D&C 84:45-46; 88:7-13; Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon, Ludlow, p. 335; Gospel Doctrine, Smith, pp. 66-68; Journal of Discourses 13:157; Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 199
“The Lord has not left men (when they are born into this world) helpless, groping to find the light and truth, but every man that is born into the world is born with the right to receive the guidance, the instruction, the counsel of the Spirit of Christ, or Light of Truth… . If a man who has never heard the gospel will hearken to the teachings and manifestations of the Spirit of Christ, or the Light of Truth, which come to him, often spoken of as conscience—every man has a conscience and knows more or less when he does wrong, and the Spirit guides him if he will hearken to its whisperings—it will lead him eventually to the fulness of the gospel… . This light of Christ is not a personage. It has no body. I do not know what it is as far as substance is concerned; but it fills the immensity of space and emanates from God. It is the light by which the worlds are controlled, by which they are made. It is the light of the sun and all other bodies. It is the light which gives life to vegetation. It quickens the understanding of men… . We have often heard of guardian angels attending us and many patriarchs have spoken of such protection. There are times no doubt when some unseen power directs us and leads us from harm. However, the true guardian angel given to every man who comes into the world is the Light of Truth or Spirit of Christ. The Holy Ghost is given to faithful members of the Church to guard and direct them; theirs is the privilege, through their faithfulness, to have such guidance and protection.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1:51-55)
“God’s light, [the Light of Christ] includes the physical light we see, which makes us feel so warm and comfortable. God’s light is also the power to understand and comprehend all things. In other words, all kinds of light are related to intelligence and truth.” (Theodore M. Burton, Conference Report, Apr. 1981, p. 38)
“We are separated from animals by more than upright posture, an articulated thumb, and the size of our brain. We are separated by a conscience… . Our conscience might be described as a memory, a residual awareness of who we really are, of our true identity. It is perhaps the best example of the fact that we can become aware of truths because we feel them… . This knowledge of right and wrong, is called the light of Christ, moral sense, or conscience, it moderates our actions unless, that is, we subdue it or destroy it… . It affirms … the reality of good and evil, justice, mercy, honor, courage, faith, love, and virtue, as well as their necessary opposites, hatred, greed, brutality, and jealousy.”
(Boyd K. Packer, The Book of Mormon: Jacob Through Words of Mormon, To Learn with Joy, BYU Religious Studies Center, ed. by Nyman and Tate, pp. 3-4)
“The Light of Christ, which is sometimes called the Spirit of Christ or the Spirit of God, ‘giveth light to every man that cometh into the world’ (D&C 84:46). This is the light ‘which is in all things, which giveth life to all things’ (D&C 88:13)… . The Light of Christ enlightens and gives understanding to all men (see D&C 88:11). In contrast, a manifestation of the Holy Ghost is more focused… . These manifestations are available to everyone. The Book of Mormon declares that the Savior ‘manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost; yea, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people’ (2 Ne. 26:13). The gift of the Holy Ghost is more comprehensive… . The gift of the Holy Ghost includes the right to constant companionship, that we may ‘always have his Spirit to be with [us]’ (D&C 20:77).” (Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, Nov. 1996, p. 60)