Sometimes We Stand Alone

In Mormon 8, we learn that Mormon the prophet has been killed by the Lamanites and that Moroni is left behind to tell the "sad tale of the destruction of [his] people". He says "I even remain alone" (vs.3), "whither I go it mattereth not" (4), "I am alone. My father hath been slain in battle and all my kinsfolk, and I have not friends nor whither to go..." (5).

I think these are some of the lonelinest verses in all of scripture. I can't imagine losing all of my family, and not having any friends. I can't imagine not knowing what is going to happen to me and being surrounded by enemies seeking my life. Yet he moved forward in faith and finished his work. His final touches at the end of the Book of Mormon include some of the most moving passages in the Book of Mormon; he included the story of Ether and the Brother of Jared. He taught us about charity, using the spirit in making decisions, the gifts of the Spirit, the words of the Sacrament prayers, what it takes to be perfected in Christ. And yet he was alone. Hopelessly alone.

I think in our lives we are constantly faced with choices: do I go with the flow of what every one else is doing? Do I follow my friends into this movie? Do I sit in silence listening to a teacher talk critically about our religion? Do I allow others to cheat off my paper? Do I stay at this party? OR do I take a stand? Do I speak up? Do I turn around and walk away? Even if it means that I stand alone?

I hope that as we face these decisions, we will remember Moroni, who stands majestically atop our temples, yet he stands up there alone. God has a work for us too. Doing what is right is not always easy or popular, but we will never regret walking the straight and narrow path. Jesus Christ walked the lonelinest of roads so that we do not have to walk alone. He will walk beside us even when there is no one else.