I have always said that one of the most beautiful things about the #lighttheworld campaign is the fact that it is incredibly easy to carry out the suggestions each day. Although that is true, it doesn't mean the campaign is easy. In fact, an equally amazing characteristic of #lighttheworld is that it challenges you as person. Can I avoid judging others, love my enemies and show that I care about those who are in prison?
Although that last one is especially challenging for me, fifty years ago Johnny Cash showed that it could be done.
On January 13, 1968 Johnny Cash, whose career had been on the skids, uttered these very famous words:
He said those words to a room filled with inmates of California's Folsom Prison. Then he sang for them. He performed for people convicted of committing violent crimes. He performed for people convicted of committing non-violent crimes. He performed for people who were guilty. He performed for people who were falsely accused. He performed for people who had made a mistake.
He performed for people.
Although the performance revitalized Johnny Cash's career, it was not the only reason he performed for these (and many other) inmates.
When asked to explain why he thought Johnny Cash had chosen to perform at so many prisons, Merle Haggard (who was inmate who saw Cash perform at another prison) said:
"I think there are a number of reasons. A big one is he was the kind of person who felt he had a Christian duty to help other people. He saw that playing for prisoners brought something to their lives, a glimmer of light, a glimmer of hope."
Others have said that Cash identified with the prisoners and knew that with a little bit of bad luck, it would have been him on the other side of that stage.
Today's Light the World theme is:
"I was in prison, and ye came unto me."
Johnny Cash was much better than I have been at recognizing the fact that prisoners were flawed human beings who made mistakes... just like all of us.
When I sat down to write this, I feared this would be too big of a struggle for me. How can i write something positive about people who have done something so wrong that they ended up in jail?
A good start would be to recognize that I am not perfect and have made huge mistakes as well. When I was younger, I was involved in several altercations while out with my friends. What if one of those had ended with someone in the hospital... or worse? Should I be shunned by society for the rest of my life over one foolish act?
Next, I remembered that every prisoner is someone's mother, father, sister, brother, daughter, brother or friend. They are not all monsters who need to be forgotten. They are people who are away from their loved ones due to a terrible mistake. How would I feel if I made one mistake that meant I could not see my children?
Have you ever known someone who was incarcerated? I do. And he is not a monster. He is a good person who made a mistake. Now that he has paid his debt to society, he is living a good life.
Today, the Light the World campaign is asking us to remember that prisoners are people. Many great spiritual leaders, including Jesus, teach the importance of loving all people... including those who are in prison.
The website reminds us that:
"Some prisons are literal, physical institutions, but other “prisons” include physical and mental afflictions, and addictions. Reach out to those who are feeling trapped and let them know they’re not alone."
The site goes on to suggest the following ways you can be a light in someone's life.
Do you know someone who’s been affected by addiction?
Reach out to the person and offer your support and love.Do you have an incarcerated family member or friend?
Pay the person a visit, and offer love and encouragement.Have you seen how an illness or depression can trap a loved one?
Reach out and go for a walk or have a nice chat with the person.
I don't have the talent to put on a show at a local prison. I am not quite ready to volunteer to teach at a prison. But can I do something? The light the world campaign is not "all or nothing". It allows for people to take tiny steps in their growth. I am going to need to start small.
For me, the best I can do right now is to make a donation to an organization who is living the example of Jesus... and Johnny Cash (never thought I'd write that in a sentence).
Luckily, I found such an organization.
Prison + Neighborhood Arts Project (http://p-nap.org) is an organization that provides art classes for the men at Stateville Maximum Security Prison.
For more information on #lighttheworld, please visit https://www.mormon.org/christmas/25-ways-25-days/day-23
Several community members have already followed 
's lead and have created #lighttheworld posts of their own. (Thank you all for participating!)
Now we need someone from the community to inspire others on day 24. Tomorrow's theme is: "Ye must watch and pray always." You can find more information here.
If you decide to participate by creating your own post for day 24, please make sure to use the #lighttheworld tag and include the day's video, theme and link, as we have done.
If you'd like to see a great example, please check out 
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