Lds Uchtdorf Quotes

Each of us is under a divinely spoken obligation to reach out with pardon and mercy and to forgive one another. There is a great need for this Christlike attribute in our families, in our marriages, in our wards and stakes, in our communities, and in our nations. We will receive the joy of forgiveness in our own lives when we are willing to extend that joy freely to others. Lip service is not enough. We need to purge our hearts and minds of feelings and thoughts of bitterness and let the light and the love of Christ enter in. As a result, the Spirit of the Lord will fill our souls with the joy accompanying divine peace of conscience.

It was our beloved Savior’s final night in mortality, the evening before He would offer Himself a ransom for all humankind. As He broke bread with His disciples, He said something that must have filled their hearts with great alarm and deep sadness. “One of you shall betray me,” He told them. The disciples didn’t question the truth of what He said. Nor did they look around, point to someone else, and ask, “Is it him?” Instead, “they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?” (Matthew 26:21–22; emphasis added). I wonder what each of us would do if we were in the room when the Savior made that statement. Would we look at those around us and say in our hearts, “He’s probably talking about Brother so-and-so. I’ve always wondered about him,” or “I’m glad Sister so-and-so is here. She really needs to hear this message”? Or would we, like those disciples of old, look inward and ask that penetrating question: “Is it I?” In these simple words, Lord, is it I? lies the beginning of wisdom and the pathway to personal conversion and lasting change.

By bearing each other’s burdens, we “fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2; see also Mosiah 18:8). Jesus taught, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Can it be that in our search for joy, the best way to find it is to bring joy to others? My friends, you know and I know this is true! Joy is like a barrel of flour or a jar of oil that will never run out (see 1 Kings 17:8–16). True joy multiplies when it is shared. It doesn’t require something grand or complicated. We can do simple things. Like praying for someone with all our heart. Giving a sincere compliment. Helping someone feel welcome, respected, valued, and loved. Sharing a favorite scripture and what it means to us. Or even just by listening. “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17).