None of us is quite as Christlike as we know we should be. We would be forever changed. But how is this possible? I bear witness that our Heavenly Father lives, that Jesus Christ leads His Church, that President RussellM. Nelson is His prophet. There are few members of the Church who, at one time or another, have not wrestled with serious or sensitive questions. The Savior reassures us: Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. See 3Nephi 9:20; Doctrine and Covenants 20:37. Keeping Covenants Protects Us, Prepares Us, and Empowers Us, Wanted: Hands and Hearts to Hasten the Work. It inspires humility and fosters empathy toward our fellowmen and all of Gods creation. I have pondered what to say to them, and I have struggled to know how to comfort and support them in their trials. Elder Gong teaches that as we follow Gods plan for us, we will find eternal joy with our families. Welcome to Conference. I realize that He has not doomed His children to stumble through mortality without hope for a bright and eternal future. Being grateful in our circumstances is an act of faith in God. The search for truth has led millions of people to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf speaks in the Saturday Afternoon Session of the October 2020 General Conference. Of this I testify and bear witness in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature (Born of God, Ensign, Nov. 1985, 6). When his brothers tied him up on the shipwhich he had built to take them to the promised landhis ankles and wrists were so sore they had swollen exceedingly, and a violent storm threatened to swallow him up in the depths of the sea. In a way, this is what the Pharisees of Jesuss day tried to do. His family lost everything and had to escape for their lives. 33. In the title page of the Book of Mormon we read, And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ.6. By Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles If we want the Savior to lift us heavenward, then our commitment to Him and His gospel can't be casual or occasional. When the Apostles recognized the risen Christwhen they experienced the glorious Resurrection of their beloved Saviorthey became different men. That is your future. It is difficult to develop a spirit of gratitude if our thankfulness is only proportional to the number of blessings we can count. Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. Like the widow at Jerusalem, we must offer Him our whole souls. Some might say, I know a member of your Church who is a hypocrite. Scientists have confirmed that people walk in circles when they do not have reliable clues to direct them. The Uchtdorfs spoke with enthusiasm about the missionary programs that brought their families into the Church. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ speaks of such an appearance to the people on the American continent. The Church News is an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We can choose to limit our gratitude, based on the blessings we feel we lack. Posted April 5, 2015. Elder Sitati teaches how we can develop attributes that help us become better disciples of Christ. In these moments, I have listened to my beloved brothers and sisters and grieved with them over their burdens. But we can choose our response. And so he took a nine-foot-long (3-m) loaf of bread, cut it in half, and with a smile, served that to the customer. Sacrifice and consecration are two heavenly laws that we covenant to obey in the holy temple. The Church News is an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. No, He would ask you to repentto leave your sins behind, to change, so He can forgive you. Job 36:26 - no one can know the number of God's years. In light of what we know about our eternal destiny, is it any wonder that whenever we face the bitter endings of life, they seem unacceptable to us? I testify that here you will find the words of eternal life, the promise of blessed redemption, and the pathway to peace and happiness. Experts were able to repair most of the statue, but the hands had been damaged so severely that they could not be restored. You need to know the whys and the hows and then consider the consequences of your choices. How long are they?, Oh, my, the man said. If we repent, mistakes do not disqualify us. Also President Uchtdorf doesn't speak in his native German (although he jokingly began to for a second while conducting). It wasnt until later that I learned from the scriptures that my conduct and my attitude on the Sabbath constituted a sign between me and my Heavenly Father. Jointly published by the Deseret News and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, its content supports the doctrines, principles and practices of the Church. The next day, when the man returned, the waiter doubled the amount of bread, giving him four slices instead of two, but still the man was not happy. Our offering may be small, but it must come from our heart and soul. By Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Put your trust in Jesus Christ. