A lighthouse is a structure in the form of a tower. It is equipped with a flashing bright light for warning and guiding the mariners. A lighthouse marks dangerous coastlines, harzadous shoals, reefs, and safe entries to the harbors.
It’s main purpose is to guide the mariners in their ships in avoiding these dangerous obstructions, through following certain marked routes safely into the harbors.
A light house was constructed on a solid foundation to withstand strong, fierce storms and waves of the sea. It also served as a refuge for mariners. In the classic era of lighthouse operation, light houses were extreemly labor intensive. Lighthouse keepers were needed to trim wicks, replenish fuel, wind clock works, and perfrom maintanance tasks such as cleaning lenses and windows.
Symbolism of a lighthouse– We want our home to be like a lighthouse, a becon of light of truth, hope,safety,refuge, inspiration and protection from these storms of the sea which symbolize the eroding influence of sin and temptations of the world.
How to Build our Lighthuse (Eternal Home)– The house has to meet the building code outlined in Mathew-even a house built “upon a rock” (Matt.7:24), a house capable of withstanding the rains of adversity, floods of oppostion, winds and storms of doubt everywhere present in our challenging world. In our times, the savior has given us a blueprint on how to do it:…”prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.” (D&C 88:119)
Looking Forward– As a family, we need to look forward to things of eternal nature. The Savior has warned us that we are living in perilous times, and that the whole world lieth in sin, and groaneth under darkness and under the bondage of sin. (D&C 84:49). And because of this, peace is going to be taken from the earth.
For our family to prosper in these times, spiritual light must burn within us. In order to optain this light, we must observe to do three things: (1)Learn true doctrine. (2) Gain pure testimony, and (3) live the gospel courageously.
The Savior has commanded us to teach one another the doctrine of the Kingdom. (D&C, 88:77). Alma knew that the doctrine can open the minds of people to sea spirtual things not visible to the natural eye. It can make people open their heart to feelings of the love of God and love of truth. He discovered that “the preaching of the word had a tendency to lead the people to do that which was just. “Yea, it had…a more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword”.