What happens when you put a sports legend on the golf course with a German pilot? Apparently jokes, gospel discussion, and mutual respect. And that’s exactly what happened last weekend when retired professional golfer Gary Player played a round of golf with Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on the Red Ledges Golf Course in Heber, Utah.
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This story was originally published in November 2014 and has been updated to celebrate Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf's 80th birthday.
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Editor's note: Our bi-weekly Friday column, “Found in the footnotes,” explores some of the footnotes from remarks given by General Authorities and General Officers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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In the January 2017 Ensign, then-President Uchtdorf lovingly prepared a message for members of the Church: “Aiming at the Center.” This message shares a compelling metaphor for how we should focus our lives.
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Get to know the current members of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve with these books and talks authored by our beloved leaders.
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Less than three weeks after a missionary unexpectedly passed away after collapsing during a soccer game with peers, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles met with the missionary’s parents in their Sao Paulo, Brazil, ward meetinghouse and in their home to console them in their grief.
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Watch: New Video Beautifully Illustrates Elder Uchtdorf's Insights into Feeling "the Call of Heaven"
Are we hearing the call of heaven and the beckoning calls of our Savior? A recent Mormon Channel video beautifully illustrates the principles Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught in his general conference talk "A Yearning for Home."
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Amidst their world travels andbig Church changes, it's impossible to summarize all the good the prophet and apostles have done this year. But here's a glimpse into some of the most popular and touching stories and messages shared from the Brethren this year.
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We hear stories of the apostles' childhoods nearly every general conference. Common sense tells us that before they were leaders of the Church, they were little kids who ran and played, dreamed and made mistakes, joked and scraped their knees—just like all of us.
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With so many Church leaders who have a wonderful sense of humor all their own, there are always many funny or light-hearted moments shared each general conference. Here are some of the most hilarious that are guaranteed to give you a laugh, brighten your day, and deepen your love for God's chosen apostles.
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“Is this a prank?” Steve “Dusty” Smith wondered. He was surprised—and confused—as he listened to the woman on the phone telling him that President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then-second counselor in the First Presidency, wanted to speak with him. But once the distinct, accented voice came through the other end of the line, Smith knew it wasn’t a joke. He was speaking to an apostle, and President Uchtdorf had just one question for Smith: would he share his story?
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Latter-day Saints often wonder how we can clearly stand for our faith in our modern world. While it may be tricky to navigate differences we experience in politics, in faith, at work, in our families, and at church, it is important for us to recognize other's agency is just as sacred as our own and to put first and foremost the two great commandments: "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these" (Mark 12:30–31).
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On a recent visit to Germany, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorfmet with the German Chancellor in a historic meeting and attended a wreath-laying ceremony for Holocaust victims at the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. While reflecting on his experience at Sachsenhausen, Elder Uchtdorf shared a touching message on Facebook about a Latter-day Saint who was executed by the German government in 1942 along with an unforgettable message about the power of love:
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"Freedom of religion is inseparable from the fundamental right of all—whether religious or not—to think, express and act upon what you are deeply convinced of," Elder Uchtdorf . He recently became the first LDS Church leader ever to meet with a German chancellor.
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We've all had those moments where we feel alone. Maybe it's because there's a trial in our life that seems insurmountable or we feel that even when we try our best, we fall short.
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Our prophet and apostles provide examples for us not only through what they do and say but also in what they surround themselves with.
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The fall of the Berlin Wall is one of those historical moments that became solidified in collective memory. That one moment transformed the lives of millions—but for Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, that moment has a deeper significance.
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Former president of Germany Joachim Gauck praised the Church for its missionary work and the commitment of its members as he received his personal family history from Elder Uchtdorf.
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Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf and his family recently gathered for a classic Mormon event—the misson call opening of his grandson.
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Elder Uchtdorf recently shared a powerful message on Facebook after visiting those affected by the Florida school shooting.
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In general conference talks and elsewhere, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf has shared numerous personal experiences and stories from his life that illustrate times when he felt inadequate, discouraged, or weak. Whether it was trying to learn English as a young boy, pursuing the girl of his dreams who wasn't yet interested, or leaving his homeland with his family as a refugee, these stories have helped each of us feel that he truly relates to and understands many of the struggles we are going through.
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For those seeking a message of hope and a glimpse of light even in the midst of world events, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf's latest message on Facebook will provide comfort and peace:
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In three short, touching videos, Sister Ann M. Dibb (President Monson's daughter), President Uchtdorf, and President Eyring share touching memories and impressions of our beloved prophet.
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Many of us are missing our beloved prophet this morning and extending our love to his family after he passed away on Tuesday, January 2, 2018. President Eyring and President Uchtdorf released the following testimony and tribute:
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What incredible stories from the life of President Dieter F. Uchtdorf that show how, through all of his challenges and missions as a pilot, the Lord had been preparing him for the greatest mission of all. The following was originally written by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and posted on lds.org, but this story written in President Uchtdorf's own words can also be found in his new book, The Gospel at 30,000 Feet, available in Deseret Book stores and on deseretbook.com.
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From the time President Dieter F. Uchtdorf first took the pulpit at general conference, members around the world have loved his stories about airplanes and the poignant gospel lessons he draws from them. In fact, his history of sharing tales of flight has led many listeners to find themselves internally asking a question as soon as he gets up to speak—the same question President Uchtdorf voiced one memorable conference: “What does it have to do with flying an airplane?” Here are a couple of those aerodynamic analogies.
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In a 2017 book titled The Gospel at 30,000 Feet, President Uchtdorf shares valuable gospel lessons he learned from flying airplanes thousands of feet above the earth.
