No One Sits Alone

I’m about to get vulnerable… which is not my favorite thing to do. I recently bought my own house, I closed days after I turned 27. I feared living by myself, I enjoy it now. It has been my biggest fear, because I have always been very extroverted and sought co-regulation. I prayed and felt right about buying a house, having told the Lord that I would need a roommate to help keep my mental health in check. While here I am, 5 months later, and I live by myself. I’m adjusting, and it is going okay. The thing is it is going okay, because I have amazing friends who have ministered to me. Who listened to my fears and have sought to support me, who have shown me love!

This is my cute townhome. I have been very blessed with the ability to have this home. I have also been learning a lot about human connection. As a Mental Health Professional, I always understood that it was important on a scientific level. Then I was put into a real-life experience where I learned why it was so important.

For those of you who don’t know, Ministering is a program in the LDS church to help build connections and foster community within your given area. I have had many times in my life where I have been blessed by the unity that comes from being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Never have I felt as lonley as I did for the first 3 months I lived in my home.

During these three months of summer I traveled and had family things, but when I was in town, I went to my assigned ward. I went to my assigned ward and sat alone every Sunday. The people were all really nice, but when I would try and join, I felt like I was at a party that no one had invited me to, well the Lord invited me, but I felt separated from those near me. I would ask about activities, and everyone would say make your own fun, but no one seemed interested in opening new doors of friendship and honestly I’m not inviting strangers to my house when I’m a women living alone.

I sought connection in other ways though, seeking to make friendships is open areas so I would feel safe enough and not worry about hosting strangers. I even reached out to the church leaders. I never got anything back, now I don’t want to say anything bad about anyone, they are all kind people, but NEVER have I felt so ALONE! In this moment, I learned two powerful things that I want to focus on. 1. We are never alone if we open the door for Christ, and 2. Our Heavenly Father did not create us to be alone, and He has no intention of us being alone!

I know at times we all feel alone, whether we are sitting in our house or apartment by ourselves or in a room full of people, we can feel alone. I know I did, I also know that every time I felt this way, I could turn to my Heavenly Father and Savior in prayer. I cried to them a lot, and guess what, THEY NEVER LEFT ME! They listened, they comforted, and they strengthened me. I wish I knew the words to describe this or had a thought of how to explain this better, but all I know is that as long as I can pray, out loud or in my mind, I will always have my Savior standing by my side.

This second one is where ministering comes in. In the October 2025 General Conference, Elder Gong and Elder Jackson both gave talks about this, but I am going to focus on Elder Jackson’s. These talks really hit home and showed me more why I needed to experiences those moments of loneliness. Elder Jackson gave numbers as evidence of the importance of ministering and I’m going to share some numbers that where once shared with me.

My mom once told me that there was a statistic that most people who fall away from the church are singles over 25. As a 27-year-old single, I can see this, and I want to stop it. I want to be part of what helps bring people home, I want to be part of the saving of souls. How do I plan on doing this? Through ministering, to members and none members a like!

I remember driving home from my friend’s one night, crying to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ about how alone I felt at church. I promised them that I would never leave and that I would always remain active in the church and their Gospel. While this was happening, I received the distinct impression, “I do not want you to be alone. I did not create my children for them to be alone; it is time for you to go home”. Since that night, I have been in a ward that has brought connection and support back into my life.

Now that I am home, how can I help others? I’m going to start with two simple steps, 1. Smile and say hello to everyone. I believe that a smile shows people the Love of Christ and our Heavenly Father. Plus you never know, you smile mights save someone, physically and spiritually. 2. I’m going to be a better ministering sister, to those I’m called to minister and to others in my ward who I feel are in need.

I know I will not be perfect, but I am seeking! Love you all!