This Week from the Pulpit: "You Are Infinitely Important, God Does Know You" Elder Uchtdorf Details the Importance of Everyone in the Eyes of God

Editor's note: "This Week from the Pulpit" highlights recent messages by General Authorities and General Officers of the Church. 

Sometimes we might feel alone in our efforts to stay steadfast and firm in the gospel of Jesus Christ. We might feel that we have been forgotten or that we aren't as important as some. Feelings of loneliness and isolation can be dispelled through the knowledge that Heavenly Father knows each one of us and cares for us.

This past week, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, gave messages about the love that Heavenly Father has for us and the guidance that we will receive from Him. Here are a few summaries of their messages shared this last week.

“I count it a great joy to be with you in the wonderful country of Chile,” Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said to the Chilean people on a recent ministering visit to South America. 

Church News reported that Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf and his wife Sister Harriet Uchtdorf concluded their 10 day trip to South America by speaking to the people of Chile in a nationwide broadcast on Sunday, February 16, following a meeting with hundreds of missionaries from four Santiago-area missions on Saturday, February 15. 

Elder Uchtdorf spoke to hundreds of missionaries regarding the importance of the work they were doing. 

Elder Uchtdorf relayed that he had witnessed this work firsthand. Just a day earlier, Elder Uchtdorf had joined two sister missionaries and two members on a teaching appointment to visit a family that was investigating the Church. Regarding the humble meeting, Elder Uchtdorf said that “it was wonderful.” 

Image from Church News

Elder Uchtdorf also spoke of the significance of the Book of Mormon and encouraged the missionaries to share it with those interested in the Church.“Use it while guided by the Spirit and invite investigators to start reading,” Elder Uchtdorf counseled. 

The apostle concluded with a simple message: “Because of your dedicated service, your lives will be better,” he said. “Chile will be better.”

READ A FULL SUMMARY OF ELDER UCHTDORF'S REMARKS AT Church News.

Church Newsalso reported that Elder Uchtdorf spoke to the nation of Chile in a broadcast. Elder Uchtdorf’s remarks surrounded trusting in the Lord with faith. He referenced Biblical verse from King Solomon: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3.5-6).

Elder Uchtdorf stated that although we may trust in the Lord, it does not mean we will “be free from suffering, heartache, or disappointment.” However, Elder Uchtdorf did provide the comfort that “while moments of heartache are inevitable, even in the midst of those difficult times, God watches over you.”

Image from Intellectual Reserve, Inc.

Some of us may feel that God has forgotten us or we are not as important as others. Elder Uchtdorf dispelled this notion that only some are important. He said, “My beloved friends, my witness to you is that you are infinitely important. God does know you. He loves you. He yearns to bless and guide you. To lift you from where you are and place you upon thrones of glory. For you are his child. You are royalty. You are not forgotten.”

READ A FULL SUMMARY OF ELDER UCHTDORF'S REMARKS AT Church News.

Sister Sharon Eubank delivered an address at the Utah Women’s Leadership Speaker & Dialogue Series on Wednesday, February 19. Sister Eubank serves not only as the first counselor in the Relief Society but also as the President of Latter-day Saint Charities.

Church News reported that Sister Eubank was invited to share insights from both of her roles in discussing the topic: “The Status of Women Worldwide: Becoming Informed & Empowered as Global Citizens.” 

Sister Eubank emphasized that empowering women within society does not mean that men must be unempowered. She counseled that working in unison will reap the greatest benefits.

“I reject the idea that in order for women to progress, men have to lose, or that for matriarchy to get its due, patriarchy has to lose,” Sister Eubank said. “In my experience, the best achievements come from men and women working together focused on improving life for the next generation. The interdependence of men and women is the aim I seek.”

In order for both men and women to work in harmony, Sister Eubanks said we need two things: “agency and voice.” 

“Study after study shows that when members of groups express their voice and agency equally, the entire group benefits economically and psychologically,” Sister Eubank said. 

READ A FULL SUMMARY OF SISTER EUBANK'S REMARKS AT Church News.

It has been said that the prophet is the Lord’s mouthpiece. In a recent BYU-Hawaii devotional, Elder Paul V. Johnson, a General Authority Seventy, spoke to students about the need to follow the one true prophet.

Church News reported that Elder Johnson told students that following the prophet results in promised blessings, but those blessings might require patience. “Waiting and believing in future promised blessings can be a challenge in a day when we get frustrated if a computer search takes more than 0.62 seconds,” Elder Johnson said. 

Image: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.

Elder Johnson noted that following the guidance of the prophet is an individual choice that may result in mockery from others. Those that choose to reject prophetic counsel might look to more modern ‘prophets’ that seem “enlightened, enlightened, forward-looking, brilliant and socially aware.” These modern ‘prophets’ are misguided in their attempts. 

Elder Johnson taught, through the example of Lehi, that the true prophet of the Lord is not “interested in building fan base or have people worship him” but rather is trying to lead others to the Lord’s church. 

Elder Johnson encouraged students to have the “courage to follow, sustain, and defend” the guidance of the prophet. “It won’t always lead to smooth sailing, but it will always lead to promised blessings and personal growth,” Elder Johnson said. 

READ A FULL SUMMARY OF ELDER JOHNSON'S REMARKS AT Church News.

One of the messages shared at a Sydney youth devotional on Sunday, February 16 was given by Elder Ian S. Arden, President of the Pacific Area of the Church, and his wife Sister Paula Arden.

Church Newsroom New Zealandreported that President Arden and his wife motivated youth to “bloom where you are planted, to make the very best of your circumstances. As you trust in the Lord, He will guide your way.”

Elder and Sister Arden also encouraged youth to protect themselves against temptation and sin. “If you choose to entertain temptation, it will entertain you in all of the wrong ways.”

Elder and Sister Arden were joined by Brother Milton Camargo, the first counselor in the Sunday School general presidency, and his wife, Sister Emily Brough. Brother M. Joseph Brough, the second counselor in the Young Men general presidency, and Sister Emily Brough were also in attendance at the devotional. 

Brother Camargo’s remarks surrounded serving God and others. He spoke to the youth about studying and receiving a good education. 

Brother Brough shared with the young men that if they chose to serve missions they would receive blessings. He added, “If you want to be the husband and father you want to be, there is no better training ground than a mission.”

Images: Intellectual Reserve, Inc.

Church Newsroom New Zealand also reported Brother and Sister Camargo along with Brother and Sister Brough traveled to give words of encouragement to a seminary class in Takapuna, New Zealand. 

READ A FULL SUMMARY OF THE REMARKS AT Church Newsroom New Zealand.

Social media allows us to read messages from Church leaders no matter where they are or where we are. Here are a few messages they shared online this week: