Truth is Light and Matter
- Samuel D. Castor
- Apr 3
- 11 min read
Updated: Apr 3
Light is one of the most powerful elements in the universe. We measure space time by it, communicate with it, and comprehend all we comprehend because of it.
God's Word leads us to all truth and light - spiritually and physically. In fact, Christ teaches us That the Word of God = Truth and Truth = Light and Light = Spirit (D&C 88:44-45) and Spirit = Matter even Divine or Purer Matter. D&C 131:7-8 ("All spirit is matter, but it is more fine or pure."). The following is a brief summary of the scriptural discussion of light - and how we can be influenced by light, moved and quickened by it until we are filled with it.
1. God's Word Is Matter. God's word leads us to all truth and light. More specifically, Christ teaches us the following celestial math about how important it is for us to read the scriptures each day and "feast upon the words of Christ" 2 Nephi 32:3 - daily:
IF:
The Word of God = Truth
and
Truth = Light
and
Light = Spirit
and
Spirit = Matter
THEN: the Word of God = Matter.
This seems to be the celestial algebra by which God has the power to command the elements to obey him and to speak to create LIGHT! This must also be one of the reasons why every book of scripture says the creation began with light:
God's Word Is Matter.
This is celestial physics and it is one reason why God has the power to generate light! Matthew 6:20-21 ("And God said, Let there be light: and there was light."), John 1:1-5 ("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."), Moses 2:3 ("And I, God, said: Let there be light; and there was light."), D&C 29:30–32 (“But remember ... as the words have gone forth out of my mouth even so shall they be fulfilled...all things whatsoever I have created by the word of my power, which is the power of my Spirit. For by the power of my Spirit created I them; yea, all things both spiritual and temporal...”). This is not an isolated doctrine. All religious cherish light: Quran 24:35 ("Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth."), Rig Veda 10.129.3 ("Darkness was hidden by darkness in the beginning. The One who breathed, windless, by its own impulse, brought forth light.").
And, God has the power to breathe life itself.Genesis 2:7 ("And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.")
Again, God's word is truth, and truth is spirit and spirit is refined matter (D&C ;4ohn 8:12D&C 131:7-8). Thus God's word (the word that created light, man the very universe itself) is matter. This is why we can "treasure up the word" in our hearts Matthew 6:20-21 ("But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven... for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.") and "feast upon the Word" 2 Nephi 32:3 ("Feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do."), why Joseph Smith taught God's word can "taste sweet" to us ("The things of God are of deep interest and will taste sweet to your soul.") and Alma taught God's word will become "delicious" to us Alma 32:28 ("It beginneth to be delicious to me.").
Genesis 1:3 ("And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.")
Moses 2:3 ("And I, God, said: Let there be light; and there was light.")
John 1:1-5 ("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."),
Quran 24:35 ("Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth.")
Rig Veda 10.129.3 ("Darkness was hidden by darkness in the beginning. The One who breathed, windless, by its own impulse, brought forth light.".
Feast Upon the Word. If God's Word creates light, and is a finer, spiritual matter itself, this must be why the word is often compared to food, such that we can:
"Feast upon the Word" 2 Nephi 32:3 ("Feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.").
This is also why Joseph Smith taught God's word and truth can taste good to us ("The things of God are of deep interest and will taste sweet to your soul."), and why
Alma taught God's word will become "delicious" to us Alma 32:28 ("It begin[s] to be delicious to me.").
The Word of the Lord is Truth. Several scriptures teach us that God's himself is grace and truth, and His word is light. Thus, when we take the light and harmony of God's word in us, it changes us:
John 17:17 ("Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.")
Truth is Light.
John 8:12 ("I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.")
Psalm 27:1 ("The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?")
Doctrine and Covenants 88:6-13 ("He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth.")
Moses 1:2-5 ("And the glory of God was upon Moses; therefore Moses could endure his presence.")
Quran 24:35 ("Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth.").
Doctrine and Covenants 88:67 ("If your eye be single to my glory, your whole body shall be filled with light.")
Light is Spirit.
John 1:9 ("That was the true Light, which light[s] every man that cometh into the world.")
Job 32:8 ("But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.")
Doctrine and Covenants 88:44 ("The light which shine[s], which give[s] you light, is through him who enlighten[s] your eyes.")
Quran 15:29 ("And when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My [created] soul...").
Spirit is Matter.
