Cheering Each Other On

In her October 2025 General Conference address, “Cheering Each Other On,” J. Anette Dennis teaches that the Savior intends His Church to be a place of belonging, where individuals are strengthened, supported, and encouraged as they strive to follow Him.

Yet for some, church can feel like a place of quiet comparison rather than compassion. What would it look like if our congregations more fully reflected the Savior’s love?

Our congregations and families can be gathering places where we cheer each other on—covenant communities fueled by the love of Christ for one another—helping each other overcome whatever challenges we face, giving each other strength and encouragement without judging one another.

Common Criticism: “Church Feels Like a Place of Judgment, Not Belonging”

For some, attending church can feel difficult. They may worry about how they are perceived or feel they do not measure up. Instead of encouragement, they may anticipate comparison or quiet judgment.

Fallacy at Work: Fundamental Attribution Error

The Fundamental Attribution Error is the tendency to judge others’ actions without understanding their circumstances, while excusing our own behavior based on context.

In a gospel setting, this can lead to unfair assumptions:

• Assuming someone is less faithful
• Misjudging someone’s level of commitment
• Overlooking unseen struggles

This distorts reality because, as Sister Dennis teaches, we cannot see the full “degree of difficulty” in another person’s life.

Doctrine: We Are Commanded to Love, Not Judge

The Savior taught:

• “Judge not… with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged” (Matthew 7:1–2)
• “Love one another” (John 13:34–35)
• “Bear one another’s burdens” (Mosiah 18:8)

Sister Dennis reinforces that only the Lord can judge perfectly, because only He understands each person’s:

• Limitations
• Experiences
• Hidden struggles

Sister Dennis’s Correction

She teaches that discipleship is not about evaluating one another’s progress.

Instead, we are meant to become like those spectators who rose to their feet and cheered, offering strength to someone who could not finish alone.

We do not lower standards. We simply replace judgment with charity.

Solution

When we choose to cheer instead of judge, we create covenant communities where people feel safe to grow, return, and stay.

Let’s be like those spectators… and cheer each other on in our journey of discipleship no matter our circumstances!

Living Apologetics: Seeing the Race Differently

At times, it’s easy to look around and assume others are doing better, trying harder, or progressing faster.

But Sister Dennis invites a completely different lens:

Everyone is running a different race.

Some are:

• Returning after years away
• Quietly battling depression or doubt
• Carrying unseen trauma or burdens
• Simply trying to take one more step forward

When we don’t see those struggles, we may misjudge the person.

When we do see with Christlike eyes, we respond differently.

We cheer.

Practical Apologetic Use

• If someone says: “Church feels judgmental.” 

• You can respond: “Sister Dennis teaches that only the Lord knows each person’s challenges. The Savior’s way is to lift and encourage, not judge. That’s the kind of community we’re meant to create.”

Ways to Apply Today

1️⃣ Assume unseen effort. When you notice someone struggling, choose to believe they are doing their best.
2️⃣ Offer visible encouragement. Say something specific that recognizes effort, not perfection.
3️⃣ Replace a judgmental thought with a prayer for that person.

Keep This Talk With You

Sister J. Anette Dennis invites us to reconsider what kind of community we are helping to create.

Covenant communities are not built on perfection. They are built on love. They grow as individuals choose to encourage rather than compare, to see with compassion rather than assumption, and to lift rather than judge.

In every congregation, there are individuals quietly wondering:

• “Do I belong here?”
• “Am I doing enough?”
• “Should I keep trying?”

Our response can help answer those questions.

This week:

• Help build a covenant community. Offer encouragement to someone who may feel unseen or unsure.
• Choose charity over judgment. Remember that you do not see the full story of another person’s life.
• Strengthen someone’s faith. A simple word of support may help them keep going.

As we do, our homes and congregations become what the Savior intends them to be—places where we truly cheer each other on.

What can I do this week to help someone feel that they truly belong in the Lord’s covenant community?

 

The Consider Conference series by FAIR offers an in-depth look at recent General Conference talks to help members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints navigate common questions, misunderstandings, and criticisms. Each post provides doctrinal insights, historical context, and practical ways to apply gospel principles in everyday conversations. Through this series, we hope to equip readers with faith-promoting resources that encourage thoughtful reflection, respectful dialogue, and a stronger foundation in gospel truths, fostering both personal conviction and meaningful discussions with others.