We Are One

Hello, dear friends! I was listening to the talk "God Will Do Something Unimaginable" by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf this week. He made a simple statement that really struck me: "I doubt there is a person who hears my voice or reads my words who has not been affected by the worldwide pandemic." That made an obvious but profound thought stand out in my mind: The worldwide pandemic has literally given the entire world something we have in common.

Guys, it's so easy to focus on the ways that we are different. As we each do our best to navigate this complicated world, we can become so focused on how we think things should be or how we think other people should be, and we become divided. The tragic thing about that is that we all have more in common than we think. Life is both beautiful and hard for all of us. We all struggle. We all get lonely and sad and tired sometimes. The truth is that we need each other, but that we are sometimes too focused on differences to admit or accept that fact.

I learned long ago that when I take the time to really see someone and get to know their story, I will love them. I think that's the case for all of us. When we come to truly understand someone's journey and where they are coming from, we see them for the incredible and strong people that they are. So why don't we do that more often? Why do we focus on the differences? I imagine it's one of the devil's favorite cards to play. He knows how strong we can be when we band together. We are stronger together. We are wiser together. We can do so much more when we're not trying to make this journey alone.

This pandemic has been horrible, but I think it's also given us an opportunity to come together in a way we never have before. We can take this time to love and serve each other in new ways and with new perspectives because we have a common understanding of the difficulties of COVID-19. We have the chance to look at each other and truly see each other for who we are. I wish we were doing more of that instead of giving in to the temptation to have conflict. It's an easy time to have disagreements, I know, but we are one in so many ways and I wish we could all act like it.

Living through a pandemic isn't the only thing we have in common. We are also all children of the same loving Heavenly Parents. We all have the same home with them that we're working to be worthy to return to when we've finished our mortal journeys. We have the same Savior who loves all of us equally and wants us to treat each other as He treats us.

Image from ChurchofJesusChrist.org

So many things in this life are strange and difficult and complicated. We have that in common. It's so important to remember - when we encounter friends, family, and strangers alike - that we are all going through something and that there are things we simply don't know about each other. We have the journey itself in common, but each of our journeys are individual and uniquely difficult. We need to keep a deep love and respect for each other in our hearts.

This week, my challenge to all of you is to make an effort to truly see the people around you. Michelle D. Craig gave a great talk on this topic in our most recent General Conference (link here) and I would encourage you to read or listen to it.

I had an experience a few years ago at a conference that has stayed with me. I was in a class where we did an exercise about truly seeing those around us. We each found a partner and looked into their eyes without saying a word for I think a minute or two. It was profound. I felt so much love and admiration for the stranger I saw - I think because I really saw her. It can take time and patience to pause our busy lives and see each other, but when we do, it can benefit us and the people around us so much.

We are all literally brothers and sisters. We are in this life together and can be needed companions on the journey. We can unite with each other during both times of trial and times of joy. If we choose to see each other the way Jesus Christ does, and to treat each other with love and respect before making any judgements, we can be one. We are fellow travelers and have so much in common.

Love,

Bonnie Gwyn