[The pioneers] woke up each morning with clearly defined purposes and goals that everyone understood: to serve God.
Dieter F. UchtdorfOften the answer to our prayer does not come while weโre on our knees but while weโre on our feet serving the Lord and serving those around us. Selfless acts of service and consecration refine our spirits remove the scales from our spiritual eyes and open the windows of heaven. By becoming the answer to someoneโs prayer we often find the answer to our own.
Dieter F. UchtdorfThere is no end to the creativity, ingenuity, and tenacity of those who look for reasons to criticize. They cannot seem to release their grip on grudges. They gossip and find fault with others. They nurse wounds for decades, taking every opportunity to tear down and demean others. This is not pleasing to the Lord, 'for where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work' (James 3:16).
Dieter F. UchtdorfHope is a gift of the Spirit. It is a hope that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the power of His Resurrection, we shall be raised unto life eternal and this because of our faith in the Savior.
Dieter F. UchtdorfGod offers to His children the promise of a glorious and infinite existence and has provided a way for us to progress in knowledge and glory until we receive a fulness of joy. He has promised us all that He has.
Dieter F. UchtdorfThough we cannot understand "the meaning of all things," we do "know that God loveth his children" because He has said, "Behold, this is my work and my glory-to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." Heavenly Father is able to accomplish these two great goals-the immortality and eternal life of man-because He is a God of creation and compassion. Creating and being compassionate are two objectives that contribute to our Heavenly Father's perfect happiness. Creating and being compassionate are two activities that we as His spirit children can and should emulate.
Dieter F. UchtdorfGod knows that some of the greatest souls who have ever lived are those who will never appear in the chronicles of history. They are the blessed, humble souls who emulate the Saviorโs example and spend the days of their lives doing good.
Dieter F. UchtdorfNo one likes to fail. But we mortals do not become champions without effort and discipline or without making mistakes.
Dieter F. UchtdorfThough you may feel that no one understand the depth of your despair, our savior, Jesus Christ, understands.
Dieter F. UchtdorfDonโt get discouraged if you stumble at times. The first step to walking in righteousness is simply to try.
Dieter F. UchtdorfWhat we love determines what we seek. What we seek determines what we think and do. What we think and do determines who we are โ and who we will become.
Dieter F. UchtdorfYes, God loves you this very day and always. He is not waiting to love you until you have overcome your weaknesses and bad habits. He loves you today with a full understanding of your struggles. He is aware that you reach up to Him in heartfelt and hopeful prayer. He knows of the times you have held onto the fading light and believed-even in the midst of growing darkness. He knows of your sufferings. He knows of your remorse for the times you have fallen short or failed. And still He loves you.
Dieter F. UchtdorfThe things we hope in sustain us during our daily walk. They uphold us through trials, temptations, and sorrow. Everyone has experienced discouragement and difficulty. Indeed, there are times when the darkness may seem unbearable. It is in these times that the divine principles of the restored gospel we hope in can uphold us and carry us until, once again, we walk in the light.
Dieter F. UchtdorfWe sometimes think that being grateful is what we do after our problems are solved, but how terribly shortsighted that is. How much of life do we miss by waiting to see the rainbow before thanking God that there is rain? Being grateful in times of distress does not mean that we are pleased with our circumstances. It does mean that through the eyes of faith we look beyond our present-day challenges. This is not a gratitude of the lips but of the soul. It is a gratitude that heals the heart and expands the mind.
Dieter F. UchtdorfGod the Eternal Father did not give [the] first great commandment because He needs us to love Him. His power and glory are not diminished should we disregard, deny, or even defile His name. His influence and dominion extend through time and space independent of our acceptance, approval, or admiration."No, God does not need us to love Him. But oh, how we need to love God!"For what we love determines what we seek."What we seek determines what we think and do."What we think and do determines who we areโand who we will become.
Dieter F. UchtdorfHeavenly Father is constantly raining blessings upon us, but it is our fear, doubt, and sin that, like an umbrella, block these blessings from reaching us.
Dieter F. UchtdorfOf one thing we can be certain: every person we see - no matter the race, religion, political beliefs, body type, or appearance - is family.
Dieter F. UchtdorfSetting goals is a worthy endeavor. We know that our Heavenly Father has goals because He has told us that His work and glory is "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. You don't need an invitation before you start moving in the direction of your righteous goals. You don't need to wait for permission to become the person you were designed to be.
