Pres. Uchtdorf’s talk this morning

[Anonymous]

WOW!! It talks about slowing down when dealing with turbulence.

Everyone, PLEASE, watch or listen to this talk ASAP.

Seriously; he just finished, and it was amazing! As soon as I can access a written copy, I will try to excerpt parts of it in this post.

The absolute highlight line, imo:

Quote:

ponder the truths of the restored gospel, and find out what they mean for you personally.

Seriously, that quote alone is worth listening to the entire conference – even if there are other things said that don’t go down so smoothly.

[Anonymous]

One of the best talks in ten years.

I just hope it overrides the previous two talks that gave almost the exact opposite message. I was very discouraged when Costa pretty well just recycled ETB Follow the Prophet speech from 1980, and McKonkies and Christoferson’s were definitely a step backwards into the 80’s as well — consececrate everything, especially your time to the god and the church. Almost turned off the tv. Glad I didn’t, as Uchtdorf’s was fantastic and REALLY speaks volumes to what I think is one of the fundamental flaws in the church culture right now.

NOW — as I was telling my wife – will the people the listen? Or will they twist his words and say he was only talking about slowing down with our jobs and hobbies and family activities, and that we need to spend less time doing those things, and more time “magnifying our callings – doing the things that are important?” I HOPE that folks will listen to what he is saying. I honestly believe his talk was directed at church members involvement within the organization — to me that translates into LESS MEETINGS!

[Anonymous]

Elder Costa’s talk was disappointing, but it also fits the paradox of wanting a Hispanic apostle but not wanting an ultra-conservative one. Opposition in all things, again.

I actually liked the overall message of Elder Christofferson’s talk, even though I am concerned it will be misconstrued and misapplied by some.

Anyway, here are some quotes from Pres. Uchtdorf’s talk, thanks to a transcription from a friend:

Quote:

“…it is good advice to slow down a little, steady the course, and focus on the essentials when experiencing adverse conditions.”

He then mentioned how it’s important often to slow down in the midst of turbulence.

Quote:

“It may seem logical when put in terms of trees or turbulence, but it’s surprising how easy it is to ignore this lesson when it comes to applying theses principles in our own daily lives. When stress levels rise, when distress appears, when tragedy strikes, too often we attempt to keep up the same frantic pace or even accelerate, thinking somehow that the more rushed our pace, the better off we will be.”

Quote:

“It is said that any virtue, when taken to an extreme, can become a vice. …There comes a point where milestones can become millstones, and ambitions, albatrosses around our neck.”

Quote:

…most of us intuitively understand how important the fundamentals are. It is just that we sometimes get distracted by so many things that seem more enticing. Printed material, wide-ranging media sources, electronic tools and gadgets…can become hurtful diversions or heartless chambers of isolation. Yet amidst the multitude of voices and choices, the humble Man of Galilee stands with hands outstretched. Waiting. …He does not speak with a powerful megaphone but with a still, small voice.

Quote:

Brothers and sisters, diligently doing the things that matter most will lead us to the Savior of the world. That is why we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ… In the complexity, confusion, and rush of modern living, this is the “more excellent way.”

Quote:

First, our relationship with God is most sacred and vital. … Second key relationship with our families. … The third key relationship we have is with our fellow man … Fourth…relationship with ourselves.

Quote:

It may seem odd to think of having a relationship with ourselves, but we do. Some people can’t get along with themselves. They criticize and belittle themselves all day long until they begin to hate themselves.

Quote:

…Walk in nature, watch a sunrise, enjoy God’s creations, ponder the truths of the restored gospel, and find out what they mean for you personally. Learn to see yourself as Heavenly Father sees you – as His precious daughter or son with divine potential.

Let me repeat the bolded statement above:

ponder the truths of the restored gospel, and find out what they mean for you personally.

One more time:

ponder the truths of the restored gospel, and find out what they mean for you personally.

Quote:

Let us simplify our lives a little. Let us make the changes necessary to refocus our lives on the sublime beauty of the simple, humble path of Christian discipleship – the path that leads always toward a life of meaning, gladness, and peace.

[Anonymous]

Agreed. Wirklich wunderbar.

(Although he had one unfortunate experience with his voice, cough cough, and I’ve heard that pencil story in some form of another many times, in the original, it was the Soviets who used the pencils)

I found Claudio Costa’s talk a bit prescriptive, but I’m sure it was well intentioned.

