Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf on surviving challenging times

Elder 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 served as second counselor in the First Presidency from 2008 to 2018.

"The righteous are not given a free pass that allows them to avoid the valleys of shadow. We all must walk through difficult times, for it is in these times of adversity that we learn principles that fortify our characters and cause us to draw closer to God....

"God will watch over and shepherd you during these times of uncertainty and fear. He knows you. He hears your pleas. He is faithful and dependable. He will fulfill His promises.

"God has something unimaginable in mind for you personally and the Church collectively—a marvelous work and a wonder.

"Our best days are ahead of us, not behind us. This is why God gives us modern revelation! Without it, life might feel like flying in a holding pattern, waiting for the fog to lift so we can land safely. The Lord’s purposes for us are much higher than that. Because this is the Church of the living Christ, and because He directs His prophets, we are moving forward and upward to places we’ve never been, to heights we can hardly imagine!"

- Dieter F: Uchtdorf, "God Will Do Something Unimaginable," General Conference October 2020, Saturday afternoon

Click here to read or listen to the full talk

Elder Uchtdorf's message was filled with hope and encouragement. He acknowledged the challenges and difficulties of our time, but continually focuses on the reassurance that "God has something unimaginable in mind" for those who love Him. He described our situation as seeds buried by the circumstances around us, shrouded in darkness; but through God's love and the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we will eventually "spring forth" into "something unimaginable."

A key point of the message is that the challenges come to all, including the righteous:

Without the trials and challenges, we would not learn the lessons. The very nature of mortality requires those challenges in our lives. But we are not alone; God's help, His love and grace, are available to sustain and bless us.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2020)