We Can Help Others Feel That They Belong

The Holy Ghost can help us gather others in if we will make the effort to reach out.

When Ioana Schifirnet joined the Church as a young teen in Romania, the young adults in her branch welcomed her and included her in their classes and activities. “They became my best friends,” she said. “They made me feel like I belonged.”

As she became a young adult herself, Ioana wanted to do the same and help others feel welcome in the Savior’s Church. Though she felt nervous about reaching out to people she didn’t know, she was learning to listen to the Holy Ghost and trust the promptings she received.

When another young woman joined, Ioana got up the courage to talk to her. They discovered a mutual interest in music, and Ioana offered to teach her to lead the singing. Before long they were spending time together, serving as branch pianist and music leader.

“As I prepared myself to receive the guidance of the Holy Ghost, I started to notice Him putting thoughts in my head, answering my questions, prompting me,” Ioana said. “There were times I didn’t know what to say, and then something would come. It felt right when I said it. I’m learning to trust the Holy Ghost.”

She learned that often the things that help others feel like they belong aren’t big. For her, it was being included in Sunday School or activities, playing sports or crazy games, baking cookies, and having dance nights. “It wasn’t fancy. It was just having a good time or being able to talk. And when it’s connected to something spiritual, that can make it extra special.”

Ioana concluded, “Looking back, I would have joined the Church of Jesus Christ without those young single adults. But having them helped strengthen me in ways I needed.”

We Can Help God Gather His Children

Reaching out to others can be hard, especially if it’s someone we don’t know well or who may have different beliefs than we do.

For more than 40 years, Jeremiah tried to help people come to the Savior, many of whom weren’t interested in his help. They ignored the prophets. Their hearts were set on things other than the Lord. (See Jeremiah 2–3; 5; 7; 11.)

Jeremiah knew that the house of Israel would be scattered. But he prophesied of a great gathering in our day, when the Lord would gather Israel to Zion, sending fishers and hunters to find them (see Jeremiah 16:16).

President Russell M. Nelson invited us to participate in this gathering: “When we speak of gathering Israel on both sides of the veil, we are referring, of course, to missionary, temple, and family history work. We are also referring to building faith and testimony in the hearts of those with whom we live, work, and serve. Anytime we do anything that helps anyone—on either side of the veil—to make and keep their covenants with God, we are helping to gather Israel.”¹

Principles to Consider

As you think about how you can reach out and welcome others in, consider these ideas from Ioana’s experience:

The Holy Ghost is able to guide our words and actions, as well as turn our best efforts into something meaningful (see Moses 6:32–34).
Find common interests.²
Invite others to join with you in activities in which you already plan to participate.³
President Nelson has invited us to gather others by being a light and setting a standard that reflects how true disciples live.⁴

What Can We Do?

Trust that the Spirit will guide your efforts to get to know someone or invite them to join with you.