This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Sunday Morning session of the April 2009 conference.
Many years ago with five young children I felt overwhelming loneliness because my marriage was falling apart, I lived across the country from other family members and I didn't have close friends around me. One day I couldn't cope any longer. While the children were busy playing I went into my small walk-in closet, knelt down and poured out my heart to God. I asked to feel loved and understood. Immediately I felt strong, warm arms around me, enveloping me in a loving embrace that comforted me and was so real I began to weep.
Almost thirty years later I can still call to mind that glorious feeling of being loved, understood, and not alone.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, "Brothers and sisters, one of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said, “I will not leave you comfortless: [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you].”
What else do we need?
I wrote about the same talk. Like you said, I think the comfort of being loved, understood, and not alone is one of the most amazing parts of the gospel!
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