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"Christmas inspires us to love better," President Uchtdorf shared at the Christmas Devotional on Sunday, adding that divine love, "refuses to allow bias or prejudice to stand in the way of imparting comfort, compassion, and understanding. It is completely devoid of bullying, discrimination, or arrogance. . . . This is the kind of love we strive for. It should be our defining characteristic as a people.”
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I’ll admit it: I grew up thinking that Coke and other caffeinated drinks were frowned upon by the Church. I knew it wasn’t explicitly against the Word of Wisdom, so when asked why I wouldn’t drink anything caffeinated, I would say I didn’t enjoy the taste. But the reality is that I was mostly avoiding the caffeine. I thought drinking it was wrong.
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"Let God open your eyes. Let Him give you a new heart. Standing in His light, you will be able to navigate the course of your life."
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One of the most beautiful things about the LDS Church is how it brings people together from different backgrounds, and the pasts of the Brethren leading this church are no different. Find out what unique jobs some general authorities have held before they were called to serve.
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General conference is a special time where Church members can be strengthened by messages shared by the leaders of the Church.
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Our Savior taught many of His most profound lessons through stories—stories that seemed simple at first, but contained layers and facets of meaning that brought listeners to a new level of understanding. He shared relatable moments from daily life mixed with unexpected lessons, insights, and tales.
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President Uchtdorf's address to the women of the Church on Saturday was an incredible reminder of the power of our choices.
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Known for his colorful ties, love of airplanes, and the incredible service he does for Latter-day Saints, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf is beloved by many in the LDS Church.
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With so much destruction left in the wake of Hurricane Harvey in the Houston, Texas, area, many feel a sense of overwhelming loss as they begin to rebuild their lives.
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Life is rarely easy. And usually, right when we feel we finally have reached a point of comfort, we have to move onto the next, unfamiliar stage of life. However, even if life can be unpredictable, we know there is also a promised joy that comes with living life the best we can.
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The temple is a sacred place where even in the most chaotic and illogical times in our lives, we can find peace in doing the Lord's work on earth.
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On the morning of August 13, 2017, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf dedicated the Tucson Arizona Temple, the sixth temple dedicated in Arizona.
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No matter who we are, everyone is susceptible to the pains of adversity. Whether it's the death of a child or neighbors who shun your beliefs, everyone has experience anguish caused by some form of opposition.
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Many members of the Church feel a deep connection with the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. As we read their words and listen to them speak twice a year in general conference, we are able to learn from their unique spiritual strengths and distinct teaching styles. Since we are accustomed to seeing Church leaders in spiritual settings, it can be tempting to think of these men only in a spiritual light; however, they are multidimensional people with individual interests and personalities.
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Finding ways to balancing standing up for our beliefs while being respectful and mindful of others is not ways easy.
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While the Lord continues to pour blessings upon us when we choose to serve Him and follow the Spirit, there are undoubtedly sacrifices we are asked to make as members of His Church. There's no doubt that with a calling as an apostle, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf has had to adjust much of his life to his Church service. Yet his perspective shows us what truly counts when it comes to serving the Lord.
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Speaking to 127 new mission presidents and their wives, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf shared how many within the Church relate to the Apostle Peter, especially missionaries. We become eager to share and live the gospel, but sometimes our understanding and abilities can't keep up with the good we are trying to do.
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When we have the unexpected opportunity to share what we believe as Latter-day Saints, President Uchtdorf sets the perfect example of how we should live so we can answer prayerfully and expand thoughtfully on gospel topics.
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Sometimes with demanding callings in the Church, we can begin focusing on how much time we spend, how much worry and planning we put in, and all the things we might be sacrificing. But recently, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, who has one of the most demanding callings in the Church, reminded us of all the blessings we receive when we serve:
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We've all had those moments when we're sitting in the office of a Church leader, feeling completely overwhelmed. Why me? we can often wonder. Dozens of names run through our heads of people we may feel are more suited to a calling just extended to us than we feel at the moment.
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In his recent Facebook post, President Uchtdorf shares that he is impressed by the kindness LDS Saints have shown to refugees fleeing war-torn countries and includes a powerful video we all should see.
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Recently, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf received the following question on Facebook: “Since God created everything, did He create evil?”
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All of us have fun family general conference traditions that we look forward to every six months. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf is no exception. But his came about accidentally—and it's one you can watch for this weekend.
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Many prophets and apostles have served their respective countries in the military, including President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, who served six years as a fighter pilot in the German Air Force.
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In this interesting video created by Mormon Life Hacker, three general conference talks from our apostles President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Elder Dallin H. Oaks, and Elder M. Russell Ballard share powerful messages of how we can simplify our life to focus on what is most important.
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At 102 years old, Erma Rosenhan still works hard preparing family history names for temple work. Over the past century, Rosenhan has prepared more than 400,000 of her German ancestors' names, according to the Deseret News.
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We all need to remember from time to time the love our Heavenly Father has for us, in every circumstance. President Uchtdorf gave the following reminder that God is always mindful of us and our desires in a recent Facebook post:
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BYU-Idaho President Clark G. Gilbert will leave his post to become the commissioner of the Church's new global higher-education organization, BYU–Pathway Worldwide, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf announced during a press conference Tuesday.
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A simple act of kindness by one woman changed the life not only of an entire family, but our entire Church, leading to the conversion of our beloved apostle Dieter F. Uchtdorf.
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What exciting news for the LDS Business College and its students!
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President Dieter F. Uchtdorf was a refugee twice in his life, once as a 4-year-old boy fleeing Czechoslovakia with his family during World War II and later as an 11-year-old escaping from East Germany with his family after the turmoil following the war.
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It's not always easy to follow the commandments to love God and love our neighbors.
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The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve are always busy traveling and visiting members around the world. And this year more than ever we've enjoyed seeing the photos of their travels they have shared with us on Facebook! Here are some of our favorites from the year:
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