Elder and Sister Uchtdorf Encourage Young Adults to Trust in God

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Harriet, both urged young adults Sunday to trust in God and remain faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

“Trust in God,” the Apostle said. Life doesn’t come with “cheat codes,” and “God won’t give you a detailed itinerary for your life’s journey,” but “He trusts you to make the best possible decisions by following Jesus Christ.”

Addressing an audience of young Latter-day Saints gathered in the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah, and around the world on Sunday, February 2, the Uchtdorf drew from their life experiences to offer encouragement and inspired counsel regarding agency and personal revelation.

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View the devotional live and on-demand on YouTube (ASL YouTube) and for two weeks at Broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Study it later in Gospel Library.

Elder Uchtdorf organized his comments around five principles he hopes young adults will remember:

‘First, know that God’s answers to your most profound questions may take a little time, and they may come in ways you hadn’t expected. God’s answers are of eternal value. They are worth the wait.’

Elder Uchtdorf addressed the frustration of getting answers to difficult questions facing people of all ages, such as “Am I on the right path? Does God really notice me? Does He care?” and more.

In a time when Google can provide quick answers to most questions, “our most personal, important, and far-reaching questions” require more patience. “Heavenly answers — eternal answers — are priceless. Receiving these answers often requires sacrifice, work and repetition,” he taught.

‘Second: don’t get overwhelmed as you walk the path of discipleship. Just do the best you can with the small things, and the big things will fall into place.’

Elder Uchtdorf said our life experience is like a painting comprised of dots of color that seem unconnected and random until viewed as a whole. Similarly, when viewed from the eternal external perspective of the gospel of Jesus Christ, God’s grand design for us becomes more clear.

“You will see that He was preparing you for opportunities and possibilities far more glorious than you ever could have imagined or accomplished on your own,” he said.

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Despite challenges early in his life and not knowing where life would take him, “I trusted God and did the best I could,” he said, and God took care of the big picture.

For example, his teenage unrequited crush on a young Harriet eventually bloomed into a loving marriage, which Sister Uchtdorf said had recently reached the milestone of 62 years. Also, his struggle with English while attending a competitive pilot training school didn’t stop him from becoming a fighter pilot and, later, an airline captain.

Elder Uchtdorf encouraged listeners to continue doing the “small and simple” things like intentionally praying daily, studying the scriptures, making “Come, Follow Me” and guidelines in “For the Strength of Youth” part of a routine that includes living the Word of Wisdom, attending church, and paying tithes and offerings.

He counseled young adults to do these things even when they don’t want to, even when sacrifice is required — because sacrifice is sacred and brings blessings.

“In a sense, your ‘small and simple’ sacrifices are the dots of daily living that make up the masterpiece of your life,” he said. “You may not see how the dots connect now, and you don’t need to yet. Simply have faith enough for the moment you are living in now.”

‘Third, have a little faith. Believe that you are important to God, that He sees what you cannot, and that He will lead you on the right path. Trust Him.’

Elder Uchtdorf taught that life is better when God guides our steps. Even having just a particle of faith the size of a mustard seed or simply a desire to believe is a place to start.

“I urge you to believe your life will be infinitely better if you rely on God to guide your steps,” he said. “He knows things you cannot possibly know, and He has a future prepared for you that you cannot possibly imagine.”

‘Fourth, don’t let discouraging voices dissuade you from your journey of faith. Remember, you don’t answer to your critics. You answer to your Father in Heaven. His values count.’

Elder Uchtdorf cautioned young adults against the contradictory, discouraging, and ridiculing voices coming from the world and amplified on social media.

This generation isn’t the only one whose faith has been challenged or mocked, he reminded.

“You might as well accept that once you make the commitment to follow the Savior, the residents of the great and spacious building will disapprove — quite vocally, at times,” he said. “They may even attempt to bully and shame you. But remember that you do not answer to them. You answer to God.”

“Now is the time to commit to Christ and follow His path,” he concluded.

‘Fifth, seek the Lord’s guidance, and when He says, “It mattereth not,” make the best decision you can, based on the truths you know. Then, “be faithful.”’

Elder Uchtdorf explained that, in many cases, the decisions we make at the time may not be as important as the actions that follow those decisions. For example, a perfect marriage match is not as important as working to become a perfect match, he explained. And a vocational choice doesn’t matter as much as doing one’s best and finding ways to glorify God and bless others.

“Don’t despair if you make some decisions that are less than perfect,” he said. “... If you are faithful to Jesus Christ, see his atoning sacrifice as a gift of love, and repentance as the way to accept it, you can be assured of happy endings.”

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‘Powerful Leaders’

Sister Harriet Uchtdorf urged young adults to “help each other find the right way and to stay deeply grounded in the Church and in the gospel.”

She related the sadness and hopelessness her family experienced when her father passed away before two young missionaries — young adults from the Church — brought back light and hope into her family’s lives through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Young adults today are similarly “the chosen ones of our days, who by word and deed teach and live the gospel message wherever you are,” she taught. “… You represent the Church of Jesus Christ, and you are powerful leaders in proclaiming the gospel message through your good life and courageous testimony.”

Sister Uchtdorf encouraged listeners to faithfully live the gospel. “Trust Heavenly Father, trust Jesus Christ. They will guide you. They love you. They are there,” she testified.