“Of Things That Matter Most”
President Dieter F. Uctdorf
Second Counselor in the First Presidency
This talk is a perfect sequel to Elder Christofferson’s talk about consecrated living that we just read last week. President Uctdorf reminds us what to focus on, and he communicates with testimony and example the same principles from King Benjamin that “it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength.”
This was one of my favorite talks from conference. It made me realize that when I feel overwhelmed, I tend to react in a counter-productive way.
“If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most.”
I’m learning that the joy comes from the basics: from choosing them, using them, and focusing on them.
Plus, this talk has one of the greatest laughs from conference, where President Uctdorf jokes about always speaking about airplanes.
Did you all receive your general conference edition of the Ensign in the mail by now? I love to curl up with mine by the fire. I felt full-blown famous when I realized they published my quote on p. 128 about you guys and what we do here. I can’t think of any issue I’d be more excited to be a part of than the general conference edition.
So, how about you? What are your favorite moments or quotes from this talk? Is there anything you learned here that you had not considered before? What stood out to you as you studied it? And, most importantly, what did it make you feel or want to do?
Diapers and Divinity 
Wow, I am actually on top of things this week and got this read sooner rather then later.
Anyway, this was my favorite talk from conference. Our life has changed quite a bit in the past year with my husband being laid off. Especially in the last couple of months I have felt like I “had” to do so many things just to get by. This talk made me realized that no matter what is happening in our life if I am doing things that cause me unnecessary stress then I can leave them. It has also helped me rethink some things, like signing my children up for certain extra curricular activities. Sometime I think moms feel like if their child isn’t signed up for every class available than we aren’t giving our children all of the experiences they need, but this is so far from the truth. Instead we need to focus on the basic, essential things first.
I also loved the quote by Leonardo da Vinci, “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Who doesn’t want to be sophisticated?
This was my favorite talk. I really needed to hear it and I’m still working on the principles he set forth. And I have a feeling I will be working on them for a really long time…but I’m trying.
I needed to hear this talk so much, it was one of the talks at conference that felt like it was just for me. I listened to it about 3 times the week after conference. This is one that I will always remember and refer back to. It is so needed in these days.
This was the first talk I turned to when I got my Ensign last week (and I did see your name in the magazine). I loved it. Pres Uchtdorf’s message has helped me focus better on what is really important. And it’s funny that when I put scripture reading and prayer FIRST on my priority list, I manage to get a lot more done in the day.
My oldest daughter was whining to me that conference Saturday. She wanted to go up to SLC for conference (we live just outside Vegas). I said that since DH had been working a nasty succession of near 20 hour days, we really needed to cut back and focus on the most important things and while going to SLC would be nice, listening to conference was more important. She scowled and then Pres. Uchtdorf began his talk and her eyes widened. I have never been immediately validated by an apostle of the Lord in front of my children before.
I am struck by the succession of ‘simplify’ talks we have been getting of late–there’s Good Better Best by Elder Oaks, Sister Beck’s Women’s Conference talk about Essential, Necessary and Nice to do and now Pres Uchtdorf. It makes me feel like perhaps I am not the only daughter of God frantically digging myself to an early grave trying to do all that is good in the world now and on my own 🙂 It is so calming, uplifting, gratifying to know directly from Heaven’s mouthpiece that not only are we not expected to do it all, but it is unwise to do so, even if it were possible.
Oh, yes, great choices! These talks do go hand in hand. And don’t you just adore Elder Uchtdorf? He seems to have such a handle on women’s issues. I actually sat down and started writing a blog post about this talk the day after I heard it. And here it is, unfinished on my desktop. I think my goal for this week is to finish it and post it, to remind me to focus on the Things That Matter Most. 🙂
“To strengthen our relationship with God, we need some meaningful time alone with Him. Quietly focusing on daily personal prayer and scripture study, always aiming to be worthy of a current temple recommend—these will be some wise investments of our time and efforts to draw closer to our Heavenly Father. Let us heed the invitation in Psalms: “Be still, and know that I am God”
Like others have already said, this was one of those talks that felt like it was just for me. I’m dealing with some significant turbulence in my life right now and the principles he taught are the things that have kept me from completely losing it some days. Taking time every day, like the quote mentions, to work on my relationship with God and keep myself grounded in gospel truths has been my lifeline.
