Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf on qualifying for God's grace

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.

"If Jesus spent His mortal life ministering to 'the least of these' (Matt 25:40), would He not love them today? Is there not a place in His Church for all of God’s children? Even for those who feel unworthy, forgotten, or alone?

"There is no threshold of perfection you must attain in order to qualify for God’s grace. Your prayers do not have to be loud or eloquent or grammatically correct in order to reach heaven.

"In truth, God does not show favoritism (Acts 10:34)—the things the world values mean nothing to Him. He knows your heart, and He loves you regardless of your title, financial net worth, or number of Instagram followers.

"As we incline our hearts to our Heavenly Father and draw near to Him, we will feel Him draw near to us. (See D&C 88:63.)

"We are His beloved children."

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Come and Belong," General Conference April 2020, Sunday afternoon

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In this message, Elder Uchtdorf offered an invitation to all of his listeners, in our varied positions of life, to come to the Savior's church and to come to Him. There are changes each of us could make to grow and improve. Elder Uchtdorf made it clear that the invitation is open to us all—regardless of our worldly qualifications or preparations. 

We do not "qualify for God's grace" by our own achievements. But God truly knows the heart within each of us, and as that heart "inclines" to Him, we will feel Him near to us.

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