The opening verses of Genesis have always been a source of deep contemplation. One of the puzzling elements of the creation account is that God declares, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3) before He creates the sun, moon, and stars on the fourth day. At first glance, this seems illogical—how can there be light without a source? But what if the Genesis account is revealing something deeper than the mere formation of the physical world? What if it is also teaching us about the pre-mortal existence, the War in Heaven, and the nature of spiritual light?
The apostle John helps us understand this deeper meaning when he writes, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… In him was life; and the life was the light of men” (John 1:1, 4). This connection between Christ and light appears throughout scripture. Jesus Himself declared, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12).
What touches me most about this understanding is how it transforms the next verse: “And God divided the light from the darkness” (Genesis 1:4). This isn’t just about separating day from night—it can also be a powerful illustration of the War in Heaven, when those who chose to follow Christ were separated from those who rejected His light.
Through modern revelation, we understand that this light extends to each of us. The Lord taught Joseph Smith that “Man was also in the beginning with God. Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be” (D&C 93:29). Think about what this means for our identity and potential. Each of us carries within us a spark of divine light that has existed from the beginning.
This understanding has changed how I read the creation account. It’s not just about the formation of the physical world—it’s about eternal patterns that continue to shape our spiritual journey today. Each time we choose light over darkness, we’re participating in an ongoing creation story that began before the world was formed.
I testify that each of us carries divine light within us—light that comes from our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. The question isn’t whether we have this light, but what we’ll do with it. As the Savior taught, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Will we let it shine? Will we nurture it? Will we use it to help others find their way?
As you study the creation account, I invite you to look beyond the physical events to see the spiritual patterns. Consider your own divine light—a light that, like that first creative morning, can shine even in the darkest circumstances.
Elder Linder 