Podcast Summary

Podcast: BYU Speeches
Episode: Go to Light, Be Filled with Light, and Share Light | Richard M. Houseman
Date: June 11, 2025
Speaker: Richard M. Houseman

Brief Overview

In this powerful devotional, Richard M. Houseman draws on scriptural patterns and unique analogies from his background in entomology to teach how students can strengthen their faith while pursuing intellectual learning. His core message is structured around a three-part pattern found in scripture—Go to Light, Be Filled with Light, and Share Light—with each concept illustrated through both spiritual and scientific insights. The talk encourages listeners to seek Jesus Christ as the source of light, to fill their lives with this light, and then to share it with others through acts of service, forgiveness, and love.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Go to Light

(00:23 - 10:08)

• Lehi’s Dream as a Pattern

  • Lehi’s vision in the Book of Mormon is presented as a spiritual pattern: seeking the light (the tree of life), being filled with its joy, and desiring to share it (00:54).
  • “In this dream we see Lehi going to light, represented by a bright white fruit, being filled with light... and then sharing the light he had by offering to give it to his family.” — Richard Houseman (01:59)

• Jesus Christ as the Ultimate Light

  • Echoing Nephi’s experience, Houseman testifies that Christ is the light and joy referenced in scripture (03:19).
  • Scriptural quotes reinforce that following Christ dispels darkness and grants direction:
    • “I am the light of the world. He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (03:36)

• Insect Analogy — Phototaxis

  • Houseman, a former professor of entomology, likens spiritual seeking to moths (positive phototaxis) vs. cockroaches (negative phototaxis) and asks listeners to consider how they respond to Christ’s invitation.
  • “I invite us all to be moths and not cockroaches. Have the faith to go to Jesus Christ. His light is the most joyous influence in our lives when we make him the most desirable influence in our lives.” (07:55)

2. Be Filled With Light

(10:08 - 19:25)

• Receiving Power and Protection

  • Drawing another analogy, Houseman explains how monarch caterpillars are filled with protective chemicals from milkweed, paralleling how believers can be filled with Christ’s power by seeking Him (11:14).
  • Scriptural promise: “And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole body shall be filled with light and there shall be no darkness in you...” (13:08)

• Filling Ourselves Through God’s Word

  • Citing scriptures and prophetic counsel, Houseman emphasizes that engaging with scripture and modern revelation fills us with spiritual strength. He highlights,
    • “Even just a few minutes of reading, studying and pondering can quickly focus our attention on Jesus Christ and fill us with strength.” (15:11)
    • Elder David A. Bednar: “Searching the Scriptures can open the floodgates of the spiritual reservoir...” (15:24)

• Temple Attendance and Mercy

  • Temples are described as places “filled with glorious light” offering unique spiritual experiences (16:13).
  • President Russell M. Nelson is quoted: “If you don’t yet love to attend the temple, go more often, not less... the temple will become a place of safety, solace and revelation.” (16:47)

• Repentance and the Light of Mercy

  • The story of Alma the Younger is shared as an illustration of how repentance brings joy and light (17:45).
    • “And oh what joy and what marvelous light I did behold. Yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain.” (Alma the Younger, quoted at 18:17)
  • President Nelson: “Please do not fear or delay repenting... The Savior loves us always, but especially when we repent.” (18:53)

3. Share Light

(19:25 - 28:30)

• Firefly Analogy — Bioluminescence

  • Houseman compares sharing the inner light of Christ to the way fireflies control and display their natural light to signal others (19:51).
  • “We control the intensity, frequency and duration of the light we share.” (20:41)
  • Scriptural backing: “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, 20:56)

• Sharing Light through Giving

  • Listeners are invited to consciously share messages of light via Christlike actions; Houseman discusses giving with an anecdote from Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf about a disabled man joyously receiving a wheelchair (21:31).
    • “When the reality of what was happening finally sunk in, this humble man... wept, he laughed at the sheer joy of what he felt.” (24:08)

• Examples of Service — BYU Young Ambassadors

  • Houseman recounts how students on a tour in Brazil shared light by serving those in need, noting the change in both recipients and those giving service: “I wish you could have been there to see the... looks of pure joy after being with the young ambassadors.” (25:18)

• Forgiving and Loving as Acts of Light

  • Christ’s teachings on forgiveness and the parables of the Unmerciful Servant and the Good Samaritan are used to illustrate how forgiving and loving are powerful forms of sharing light (26:33).
    • “Forgiving happens when we intentionally let go of anger, resentment, or vengeance... Forgiving shares light.” (26:46)
  • President Russell M. Nelson: “The Savior will grant you the ability to forgive anyone who has mistreated you in any way.” (27:29)
  • President Henry B. Eyring: “We grow closer to the Savior as we out of pure love serve others for Him.” (28:25)

• Pattern of Light — A Cycle of Growth

  • Sharing light leads to an increase of personal light, referencing D&C 50:24: “That light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.” (28:37)
  • Houseman urges BYU students not to wait but to serve daily: “Please don’t wait until you go forth at the end of your time at BYU to serve others as Christ did... share light with each other as you go forth from your classrooms every day by giving, forgiving and loving each other.” (28:53)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I invite us all to be moths and not cockroaches. Have the faith to go to Jesus Christ.” (07:55)
• “Like monarch caterpillars and butterflies become filled with powerful protection... we can be filled with power and protection if we stay close to Jesus Christ.” (12:25)
• “We control the intensity, frequency, and duration of the light we share.” (20:41)
• “Both the man receiving the gift and the missionary that gave the gift felt light. By giving, we share light.” (24:37)
• “Forgiving happens when we intentionally let go of anger, resentment, or vengeance that we feel towards a person. Forgiving shares light.” (26:46)
• “We can have life changing moments in our lives when we share light by loving and serving others.” (28:11)
• “That which is of God is light and he that receiveth light and continueth in God receiveth more light and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.” (28:37)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• Go to Light and Lehi’s Dream: 00:54 – 03:36
• Insect Analogy – Moths vs Cockroaches: 05:38 – 08:31
• Be Filled with Light – Monarch Butterfly Analogy: 11:14 – 13:01
• Power of Scripture and Temple Attendance: 15:11 – 17:30
• The Mercy of Repentance: 17:45 – 19:23
• Share Light – Fireflies Analogy: 19:51 – 20:41
• Acts of Giving and BYU Ambassadors Story: 21:31 – 25:18
• Forgiving and Loving Like Christ: 26:33 – 28:13
• Summary & Final Testimony: 28:53 – 29:56

Structure & Flow

• The episode is rooted in doctrinal principles but is accessible through Houseman’s engaging use of everyday analogies (especially with insects), real-life stories, and scriptural discussion.
• The main ideas build upon each other: seeking Christ’s light leads to personal growth and ultimately motivates outward service.

Episode Takeaway

Richard M. Houseman’s message is clear and motivational: Seek out the light of Christ, allow His light to fill and change you, and then turn outward to share that light through service, forgiveness, and love. The cycle of “Go to Light, Be Filled with Light, and Share Light” is not only scriptural but practical, transforming individual lives and communities when sincerely acted upon.