Elder Uchtdorf’s talk

Elder Uchtdorf began his talk by referring to the story of Bilbo Baggins in JRR Tolkien’s book ‘The Hobbit’. He the likened our journey from the premortal world and through this mortal life to ‘a great adventure.’

The restored gospel is, in a sense, a renewal of the call to adventure we accepted so long ago. The Savior invites us, each day, to set aside our comforts and securities and join Him on the journey of discipleship.

In what ways is the restored gospel a renewal of a ‘call to adventure’?

President Gordon B. Hinckley said: “The fact of all life is that it is eternal. That’s the great salient truth. We have come into the world for a purpose under a divine plan and when we conclude this life we will go on to something that will be better, if we live worthy of it” (priesthood leadership session, Charlotte North Carolina regional conference, 24 Feb. 1996).

Does your ‘journey of discipleship’ feel like a great adventure?

What comforts and securities have you set aside?

We knew it would not be easy.

But we also knew that we would gain precious treasures, including a physical body and experiencing the intense joys and sorrows of mortality. We would learn to strive, to seek, and to struggle. We would discover truths about God and ourselves.

What truths could we only discover by experiencing mortal life?

Of course, we knew we would make many mistakes along the way. But we also had a promise: that because of the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we could be cleansed of our transgressions, refined and purified in our spirits, and one day resurrected and reunited with those we love.

How do you feel about the blessings that come to us through the Saviour’s atonement?

How can we realise those blessings?

There must have been parts of the mortal adventure that worried and even terrified God’s children, since a large number of our spiritual brothers and sisters decided against it.

By the gift and power of moral agency, we determined that the potential of what we could learn and eternally become was well worth the risk.

And so, trusting the promises and power of God and His Beloved Son, we accepted the challenge.

If you hesitate in this adventure because you doubt your ability, remember that discipleship is not about doing things perfectly; it’s about doing things intentionally.

The idea of doing things ‘intentionally’ cropped up several times during General Conference. What do you think Elder Uchtdorf is getting at here?

Elder Uchtdorf follows up his reference to ‘The Hobbit’ with this reference to advice given by Dumbledore in ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’.

It is your choices that show what you truly are, far more than your abilities.

Why are our choices more revealing than our abilities?

To help others is the path of discipleship. Faith, hope, love, compassion, and service refine us as disciples.

“We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness. … We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us.” (Thomas S Monson, “What Have I Done for Someone Today?” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 86.

We do not hide our faith.

We do not bury it.

To the contrary, we talk about our journey with others in normal and natural ways. That’s what friends do—they talk about things that are important to them. Things that are close to their heart and make a difference to them.

That’s what you do. You tell your stories and experiences as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Do you think we are sometimes guilty of hiding our faith? If so, why?

If you seek a community of people who are working to become the best versions of themselves, help those in need, and make this world a better place, come, join with us!

Come and see what this marvelous, wondrous, and adventurous journey is all about.

How can we extend these invitations to others? How have you done it?

(NB passages in italics are excerps from Elder Uchtdorf’s talk.)