President Dieter F. Uchtdorf on the eternal perspective of life

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (born November 6, 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.

"Yes, there will be moments of beginnings and moments of endings throughout our lives, but these are only markers along the way of the great middle of our eternal lives. Whether we are at the beginning or the end, whether we are young or old, the Lord can use us for His purposes if we simply set aside whatever thoughts limit our ability to serve and allow His will to shape our lives....

"Being always in the middle means that the game is never over, hope is never lost, defeat is never final. For no matter where we are or what our circumstances, an eternity of beginnings and an eternity of endings stretch out before us."

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Always in the Middle," Ensign, July 2012, p. 4
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This was an insightful message from President Uchtdorf. In our narrow, limited perspective of time, we view beginnings and endings of events or circumstances as much more dramatic than they are in a broader, eternal view. In the true sense, we are "always in the middle" of eternity, with much that preceded and so much more to follow.

Seeing the broad perspective of eternity can help us understand that our challenges and difficulties are truly temporary and fleeting. With that knowledge sure in our hearts, we can persevere and endure in faithfulness. The hope of eternity helps us see things as they really are!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2017)