Digital Only: Young Adults
Feeling Different from People around You? It Might Be a Chance to Share Your Light
The author lives in Argentina.
Being different might be hard, but it also gives us opportunities to light the world.
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you might feel different from the people around you.
And that can be hard sometimes. If you’re the only member of the Church in your area, you might not feel included when your friends or family members participate in different activities. You might even feel weird or awkward when you try to explain your faith.
But it doesn’t have to be like this. There is real power in being “not ashamed of the gospel of Christ” (Romans 1:16). I’ve learned that becoming comfortable with being different can help us feel secure in our divine identity and share the gospel—and the Light of Christ—more naturally.
Here are a few things about me that are “different” and also make it really easy to share my faith and light:
1. I Believe in God—and in Science
I’m an engineering student, so I spend time with a lot of people who believe in science and math but don’t have faith in God.
While this difference doesn’t necessarily lead to religious discussions in the middle of class, I have the opportunity to be “an example of the believers” (1 Timothy 4:12). My friends from university notice when I don’t go out and party with them on Sundays. When they want to know where I’m going instead, I mention my commitment to going to church and let them see that my education and knowledge don’t prevent me from believing in God.
2. I Live the Law of Chastity
When people find out that my boyfriend and I are living the law of chastity and aren’t living together, they have a lot of questions. And when they ask how we met and I say it was at the temple, they have even more questions!
The world is starting to see marriage as outdated. So a lot of people in my generation find it very strange that I live this way. But this difference gives me a chance to bear my testimony of the beauty of eternal marriage and how keeping the law of chastity blesses my life.
3. I Talk about My Sister Serving a Mission
My little sister is currently serving a mission in Chile, so when friends ask about my family, it’s easy to talk about her and mention my faith. Instead of trying to gloss over the subject or skip it altogether, I tell people that she’s teaching about Jesus Christ. I explain my love and support for her and the work she’s doing.
I don’t have to say anything big or dramatic—I’m just honest. But it helps people see how much the Church means to me and my sister.
4. I Keep the Word of Wisdom
One of my personal goals in life is to show people that I can have fun without drinking alcohol—even if they think that’s impossible!
But when I get questions about turning down drinks—which is often, since alcohol is so ingrained in social events—I can share that I’m happy and enjoying life the way I am. I can let the Light of Christ shine through me and show people that keeping the Word of Wisdom helps me make good decisions and brings me joy.
Sharing Light
Most of these examples have one thing in common: being “an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). It really doesn’t take a lot of expertise to simply live a faithful life and share the Savior’s light with the world (see 3 Nephi 18:24). And for me, that’s all it really takes to do my part in lighting the world—living as an example of Jesus Christ.
As President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) taught: “Each of us came to earth having been given the Light of Christ. As we follow the example of the Savior and live as he lived and as He taught, that light will burn within us and will light the way for others.”
Even if your effort to share your faith doesn’t convert people to the gospel, sharing what’s in your heart is still worth it. Living true to your beliefs will bless your life and strengthen your testimony. The more you practice sharing your light, the more light you’ll bring to others’ lives, however they choose to receive it.
And really, who couldn’t use a little more light in their life?