But because so many of us are blessed by this spiritual gathering, as is intended by our church leaders, it is sometimes easy for us to unintentionally overlook or fail to recognize certain individuals who may not be having the same experience as the rest of us. Individuals who feel that they have sinned beyond the reach of help and cannot come back. Individuals who obsess over the idea of perfection and no matter how hard they try, they just can't seem to match up to the requirements being asked. Individuals who feel that because of their sexual orientation, they do not belong or do not have a place among the members of Christ's church. How absolutely untrue these statements are, but for some, this weekend can cause feelings of great marginalization and exclusion and even lead to a peak in the suicide rate in Utah, according to the information recently shared with me by my sociology professor. May we please not forget our brothers and sisters who feel that they're on the outside or like they don't fit in. I hope that we can be more conscious and sensitive to those who need a friend and to those who feel that they are beyond the reach of Jesus Christ's outstretched hand. We are God's instruments in lifting and loving His children, despite any differences that might exist between us, and if we all make a greater effort to become more aware of those suffering around us, we can make a big difference in our communities and in the lives of others. How beautiful would that be?
A couple of days ago, I was reminded of Jeffrey R. Holland's talk from the April 2016 conference and I haven't been able to stop thinking about how well some of the statements he makes apply to this very issue. He shares,
"...if in the days ahead you not only see limitations in those around you but also find elements in your own life that don’t yet measure up to the messages you have heard this weekend, please don’t be cast down in spirit and don’t give up. The gospel, the Church, and these wonderful semiannual gatherings are intended to give hope and inspiration. They are not intended to discourage you. Only the adversary, the enemy of us all, would try to convince us that the ideals outlined in general conference are depressing and unrealistic, that people don’t really improve, that no one really progresses. And why does Lucifer give that speech? Because he knows he can’t improve, he can’t progress, that worlds without end he will never have a bright tomorrow. He is a miserable man bound by eternal limitations, and he wants you to be miserable too. Well, don’t fall for that. With the gift of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the strength of heaven to help us, we can improve, and the great thing about the gospel is we get credit for trying, even if we don’t always succeed."
How absolutely true this is!! General Conference is not just a time to recognize all of the faults and weaknesses we might have, but it is also a time to recognize the things we're doing right and the ways that we can come closer to our Heavenly Father and our Savior. How can we reach out and help others realize this same truth? How can we use this sacred weekend to include those who feel that they're on the outside and how can we apply the messages we will hear to become better, stronger, and more charitable people?
Jesus Christ's gospel is a message of HOPE and of LOVE. It is not a demand to be perfect right now, it is not a place to be judged or excluded. Every single person is in need of grace and although comparison can be very tempting, there is no perfect person out there who has it all figured out; contrary to what we might think sometimes. Trust me, I've fallen into this trap too many times and it simply isn't true. I know that our Prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, his Twelve Apostles, the Quorum of the Seventy, and all other general auxiliary leaders have our best interest at heart. They do communicate with God and receive direction that will bless and protect all members of the human family. I know that if we come to this conference with our questions; with an open heart and a spirit of humility, having prayed to a loving Father, we can and we will receive personalized messages that are meant for each one of us. God knows exactly what we need on a detailed, individual basis, and as a worldwide church organization and he will never leave us in the dark in this confusing world. This doesn't always mean that answers will be immediate because many times they are not, but answers will come.
To summarize the purpose of my message here, I want to end with another quote from Elder Holland's talk. He states,
"If we give our heart to God, if we love the Lord Jesus Christ, if we do the best we can to live the gospel, then tomorrow—and every other day—is ultimately going to be magnificent, even if we don’t always recognize it as such. Why? Because our Heavenly Father wants it to be! He wants to bless us. A rewarding, abundant, and eternal life is the very object of His merciful plan for His children! It is a plan predicated on the truth 'that all things work together for good to them that love God.' So keep loving. Keep trying. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep growing. Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever."
You guys, life is hard and trials do come. Sometimes things seem confusing, we don't always get our way, and things don't always work out the way we think they should or in the timing we'd prefer. But I can testify that we do have a Savior who loves us more than we could ever imagine. With Easter coming up this Sunday as well, what a perfect opportunity to draw closer to Jesus Christ and to strengthen our personal relationship with Him. He suffered and died for every one of us. For you. Not because he was forced to, not because he didn't have the power to stop what was unjustly being done to Him, but because He wanted to. He chose to. Nothing is more important to Him than US and our eternal joy. I know with a certainty that he is perfectly aware of every struggle, every pain, and every unfairness that encompasses our lives. He experienced these things before we ever did, and He lives to comfort, carry, heal, bless, relieve, enlighten, and wipe away all tears if we will just choose to let Him in. I don't always understand the challenges that come my way and I don't always handle them with as much grace as I wish I could (because I'm human), but I am beginning to learn that my Savior wants nothing more than to stand by my side and to help me carry my burdens because I'm not strong enough to carry them on my own. He is becoming my best friend, and He will always be our best friend no matter what. I love Him and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to celebrate His atoning sacrifice and HIs triumphal resurrection this weekend.
Share this message with your friends and your family and especially with those in need who might feel that they're on the outside at this time. Nothing is more powerful than the love of Jesus Christ, and this weekend can be incredibly powerful if we give our best efforts to help all around us feel included, accepted, and loved for exactly who they are. I love you all so much and I thank you for taking the time to read this blog of mine.
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