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As I pondered this question, I thought about our young American missionaries who served among us during those years. What the Pharisees got wrong was that they thought their rules would save them. Your background or upbringing might seem different from what you perceive in many Latter-day Saints, but that could be a blessing. It requires letting some things go and letting other things grow. When we look at our lives and see a hundred things to do, we feel overwhelmed. To sacrifice means to give something up in favor of something more valuable. We openly acknowledge that in nearly 200 years of Church historyalong with an uninterrupted line of inspired, honorable, and divine eventsthere have been some things said and done that could cause people to question. Very few of us will ever be asked to sacrifice our lives for the Savior. Pres. We will all become better as a result. If we want the Savior to lift us heavenward, then our commitment to Him and His gospel cant be casual or occasional. As Latter-day Saints, we are often known for what we do and dont doour behaviors. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. He realized that each religion had much that seemed desirable and worthy. You need to put your trust in Jesus Christ. God will not allow His Church to drift from its appointed course or fail to fulfill its divine destiny. Good or evil? So the problem with listing every possible do and dont isnt just that its impractical and unsustainable. You know how best to groom yourself. Isaiah 41:4 - only God is the . I earnestly pray that your own search for truth will impress upon your heart the desire to come and join with us. But some might say, What do I have to be grateful for when my world is falling apart?. Sustaining of General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Officers, Follow Jesus Christ with Footsteps of Faith, Beauty for Ashes: The Healing Path of Forgiveness, Building a Life Resistant to the Adversary. Jesus Christ is our perfect example, and we strive with all the energy of our soul to follow Him. Jesus Christ is the strength of youth. President Nelson teaches about the importance of temples and announces plans to build more temples. But when you earnestly seek the trutheternal, unchanging truthyour choices become much clearer. No matter how you choose to personally prepare for general . General Conference: Strengthening Faith and Testimony, The Doctrines and Principles Contained in the Articles of Faith, Personal Strength through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I Will Not Fail Thee, nor Forsake Thee, Lamentations of Jeremiah: Beware of Bondage, Teaching with the Power and Authority of God, The Power, Joy, and Love of Covenant Keeping. Elder Pearson teaches that God expects us to willingly place the Savior at the center of our lives. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints delivers a message Sunday morning, Oct. 3, 2021, during the 191st Semiannual General Conference held in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City. He gives power to the weary; and to those who feel powerless, He increases strength. Because we are made of the stuff of eternity. So He allows you to choose: Light or darkness? Rather, we put it to use in the Lords service. This new guide is subtitled A Guide for Making Choices and focuses on values, principles and doctrine rather than specific behavior. Some are facing the end of a cherished relationship, such as the death of a loved one or estrangement from a family member. It might sound contrary to the wisdom of the world to suggest that one who is burdened with sorrow should give thanks to God. It is so humbling to know that this magnificent and supernal future is possiblenot because of who we are but because of who God is. For the rising generation, I have a message especially for you from our Savior, Jesus Christ. That He speaks to prophets again; that God is among usand is personally involved in our lives and actively guiding His children. 1. The doubting He would infuse with faith and courage to believe. In the cold of bitter sorrow, we can experience the closeness and warmth of heavens embrace. God is among usand is personally involved in our lives and actively guiding His children. And the invitation to earnestly seek His will and live by His truths is the highest standard possible! I invite you to pray, he said, to identify the debris you should remove from your life so you can become more worthy (Welcome Message, Liahona, May 2021, 7). Joy or misery? Together with God the Father, He appeared to a 14-year-old Joseph Smith and ushered in the Restoration of the gospel and the Church of Jesus Christ. Coreyb. But we are all invited to consecrate our lives to Him. We sometimes think that being grateful is what we do after our problems are solved, but how terribly shortsighted that is. Come, join with us! Elder Uchtdorf's conference talk summary Conflict is inevitable, but contention is a choice, Elder Uchtdorf tweeted on Sept. 24. A thankful heart is the parent of all virtues.16, The Lord has given us His promise that those who [receive] all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto [them], even an hundred fold, yea, more.17. There is room for you here. He will lead you the right way. Clearly, the Lord is building our spiritual capacity. