Today’s Reading: Alma 5: 16-39

19 I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?

I was recently touched by a beautiful experience about a woman named Julie who had the Savior engraven upon her countenance. Her friend describes what it actually looked and felt like:

“Then one day I walked into church a little late. Sunday School opening exercises were under way. Julie was leading the music, as she did every week. I looked up at her face. Her smile was wonderful, radiant, somehow filled with light. She looked directly at me, and I was overcome with an overpowering sensation of warmth and peace and joy. I was surprised. I knew I was feeling the Spirit very strongly, but I didn’t understand what the feeling meant.

I pondered throughout Sunday School and sacrament meeting, all the time cherishing this feeling of great peace and joy. Phrases came into my mind—things Julie had said and words from the scriptures. By the end of the meeting I understood the reason for this witness. I realized that Julie, being filled with the Spirit, actively sought to convey the love of the Savior to the congregation by the light of her countenance.” (i)

We likely all have a “Julie” for an example in our own lives. The question is HOW can this light fill our hearts and bodies so much that it pours out, making it visible to others? From observation, “Julie’s” seem to have a few things in common.

The Word of God Is Engraven On Her Heart

One of the greatest sources of light is the word of God. We are so blessed to have scriptures within easy reach to study. Additionally, we can access countless words from prophets and apostles. We have such a scrumptious and large feast before us yet we sometimes choose to go hungry. Starvation is a choice; the feast is immediately before us! Our bodies AND our spirits need constant nourishment, which includes more than just swiping our finger through the mashed potatoes to snitch a taste. To write doctrine on our hearts, we have to engage in a thorough study and gain an intense passion for what we come to learn.

Virtue Is Engraven On Her Heart

Virtue is more than being morally clean, it is all encompassing. Virtue affects us from the tip top of our heads to the ends of our toes and is accompanied by a genuine power. “Julie’s” seek virtue and actively rid their lives of anything that might threaten it. Impure thoughts are instantly rebuked and replaced by that of an upworthy nature. This makes poor choices rare because evil was never entertained in the first place.

Charity Is Engraven On Her Heart

Charity is a common trait among anyone who shines. Those with charity seek out the needs of others and with true compassion, strengthen feeble knees. They seem constantly ready to offer kind and genuine words, give selfless (and often silent) service, and teach pure doctrine. No matter the burdens they carry, they view the hardships of others as greater. They understand with their entire beings that when they are in the service of their fellow beings, they are only in the service of their God. (ii)

We all have Julie like potential. We come here with the capacity to have Christ’s image so engraved on our hearts that we can’t help but shine with His light. When the light we carry is visible, it makes it easier to share His message because others are drawn to the light. We want to shine brightly, not for fame or personal adoration, but rather to always point the way to Him. In honor of our Savior, we strive to engraven Him on our countenance because He so selflessly engraved us upon the palms of His hands.

Jeni Brockbank

Jeni Brockbank and her husband Bart are parents to 6 amazing children. She finds great joy in being a wife and mother and feels that both callings are sacred privileges. Jeni is a continual student of the scriptures and loves to share her testimony with anyone who will listen. She teaches choir, is crafty and is grateful on a daily basis to live a few blocks from the Brigham City, UT temple.