“But even more important than our gathering together is in whose name we do so. The Lord promised that even with the great number of His disciples on the earth today, He would be close to each of us. He said to His little band of disciples in 1829, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, … where two or three are gathered together in my name, … behold, there will I be in the midst of them—even so am I in the midst of you (D&C 6:32).’” Henry B. Eyring

With social restrictions during COVID-19, I’ve had a great deal of time to ponder on the blessings of gathering with people in my family, my circle of friends, those who share my beliefs, and for special events. After a couple of months of staying away from everyone and everything in the name of safety, this last month I’ve been able to spend precious time with my family members, far and near, to celebrate and snuggle my daughter’s new baby girl, to worship together, to see my son’s beautiful, new, first home, and to simply be together enjoying conversations, games, meals, and laughter.

This week, I also had the wonderful opportunity to meet with a few dear friends, while I was visiting my children. As five sisters in the gospel gathered together to share the happenings of the last months, I was reminded of the strength I receive simply from being in the presence of courageous, loving friends, who listen compassionately, mourn and rejoice with me, and love me in all my mess. In turn, listening to their trials and triumphs confirmed to me the incredible capacity we all have to endure, with the help of the Lord, and caused me to appreciate my own blessings and the troubles I’ve been spared. Gathering this way, knowing we were safe to share, safe to cry, safe to laugh, and safe to bear testimony, healed a broken place in my soul and bolstered my courage to face another day, another week, another year in what has become a confusing and often discouraging world.

I’m thankful for these opportunities to be together once again, though I’m still missing gathering for church. I’m thankful for the Lord’s instruction, prior to this pandemic, to more fully make our homes the center of our gospel learning, with church as our support. Besides the time I have with my daughter still at home, in the last few months, I’ve had the opportunity to gather with two of my children’s families and have church services in their homes, with the sacrament worthily blessed and passed by my daughters’ husbands.  Those shared moments of worshiping together were sweet experiences I’ll always cherish. Though we‘ve had many spiritually strengthening discussions and experiences, I’ve missed the support of church, of my ward family, more than I imagined I would. I thought it would be a nice break to only have church at home, and in some ways it has been, but I’ve come to appreciate the support of church gathering more than ever before. 

“I believe something powerful happens anytime we gather as God’s covenant people anywhere in the world, no matter how many people the gathering may include. That power can be difficult to describe, but perhaps these words of the Savior explain it best: ‘Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them’ (Matt 18:20).’

“Our Father in Heaven wants to gather us because there is great strength and safety in gathering…

“The adversary, on the other hand, seeks to isolate us and divide us, because just as gathering brings strength and safety, division brings weakness and danger.”  Stephen W. Owen

We’re incredibly blessed to have technology to allow virtual gathering with family, friends, and saints, but I’ve missed meeting for church, for worship, singing, bearing testimony, and simply feeling the Spirit that’s present when many gather together in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior. I’ve been surprised, honestly, at the degree of loss I’ve felt and my longing to return to regular church meetings.  I suffer from anxiety, and attending church has never been easy for me, but I have a treasured testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and His restored church on the earth today, and I know I need the cleansing and renewal of the sacrament, so I go.  I’ve taken all my children, every week I was physically able and didn’t have sick babies to care for. I’ve gone after people have said or done dumb things that hurt me or one of my children, when I had to use a walker after surgery, when I had to listen to grumbling teenagers, after tragedies and losses, and even during the nearly unbearable time after my divorce, though occasionally I couldn’t make it all the way through. I’ve given myself pep talks, gotten myself (and sometimes many children) up and ready, and been there in the pew, week after week for over 40 years.

What I’ve come to realize, during this time of restriction, are the blessings I’ve received for my effort, my small sacrifice, to always get to church, even though it’s hard.

• I’ve been comforted by loving smiles, hugs, and handshakes of sweet, familiar friends.
• I’ve been inspired by the prayerfully prepared words of speakers and teachers.
• I’ve been strengthened and uplifted by shared prayers, testimony, and experiences of faith and hope.
• I’ve felt my soul draw close to Heaven as I’ve sung beautiful hymns of worship with my ward family and friends in the choir.
• Most importantly, I’ve renewed my covenants and been promised the Lord’s Spirit as I’ve taken the sacrament .

I miss it all—more than I thought possible. When it’s time to go back, I know it will be challenging, with masks covering the smiles of people I’ve yet to meet in my new ward, no socializing, no singing. It breaks my heart a little. Staying home this long also increases the anxiety of going back, but I’ll be there, committed to appreciating the gifts of gathering more than ever. Until then, I know the Lord will be with us as we gather in faith, even just two of us, to worship Him.

“…Consider the great blessings that come from gathering frequently with other Saints. Moroni said of those who were baptized in his day:

They were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.

And the church did meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls.

And they did meet together oft to partake of bread and wine, in remembrance of the Lord Jesus (Moroni 6:4-6).”  Stephen W. Owen