What Good Have I Done?

Elder and Sister Gong and friends in Pristina, Kosovo

Choosing Christ Means Helping Others Feel Like They Belong

by John Fisher (assisted by AI)

In his October 2025 general conference address, Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Council of Twelve Apostles delivered a simple, piercing message: no one should ever sit alone. In a world shaped by isolation, comparison, and quiet exclusion, his invitation was not merely to notice loneliness—but to act decisively to relieve it. The talk reframed belonging as a core expression of discipleship, grounded in the character of a loving God and lived out through ordinary, intentional choices.

For those of us worshipping in large wards of hundreds—and for Saints gathering in small branches such as Pristina, Kosovo—the message lands with equal force but different application. The scale may change; the responsibility does not.

Summary of the Message

Elder Gong taught that the gospel of Jesus Christ creates communities of inclusion rather than spectatorship. Belonging is not automatic; it is cultivated through seeing, welcoming, and staying with one another—especially those on the margins. The Savior’s ministry consistently crossed social, cultural, and emotional boundaries, and Elder Gong reminded us that covenant communities are healthiest when no one is overlooked, unseen, or left to worship alone.

This invitation is not a call to grand programs or new initiatives. It is a call to personal conversion. Discipleship is expressed in small but consequential acts: noticing who is missing, who is quiet, who arrives late, who leaves early, and who may be uncertain whether they truly belong. These everyday observations, followed by simple acts of care, are the building blocks of gospel culture.

Elder Gong described gospel culture not as a social style, demographic pattern, or set of unwritten expectations, but as a way of living that reflects the character of Jesus Christ. It is measured less by how efficiently meetings run and more by how people feel when they arrive, participate, and leave. In a true gospel culture, individuals are not valued for visibility, confidence, calling, age, or background. They are valued because they are known, seen, and loved.

At the center of this culture is intentional belonging. Gospel culture rejects exclusion by neglect, silence, or assumption. Instead, it is proactive, relational, and deeply personal. It requires disciples to notice others, make room for them, and remain with them—not as an obligation, but as an expression of love.

This culture also reflects a correct understanding of God. As Elder Gong taught through both word and example, we worship a loving Heavenly Father, not a distant or fear-based authority. That understanding shapes how we treat one another. When God is understood as loving, His Church becomes a place of refuge rather than performance. People are welcomed before they are evaluated, and belonging precedes growth.

Ultimately, gospel culture is not created by policies or programs alone. It is created through daily, quiet choices—who we sit with, who we speak to, who we follow up with, and who we refuse to let sit alone. Elder Gong’s message makes clear that gospel culture is lived one relationship at a time.

Five Short Quotes from the Address

1. “No one sits alone.”

2. “Belonging is a sacred responsibility.”

3. “The Savior notices those on the margins.”

4. “We reflect God’s love when we include.”

5. “Christ’s Church is a place of refuge, not fear.”

(Brief excerpts used for reflection; see full address for complete context.)

What This Looks Like in a Large Ward

In a ward of hundreds, loneliness can hide in plain sight. People can attend faithfully and still feel invisible. Elder Gong’s counsel invites deliberate, relational ministry rather than passive friendliness.

Concrete commitments may include:

• Ministering with purpose. I can recommit to my assigned families—not as a checklist, but as relationships.

• Ministering as a companionship. I can fully involve my ministering companion, who is a 14-year-old teacher, modeling that meaningful service is not age-dependent. Together, we can learn how to listen, show up, and follow through.

• Seeing beyond circles. Sitting with someone new, introducing others across age or social lines, and noticing who might be standing alone in the hallway.

• Following up. A text, a call, or an invitation after Sunday can make the difference between attendance and belonging.

Large wards require intentionality. When everyone assumes “someone else” will notice, people are left unseen. Elder Gong’s message places responsibility back where it belongs—on each of us.

What This Looks Like in a Small Branch

In a small branch like Pristina, the challenge is different but no less real. Numbers are few, but vulnerability can be high. Every absence is felt. Every new face matters.

In that setting, belonging looks like:

• Shared responsibility. Everyone helps everyone—because there is no one else.

• Deep relationships. Meals, conversations, and testimony meetings become intimate spaces of trust.

• Cultural sensitivity. Inclusion requires understanding local histories, faith backgrounds, and lived experiences.

A friend who attended Elder Gong’s talk in Pristina shared a powerful observation afterward:

“The difference between the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other churches is that you teach of a loving God, whereas other churches teach you to fear God.”

That insight captures the heart of Elder Gong’s message. Where God is feared, people withdraw. Where God is loving, people gather—and make room for one another.

Questions to Ponder

1. Who in my ward or branch might be “sitting alone” in ways I have not noticed?

2. How can I move from friendliness to meaningful inclusion?

3. What does it look like to minister with someone—especially someone younger or less experienced?

4. How does my view of God shape how I treat others?

5. What simple action can I take this week to ensure no one sits alone?

Conclusion

“No One Sits Alone” is not merely a memorable phrase; it is a covenantal charge. Elder Gong reminded us that belonging is one of the clearest signals of Christ’s presence among His people. Whether in a crowded chapel or a small rented room in Pristina, the measure of our discipleship is found in who feels seen, welcomed, and loved.

I can do better. I can notice more. I can minister more intentionally—with my companion, with humility, and with consistency. When we choose inclusion, we do more than fill seats. We reflect the character of a loving God—and ensure that, truly, no one sits alone.

Reference

Gong, G. W. (2025, October). No one sits alone. General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/10/25gong?lang=eng

Labels: belonging, community, discipleship, gospel culture, inclusion, ministering

// posted by John Fisher @ January 20, 2026