Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf knows what is involved in overcoming a challenge. When he was a child, his dream of being a pilot seemed impossibly distant. He was born into a poor family. He was a refugee once during World War II and again a few years after the war. Later, instead of playing with friends, he worked to support his family’s laundry business.
Combining faith in God with hard work, he persevered, eventually becoming senior vice president of flight operations for Lufthansa airlines in the 1980s.
His message Tuesday, July 14, 2020, in a digital devotional for students of Brigham Young University–Pathway Worldwide (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ affordable online university certificate and degree program) was that they, too, have a bright future.
Mentioning a few notable heroes of well-known adventure stories — “Lord of the Rings,” “Star Wars,” “Anne of Green Gables,” “Harry Potter” — the Apostle told students they can achieve great things. Indeed, they are the heroes of their own life story.
“At times, you may feel alone — but you are not,” Elder Uchtdorf said. “You are a child of God. He is your Heavenly Father. He loves you and is only a prayer away. You have Jesus Christ. The effects of His Atonement or sacrifice are always available to take away the pain and loneliness of mistakes. You have caring bishops and other Church leaders, and your ward family, who will guide and help you.”
The German-born Church leader, whose speech may be viewed on-demand via Facebook or the program’s devotional page (which have an audience of as many as 45,000 students in 145 countries), also urged students to appreciate the blessing that their digital educational opportunity is in their life — especially during the pandemic.
“We live in times where the pages of history are anything but empty. COVID-19 is forcing us to find and use different ways of communication,” he said. “I am pleased to say the Church’s Pathway program is way ahead of its time! Most of the learning in BYU–Pathway Worldwide happens online. … [This program] can be a wonderful and informed guide as you set out on your own grand adventure to slay your own dragon. I invite you to see BYU–Pathway Worldwide for what it is: a guide that will help you in your own great adventure.”
Read and watch Elder Uchtdorf’s talk, “Call for Heroes!”