President Uchtdorf (1940- ) served as a Seventy from 1994-2004, when he was called as a member of the Quorum of Twelve. He has served as second counselor in the First Presidency since 2008.
"Our Heavenly Father sees our real potential. He knows things about us that we do not know ourselves. He prompts us during our lifetime to fulfill the measure of our creation, to live a good life, and to return to His presence.
"Why, then, do we devote so much of our time and energy to things that are so fleeting, so inconsequential, and so superficial? Do we refuse to see the folly in the pursuit of the trivial and transient?
"Would it not be wiser for us to 'lay up for [ourselves] treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal'? (Matthew 6:20)
"How do we do this? By following the example of the Savior, by incorporating His teachings in our daily lives, by truly loving God and our fellowman.
"We certainly cannot do this with a dragging-our-feet, staring-at-our-watch, complaining-as-we-go approach to discipleship.
"When it comes to living the gospel, we should not be like the boy who dipped his toe in the water and then claimed he went swimming. As sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, we are capable of so much more. For that, good intentions are not enough. We must do. Even more important, we must become what Heavenly Father wants us to be."
- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Of Regrets and Resolutions," Ensign, November 2012, pp. 21-24. Click here to read the full talk
One of the recurring reminders from our leaders is the need for real, devoted, whole-hearted discipleship. We don't find happiness, either temporarily or eternally, by
casually living the Gospel. President Uchtdorf provides some great imagery to try to help us really comprehend that opportunity and challenge. "We are capable of so much more"—all of us. Note that he doesn't provide a list of specific areas of focus. We each need to learn, then do, and become.
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