shine to bragging to make yourself look good? Is it an internal thing? So long as you are glorifying God you are good to talk about the great stuff you do all you like?

I've always been hesitant to speak of anything I do for fear of boasting of myself, but then I see religion in general and the lds church sometimes specifically targeted in social media as not doing enough humanitarian work, I am beginning to think perhaps we do need to brag.

What are your thoughts?

I suppose that if someone asks you what have you done, then i'd wager that would let you off the hook legalistically... Your good deeds will affect those of whom your good deeds is directed toward.

however using such an event as counter ammo for an argument isn't usually that productive.

Cinema-wise the example found in the movie Rigoletto, as well as the description given at the end of a trial in "Comes the inquisitor" in babylon 5 are are some really good intrepretations.

""No greater love hath a man than he lay down his life for his brother. Not for millions, not for glory, not for fame--for one person, in the dark, where no one will ever know or see...""

[jerome1232]

Of course I wasn't suggesting we broadcast in such a manner. No, I'm trying to work out how the people of God can be known to be a good charitable people if no one knows they are giving?

I am sure many of you have experienced the allegations often thrown at us. Public perception is not that the mormon church does a ton to help the poor. Same goes for us as a group collectively.

So while I agree that it is tacky for an individual to broadcast how great he is for self glory, I am convinced there is a way for an individual to make it known how great God is, without giving the impression of self glorification. For them to show that God's people do care about their neighbors, the sick and the afflicted.

[Blackmarch]

yup and when we point out this or that, they say well you just doing pr or love bombing, or wer're "having the fleece pulled over our eyes", or "now you're bragging".