Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

By Jim Greer

LW contributor

Recently, Sister Tracy Browning of the Relief Society General Board authored an article on the Church’s website titled, “Including Everyone.” In it, she emphasized that “as disciples of Christ, many of us choose to quite literally ‘stand in holy places’ as we attend our Sunday meetings” (D& C 45:32).

Browning noted that, in person or online, most of us attend church meetings hoping to feel and share the spirit, to find “connection, acceptance and a feeling of belonging.” We long to be “no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19).

For many, church meetings can bring feelings of vulnerability, anxiety or loneliness. These unsure saints fear that their lives don’t reflect the ideal that we all strive to achieve. And attending church meetings makes them feel as though they are on the outside looking in.

The lives we struggle to live in our less-than-ideal circumstances do not devalue us in God’s eyes. But, for many, the desire to “fit in” only magnifies feelings of inadequacy. It is challenging to know how to help our spiritual siblings feel they belong.

At baptism, we all promised not to let anyone suffer alone. We covenanted to mourn with them, comfort them and share their burdens (Mosiah 18:8–10).

We welcome everyone in our worship, just as our savior invites all to partake of his salvation (2 Nephi 26 and 3 Nephi 18). Creating a sense of belonging within the church is as essential as our desire to become like Christ, including and loving those who struggle is a critical part of perfecting the saints.

To be his, we must be one, and God’s love for his children is all-inclusive. Therefore, we must include all who wish to “Come unto him and partake of his goodness” (2 Nephi 26:33). For the Lord, no circumstance, situation, or individual is forgotten. “He remembereth, and all are alike unto God” (2 Nephi 26:33) because, like his early disciples, we all “belong to Christ” (Mark 9 and Mosiah 5).

To create an environment and make connections that welcome all, we should ask ourselves the following questions:

• How can I make a more significant effort to reach out and get to know those struggling members I don’t know?

• What invitation can I make to someone who needs a friend?

• How can I be an example of one who is inclusive and loving?

• Whom can I sincerely seek out and ask how they are doing?

• How can I better hear the Spirit when I pray for inspiration to know how I can help?

There is so much we can learn from others once we know them better. Watch for church publications and the website for more stories of sisters and brothers who struggle to feel they belong. These stories will inspire you to closely follow God’s two great commandments: to love him and to love all his children.