Conscience and the Light of Christ

A common question is "what is the difference between a conscience and the light of Christ?" I used to think they were the same thing, but as Jinx says on The District (a series of videos about missionary work), "some people have drastically different consciences than other people." You can see that in everyday life; one person may feel intense guilt over a white lie while another might not see the harm in armed robbery.

This difference does not come from the Light of Christ; the Light of Christ is "enlightenment, knowledge, and an uplifting, ennobling, persevering influence that comes upon mankind because of Jesus Christ" (The Light of Christ). This light is given to EVERYONE in the world. It comes in the same amount to everyone (D&C 84:45-46), and it fills the immensity of space (D&C 88:7, 12). 

However, people have different sensitivities to that light—a sensitivity that is a result of how they've chosen to train their spiritual muscle. If well used, a conscience is "a faculty by means of which we can pass judgement on our own conduct, either approving or condemning it, so anticipating the divine judgement on it" (Conscience). Having this conscience makes us responsible beings. 

I love understanding this important difference. It is always up to us; we need to train ourselves to understand the Light of Christ (or the whispering of Holy Ghost). Heavenly Father will always gives us direction, but we have to learn to listen. President Thomas S. Monson has said, 

"We watch. We wait. We listen for that still, small voice. When it speaks, wise men and women obey. Promptings of the Spirit are not to be postponed" (The Spirit Giveth Life).