Daring To Stand Alone

It’s refreshing to see teenagers stand strong in their beliefs, especially in a place where those beliefs aren’t generally understood or appreciated. Meet Solomon Wylie, daring to stand for truth, alone.

To those who don’t know me, my name is Solomon Wylie. I am still in 8th grade and very excited to leave it soon.

I am part of a generation that contains many who are starting to fade away from religion. Who have been trained by the internet to think independently, and more highly of themselves, instead of having an understanding of respect and just how little we actually know compared to others who have more experience and knowledge than us.

Additionally, short-form content such as that found on TikTok and YouTube Shorts feeds us quick and simple 30-second videos. And if a video simply isn’t interesting to us, then with the swipe of our thumb, we are fed an endless loop of other videos chosen directly for our interests and preferences.

So when the idea of a 1500+ page book called The Bible filled with rules and complicated words and ideas, all centered around a Higher Being of whom you never even get to see, arises, most choose to ignore everything about it—or, if they’re feeling extra full of themselves that day, mock it.

Aside from the wonderful dust and wind here, I’ve found that there is one nice thing about West Texas: a great bit of people here are Christian. And whether they are Baptist or Catholic, most can agree that there is a God and that if you ask Him nicely enough, He’ll help you out with your test (that you know quite well you didn’t study for at all.) But when I tell people about my religion and some of God’s commandments such as the Word of Wisdom, they think that it’s unnecessary and in general ‘a lot.’

On the other hand, some have already been told by either their parents or the internet that Mormons don’t believe in God and His Son Jesus Christ, or that we practice polygamy, or that we are all simply just weird, unsocial, or plain stupid for believing the things we do, such as the Book of Mormon.

When I am having those types of conversations, there’s always one thing that can be found in every single instance, standing up for my beliefs, alone.

Dare to Stand Alone

In President Thomas S. Monson’s talk from the Priesthood Session of the October 2011 General Conference, Dare to Stand Alone, he talked about one certain experience from his time in the Navy.

I shall ever remember when Sunday rolled around after the first week. We received welcome news from the chief petty officer. Standing at attention on the drill ground in a brisk California breeze, we heard his command: “Today everybody goes to church—everybody, that is, except for me. I am going to relax!” Then he shouted, “All of you Catholics, you meet in Camp Decatur—and don’t come back until three o’clock. Forward, march!” A rather sizeable contingent moved out.

Then he barked out his next command: “Those of you who are Jewish, you meet in Camp Henry—and don’t come back until three o’clock. Forward, march!” A somewhat smaller contingent marched out. Then he said, “The rest of you Protestants, you meet in the theaters at Camp Farragut—and don’t come back until three o’clock. Forward, march!”

Instantly there flashed through my mind the thought, “Monson, you are not a Catholic; you are not a Jew; you are not a Protestant. You are a Mormon, so you just stand here!” I can assure you that I felt completely alone. Courageous and determined, yes—but alone.

And then I heard the sweetest words I ever heard that chief petty officer utter. He looked in my direction and asked, “And just what do you guys call yourselves?” Until that very moment I had not realized that anyone was standing beside me or behind me on the drill ground. Almost in unison, each of us replied, “Mormons!” It is difficult to describe the joy that filled my heart as I turned around and saw a handful of other sailors.

The chief petty officer scratched his head in an expression of puzzlement but finally said, “Well, you guys go find somewhere to meet. And don’t come back until three o’clock. Forward, march!”

As we marched away, I thought of the words of a rhyme I had learned in Primary years before: Dare to be a Mormon; Dare to stand alone. Dare to have a purpose firm; Dare to make it known.

Although the experience turned out differently from what I had expected, I had been willing to stand alone, had such been necessary.

It’s not easy to stand alone.

Since the first time I heard his talk, many years ago, I always thought that, like President Thomas S. Monson, I’ll certainly have the same courage to stand alone for my beliefs and values.

But, as it turns out, it’s not as easy as I had imagined. Standing up against all the false, negative stereotypes and ideas as well as against people who simply may not bother to listen to your words is not a fun task. But through every experience, there is one thing that helps me push through: my testimony in the church and the gospel upon which it is based, that of Jesus Christ and the loving Father.

I’d like to share my testimony that I know for a surety, that this is Christ’s full church, and that it would be nothing without God the Eternal Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. I know that the plan of salvation is true and everlasting. And through Christ, all can be saved.

So, whether it be at work, school, or at your closest gas station, I hope you will have the courage to stand alone when the need arises.