Matthew 5:13–16

“Ye Are the Light of the World”

Who has been a good example to you of righteous living? How has their example brought you closer to God? After teaching the beatitudes, which help us understand the nature and character of God, Jesus Christ taught that our righteous examples can bless others. This lesson is intended to help you apply this truth and to assess your actions and attitude to better reflect the light of Jesus Christ.

Student preparation: Invite students to consider the following questions:

Who in your life is an example of Christlike living in word and action?
What do they do to reflect the light and love of God?
How do their actions affect you and others?

Possible Learning Activities

Salt of the earth

The Savior frequently used comparisons or metaphors to teach simple ideas with deep meanings. As you study this lesson, think of how the objects Jesus mentioned can help you understand what He taught.

If possible, bring to class some salt and a variety of foods like fruits, vegetables, meat, or cheese, all cut into small pieces. (If not feasible, instead ask if students have ever eaten food that was supposed to have salt in it but didn’t.) Invite the students to try the various foods with and without a sprinkle of salt.

Read Matthew 5:13, looking for how Jesus Christ described His disciples.

Besides being used to enhance the flavor of our food, what else can salt be used for?

Invite a student to read the following paragraph from Come, Follow Me.

Salt has long been used to preserve, flavor, and purify. Salt also had religious meaning for the Israelites. … When salt loses its savor, it becomes ineffective, or “good for nothing” (Matthew 5:13). This happens when it is mixed with or contaminated by other elements.

(Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament [2019], 31)

What do you think the Savior was teaching by comparing His disciples to salt?
What are some specific things that can contaminate us spiritually?

Take a moment to ponder in your heart how you, as the salt of the earth, help bring out the best in those around you. Also consider what temptations you face and how you can keep yourself pure. If you have allowed any impurities into your life, they can be removed through the gift of repentance available through Jesus Christ.

Light of the World

Read Matthew 5:14–16, looking for what Jesus Christ expects of us as His disciples.

Matthew 5:14–16 is a doctrinal mastery passage. Consider marking doctrinal mastery passages in a distinctive way so you can locate them easily.

What is a principle of truth you can identify from Matthew 5:14–16?

From Matthew 5:14–16 you may have identified a principle similar to this one: Our righteous example can encourage others to glorify Heavenly Father.

What do you think it means to glorify Heavenly Father?

When the resurrected Savior was with the Nephites, He taught them more about the light that His disciples should hold up. Consider cross-referencing or linking Matthew 5:14–16 to 3 Nephi 18:24–25 (see Matthew 5:16, footnote a).

Read 3 Nephi 18:24–25, looking for the light that true disciples should hold up.

How do the Savior’s teachings in 3 Nephi 18:24–25 influence your understanding of Matthew 5:14–16?

Show the students a mirror. If there is sunlight in the room, catch the sunlight on the mirror and project it across the room. If there is no sunlight, show a few students their reflection and ask how clearly they can see it. Then use a dry erase marker to color on the mirror. Try to project the sunlight across the room again or ask the students how clearly they can see their reflection now that the mirror is blocked.

Ask students what they can learn about reflecting the light of Christ from this demonstration.

Jesus Christ is the true Light of the World, and as we follow Him and become more like Him, we reflect the light that He gives us. (See John 1:4, 9; 8:12; Doctrine and Covenants 50:24; 93:2.)

Symbolism the Savior used

The following questions can help you think more deeply about the symbolism the Savior used in Matthew 5:14–16.

Have students discuss the different metaphors. This could be done in a variety of ways: as a class, in small groups, or in individual study.

A city on a hill:

How can following Jesus Christ be hard to hide, like a city on a hill?
Anciently, cities were built on hilltops to provide protection from potential attacks. How can living the gospel boldly provide protection from bad influences?
What does this metaphor teach you about how the Savior expects you, as His disciples, to live?

A candle:

How can you be like a candle in a dark room and shine the Savior’s light to all?
What might cause some people to hide under a basket (bushel) the light God gives them?
What does this metaphor teach you about how the Savior expects you, as his disciple, to live?

Read the following statement from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency, looking for what you can learn about the light of Jesus Christ.

Every time you turn your hearts to God in humble prayer, you experience His light. Every time you seek His word and will in the scriptures, the light grows in brightness. Every time you notice someone in need and sacrifice your own comfort to reach out in love, the light expands and swells. Every time you reject temptation and choose purity, every time you seek or extend forgiveness, every time you courageously testify of truth, the light chases away darkness and attracts others who are also seeking light and truth.

(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Bearers of Heavenly Light,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 80)

How do you think this statement relates to Matthew 5:14–16?

Recall that Jesus taught us to be “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” directly after He taught the Beatitudes—the Christlike characteristics that help us become more like Him (see Matthew 5:3–12).

How does being Christlike in our actions and attitude help us to encourage others to draw nearer to Heavenly Father?
What are some things that you can do to be a righteous example of the Savior to others?
If you chose one of the Beatitudes in the previous lesson to practice in your life, how will that characteristic help you be the salt of the earth or a light to the world?

Commentary and Background Information

How do my actions affect my savor as the salt of the earth?

President James E. Faust (1920–2007) of the First Presidency taught:

Spiritual nutrients, which keep us spiritually healthy, can lose their potency and strength if we do not live worthy of the divine guidance we need. … We need to keep our minds and bodies clean from all forms of addiction and pollution. We would never choose to eat spoiled or contaminated food. In the same selective way, we should be careful not to read or view anything that is not in good taste. Much of the spiritual pollution that comes into our lives comes through the Internet, computer games, television shows and movies that are highly suggestive of or graphically portray humanity’s baser attributes. Because we live in such an environment, we need to increase our spiritual strength.

(James E. Faust, “Spiritual Nutrients,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 55)

How can I increase my light?

President Henry B. Eyring taught:

Each time you choose to try to live more like the Savior, you will have your testimony strengthened. You will come in time to know for yourself that He is the Light of the World. You will come to feel light growing in your life. It will not come without effort. But it will come as your testimony grows and you choose to nurture it. Here is the sure promise from the Doctrine and Covenants: “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” [Doctrine and Covenants 50:24]. You will be a light to the world as you share your testimony with others. You will reflect to others the Light of Christ in your life. The Lord will find ways for that light to touch those you love.

(Henry B. Eyring, “A Living Testimony,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 128 )

President Thomas S. Monson taught:

Each of us came to earth having been given the Light of Christ. As we follow the example of the Savior and live as He lived and as He taught, that light will burn within us and will light the way for others.

(Thomas S. Monson, “Be an Example and a Light,” Ensign or Liahona, November 2015, 86)