Anchored in Christ’s Love
Jonathan Livermore didn’t plan to be 51 and single in Hobart, Tasmania. Life rarely unfolds exactly as we envision it. His father had moved to Tasmania for work, and when Jonathan was eight, he and his mother joined him there. A year and a half later, his mother passed away in Hobart from cancer. When his father quickly remarried, Jonathan became part of a new family with parents and siblings, including a stepsister who was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The young boy found himself building a new life in a place that would become his permanent home.
At 14, Jonathan discovered something that would anchor him through life’s unexpected turns. His stepmother, who also had previous connections to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, introduced the family to the gospel. Jonathan was baptised alongside his stepmother and stepbrother, creating a spiritual foundation during a time of family reconstruction.
Today, that foundation serves him well. “Most of my family are members,” Jonathan explains, “but they’re not attending church at the moment.” Their love and support keeps him going, along with his faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. While he remains the primary active member in his family, he has learnt to find spiritual strength independently, referring to the daily practices that keep him connected to the Saviour.
The transition from young single adult to single adult brought its own challenges. Jonathan admits he “had a bit of a chip on my shoulder” during that time. “Sometimes I think perhaps [I’m] not where I should be with the focus on family, you know, getting married,” he reflects. Many single adults wrestle with similar feelings about life’s timeline and societal expectations.
Jonathan has found peace through a different perspective. “I know that my Father and the Saviour love me and are watching out for me, and they bless me,” he testifies. This knowledge helps him “not to worry so much” about where he thought he should be by now. His daily scripture study, particularly in the Book of Mormon, has become his spiritual foundation. “It keeps me anchored,” he says simply.
Living in Tasmania’s smaller Latter-day Saint community presented unique challenges for building connections. However, Jonathan discovered that service opened doors to belonging. When called as a stake single adult representative years ago, he found it helped him build friendships and “forget about myself a bit more.” Church callings, from Sunday School presidency to his current role as executive secretary, have provided consistent opportunities for involvement and purpose.
Jonathan’s advice for others facing similar struggles centres on shifting focus outward. “Taking the focus off yourself and trying to help others, that’s what it is,” he said as he recalled advice from Church leaders that has helped him.
He also emphasised the importance of reaching out and not being afraid to ask for help. When a ward member invited him to help with food preparation at a single adult convention, Jonathan felt hesitant about single adult activities and wasn’t sure he wanted to attend. But accepting the invitation to serve gave him a natural way to participate. The experience helped “break the ice” and led to deeper community involvement through shared work and friendship.
Through daily scripture study, consistent church attendance, and service opportunities, Jonathan has learnt that connection with Heavenly Father and the Saviour doesn’t depend on life following a prescribed timeline. “They love us,” he testifies. “They are guiding me and helping me out.” His counsel is gentle and clear: “Keep your faith going as best you can, [with] the little things, every day.”
In Tasmania’s challenging hills, Jonathan Livermore continues moving forward, grounded not by the life he once imagined, but by daily practices that keep him close to the One who knows his path perfectly—and by staying close to his family who love and support him.