In my opinion, one of the most supporting, loving, and insightful general authorities is Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf. He is the former “President Uchtdorf” when he was in the First Presidency with Pres. Monson (2008-2018), and then “Elder Uchtdorf” again, back in the Quorum of the Twelve. Anyway, in this article I am going to post a few of his quotes that I feel can be helpful and useful to single members (and most people in general). If you really enjoy him and would like to read, listen to, or watch all of his general conference addresses (73 at last count), you can see them on the Gospel Library General Conference section under the “Speakers” section. I highly recommend to listen to all of his addresses.
Elder Uchtdorf Quotes:
Our Focus Matters:
“What we love determines what we seek. What we seek determines what we think and do. What we think and do determines who we are — and who we will become.”
To me, this quote reminds us that whatever we care about and focus on is what we will amplify, spend time working on, build, and create. So, if we want a certain goal or outcome in our life, we need to be aware of what matters most to us, and use that focus to propel our efforts towards it. And if we have some poor focuses in life, we may need to shift and improve what our priorities are.
Course Correcting:
“The heavens will not be filled with those who never made mistakes but with those who recognized that they were off course and who corrected their ways to get back in the light of gospel truth.”
In other words, we all make mistakes but what matters is recognizing it and recommitting to gospel principles—whenever that may be. If we stray from the path, we can always get back on. And we all stray now and then.
Support Ourselves:
“Never give up on anyone. And that includes not giving up on yourself.”
Sometimes we are more likely to be supportive, patient, and understanding with others than we are towards ourselves. But for some reason maybe we don’t afford ourselves the same treatment. Why not? Just a bad habit. So please include yourself among those you will support and keep supporting.
Forgive Others, Especially in Dating and Marriage Relationships:
“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.”
When we forgive others in dating and relationships, we dissolve resentments and reset ourselves with the other. This gives the relationship the best chance for success. Plus, this relieves us of the burden of carrying around those bad feelings all the time. Forgiveness doesn’t mean putting up with mistreatment. Repeat offenders need boundaries. However, the resentments and grudge holding is self-defeating and needs to be let go of.
Healthy Patience as a Single Person:
“Patience is not passive resignation, nor is it failing to act because of our fears. Patience means active waiting and enduring. It means staying with something and doing all that we can - working, hoping, and exercising faith; bearing hardship with fortitude, even when the desires of our hearts are delayed. patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well!
Impatience, on the other hand, is a symptom of selfishness. It is a trait of the self-absorbed. It arises from the all too-prevalent condition called "center of the universe" syndrome, which leads people to believe that the world revolves around them and that all others are just supporting cast in the grand theater of mortality in which only they have the starring role.”
Patience includes “active waiting” and “doing all that we can”. In other words, we need to be doers. We need to always be working towards what we want. We aren’t passive and waiting around for relationship success or success in any other part of our life. Success probably won’t just happen on it’s own. Be proactive.
Love is a Verb:
“True love requires action. We can speak of love all day long, we can write notes or poems that proclaim it, sing songs that praise it, and preach sermons that encourage it but until we manifest that love in action, our words are nothing but sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.”
“As we lose ourselves in the service of others, we discover our own lives and our own happiness.”
Be active in your relationships. Focus more on what you can give than receive. Be a giver and a doer. That shows your love and is what demonstrates commitment. When both sides approach a relationship like this, the happiest, healthiest relationships result.
Final Thoughts:
President Uchtdorf was made a general authority in 1994, was brought into the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 2004, and was in the First Presidency with President Monson between 2008-2018. Now again in the Quorum of the Twelve, his 73 talks in General Conference over the years have given us may great quotes, thoughts, and insights. I encourage you to listen to his talks. He will leave you feeling more loved, supported, understood, and encouraged. His wisdom can help you during your days as a single member, as well as in your future marriage. Because “…neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.”—1 Corinthians 11:11.
Dr. G
P.S. If you can questions, comments, or a future article request for me, feel free to contact me at drgilchrist@yahoo.com.
| 2020-11-08 | Randy Gilchrist | Spirituality |
About the author
Hello, my name is Dr. Randy Gilchrist (aka "Dr. G"). I am a licensed clinical psychologist, a licensed marriage & family therapist, and a certified hypnotherapist in private practice in Roseville, CA (www.dr-rg.com), practicing since 1997. Also, I am happily married in the temple (Manti) since 1996 and have 4 sons. I am a volunteer writer and contributor to LDS Dimension. I use my training, education, and experience to share insights with LDS Dimension on all things of interest to the LDS dating community. Please read my articles and columns on this site to assist you in your online dating journey. Also, to be considered for an answer in a future Q and A column, please email me your dating/relationship oriented questions to drgilchrist@yahoo.com. Finally, I also offer a powerful, effective worldwide custom hypnosis recording service just for LDS Dimension members for weight loss, pornography, and many other issues of concern to those in the LDS dating community (please learn more now at www.dr-rg.com/lds; email me questions to drgilchrist@yahoo.com).