I hope that as you listen to the ideal, even as it’s painful, that you can hear in those ideals what God wants for us as members — for you, as His daughter. Maybe for now, He’s going to have to make up the difference for you, and maybe through that you can come to know Him better in your loneliness. But maybe you can hold onto the reality that He wants us to feel loved and cared for.

The challenge is that we are all human and make mistakes, and there are sometimes traditions and approaches that don’t fulfill the full purposes of the Church, and that can be really hard. I’m sorry where you are that it’s hard. I can tell you that it’s not like that everywhere — I’ve lived in many places and have had great experiences — not perfect, but great. I say that not to rub it in, but to illustrate that it’s not just the RS presidency that experiences these things.

The other thing I would say is try to BE that kind of person to show love and charity. The Spirit can bless your life as you do.

Know that you have sisters here who care. It’s, of course, not the same as ‘real life’ people reaching out, but you are part of a worldwide sisterhood.

And you matter to God.

Again, I’m sorry this is one of your trials right now, but I know that as we hold onto faith, God is there to help us through our hard times.