Sunday, January 1, 2012

PROFILE: PRESIDENT DEITER F. UCHTDORF

Profile of President Dieter F. Uchtdorf:

 

In this article you will learn about President Dieter F. Uchtdorf and his position within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You'll also find some wonderful quotes and links to powerful articles and videos of President Uchtdorf.

First Presidency of the Church:

On February 3, 2008 the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Dieter F. Uchtdorf as the second counselor in the First Presidency with Thomas S. Monson as president and Henry B. Eyring as first counselor.

An Apostle of God:

On October 2, 2004 at the age of 63, Dieter F. Uchtdorf, along with David A. Bednar, was called by God to be one of His apostles. As a member of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles President Uchtdorf was sustained by the Church as a prophet, seer, and revelator (see What is a Prophet? to learn more).

As an apostle, President Uchtdorf is a special witness of Jesus Christ. To learn more about an apostle's witness of Jesus Christ please read the Church proclamation, The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles, (pdf version).

The Life of Dieter F. Uchtdorf:

Dieter was born in Mährisch-Ostrau, Czechoslovakia on November 6, 1940 to Karl Albert and Hildegard Else Opelt Uchtdorf. His family later moved to Zwickau, Germany where he was raised. When he was a young boy his family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In 1959 President Uchtdorf joined the German Air Force and received his wings in the United States as a jet fighter pilot. Dieter has worked as a pilot, airline captain, and held several management positions within the Lufthansa German Airlines, including chief pilot and senior vice president of flight operations.

In 1962 at 22 years of age Dieter married Harriet Reich Uchtdorf. They have two children and several grandchildren.

The Power of an Apostle:

I love hearing President Uchtdorf speak. He is a compassionate man whose words can bring insight, comfort, and guidance to our individual lives. I had the fortunate experience to hear President Uchtdorf speak at my Stake Conference when I lived in Canada. He'd only been an apostle for a few months, but I felt the power of his words. I remember he shared a personal story from his childhood which he related to a life principle; later he shared this same story in a General Conference address. For those who know of and have heard President Uchtdorf speak will not be surprised that the story had something to do with flight becoming a pilot.

Ever since I first heard him speak, I have paid special attention to President Uchtdorf's talks and articles, and have found them to contain the power that comes from an apostle of God. Here are some of his fabulous talks.

Talks by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf:

Videos With President Uchtdorf:

One of the first Mormon Messages videos that the Church created was one called Create, which is based off of President Uchtdorf's 2008 General Relief Society Meeting address, "Happiness Your Heritage". This video astounded me when I first watched it. It made such an impression on me that I bookmarked it and have repeatedly viewed it over the years. Below are some links to wonderful videos with President Uchtdorf. 
 
 

Favorite Quotes:

Here is one of my favorite quotes by President Uchtdorf:
"Everyone has strengths and weaknesses.

"It's wonderful that you have strengths.

"And it is part of your mortal experience that you do have weaknesses.

"God wants to help us to eventually turn all of our weaknesses into strengths, but He knows that this is a long-term goal. He wants us to become perfect, and if we stay on the path of discipleship, one day we will. It's OK that you're not quite there yet. Keep working on it, but stop punishing yourself" ("Forget Me Not," September 2011 General Relief Society Meeting; November 2011 Ensign).
Also see my blog posts, "We Are Compassionate Creators of a Compassionate and Creative Being" and "Patience is a Process of Perfection" for additional quotes by Dieter F. Uchtdorf that I love.

Dieter Uchtdorf's Church Service:

President Uchtdorf has been a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ and has served in various callings over the years, including that of a stake president, which he fulfilled at two different times in two different stakes. Timeline of President Uchtdorf's Church Service
Below is a timeline of President Uchtdorf's service within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since becoming a general authority.
  • 02/03/2008 - Second Counselor to President Thomas S. Monson
  • 10/02/2004 - Ordained an Apostle in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
  • 08/15/2002 - Member of the Presidency of the Seventy
  • 04/07/1996 - First Quorum of the Seventy
  • 04/02/1994 - Second Quorum of the Seventy
I know that President Uchtdorf is an apostle of Jesus Christ. I know he was called by God to be one of His servants here upon the earth, to teach us His words and guide us unto Him.
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