The Need to be Noticed

President Bonnie H. Cordon began her recent General Conference talk by talking about a boy named David:

A year ago, a Primary child I met in Chile brought a smile to my face. “Hello,” he said, “I am David. Will you talk about me in general conference?”

In quiet moments, I have pondered David’s unexpected greeting. We all want to be recognized. We want to matter, to be remembered, and to feel loved.

Recognition and importance are very important to some of us. As social creatures, we all have an inherent need to be validated and accepted by others. In group settings, this usually manifests as a desire to be seen and heard.

Acknowledging and understanding our own goals and desires is good, but it's also important to understand the desires of others as well. As President Cordon said,  "We [all] want to matter, to be remembered, and to feel loved." We can help others feel important, remembered and loved. We can help ensure that others are and feel seen and heard. We can show Christlike love for others simply by giving them some of our time and attention.




It doesn't always take much to make someone's day or to make them feel important. President Cordon did it for one young boy simply by mentioning him by name. We, too, can make others feel recognized and important without much effort on our part, basically just by being kind. We know that God notices and loves everyone, but we can help by noticing and loving each other as well.