Notable quotes:
“In the Church of Jesus Christ, you will find a family of people who are not so different from you.”
“There is no threshold of perfection you must attain in order to qualify for God’s grace.”
“Because of Him, we can repent, and our mistakes can become steppingstones to greater glory.”
Summary points:
- Everyone is invited to learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ by reading the Book of Mormon, visiting ComeUntoChrist.org and meeting with missionaries.
- The Savior’s embrace extends to all; He cares deeply about every one of God’s children, no matter their circumstances and even if they reject Him.
- Each person’s discipleship begins with the decision to hear and follow the Savior, just as Joseph Smith did.
Talk summary:
The Lord’s Church is structured to provide opportunities to practice the fundamentals of discipleship. “Actively participating in the Church of Jesus Christ and its great variety of opportunities will help us to be better prepared for life’s changing circumstances, whatever and how serious they may be.”
All of God’s children are invited to join in with this great endeavor. “Even during this challenging time of coronavirus, meet with us online.” Everyone is invited to come and see, come and serve, and to come and belong.
Everyone is invited to read the Book of Mormon, visit ComeUntoChrist.org and meet with missionaries. “In the Church of Jesus Christ, you will find a family of people who are not so different from you.”
The Savior’s embrace extends to all; He cares deeply about every one of God’s children, no matter their circumstances and even if they reject Him. “There is no threshold of perfection you must attain in order to qualify for God’s grace.”
Heavenly Father doesn’t micromanage His children. Instead, He allows them to learn from their mistakes.
“Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died so that our mistakes might not condemn us and forever halt our progress. Because of Him, we can repent, and our mistakes can become steppingstones to greater glory.”
God uses imperfect people to bring about His purposes. “This truth stands as a testimony that it is God’s power, not man’s, that accomplishes His work on the earth.”
Each person’s discipleship begins with the decision to hear and follow the Savior, just as Joseph Smith did.
Everyone has a crucial part to play in the Restoration, which is to love and serve God and His children. “As you do so, God will encircle you with His love, joy and certain guidance through this life, even under the most serious circumstances and even beyond.”
In the news:
- During a visit to Rexburg, Idaho, in early March, Elder Uchtdorf and his wife, Sister Harriet Uchtdorf, reminded BYU-Idaho students of their divine heritage and made a surprise visit to Primary kids. Elder Uchtdorf also presided over a leadership conference.
- Elder and Sister Uchtdorf traveled to Uruguay and Chile in February and spoke during a nationwide broadcast in Chile about having hope in the Lord. Elder Uchtdorf taught local leaders about building confidence in youth and joined missionaries for a teaching appointment.
- Elder Uchtdorf spoke to missionaries at the Provo Missionary Training Center in November 2019 about succeeding, increasing and repenting.
- Speaking to young adults during a multi-regional devotional at Stanford Memorial Church in October 2019, Elder Uchtdorf shared the secret to true happiness.
- Elder Uchtdorf rededicated the Frankfurt Germany Temple on Oct. 20, 2019. He shared memories of his childhood during a youth devotional the evening prior.
- Elder Uchtdof spoke at an event for Volkstrauertag, a German national day of remembrance and mourning, at the Fort Douglas Military Cemetery in Salt Lake City on Nov. 17, 2019. It was the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
About the speaker:
- Elder 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.
Recently on Social:
- Elder Uchtdorf shared a video in March of one of his missionary grandsons and his companion in Europe who are making the most of being in quarantine during the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Reflecting on President Nelson’s invitation to study the First Vision in preparation for general conference, Elder Uchtdorf asked his Facebook followers: “Why do you go to Church? How does going to Church help you manage your hardships?”
- In February, he shared a picture holding his new great-grandson outside of the Tucson Arizona Temple, where he presided over the groundbreaking in 2015 and the dedication in 2017.
- Elder Uchtdorf posted on Twitter about how Heavenly Father can take a post on social media or a brief comment and “transform it into a light.”
