Remembering Our Own Strangers: Loving the Neighbor Right Here

Sometimes, when we read the scriptures or hear counsel from the leaders, it feels like the call to service is always aimed across the ocean—to the distant corner of the world, to the fatherless in some faraway land. And while those efforts are vital, I’ve been pondering something lately, something that hit me hard while listening to the recent followHIM podcast episode.

It’s the profound, gentle reminder that the Lord loves the stranger, and that this commandment isn't reserved for those who are literally foreign to our nation. It's a call to see the stranger in our own community, in our own neighborhood.

I was struck by the way Dr. Andersen connected the ancient covenant keeping in Deuteronomy—the call to remember when *we* were strangers—to modern efforts like BYU Pathway. It made me pause and think about what "stranger" really means in the context of the latter-day Saints today. Is it just someone who doesn't share our beliefs? Or is it anyone who is marginalized, overlooked, or simply different from our comfort zone?

The Power of Perspective: From Stranger to Neighbor

The speaker highlighted that early members of the Church themselves were once the strangers—persecuted, ridiculed, forced out. That history shouldn't feel like something distant; it should feel like a warning, a constant check on our hearts. We can forget how fragile our own standing can be, how quickly circumstances can shift, and how much we can rely on the kindness of others when life throws us a curveball.

This isn't just about grand acts of charity, though those are wonderful. It's about the daily, quiet covenant keeping. It’s about treating the person next to you—the neighbor, the new student, the struggling colleague—with the profound empathy of someone who has known what it is to be vulnerable.

“If you don't like what we believe, then you can move.”

Hearing that sentiment echoed through Church history is sobering. It’s a powerful reminder that our faith requires us to be perpetually humble and perpetually ready to serve, because we, too, have been in the shoes of the stranger.

A Bite-Sized Mission Prep Skill: Seeing the Stranger

If you’re feeling the call to the field, or if you're just trying to be a better disciple right where you are, here’s a small skill to practice this week. When you encounter someone today—a classmate, a co-worker, or even a family member—who seems disconnected, guarded, or struggling, don't just process the information. Instead, pause and ask yourself: "What might be the circumstances that make this person feel like a stranger, even if they live two blocks away?" Approach that interaction with the assumption that they might be going through a time of unexpected difficulty, just like we might have been.

This shift in focus—from judging the difference to understanding the circumstance—is the heart of preach my gospel in action. It’s pure discipleship.

I encourage you all to listen to the full followHIM podcast episode to hear more of this counsel. It’s a rich discussion connecting ancient law to modern mentorship.

As we continue to build Zion, let’s remember that our greatest field might just be the block we live on. Let's be the hands that lift up the fatherless, the widows, and the strangers right here, today.

If this resonated with you, consider diving into the Social Scripture Study layer in LivingBook to explore passages on charity. Or, if you're looking for deeper study, check out a Book Club on a topic of covenant keeping!