Dieter F. Uchtdorf on rejoicing in a simplified life

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (b. 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.

"Brothers and sisters, indeed we have great reason to rejoice. If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most.

"Strength comes not from frantic activity but from being settled on a firm foundation of truth and light. It comes from placing our attention and efforts on the basics of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It comes from paying attention to the divine things that matter most.

"Let us simplify our lives a little. Let us make the changes necessary to refocus our lives on the sublime beauty of the simple, humble path of Christian discipleship—the path that leads always toward a life of meaning, gladness, and peace."

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Of Things That Matter Most," Ensign November 2010, pp. 19-22
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President Uchtdorf addresses some of the real-life challenges we often face—confronting "life and its rushed pace and many stresses" that can make things "difficult for you to feel like rejoicing." The key is to learn to "refocus on what matters most," and our ability to rejoice will return.

The encouragement to "simplify our lives a little" is especially valuable. As we learn to limit our priority and attention to those "things that matter most" we will find that the ability to discover and maintain joy in our lives increases. Wise counsel!