[Anonymous]

I thought Jeffrey Holland’s talk was good too. It was like one big thank you note to all the unrecognized people in the church.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the Uchtdorf’s quotes Ray.

Yeah, great stuff and it speaks to me — gives me hope that I might have a place in the church. I generally am the only one in my house who listens to the conference live,(my family thinks I’m weird that way, because they know how I am and I how I feel about the LDS church, and they don’t understand my obsession with spiritaulity and truth) and I paused the TV when h started and asked my wife, and TOLD my 15 year old daughter to get in here and listen if they wanted to here some genuine “truth” from a Mormon Apostle. Glad he did not disappoint me or make me look foolish in front of my kid.

[Anonymous]

Regarding the conflicting messages — there are people at all different levels of commitment in the Church — so it doesn’t bother me there’s conflicting messages on the level of commitment espoused in these talks, even if some of it doesn’t line up with other talks.

Also, from serving in various leadership callings, I know that when you broadcast a lower standard which applies to highly specific situations (as in the case of Uchdorf’s talk — when in periods of distress or high stress), people tend to generalize it to all kinds of other situations that weren’t intended. So, it doesn’t surprise me that most talks are pitched at engendering a high level of commitment. Also, as a former leader, I found lack of commitment to be one of The Great Frustrations in the Church, so I wouldn’t stand up and tell everyone to slow down when I was already unhappy with the results….sounds like Uchdorf is taking that risk.

[Anonymous]

SilentDawning wrote:

…Also, as a former leader, I found lack of commitment to be one of The Great Frustrations in the Church, so I wouldn’t stand up and tell everyone to slow down when I was already unhappy with the results….sounds like Uchdorf is taking that risk.

Yeah, I think he is, and NEEDS to.

SD – I hear what you are saying about commitment and the apparently lack of it from some church members. Sure, there are folks who are just slackers. I am considered a “slacker” by many good LDS members, but consider this thought. Is it possible the folks that you were upset with, just weren’t committed to the same THINGS, the same PHILOSOPHY, to the same degree that you were at the time? Is is possible, looking back now, that some of these folks were doing exactly what Uchtdorf is talking about? Maybe, they were doing LESS within the church, so they could do MORE with their own personal journey or with their family? I’m just saying — I think we have been taught conflicting commandments. 1. Consecrate your life to the CHURCH – which includes all your time, AND consecrate your life to your family and a personal relationship with God. SOMETIMES those two commandments CANNOT be performed at the same time. Yes? This is what I think Uchtforf’s talk was about.

What is more important, commitment to the CHURCH and church callings OR commitment to family, finding peace and personal spirituality?

For some, they are the same. But for others, they are not.

[Anonymous]

Uchtdorf is incredible! I have already re-listened to his talk, and I am sure I will again many more times. There were so much in there that really meant a lot to me. I wish however that I had not seen most the other talks of the morning.

Old-Timer wrote:

Elder Costa’s talk was disappointing, but it also fits the paradox of wanting a Hispanic apostle but not wanting an ultra-conservative one. Opposition in all things, again.

Agreed. I was extra disappointed because I have a great love and respect for this man. He was my husbands mission president (He is Brazilian) and a personal friend to my family. My kids call his wife grandma Costa. His talk left me feeling sad and frustrated, however I did my best to hide my feelings from my husband as not to upset him. I still think you will see Costa in the Q12 someday.

Anyhow… thank goodness for Uchtdorf! He restores my hope every time I hear him speak. Just when I think there can never be a better talk given… he outdoes himself… love that man!

[Anonymous]

flowerdrops wrote:

Uchtdorf is incredible! I have already re-listened to his talk, and I am sure I will again many more times. There were so much in there that really meant a lot to me. I wish however that I had not seen most the other talks of the morning.

.. thank goodness for Uchtdorf! He restores my hope every time I hear him speak. Just when I think there can never be a better talk given… he outdoes himself… love that man!

Exactly.

flowerdrops wrote:

…I wish however that I had not seen most the other talks of the morning…Costa … His talk left me feeling sad and frustrated,

And exactly.

[Anonymous]

cwald wrote:

SilentDawning wrote:

…Also, as a former leader, I found lack of commitment to be one of The Great Frustrations in the Church, so I wouldn’t stand up and tell everyone to slow down when I was already unhappy with the results….sounds like Uchdorf is taking that risk.

