D&C 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; Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made. As also he is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made; As also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which they were made; And the earth also, and the power thereof, even the earth upon which you stand. And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings; Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space— The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things.“
Study Insights
D&C 88: 6–13 Explained (September 1832)
The Universal Reach of Divine Light
In these profound verses of Doctrine and Covenants 88, the Prophet Joseph Smith records a revelation that stretches our imagination across the cosmos. The Lord declares that “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”—a sweeping affirmation of Christ’s omnipresence. From His exaltation beyond the highest heavens to His descent beneath the lowest depths, He permeates every aspect of creation. This declaration underscores that the light of truth, the very essence of divine knowledge, flows from Him into the vast expanse of existence.
Light as Creative Power
Verses 7 through 10 paint a picture of Christ’s illuminating energy at work in the solar system and beyond. “As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made,” we learn, and similarly of the moon, the stars, and the earth itself. Here, “light” functions not merely as physical radiance but as the creative force animating every celestial body. The sun and moon become symbols of Christ’s sustaining influence; their brilliance and gravitational power emerge from His eternal design. In this way, the revelation invites us to see every sunrise and moonlit night as a testimony to the divine architect who fashioned the universe.
Enlightenment of Mind and Heart
Moving inward from the cosmos to the human soul, verses 11 and 12 shift focus to the light that “quickeneth your understandings” and “enlighteneth your eyes.” This light is Christ’s gift of spiritual discernment—the capacity to perceive truth, to awaken faith, and to kindle inspiration. It proceeds “forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space,” yet it also infuses individual minds with revelation and wisdom. In our daily lives, this manifests as moments of clarity, conviction, and conscience—when we feel prompted to act in love, to choose right over wrong, and to seek deeper understanding of divine principles.
The Governing Law of All Things
Finally, verse 13 brings these themes to a crescendo: “The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne.” Christ’s light is portrayed as the fundamental law of the universe, the underlying code that harmonizes galaxies, guides planetary motions, and sustains every living creature. It is both the source of life and the rule by which life flourishes. In recognizing this, we are called to align our own wills with that divine law—letting the light of Christ govern our thoughts, words, and deeds.
Together, D&C 88:6–13 offers a powerful reminder that the Light of Christ is at once cosmic and personal. It creates, sustains, guides, and enlightens—connecting the vast immensity of space to the intimate workings of the human heart.
