Dr. Helena Hannonen [pictured at left], chair of the BYU-Hawaii School of Business' International Business Management Department, spoke of the important relationship and familiar scriptural metaphor of light and darkness during her January 22 devotional address in the Cannon Activities Center.
"In the beginning...darkness was upon the face of the deep...and God said, Let there be light; and there was light," Hannonen read, citing the opening verses of Genesis. "As divine sons and daughters of God upon this earth, we face each morning darkness and void. We determine how we create our day and give it form. We make decisions, which separate the day into thoughts, words and actions of light or darkness."
"We create the day first spiritually and then live it temporarily. In the evening we make an accounting and know if the day was good. It is our responsibility to say to ourselves: 'Let there be light!' and fill the day with light producing activities such as prayer, scripture study, keeping the commandments, work, wholesome recreation, and service."
Noting first that the Savior clearly stated we are the light of the world [Matthew 5:14], and He expects us to so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven, Hannonen explained "less has been said about being a follower: Followers also have an important role":
"Effective followership is nothing more than leadership turned upside down. Leadership and followership are intertwined. Leadership is the power to influence others to follow. Followership is a choice to actively pursue the path outlined by leaders. Leaders do not exist without followers and followers need leaders."
"Good leadership improves followers and skillful followers enhance leaders. To be a good leader, one must also build the skills of an effective follower. During my career, I have often heard leaders be blamed for failures, when, in fact, these shortcomings should have been attributed to the failures of followers," Hannonen said.
Drawing upon the memory of wintry days of her childhood in Finland, Hannonen recalled the beauty of the Northern Lights: "I learned to take 'heart photographs' — to capture images and memories so vividly in my mind that when the dark days of life came with trials and disappointments later on, I could just close my eyes for a second and happiness filled my heart instantaneously."
She also recalled her mother's instructions to "turn your face and feet to the light" when she felt cold, and later how the message two Latter-day Saint missionaries shared "changed our life from good to great and brought an endless summer day into our home."
Hannonen's first calling as accompanist, though the chorister didn't know how to conduct and she didn't know how to play the piano at first, taught her an important lesson in leadership: "I recall a dark cloud of impatience coming over me at times. A chorister had a small hand, I a powerful piano. I could have taken over easily and everyone would have followed me, but I had to humble myself and keep practicing behind the scenes with music directors. When a hymn started, all eyes were on the director, and we followed her lead."
"As followers we are often critical and impatient with our leaders when we think we know more, are more accomplished than others, or feel inferior ourselves. It is true that in order to grow, we must take risks and learn new skills, but we must observe ourselves, what we say, and how be behave. Do we hinder or help leaders succeed? Are we examples to those who take their lead from our words and actions?"
Hannonen recommended several other courses of action we must take:
"We must obtain further light and knowledge in the Lord's university, even His holy temple. We must go there often to receive light, inspiration and strength to perform all our work and to overcome temptations and trials," she said. "As followers of Jesus Christ we should model our behavior according to the things we learn in the temple. Our homes and our places of employment and study should reflect the light we obtain from the House of the Lord."
"As we study the great leaders in the scriptures, we learn that they felt inadequate to the tasks before them. They much rather accepted the role of a follower than a leader. Men like Lehi, Nephi, Paul, Ammon, Alma, Moses, Brother of Jared, and Enoch, and women like Ruth, Esther, and Sariah were foremost followers. God works though those who are humble and meek. He prefers broken hearts over possessions and strong wills."
"We must turn our back to the things of the world and our face to the Savior. Our feet must find a way along His footsteps. Once we learn to follow, we need to lead and invite others to come unto Christ. We can be examples and show the way."
She acknowledged there will be obstacles, challenges and adversity, "but we can have light. Sometimes it seems like quick Northern Lights in a dark sky. Other times it is like an endless summer day. One thing is constant: Light and truth forsake the evil one. (Doctrine and Covenants 93:37). They drive away darkness and bring us closer to God."
[Photo by Monique Saenz]