Human Orbits

 

Letting Christ’s Light Shine Through Us—Reflections on My Dad

By President Camille N. Johnson

Relief Society General President

Liahona Dec 2025

Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles once wrote: “The same God that placed that star in a precise orbit millennia before it appeared over Bethlehem in celebration of the birth of the Babe has given at least equal attention to placement of each of us in precise human orbits so that we may, if we will, illuminate the landscape of our individual lives, so that our light may not only lead others but warm them as well.”

At another time, Elder Maxwell expressed the idea this way: “[God’s] planning and precision pertain not only to astrophysical orbits but to human orbits as well. … Like the Christmas star, each of us, if faithful, has an ordained orbit.”

Will you pay attention to the people in your human orbit?

Who has the very God of the universe placed in your path?

As a disciple of Jesus Christ, how can you be more deliberate in warming and illuminating their way?

The source of all light—our Savior, Jesus Christ—asks us to let the light we derive from Him shine through us (see Matthew 5:14–16; 3 Nephi 12:14–16). One way we do so is by paying attention to the people around us. Acknowledging them. Listening to them. Loving them. Our light shines brightest when we love as Jesus loved.