Brief summary
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf teaches that Jesus Christ is the foundation of genuine unity. Although people naturally differ in their cultures, political opinions, personal interests and backgrounds, these differences need not divide us. Through Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can become one in love, faith and purpose.
He explains that baptism makes us part of a covenant community, not merely individuals pursuing our own spiritual growth. As members of that community, we promise to bear one another’s burdens, mourn with those who mourn and comfort those in need.
His central message is that unity does not happen automatically. We must actively build it through our daily choices, beginning now. Everyone has a place in this work, and everyone should be invited to come, contribute and belong.
Key quotes and questions to ponder or discuss
‘Jesus Christ has the power to change us—you and me—purify us, and unite us. The closer we come to Him, the closer we will come to each other—and the closer we will come to the unity He wants for us.’ (Paragraph 21)
How do we allow Christ’s power to change, purify and unite us?
‘Spiritual growth is rarely dramatic at the beginning. Like an exponential curve, it often starts gradually—with loving parents, simple prayers, and small acts of faith.’ (Paragraph 4)
Where and how did your spiritual growth begin?
‘Through baptism, we become not only covenant individuals but also part of a covenant people.’ (Paragraph 8)
How does baptism make us part of a covenant people as well as individuals who have made covenants?
‘In the Savior’s Church, it is not our political views, culture, or personal interests that unite us. It is our love for God and neighbor, God’s children. It is our commitment to our covenants with Jesus Christ and to His restored gospel.’ (Paragraph 17)
Why does President Uchtdorf teach that Jesus Christ, rather than our shared interests or opinions, should be the centre of our unity?
‘If we are not one, we are not His.’ (Paragraph 22)
In what ways are we not His if we are not one?
‘When our attention is riveted on Christ, superficial things are hardly worth noticing. We learn to see as He sees—looking on the heart rather than the outward appearance.’ (Paragraph 23)
Why do superficial things become less important when our attention is riveted on Christ?
‘Unity won’t magically happen in the next life if we haven’t earnestly tried to learn it here. Every step we take toward unity matters, however small it may seem.’ (Paragraph 25)
What small step scan we make to be more unified?
‘My dear brothers and sisters, the sacrament can become a fresh starting point for our personal relationship with God and for a greater Christ-centered unity in our lives.’ (Paragraph 26)
‘The sacrament is a weekly reminder, a sacred reminder, that we are not alone. We have the Savior, and we have each other.’ (Paragraph 28)
How can the sacrament promote unity?
‘I testify that the more united in Christ we are and the more we desire to build bridges instead of walls, the more our individual lives, our families, our communities, and our nations will experience God’s presence and supernal blessings.’ (Paragraph 30)
What blessings can come from greater unity?
Invitations
‘Wherever you are, I invite you to join the Christ-centered unity we are trying to build. It would be incomplete without you. Please, come and see, come and help, and come and belong.’ (Paragraph 29)
‘When we try to be a little more patient, a little kinder, more forgiving, more helpful, more neighborly, there will be less room for pride or judgmental attitudes or contention.’ (Paragraph 23)
Application
What could I change in myself so that the people around me feel a little more of the love of Jesus Christ?
You can watch President Uchtdorf’s talk here.
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