Yeah, I think he is, and NEEDS to.

SD – I hear what you are saying about commitment and the apparently lack of it from some church members. Sure, there are folks who are just slackers. I am considered a “slacker” by many good LDS members, but consider this thought. Is it possible the folks that you were upset with, just weren’t committed to the same THINGS, the same PHILOSOPHY, to the same degree that you were at the time? Is is possible, looking back now, that some of these folks were doing exactly what Uchtdorf is talking about? Maybe, they were doing LESS within the church, so they could do MORE with their own personal journey or with their family? I’m just saying — I think we have been taught conflicting commandments. 1. Consecrate your life to the CHURCH – which includes all your time, AND consecrate your life to your family and a personal relationship with God. SOMETIMES those two commandments CANNOT be performed at the same time. Yes? This is what I think Uchtforf’s talk was about.

What is more important, commitment to the CHURCH and church callings OR commitment to family, finding peace and personal spirituality?

For some, they are the same. But for others, they are not.

Many months ago, I made a couple posts here where I admitted I’d reversed my attitudes from the ones I shared in the post you’re responding to. I realized after reading people’s posts here, and also considering my own angst toward the Church and its apparent indifference to me when I needed a release due to life’s pressures, that many of the uncommitted brethren may have been just hanging on like I am now. So, as a leader to those brethren, I needed to be hands-off and let them experience the Church however they wanted. Viewing them as “half milers” as I did back in those leadership days was wrong now that I understood many were doing their best just to hang on due to personal circumstances and pressures, as well as the general ebb and flow of commitment one experiences through their lives.

So, yes, you’re preaching to the choir on that one.

AT the same time, I understand the approach of Costa or others who are up there preaching TOTAL sacrifice etcetera, because I held those beliefs at one time as well. They have results THEY are getting pressure to achieve, don’t have the time to do them themselves, and can’t rely on anyone to help them, because everyone who is committed is already stretched. It’s very frustrating to be a leader in that position. So, I see both sides of it now, so I expect I’ll be a more balanced priesthood leader should I ever decide to go back to it.

However, I’m not entirely sure how I’ll balance it when I go back to priesthood leadership, if I do. I think I’ll probably deal with it by working with whoever is committed, and letting the less committed brethren serve at the level they are most comfortable with for the time being. And I’ll deal with the Stake by asserting myself around them. I’ve seen our new Bishop right now do it to the Stake when they start ripping on people about home teaching. He said “We need time to address some of the issues that are facing our home teaching program, so let’s table this for another meeting”. Or, if worse comes to worse, say something like “Well, I’m not in full agreement with that approach, or even the realism of such a goal. However, I’m willing to do my best, and if my best isn’t good enough, then you can consider releasing me…”

[Anonymous]

Bro. Uchtdorf is rocking this session. I loved his talk in the Priesthood session about pride. It was passionate and challenging. I love sermons like that.

[Anonymous]

SilentDawning wrote:

However, I’m not entirely sure how I’ll balance it when I go back to priesthood leadership, if I do. I think I’ll probably deal with it by working with whoever is committed, and letting the less committed brethren serve at the level they are most comfortable with for the time being.

Could it be that we have gone astray into “doing”, when the aim of all our heart should be “being”? Do we really need to run faster, jump higher, and push harder? Do we really need more human resources to build the kingdom of God on the Earth?

“If one person had enough love, he could change the world.” Ghandi

[Anonymous]

Yes, I also loved how he gave a much more precise definition of pride than originally came through from Pres. Benson’s talk – and his marijuana joke just HAS to be a first in the history of General Conference. Hilarious, as well.

(For those of you who didn’t hear it live, he told of the time he was riding with Elder Faust [if I remember correctly] shortly after he was called as a GA, and Elder Faust told him that members would say all kinds of things in adulation of him. Elder Faust then said, “Make sure you don’t inhale [the adulation].”)

[Anonymous]

Quote:

Could it be that we have gone astray into “doing”, when the aim of all our heart should be “being”? Do we really need to run faster, jump higher, and push harder? Do we really need more human resources to build the kingdom of God on the Earth?

“If one person had enough love, he could change the world.” Ghandi

I’ve always equated “being” with doing. You do what you are…..however I agree sometimes you have to stop all that doing just to rejuvenate….

[Author]

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