The Mutual Theme for 2012 is taken from D&C 115:5:

Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations…

ARISE is an invitation to ongoing and ever-deeper personal conversion to the Lord Jesus Christ. 

The challenge to SHINE FORTH is an invitation to stand as a light in a darkened world, to represent the Light of Life to those who have lost their way (Alma 5:14; 3 Nephi 12:14).  In doing so, we support and serve others and assist in establishing and bringing forth the cause of Zion.

The sequence of first arising and then shining forth-of personal conversion and service to others is significant and unmistakable.  We must experience the love of God in our own lives before we can fully love and serve our neighbors.  

When we have enjoyed that supernal and sanctifying influence the scriptures call the “pure love of Christ” (Moroni 7:47), we are empowered to love and lift and liberate others.  We must personally be converted before we can strengthen our brethren and sisters.  We must obtain the word of God before our tongues can be loosed to appropriately teach and bear testimony.  And each of us must first arise before we can shine forth.  

To ARISE is to come alive, to awaken to things of righteousness through individual conversion and preparation-all of which precedes making a distinctive difference in the lives of others.  We SHINE FORTH after arising and as we reflect and emulate the Light of the world, as we serve and teach and strengthen and warn those around us.  Interestingly, we are to “shine forth” with the word forth suggesting a sense of purposive direction.  We are not merely to shine; we are to “shine forth.” 

~ David A Bedar, BYU Devotional 2003