When you feel ALONE...

Hello Everyone!! I wanted to to lift you up at times when you feel alone through today's message. Especially during these challenging times, we might all feel lonely at times. There is hope, though! The Lord is with us and He is the one that can bring us joy :)

Just last evening, I was completing my seminary assignment and read a story that I felt prompted to share on here. It was shared by President Hinckley at BYU in 1968. He begins,

“I have been thinking... of a friend of mine whom I knew when I was on a mission in London thirty-six years ago. [He came into] our apartment through the rain of the night. He knocked at the door, and I invited him in.

“He said, ‘I’ve got to talk with someone. I’m all alone. …’

“And I said, ‘What’s your problem?’

“And he said, ‘When I joined the Church a little less than a year ago, my father told me to get out of his home and never come back. And I’ve never been back.’

“He continued, ‘A few months later the cricket club of which I was a member read me off its list, barring me from membership with the boys with whom I had grown up and with whom I had been so close and friendly.’

“Then he said, ‘Last month my boss fired me because I was a member of this church, and I have been unable to get another job. …

“‘And last night the girl with whom I have gone for a year and a half said she would never marry me because I’m a Mormon’."

This story intrigues me so mightily. A man, who devoted his life to the gospel of Jesus Christ, was persecuted by so many people. He even lost the love of his very own father. Coming to President Hinckley gave him hope that he might have someone to talk to and address his state of misery and loneliness. Perhaps he could find a solution to his sorrow...

Imagine yourself as this man in the story, or another character in your thoughts that once felt completely alone. Perhaps you felt what they're feeling once before, or even now. The news I want to give you is this:

YOU ARE NOT ALONE,

So don't feel lonely.

Elder Neil L. Anderson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles says, "He will open your eyes more widely, and you will see that you are not alone". God's love is draped upon you, and He, the Lord wants you to reach out and feel it. It is a power that can strengthen you, so don't hide it from your view.

Though, when we live the gospel of Jesus Christ, we often do feel alone. We risk everything for the pure joy that the gospel gives. That is divine, isn't it! Trace the memories of history and its memorable heroes. Harriet Tubman, Joan of Arc, William Tyndale, and even our Savior Jesus Christ were asked to take their journey of life alone to stand and live for the gospel. Christ was betrayed by so many people and was even crucified! Surely, we can go to Him for strength in our uncertain times. Through the Spirit, He can comfort us. He is our exemplar. HE CAN HELP US FEEL NOT ALONE.

Now, let's resume to the story. While the lonely man so urgently addresses his troubles, President Hinckley lifts his voice and gives an answer to his friend's complaint:

“I said, ‘If this has cost you so much, why don’t you leave the Church and go back to your father’s home and to your cricket club and to the job that meant so much to you and to the girl you think you love?’

“He said nothing for what seemed to be a long time. Then, putting his head down in his hands, he sobbed and sobbed. Finally, he looked up through his tears and said, ‘I couldn’t do that. I know this is true, and if it were to cost me my life, I could never give it up.’

“He picked up his wet cap and walked to the door and out into the rain, alone and trembling and fearful, but resolute. As I watched him, I thought of the loneliness of conscience, the loneliness of testimony, the loneliness of faith, and the strength and comfort of the Spirit of God” (“The Loneliness of Leadership,”).

I hope that we can have courage to endure the feeling loneliness, but find "strength and comfort of the Spirit of God" through it, as President Hinckley stated. We rely more on God in the time of sorrow, and that is important. He is our friend and our father. He loves us, and when we trust in Him, we can have his company and can feel his presence. Our faith will grow. We surely, are not alone.

With love,

Makenzie Monson