For example, just go to any toy section of a store and find a fun game that, on the box says "for 2-4 players". Go outside, and play hide and seek with oneself, is doable but is without point. Even Christmastime seemed a bit empty; even though every one those wrapped presents were for me, and me alone (that was a perceived advantage), the fact of watching others open their gifts and seeing the joy on their faces was lacking. I didn't have the "many hands make the work go faster" deal with siblings. My chores were still very much there, but it was my task alone and could not be shared. How I wished at times for another sibling to come forward and help.

Being an only child, I didn't get to experience sibling fights; where one or two siblings would take on a "pact" of a sort and carry it out on another.  There was no "he/she said", or "I'm telling".  As I didn't find out later until I was older, that I actually had some step-brothers and sisters, it was ackward to say the least to all of a sudden waltz into their lives and try to feel sibling love for someone I had no real connection with. I tried and they tried, but the synergy just wasn't there. I sensed there was much animosity between them and me, like "who is this person to all of a sudden come into our daily regimen? Who is this person?". So, the discovery/grand get-together did not last long with them. They remain, to this day my [step] brothers and sisters! but that's all I know.

Looking back at that moment and replaying events in my mind, I'm sure there are things I could have said or done to perhaps get better acquainted with them. And I'm sure the opposite is true. Now, I bring this all up not to have a grand "Rick pity party", but to draw some parallels.

Many go through this life as single and alone. They do not have the advantages of the gospel in their lives. Some wander, never even knowing about the church and some wander knowing of the church from either what they have read, or even perhaps someone who said they were a member but carried out their belief in a curious manner. Perhaps they have been offended by someone. Perhaps they were already members, but list their individual light of testimony and fell off the straight and narrow. Whatever the reason, they walk the earth today.

Having recently had one of those "aha" thoughts while on Facebook, I thought I'd share some personal insight. I'm sure I'm not alone to state that I have Facebook friends with a wide latitude of thoughts and ideals. Most are very passionate about their "causes" and "ideals". I guess the same can be said about me because I am passionate about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and music in general. Many people probably remain close-lipped and don't want to "rock the boat". They go on letting people have their say. And then there are some that have jump in to give their opinion and then jump back out to let the battle, er discussion ensue (I am one of these).  And lastly, there are those that keep going, replying to every post as a rebuttal - seemingly needing to have the final word. There is nothing wrong with any of these types. It makes people who they are. We can agree and disagree, and when discussions seem to get out of hand, they are judged on their comments. People get unfriended and/or blocked because situations get out of hand. And last, people can be 100% against ideals and causes. For example, Democrats vs. Republican vs. ?, LGBT vs. others, Presidential dissatisfaction, etc.

Just as brothers and sisters have their sibling rivalries - sometimes lasting years or even lifetimes, those Facebook friends that we friend can turn in social media rivalries. In the eternal aspect, these are still, at it's basic form - sibling rivalry.

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we believe that our Heavenly Father is our true father. And through that, we are all his children. I've stated this before in other blogs that everyone who has lived, everyone who currently live and those that will yet live on this earth raised their hand in support of the plan whereby our Savior, Jesus Christ said, "...send me and the glory be Thine." With these words spoken, and our sustaining of that action, we all come to earth to gain a body, learn how to master our bodies, and to be "proven that we will do all things we are commanded." We have also been given agency. We are free to choose and act, but must abide by the consequences of our actions. Let me emphasize this statement again: we are ALL brothers and sisters. 

And while we get upset and/or disappointed at the person that cut us off, hurt us, ignores us, battles with us in some way, shape or form; these people are our brothers and sisters. We can, and should agree to disagree and, just as parents to children and brothers and sisters are told "reproving bedtimes with sharpness, but showing an increase of love lest they esteem thee to be thy enemy..". We are also told to forgive "seventy times seven", "loved one another", and "judge not...".

We will continue to experience mortal sibling rivalries, but if we are not careful to resolve issues, they could easily turn into eternal sibling rivalries; where one cannot and will not forgive. It helps me to try to remember the eternal aspects with my earthly brothers and sisters. And while I will remain an only child as far as a family unit, I am perfectly content with the knowledge that I have my eternal brothers and sisters to enjoy. I can have help from my earthly brothers and sisters to assist and be assisted with mortal "chores" that come up. And, for my brothers and sisters who do not know about the gospel, it is my responsibility to share, not force the gospel to them. If they accept the gospel that brings me joy, how joyous will they be when they get to open their eternal "Christmas gift". The gift of the Holy Ghost being prent in their lives and seeing light of Christ in their eyes and lives.