Luke 24:39 ("A spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.")
Genesis 2:7 ("And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.")
Doctrine and Covenants 131:7-8 ("All spirit is matter, but it is more fine or pure.").
Ether 3:4-6 ("Touch these stones, O Lord, with thy finger, and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness.")
God's Word Can Fill us With Celestial Matter. As we live our lives in harmony with God's word, and keep his commandments, we can resonate with divine matter and be quickened or enlivened by it. John 6:63 ("The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."), Psalm 119:50 ("This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me."), Doctrine and Covenants 88:67-68 ("If your eye be single to my glory, your whole body shall be filled with light.").
There are many examples of this throughout scripture:
Moses after speaking with God: Exodus 34:29-35 ("The skin of [Moses'] face shone while he talked with him.")
Abinadi testifying to Noah: Mosiah 13:5 ("His face shone with exceeding luster, even as Moses’ did while in the mount of Sinai.")
Nephi and Lehi in prison: Helaman 5:36-49 ("[Nephi and Lehi] were filled as if with fire, and they could speak marvelous words.")
Old and New Testament (Bible):
Jesus’ Transfiguration: “His face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.” (Matthew 17:2)
Angel at Jesus’ Tomb: “His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow.” (Matthew 28:3)
God’s Radiance to Habakkuk: “His brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power.” (Habakkuk 3:4)
Paul’s Encounter on the Road to Damascus: “At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.” (Acts 26:13)
Moses’ Radiant Face: “When Moses came down from Mount Sinai…the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.” (Exodus 34:29-30)
God’s Appearance to Ezekiel: “And there was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face.” (Ezekiel 1:28)
Daniel’s Vision of Christ: “His face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire.” (Daniel 10:6)
Jesus’ Face Shining: “And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.” (Luke 9:29)
Book of Mormon
Lehi’s Vision of God: “He thought he saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God.” (1 Nephi 1:8)
The Liahona: “And it came to pass that when my father arose in the morning…he beheld upon the ground a round ball of curious workmanship; and it was of fine brass.” (1 Nephi 16:10)
Jesus’ Visit to the Americas: “They saw a Man descending out of heaven; and he was clothed in a white robe; and he came down and stood in the midst of them.” (3 Nephi 11:8)
Jesus’ Countenance in the Americas: “And it came to pass that Jesus blessed them as they did pray unto him; and his countenance did smile upon them.” (3 Nephi 19:25)
Pearl of Great Price
Joseph Smith’s First Vision: “A pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.” (Joseph Smith—History 1:16)
The Lord Appearing to Enoch: “And he beheld the spirits that God had created; and he beheld also things which were not visible to the natural eye, and from that point of view, he saw the heavens open, and he was clothed upon with glory.” (Moses 6:36)
Moses’ Vision of God: “The glory of God was upon Moses; therefore Moses could endure his presence.” (Moses 1:31)
The Appearance of the Lord to Abraham: “And the Lord said unto me: My name is Jehovah, for I am without beginning of days or end of years; and is this not my glory?” (Abraham 3:18)
Quran (Koran)
Allah as the Light of the Heavens and Earth: “Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is like a niche within which is a lamp.” (Surah An-Nur 24:35)
Moses and the Burning Bush: “But when he came to it, he was called from the right side of the valley in a blessed spot, from the tree: ‘O Moses, indeed I am Allah, Lord of the worlds.’” (Surah Al-Qasas 28:30)
Hindu Texts (Bhagavad Gita, Vedas, Upanishads)
Krishna’s Divine Universal Form: “If the radiance of a thousand suns were to burst at once into the sky, that would be like the splendor of the mighty one.” (Bhagavad Gita 11:12)
Arjuna’s Vision of Krishna’s Universal Form: “Arjuna saw in that universal form unlimited mouths, unlimited eyes, unlimited brilliant visions.” (Bhagavad Gita 11:10)
Buddhist Texts (Suttas, Sutras, Dhammapada)
Buddha’s Enlightenment Under the Bodhi Tree: “The Buddha’s body emitted a radiant light, illuminating the world.” (Digha Nikaya 14)
The Shining Buddha: “Just as the sun shines on all without discrimination, so does the Buddha’s light of wisdom shine on all beings.” (Dhammapada Verse 387)
Zoroastrian Texts (Avesta, Gathas)
Ahura Mazda’s Divine Light: “He is brilliant and glorious, the source of eternal light.” (Yasna 1:1 – Avesta)
Zarathustra’s Vision of Ahura Mazda: “The holy one appeared in dazzling brightness, more brilliant than the sun.” (Gatha Spenta Mainyu 43:9)
Sikh Texts (Guru Granth Sahib)
The Radiance of the Divine Name: “The Light of the Lord shines within everyone and everything.” (Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 663)
Guru Nanak’s Divine Experience: “I see the divine light shining everywhere.” (Guru Granth Sahib, Ang 463)
Taoist Texts (Tao Te Ching, Zhuangzi)
The Tao’s Eternal Light: “The Tao is an empty vessel, yet inexhaustible; it is the light within all things.” (Tao Te Ching, Chapter 4)
All religions honor light. Light is a symbol of God, because it comes from God and fills the immensity of space. Light gives us understanding, growth, harmony and purpose.
