President Dieter F. Uchtdorf on choices and priorities in living the gospel

President Uchtdorf (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 until 2018.

"Our Heavenly Father sees our real potential. He knows things about us that we do not know ourselves. He prompts us during our lifetime to fulfill the measure of our creation, to live a good life, and to return to His presence. 

"Why, then, do we devote so much of our time and energy to things that are so fleeting, so inconsequential, and so superficial? Do we refuse to see the folly in the pursuit of the trivial and transient? 

"Would it not be wiser for us to 'lay up for [ourselves] treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal'? (Matthew 6:20) 

"How do we do this? By following the example of the Savior, by incorporating His teachings in our daily lives, by truly loving God and our fellowman. 

"We certainly cannot do this with a dragging-our-feet, staring-at-our-watch, complaining-as-we-go approach to discipleship. 

"When it comes to living the gospel, we should not be like the boy who dipped his toe in the water and then claimed he went swimming. As sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, we are capable of so much more. For that, good intentions are not enough. We must do. Even more important, we must become what Heavenly Father wants us to be." 

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Of Regrets and Resolutions," General Conference October 2012. Click here to read the full talk

One of the recurring reminders from our leaders is the need for real, devoted, whole-hearted discipleship. We don't find happiness, either temporarily or eternally, by casually living the Gospel. President Uchtdorf provides some great imagery to try to help us really comprehend that opportunity and challenge. "We are capable of so much more"—all of us. Note that he doesn't provide a list of specific areas of focus. We each need to learn, then do, and become.

Sometimes we have to trust that our Heavenly Father really does know more about our divine potential! We need to learn to listen to indications of that knowledge and understanding. They can come during prayer, during blessings received, or during inspiration while a speaker shares thoughts. But they will come if we are listening, and they will bless our life if we trust and act upon them! That is an essential part of our discipleship.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)

January 20, 2015