Notable quotes:
“We will endure this, yes. But we will do more than simply grit our teeth, hold on and wait for things to return to the old normal. We will move forward, and we will be better as a result.”
“It is my witness that though at times we may feel buried by the trials of life, or surrounded by emotional darkness, the love of God and the blessings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ will bring something unimaginable to spring forth.”
“As an Apostle of the Lord, I invite and bless you to ‘cheerfully do all things that lie in [your] power; and then may [you] stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed’ (Doctrine and Covenants 123:7). And I promise you that the Lord will cause unimaginable things to come from your righteous labors.”
Summary points:
- Even though this pandemic is not what was wanted or expected, God has prepared His children and His Church for this time.
- Men and women are like seeds, and for seeds to reach their potential, they must be buried before they can sprout.
- The righteous are not given a free pass that allows them to avoid the valleys of shadow. “Our Heavenly Father knows that we suffer — and because we are His children, He will not abandon us.”
Talk summary:
God uses adversity to bring about His purposes. Though this pandemic is neither wanted nor expected, God has prepared His children and His Church for this time.
“We will endure this, yes. But we will do more than simply grit our teeth, hold on and wait for things to return to the old normal. We will move forward, and we will be better as a result.”
Men and women are like seeds, and for seeds to reach their potential, they must be buried before they can sprout. “It is my witness that though at times we may feel buried by the trials of life, or surrounded by emotional darkness, the love of God and the blessings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ will bring something unimaginable to spring forth.”
Every dispensation has faced times of trial and hardship, with twofold learnings. The righteous are not given a free pass that allows them to avoid the valleys of shadow. Also, Heavenly Father knows all suffering and will not abandon His children.
“God will watch over and shepherd you during these times of uncertainty and fear. He knows you. He hears your pleas. He is faithful and dependable. He will fulfill His promises.
“God has something unimaginable in mind for you personally and the Church collectively — a marvelous work and a wonder.”
This is the Lord’s work. He invites all to find His ways of doing it — and those ways may differ from past experiences.
“As an apostle of the Lord, I invite and bless you to ‘cheerfully do all things that lie in [your] power; and then may [you] stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed’ (Doctrine and Covenants 123:7). And I promise that the Lord will cause unimaginable things to come from your righteous labors.”
In the news:
- In a video and message posted on social media on Sept. 4, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf explained how to hear the voice of the Lord by focusing on His love.
- Speaking in a virtual missionary devotional broadcast on Aug. 13, Elder Uchtdorf highlighted technology as one tool of many inspired means to share the gospel in natural ways.
- During a BYU-Pathway devotional on July 14, Elder Ucthdorf issued a call for heroes, telling students and faculty “you are the hero of your own life’s story.”
- “Mask your face, don’t mask your heart,” Elder Uchtdorf wrote in an article about social distancing, posted on ChurchofJesusChrist.org on July 9.
- Elder Ucthdorf told new mission presidents and companions at the Mission Leadership Seminar in June how to make disciples and use technology wisely.
- Calling the future of the missionary work “bright,” Elder Uchtdorf posted a video and message on June 14 on lessons learned through missionaries’ improved use of social media during the pandemic.
- Elder Uchtdorf referred to missionaries as “the pioneers of our day,” in a Church News interview in April.
About the speaker:
- Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf has been a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles since 2004. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency from February 2008-January 2018.
- From 1965-1996, he was a pilot, captain and corporate executive for the German airline, Lufthansa.
- He is currently the chairman of the Missionary Executive Council and directs the global operation of all missionary activity for the Church.
- He and Harriet Reich married in 1962. They have two children, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Recently on Social:
- Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf tweeted on Sept. 23 about drawing near to Heavenly Father.
- He shared photos of his missionary grandsons, Eric and Robin, in a Sept. 18 Facebook post and expressed gratitude for missionaries around the world. The gospel of Jesus Christ edifies and refines relationships across cultural, social or language borders, he said.
- In an Aug. 16 Instagram post, Elder Uchtdorf wrote about how he achieved his dream of becoming a pilot. “Remember that if you trust in the Lord, learn of Him, have faith in Him, He will direct your path,” he wrote.
- He wrote in an Aug. 7 Facebook post that people can easily be caught up in the day-to-day grind of life and fail to listen to the Spirit. “Can we hear the gentle call of our beloved Savior, who invites us to come and follow Him? Do we hear His voice?” he asked in the post.
- In a May 18 tweet Elder Uchtdorf testified of the mission of Jesus Christ. “Because of His profound and eternal love, Jesus Christ suffered and died for you and me,” Elder Uchtdorf wrote, testifying of the hope and healing the Savior offers through His Resurrection and Atonement.