Historical Figures (Mystics, Saints, Visionaries)
Joan of Arc: During her trial, Joan of Arc described her visions as accompanied by a bright light: “Everything is bathed in light — Joan said bright light accompanied the voices in her visions.” (Deseret News)
Mark Twain, in his novel Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc, wrote: “The light of her face was like a shining sunbeam.”
Saint Francis of Assisi: “When he prayed, witnesses reported seeing a bright light surrounding him.” (Catholic Encyclopedia)
Saint Teresa of Ávila: “I saw a brilliant light, brighter than the sun, and felt the presence of the Lord.” (Autobiography of Saint Teresa)
Padre Pio: “His face glowed with a radiant light when he prayed.” (Vatican Archives)
In other words, receptiveness is worthiness. Our ability to receive, be quickened by and radiate God's light (aka God's spirit and celestial matter) is our degree of righteousness. If we want light inside us, we must receive it from God by reading and abiding by his word - living in harmony with Him. In other words, worthiness is a function of receptiveness. Matthew 10:40-42 ("He that receive[s] you receive[s] me."), Proverbs 4:7 ("Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom."), Doctrine and Covenants 6:7 ("Seek not for riches but for wisdom."), 2 Nephi 31:20 ("Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ."), Abraham 3:25 ("We will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them."), Quran 39:23 ("Allah has sent down the best statement, a consistent Book.").
We are here to build celestial muscle. The spirit or divine matter we have in us dictates the kingdom we will inherit—because we are quickened by that portion of the spirit we are willing to receive. If Our Eye is single to God's Glory (Moses 1:39), we are filled with light. Matthew 6:22 ("The light of the body is the eye."), Isaiah 58:8 ("Then shall thy light break forth as the morning."), Doctrine and Covenants 88:67 ("Your whole body shall be filled with light."), 3 Nephi 13:22 ("If therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light."), Quran 24:35 ("Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth.").
This also means that if God's work and glory is to make us like him (Moses 1:39) and fill us with light and His spirit until we can be pure and bright enough to enjoy the light and purity of heaven - then Satan's purpose is to damn and darken us.
How does the devil do this? Through the opposite of truth and light - he uses lies and darkness. Rather than getting us to radiate light he seeks to get us to perpetuate and create darkness. Rather than letting us enjoy and be fed by sweetness of truth, he gets us to focus on lies and distortions, because if truth is matter - then lies are anti-matter - decay, dissonance and death. And to do this, he supplants the purity and brilliance of the word of God with the word of man, the word of the world, and the word of the devil. Just as the celestial arithmetic leads us to become human light sabers, glorious and full of light like the sun ☀️ the opposite is true, that if Satan can get us to harken to the word of the World (over the word of the Lord) we will decay to darkness, emptiness, until we become nothing - like a black holes.
But we can chase this darkness, this decay, from among us as we live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, we become human light sabers.🙂 We receive and radiate light until the "the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” (Matthew 13:43) We "grow brighter and brighter until the perfect day" (Doctrine & Covenants 50:24) as we "feast upon the words of Christ" (2 Nephi 32:3, D&C 84:44, Matthew 4:4) and "chase darkness from among" us as beings of celestial truth and light! (Doctrine & Covenants 42:23).
This is why Christ's promises the faithful, that "when he shall appear we shall see him as he is and be like him" (Moroni 7:48, 1 John 3:2) and thus "attain the full measure of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13). For "then shall the righteous shine bright in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 13:43).
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