Dieter F. UchtdorfThe more we incline our hearts and minds toward God, the more heavenly light distills upon our souls. Gradually, things that before seemed hazy, dark, and remote become clear, bright and familiar with us.
Dieter F. UchtdorfโฆHold on a little longerโeven when things look bleak. Know and remember this: the Lord loves you. He remembers you. And He will ever sustain those who โendure in faith to the endโ (D&C 20:25).
Dieter F. UchtdorfDiscipleship is the pursuit of holiness and happiness. It is the path to our best and happiest self.
Dieter F. UchtdorfWe see baptism as the starting point in our journey of discipleship. Our daily walk with Jesus Christ leads to peace and purpose in this life and profound joy and eternal salvation in the world to come.
Dieter F. UchtdorfOur motives and thoughts ultimately influence our actions. Jesus repeatedly emphasized the power of good thoughts and proper motives: 'Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not' In Proverbs we read, 'For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he
Dieter F. UchtdorfBe strong and of good courage. You are truly royal spirit daughters of Almighty God. You are princesses, destined to become queens. Your own wondrous story has already begun. Your "once upon a time" is now.
Dieter F. UchtdorfThe Lord has blessed you with a testimony of the truth. You have felt His influence and witnessed His power. And if you continue to seek Him, He will continue to grant you sacred experiences. With these and other spiritual gifts, you will be able not only to change your own life for the better but also to bless your homes, wards or branches, communities, cities, states, and nations with your goodness.
Dieter F. UchtdorfWe sometimes confuse sin with sinner, and we condemn too quickly and with too little compassion. We know from modern revelation that โthe worth of souls is great in the sight of God.โ We cannot gauge the worth of another soul any more than we can measure the span of the universe.
Dieter F. UchtdorfWould do well to slow down a little... focus on the significant... and truly see the things that matter most.
Dieter F. UchtdorfIt is said that any virtue when taken to an extreme can become a vice. Overscheduling our days would certainly qualify for this. There comes a point where milestones can become millstones and ambitions, albatrosses around our necks.
Dieter F. UchtdorfIn our learning, let us not neglect the fountain of revelation. The scriptures and the words of modern-day apostles and prophets are the sources of wisdom, divine knowledge, and personal revelation to help us find answers to all the challenges in life. Let us learn of Christ; let us seek out that knowledge which leads to peace, truth, and the sublime mysteries of eternity.
Dieter F. UchtdorfI would like to use this little flower as a metaphor. The five petals of the little forget-me-not flower prompt me to consider five things we would be wise never to forget....first, forget not to be patient with yourself...second, forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice...third, forget not to be happy now...fourth, forget not the why of the gospel...fifth, forget not that the Lord loves you.
Dieter F. UchtdorfEach of us is under a divinely spoken obligation to reach out with pardon and mercy and to forgive one another. There is a great need for this Christlike attribute in our families, in our marriages, in our wards and stakes, in our communities, and in our nations.
Dieter F. UchtdorfLatter-day Saints are not asked to blindly accept everything they hear. We are encouraged to think and discover truth for ourselves. We are expected to ponder, to search, to evaluate, and thereby to come to a personal knowledge of the truth.
Dieter F. UchtdorfWhen our wagon gets stuck in the mud, God is much more likely to assist the man who gets out to push than the man who merely raises his voice in prayerโno matter how eloquent the oration.
Dieter F. UchtdorfPatience is a purifying process that refines understanding, deepens happiness, focuses action, and offers hope for peace.
Dieter F. UchtdorfYour Heavenly Father knows that you will make mistakes. He knows that you will stumble-perhaps many times. This saddens Him, but He loves you. He does not wish to break your spirit. On the contrary, He desires that you rise up and become the person you were designed to be.
Dieter F. UchtdorfGod's light is real, it is available to all. It has the power to soften the sting of the deepest wound.
Dieter F. UchtdorfTo those who have separated themselves from the Church, I say, my dear friends, there is yet a place for you here.
Dieter F. UchtdorfGod sees you not only as a mortal being on a small planet who lives for a brief seasonโHe sees you as His child. He sees you as the being you are capable and designed to become. He wants you to know that you matter to Him.
Dieter F. UchtdorfNo matter our circumstances, no matter our challenges or trials, there is something in each day to embrace and cherish. There is something in each day that can bring gratitude and joy if only we will see and appreciate it.
Dieter F. Uchtdorf