President Dieter F. Uchtdorf on hearing God's call to us

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.

"The sublime message of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that God is our Father, that He cares about us, and that there is a way to return to Him.

"God calls to you.

"God knows your every thought, your sorrows, and your greatest hopes. God knows the many times you have sought Him. The many times you have felt limitless joy. The many times you have wept in loneliness. The many times you have felt helpless, confused, or angry.

"Yet, no matter your history—if you have faltered, failed, feel broken, bitter, betrayed, or beaten—know that you are not alone. God still calls to you.

"The Savior extends His hand to you. And, as He did to those fishermen who stood long ago on the banks of the Sea of Galilee, with infinite love He speaks to you: 'Come, follow me' (See Matthew 4:19; Luke 18:22),

"If you will hear Him, He will speak to you this very day."

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "A Yearning for Home," General Conference October 2017
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President Uchtdorf talked about the natural yearning all of us feel to want to return home. He shared examples from animal instincts, but then applied the principle more directly to our innate feelings about our Heavenly Father and our heavenly home. In spite of the struggles of this life, and often even because of those struggles, that urge is very strong if we allow our spirits to feel the love of God manifested to us:

President Uchtdorf testified that "there is a way to return to Him" and that way lies in heeding the Savior's call to "Come, follow me." If we listen and heed, we will be eternally blessed by that simple call.

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