How Like A Laser

“One of the most remarkable scientific achievements of this decade is the laser. This mechanism is powerful enough to vaporize holes in steel plates but gentle enough to make repairs in a damaged human eye. When the United States sent a camera to the moon to take pictures of the earth, no trace of lights in giant cities could be seen, but three small laser flashes were readily visible.

A laser is simply a machine for making light more powerful. A purified light enters the machine, where it is reflected back and forth between two mirrors. Each time it is reflected, the light grows more intense until it finally leaves the laser magnified or amplified and capable of performing near-miracles.

How like the laser are our Latter-day Saint families! The gospel comes to enlighten our lives as the purified light feeds the laser. Within our families we reflect light. Eventually the gospel light becomes so strong in our families that it stands out for the world to see.

In order to have light amplification in a laser or to have gospel amplification in our homes, we must have two “mirrors.”

The two “mirrors” in our homes are the example of the parents and the example of the children. Usually, as parents, we are aware of how important our example is to children, but sometimes we forget our responsibilities to them and to ourselves. We boo referees, run stop lights, or gossip about our neighbors. We should give a great deal of thought to the kind of example we are presenting to those little mirrors who follow us around.

What are some of the qualities of a child that should be examples to us? There are many that could be listed, including honest and frank communication, easy forgiving and quick forgetting of grudges, the desire to help others, and, most important of all, faith.

How like a laser our families can be! If we accept the light of the gospel into our homes and reflect it between our two mirrors in a medium of love and understanding, it will grow stronger and brighter. The light of the gospel will be as a beacon to the world, showing the one right path to God.”

Kenneth B. Powell,
Millcreek Tenth Ward, Salt Lake Millcreek Stake