Sunday Thoughts: Standing Alone

We had Stake Conference today. We were lucky to hear some great talks, one that struck me was from Sister Dalton about standing up for what is right. She told a story of her son Jess who was the Student President of a university and went to Chicago for a leadership camp with other colleges. They were doing leadership activities and were asked questions and then had to run to a tree which had signs saying "strongly agree, agree, strongly disagree.." In one of the questions, everyone ran to a tree and her son Jess was the only one infront of "strongly disagree." Everyone made fun of him and said how funny he was and to be serious. He had a choice to go to another tree or not say anything, but he did not do that and said he was serious and this is what he believed.
Many people will not stand up because they are worried about what others will think or say. To be a leader we need to stand up, especially in hard times. We have covenanted to "stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in..."
Don't be afraid to be alone, I love the statement from President Hinckley: "I rather be respected than popular."