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke during the Saturday morning session of October 2022 general conference. Change Region English. No matter how strong our spiritual experiences have been in the past, as human beings we tend to wander. Elder Uchtdorf commemorated International Friendship Day on July 30 with an Instagram post about focusing on the one and making the Church a place of blending.. And get pedaling. But whenever I watch someone learning to ride a bike for the first time, Im reminded that its not easy balancing yourself on those two narrow wheels. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 284. But those who set aside the bottle of bitterness and lift instead the goblet of gratitude can find a purifying drink of healing, peace, and understanding. His father was conscripted into the German Army, and his mother relocated the family to Zwickau, Germany. Best LDS Talks On Faith. Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints During a BYU Education Week devotional on Aug. 17, Elder Uchtdorf, Elder Uchtdorf spoke twice during the Seminar for New Mission Leaders in June on how, In an interview with the Church News, Elder Uchtdorf. Read and listen here As a child, when I would look at the little forget-me-nots, I sometimes felt a little like that flowersmall and insignificant. They are part of our progress. Bishop Causs teaches the duty we have to take care of Gods creations as stewards over them. As we seek to follow Jesus Christ and walk the path of discipleship, line upon line, the day will come that we will experience that unimaginable gift of receiving a fulness of joy. I testify that this is true, as I also testify that Jesus Christ is our Master, our Redeemer, and our one and only Way back to our beloved Father in Heaven. They bore the strain and suffering as best they could. You can build a joyful, happy life because Jesus Christ is your strength. They want to roll up their sleeves and become engaged in this great cause. Those who follow this path faithfully avoid many of the pitfalls, sorrows, and regrets of life. How to distribute your time and energy among your many important tasks will vary from person to person and from one season of life to another. The former was a sacrifice, which has a purifying effect on the giver. Faith is to hope for things which are not seen but which are true.7. It doesnt give you a yes or no about every choice you might ever face. The Joyful Burden of Discipleship. With that understanding, I no longer needed lists of dos and donts. In our daily life it is our paramount task and blessed opportunity to encounter God. Elder Eddy invites us to try the virtue of the word of God and drink deeply from the scriptures. And yet, because were all weak and imperfect, some concerns might creep into your mind. President Lund describes the spiritual strength that comes from FSY conferences and teaches how youth can maintain that strength. That has been the pattern from the days of Adam until now., Spiritual landmarks like daily prayer, scripture study and approaching God in humility and honesty can help keep one on the path. He is not a scenic byway or even a major landmark. It is easy to be grateful for things when life seems to be going our way. In essence, he's called God a liar. Join with us! That is part of the plan of happiness gifted to us from our loving Heavenly Father. See F.F. Bosworth, Christ the Healer (1924), 23. RussellM. Nelson, Let God Prevail, Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 94. You might remember mistakes youve made, times you gave in to temptation, things you wish you hadnt doneor wish you had done better. Nothing could keep them from fulfilling their mission. My wife, Harriet, and I love to go bicycle riding together. The process of caring for others allows both rich and poor a way toward refining their characters and leads them both toward exaltation (see Doctrine and Covenants 104:1518). (See John 6:28 .) And yet this seemingly inconsequential donation caught the Saviors attention. The more we learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ, the more we realize that endings here in mortality are not endings at all. If you could see into our hearts, you would probably find that you fit in better than you suppose. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior (Do Not Fear, Ensign or Liahona, May 2004, 79). Just days before He gave His life for us, Jesus Christ was at the temple in Jerusalem, watching people make donations to the temple treasury. We can choose to be like the Prophet Joseph Smith, who, while a prisoner in miserable conditions in Liberty Jail, penned these inspired words: Dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.7. Just as forward momentum keeps a bicycle balanced and upright, moving forward helps an aircraft overcome the pull of gravity and drag. Sustaining of General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Officers, Follow Jesus Christ with Footsteps of Faith, Beauty for Ashes: The Healing Path of Forgiveness, Building a Life Resistant to the Adversary. May we allow our souls to expand in thankfulness toward our merciful Heavenly Father. