Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Of the Presidency of the Seventy
Let us listen to the prophets of our days as they
help us to focus on the things that are central to the Creator's plan.
What a joy and privilege it is to be part of this worldwide
Church and be taught and uplifted by prophets, seers, and revelators! This conference
is being broadcast to 68 countries and translated into 55 languages. This is
truly a global Church, with members spread across the nations of the earth.
We are all children of a living and loving God, our Heavenly Father. I express
my love to you, my dear brothers and sisters.
Just three months ago we joined under the inspired leadership
of President Gordon B. Hinckley in the dedication of the rebuilt Nauvoo Temple.
It brought us back to the Prophet Joseph and renewed our memories of the early
Saints; their sacrifices, sorrows, and tears; but also their courage, faith,
and trust in the Lord. I have no ancestors among the 19th-century pioneers.
However, since the first days of my Church membership, I have felt a close kinship
to those early pioneers who crossed the plains. They are my spiritual ancestry,
as they are for each and every member of the Church, regardless of nationality,
language, or culture. They have established not only a safe place in the West
but also a spiritual foundation for the building of the kingdom of God in all
the nations of the world.
As the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ
is now being embraced around the world, we are all pioneers in our own sphere
and circumstance. It was in the turmoil of post—World War II Germany when my
family first learned about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
George Albert Smith was the President then. I was only a young child, and we
had lost all material belongings twice within only seven years. We were refugees
with an uncertain future. However, during those same seven years, we gained
more than any amount of money could ever buy. We found a supernal refuge, a
place of defense from despair—the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and His
Church, led by a true and living prophet.
During this time of my childhood I played in bombed-out
houses and grew up with the ever-present consequences of a lost war and the
awareness that my own country had inflicted terrible pain on many nations during
the horrific World War II.
The good news that Jesus Christ has made the perfect Atonement
for mankind, redeeming all from the grave and rewarding each individual according
to his or her works, was the healing power which brought hope and peace back
into my life.
Whatever our challenges in life may be, our burdens may
become light if we not only believe in Christ, but also in His ability and His
power to cleanse and console our lives, and accept His peace.
President David O. McKay was the prophet during my teenage
years. I seemed to know him personally: I could feel his love, kindness, and
dignity; he gave me confidence and courage in my young life. Even though I grew
up thousands of miles away in Europe, I felt he trusted me, and I did not want
to disappoint him.
Another source of strength was a letter written by the
Apostle Paul while he was in prison, addressed to Timothy, his most trusted
assistant and friend. He wrote:
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of
power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
"Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our
Lord" (2
Timothy 1:7–8).
These words from one of the ancient Apostles of our Savior
rang with great importance for me in postwar times, even as they do today. Yet
how many of us permit our fears to take control in this time of international
tension, economical and political uncertainties, and personal challenges.
God is speaking to us in a consistent voice. God will
deal with all the human family equally. We might be in a large ward or a small
branch, our climate or vegetation may differ, the cultural background and language
might vary, and the color of our skin could be totally different. But the universal
power and blessings of the restored gospel are available to all, irrespective
of culture, nationality, political system, tradition, language, economic environment,
or education.
Today, we have again apostles, seers, and revelators who
are watchmen on the tower, messengers of supernal, healing truth. God speaks
to us through them. They are profoundly aware of the different circumstances
we members are living in. They are in this world, but not of this world.
We have a living prophet on the face of the earth, even
President Gordon B. Hinckley. He knows our challenges and fears. He has inspired
answers. A year ago he taught us in his optimistic and clear way. He said:
"There is no need to fear. We can have peace in our hearts
and peace in our homes. We can be an influence for good in this world, every
one of us. . . .
" . . . Our safety lies in repentance. Our strength comes
of obedience to the commandments of God" ("The
Times in Which We Live," Ensign, Nov. 2001, 74; Liahona, Jan.
2002, 86).
The prophets speak to us in the name of the Lord and in
plainness. As the Book of Mormon confirms, "For the Lord God giveth light unto
the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto
their understanding" (2
Nephi 31:3).
It is our responsibility not only to listen but also to
act upon His word, that we may claim the blessings of the ordinances and covenants
of the restored gospel. He said, "I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say;
but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise" (D&C
82:10).
There may be times when we may feel overwhelmed, hurt,
or on the edge of discouragement as we are trying so hard to be perfect members
of the Church. Be assured, there is balm in Gilead. Let us listen to the prophets
of our days as they help us to focus on the things that are central to the Creator's
plan for the eternal destiny of His children. The Lord knows us, He loves us,
He wants us to succeed, and He encourages us by saying: "And see that all . . . things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that [men
or women] should run faster than [they have] strength. . . . [But] it
is expedient that [they] should be diligent" (Mosiah
4:27).
Are we diligent in living the commandments of God, without
running beyond our strength? Or are we just leisurely strolling along? Are we
using our time, talents, and means wisely? Are we focused on the things which
matter most? Are we following the inspired counsel of the prophets?
One example of great importance for humanity is strengthening
our own families. The principle of family home evening was given to us in 1915.
President McKay reminded parents again in 1964 that "no other success can compensate
for failure in the home" (quoted from J. E. McCulloch, Home: The Savior of
Civilization [1924], 42; in Conference Report, Apr. 1964, 5). In 1995
the prophets of our day called upon all the world to strengthen the family as
the fundamental unit of society. And only three years ago the First Presidency
and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles lovingly stated: "We counsel parents and
children to give highest priority to family prayer, family home evening, gospel
study and instruction, and wholesome family activities. However worthy and appropriate
other demands or activities may be, they must not be permitted to displace the
divinely appointed duties that only parents and families can adequately perform"
("News
of the Church," Ensign, June 1999, 80; "Letter from the First Presidency,"
Liahona, Dec. 1999, 1).
Let us in humility and faith refresh our dedication and
our commitment to follow the prophets, seers, and revelators in all diligence.
Let us listen and be instructed and edified by those who hold all the keys of
the kingdom. And as we attend this conference, may our hearts be changed, that
there will be a great desire to do good (see Alma
19:33), and that we will be pioneers in building a spiritual foundation
that will establish the Church in our part of the world. In the name of Jesus
Christ, amen.
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