Many times, singles can feel alone, unsupported, perhaps forgotten as members of the church. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to simply be a compilation of various encouraging quotes from conference talks/general authorities to help support singles. These simple quotes speak for themselves, so enjoy.
Encouraging Conference Quotes for Singles:
Kathleen Lubeck Peterson, Singles and Marrieds: Together in Faith (General Conference, April, 2006):
“President Gordon B. Hinckley is mindful of all Saints. He has said to members who are single: “I feel some concern about the tendency in the Church to divide the members into various classes and groups. … You are men and women, holders of the priesthood, workers in the Relief Society. You are tremendously important to this work. The Church is much the stronger because of you.”
All can experience the pure love of Christ regardless of age, marital status, wealth, poverty, or even celebrity. The power of this love can transform lives so that we become “no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Eph. 2:19).”
Kristen M. Oaks, To the Singles of the Church (CES Devotional for Young Adults, September 11, 2011, Brigham Young University). (NOTE: Sister Oaks didn’t marry until she was 53 so she could empathize personally with long time singles).
“Brothers and sisters, we are not waiting alone. The Lord is aware of us. He knows each one of us individually. He not only hears our prayers, He knows our anguish, our fears, our trials, our triumphs—He is beside us. We need only call on Him, and He will be with us.
Having faith doesn’t mean you will be filled with joy and conviction every moment. Having faith means you keep persisting and believing that the blessing and comfort lie ahead—and I testify to you they do. The Lord desires that we draw near to Him, and in His own time and His own way He will draw near to us.”
Kathy Grant, Singles in the Ward Family, Ensign, June, 2002:
President Howard W. Hunter (1970–95) was single for seven years after his first wife, Claire, passed away in 1983. He reminded us, “This is the church of Jesus Christ, not the church of marrieds or singles or any other group or individual” (“The Church Is for All People,” Ensign, June 1989, 76).
As we keep our focus on the Savior and as we come unto Him, we find comfort and rest and belonging, whether married or single. He helps us keep an eternal perspective about our situations and reminds us that all things work together for our good if we love Him (see Rom. 8:28).
President Gordon B Hinckley, Singles Counseled in Satellite Fireside, May, 1989:
“President Hinckley referred to the “lonely duty” of single parents in the Church and added, “You need not be entirely alone. There are many—ever so many—in this Church who would reach out to you with sensitivity and understanding.” These include priesthood and Relief Society leaders, home and visiting teachers, and other “friends put in place by the Lord to give of their strength to help you,” he said. “And never forget that the Lord himself is a source of strength greater than any other.”
President Ezra Taft Benson, The Great Commandment—Love the Lord, General Conference, April, 1988:
“When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities.”
Elder Dallin H Oaks, The Great Plan of Happiness, Ensign, Nov. 1993:
“Many of the most important deprivations of mortality will be set right in the Millennium, which is the time for fulfilling all that is incomplete in the great plan of happiness for all of our Father’s worthy children. We know that will be true of temple ordinances. I believe it will also be true of family relationships and experiences.”
Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Divorce, General Conference, April, 2007:
“There are many good Church members who have been divorced. I speak first to them. We know that many of you are innocent victims—members whose former spouses persistently betrayed sacred covenants or abandoned or refused to perform marriage responsibilities for an extended period. Members who have experienced such abuse have firsthand knowledge of circumstances worse than divorce. When a marriage is dead and beyond hope of resuscitation, it is needful to have a means to end it.”
Final Thoughts:
Whenever I write a compilation article like this, I know one or more quotes here were meant for certain readers specifically, dependent on their particular circumstances. Please take to heart whichever portion of these quotes resonates with you and sheds light for you with your particular situation. Hopefully you have been given some extra support, encouragement, and enlightenment as a single member of the church. And finally, remember that as you remain faithful, you will be blessed at some point, in this life or the next, with all of the blessings possible including eternal marriage. Because “…neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.”—1 Corinthians 11:11.”
Dr. G
P.S. If you can questions, comments, or a future article request for me, feel free to contact me at drgilchrist@yahoo.com.
| 2019-12-18 | Shawn Gordon | Psychological health |
About the author
I am a founder of this site and as of May 2015 I am happily married to a wonderful LDS woman. I spent my years in the singles system as a singles rep working to optimize events and maximize the effectiveness of people interacting and finding someone to love. I studied psychology for years and my years as a software and business consultant have made me very adept at understanding people and their motivations. I hope to help others find that same happiness that I have.