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the Sunday afternoon session of the 192nd Annual General Conference held in the Conference Center on April 3, 2022. Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints We love you, President Nelson, and I encourage everyone everywhere to study and heed your words. It surpasses disappointment, discouragement, and despair. Title page of the Book of Mormon; see Mormon 8:17. Knowing this, how could we ever murmur or remain embittered? 3Nephi 13:3233; see also Matthew 6:3233. Sometimes we volunteer; sometimes we are volunteered. We see assignments not as burdens but as opportunities to fulfill covenants we gladly make to serve God and His children. Truth is contained in the gospel of Jesus Christ and taught in His Church. President Nelson testifies that we can overcome the world and find rest, by the power of Jesus Christ, which we access through our covenants. What is it that keeps these flying machines soaring elegantly through the sky, crossing oceans and continents? How grateful I am to my Heavenly Father that in His plan there are no true endings, only everlasting beginnings. But He works through usHis imperfect childrenand imperfect people make mistakes. Have we not reason to be filled with gratitude, regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves? Of course not. Similar principles apply when it comes to finding balance in our lives as disciples of Jesus Christ. Presented by Seagull Book. Let us take this a step further. He married Sister Harriet Reich in 1962 and they are the parents of two children. In praising this faithful widow, the Savior gave us a standard to measure our discipleship in all of its many expressions. Your loving Father in Heaven knows your heart. My sins will not only be forgiven; they will not even be remembered. When we see one thingloving and serving God and His children, in a hundred different waysthen we can work on those things with joy. Show more Show more. And at the center of it all is His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ,7 and His sacrifice for us. Open your hearts to our Savior and Redeemer, no matter your circumstances, trials, sufferings, or mistakes; you can know that He lives, that He loves you, and that because of Him, you will never be alone. At a time when many churches throughout the world are experiencing significant decreases in numbers, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saintsthough small in comparison with many othersis one of the fastest growing churches in the world. Because of Jesus Christ, our failures do not have to define us. See Luke 9:35; Joseph SmithHistory 1:17. Once there was a man who dreamed that he was in a great hall where all the religions of the world were gathered. If you are tempted to give up: Stay yet a little longer. Elder Olsen teaches that the answer to our challenges and questions is Jesus Christ. Sustaining of General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Officers, BishopsShepherds over the Lords Flock, What We Are Learning and Will Never Forget, Christ Is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains, Defending Our Divinely Inspired Constitution. When he was at the height of his professional career as a heart surgeon, he was called as stake president. The Costand Blessingsof Discipleship. While this may seem like a juvenile and overly simplistic analogy, it's still a good way to illustrate these principles. To you, my dear brothers and sisters, my dear friends, and to all who are searching for answers, truth, and happiness, I do offer the same counsel: keep searching with faith and patience.27, Ask, and you will receive. This new version of For the Strength of Youth is subtitled A Guide for Making Choices. It is unfortunate that some have stumbled because of mistakes made by men. I am also speaking to those who used to be young, even to those who cant really remember it anymore. After the meal, the man looked up and said, Good as always. His message was and is a message of hope and belonginga testimony that God our Heavenly Father has not abandoned His children. "Our Heavenly Father asks that we represent Him in the noble work of reaching out and blessing the lives of His children. That is your destiny. The new version of For the Strength of Youth is available online in 50 different languages and will also be available in print. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's Women's Session General Conference talk is entitled, "Three Sisters" in which he discusses three basic attitudes we might use to approach life. why does my jewelry smell like garlic, sundowner trailers toy hauler, The former was a sacrifice, which has a purifying effect on the American continent is part of pitfalls. 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