Going into a Gloomy Conference Weekend, I Found Strength Uniting in Christ

By Stratton Crenshaw

Church Magazines

When life’s trials rain down, we can be united in Christ.

members in the Conference Center raising their hands to sustain leaders

After the death of our prophet, Russell M. Nelson, and the tragedy in Michigan, USA, I felt tentative about attending general conference. My excitement felt diminished, even hollow—I wouldn’t hear the prophet speak, and the unimaginable loss of members on the other side of the country weighed heavy on my mind.

As my family and I trudged through rain-laden city sidewalks to attend the Saturday morning session, my anticipation grew. What would be said? How would the members as a whole recover? How could I find peace? And how in the world do I pronounce apostolic interregnum? (I still haven’t figured that one out.)

When we reached the Conference Center, people shook their umbrellas, a few protesters shouted from across the street, and families tried to coordinate which entrance to take. It was overwhelming and chaotic for me. Fortunately, once conference began, a feeling of peace settled on us. To begin with, then-Elder Henry B. Eyring read the names of the General Authorities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for a sustaining vote.

When I chose to sustain the Quorum of the Twelve as prophets, seers, and revelators, I felt a kind of courage that I hadn’t before. I could see clearly that I wasn’t alone in sustaining them. In my field of view, thousands joined me. Despite our sorrow as a Church, the simple act of raising our arms to say “I accept” showed me that even heartbreak couldn’t destroy our collective resolve.

I felt that oneness when the congregation joined the choir to sing a hymn together. I hadn’t experienced something like that before. The music seemed to have no specific point of origin—it sounded from every direction, and it was powerful.

Everyone was united in purpose. Each voice was unique, and together they overwhelmed imperfections in pitch, volume, and confidence until it was one beautiful and powerful voice.

In that moment, I remembered something President Jeffrey R. Holland, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, once taught: “Someday I hope a great global chorus will harmonize across all racial and ethnic lines, declaring that guns, slurs, and vitriol are not the way to deal with human conflict.”

So I raised my voice and joined. The chaos evaporated. My feelings of fear and sorrow lifted, and I felt a confirmation of my testimony in the words of the hymn I sang:

“We’ll love one another and never dissemble,
But cease to do evil and ever be one.
And when the ungodly are fearing and tremble,
We’ll watch for the day when the Savior will come.”

As I walked out of the Conference Center, the cold and rainy weather didn’t feel as bad. My fears didn’t feel as imminent or threatening. My hope for the future seemed brighter.

Unity as Saints doesn’t diminish or remove the tragedies and sorrow from our lives, but it does help us get through them. When life’s trials start to rain down on you, unite yourself with others in faith. Unite your heart with the Savior Jesus Christ.

Strength will come.