I was so excited when my conference edition came in the mail. It was like being reunited with an old friend. I love to curl up on the couch with either a bowl of ice cream, of a cup of hot cocoa and read the words of the general authorities.
I loved this talk, I have listened to it many times since, it is a great reminder for me to slow down and focus on the important things. “It is good advise to slow down a little, steady the course, and focus on the essentials when experiencing adverse conditions.” I think that sometimes the adverse conditions come because I lose focus of the essentials. I also like the quote “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”
Note to Stephanie….oops….I wanted to comment on the latest week, which is #7, not #5….will you remove me from #5? Thanks, Janet
This talk really stirred my soul, and my desire to continue simplifying life; making more time to devote to Heavenly Father’s Will.
So excited to be a part of this, and love the link to the talks, thank you. We do a conference talk each week for Family Home Evening. I appreciate the comments, and the links to your sites/blogs, so I can get to know you/learn from you.
I have 3 sites/blogs, and when you link to the first one, you’ll find links to the other 2. I am a food storage expert/frugal Mom, so a lot of what you’ll find are recipes based on food storage. Perhaps that will help some of you, or someone you know?? I do teach this subject; but my favorite way to share it is doing a lesson for Relief Society groups….and for other faith church groups! How awesome is that!!
Hugs! Janet
On a totally different and non-religious note, it was so good to meet your face! I’m sorry I flashed you all, discretion is not one of my strengths. Hope we catch up again before I leave forever.
As I listened to this talk, it reminded me that the relationships are what suffer most when I fill my schedule too much. It’s easily justified in the name of family, friends, or responsibility.
The gospel is simple. I wonder where the idea came that we need to be perfect. All the time and in all circumstances.
As I reflect, I need to change and take the T-I-M-E away from events and projects to focus on babies and husband.
I love President Uchtdorf’s talks, every time. I know that he was called to be an apostle, and that the timing in and of itself is a tender mercy for my family and me in our life right now. When he relates the gospel to flying, it just clicks for my husband, which is nice. I loved that he emphasized simplicity, and that we ought to focus on what matters most (which, in truth, is God & our families).
Some of my favorite quotes from this talk were the following:
-“This coach knew that even these experienced players, and indeed the team, could become great only by mastering the fundamentals.” **sometimes I think we try too hard and get caught up in things that are good, but aren’t always the most important. This is at least true for me.
-“In family relationships *love* is really spelled *t-i-m-e*, time. Taking time for each other is the key for harmony at home.” **this is so true. I love my dad, but sometimes I wish he realized this truth, and implemented it while we were still living at home. I’m trying to make sure that I do this, even today even if it is *just* my husband and me.
-“Learn to see yourself as Heavenly Father sees you–as His precious daughter or son with divine potential.” **both my husband and I struggle with this. I get on him for beating himself up (which is easy to do if your training to be a pilot with the AF… they do it for you, and then its easy to run with it), and he gets on me for doing the same (not being a good enough wife, not “working”, etc.). We wouldn’t let anyone else beat our loved ones up, why should we let them beat themselves up?
It did make me feel a little bit better about the life I have now. While I still feel like I need to fill up my time during the day, I know that as long as I get the basics taken care of, that is what matters most. It did make me want to make my relationships more intimate than they are now.
Like everyone else has said, this talk really touched me. I have been feeling really down because I feel like I don’t do enough, that I don’t really have much of an impact, and that I should do more than I do. I have a hard time finding the balance between doing an exhausting amount of stuff or doing nothing at all because I don’t think I can finish or because I don’t think it matters that much.
This talk really helped me and I have lots of things I want to apply from it. One thing I really like was how he stressed relationships. I have felt for some time that relationships really are so important and having some ideas on how to improve them is so helpful.