Summed up Sunday

Yes, General Conference was once again wonderful.  I simply loved it!  I tried to pay close attention to the Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, because I didn't want to be like the guy in the story from last week who couldn't recall what the Lord had told us through the Prophet.

Anyways, President Monson's story about being in the Navy was awesome.  He gave it during Priesthood session.  The first sunday in the Navy, the chief officer commanded them:  Today everybody goes to church.  All of you Catholics, you meet at camp decader.  Don't come back until 3 o'clock. Forward march.  Those of you who are Jewish, you meet in camp Henry.  Don't come back until 3 o'clock.  The rest of you protestants, you meet in the theaters at camp fairgood.  Don't come back until 3 o'clock.

Instantly it flashed through Thomas' mind:  Monson you're not a catholic, you're not a Jew, you're not a protestant, you're Mormon!  So you just stand here.  He then stated that he is glad to be alive today.  President Monson felt completely alone.  Courageous and determined, but alone.

This got me thinking.. How easy would it have been for President Monson to have simply walked out along with the sailors of one of the other faiths?  But he didn't.  It takes courage to stand up to adversary, and oftentimes you will be by yourself.  It's easier to go with the flow and allow others to determine your actions.  But it is much more gratifying to decide for yourself, and to decide the right thing.  I wonder if sometimes loneliness is the price you must pay in order have courage and determination.  If this is so, it is well worth the cost.

The prophet went on to quote a poem:

Dare to be a Mormon
Dare to stand alone
Dare to have a purpose firm
Dare to make it known

I add my voice to that of President Monson.  Dare to stand alone.  "This is a time to do what is right regardless of the consequences that might follow."(Gordon B. Hinckley) While you may physically be standing alone when standing up for what's right, you will never stand alone spiritually.  You can do what is right.  You simply need to be willing to.