In preparation for General Conference next week (and for a class....), I have read some of last years talks.
One of my very favorite addresses was given by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf entitled "
You Matter to Him". For my class, we had to write a paper on a talk, and as this was my favorite...I chose it! So! Read the talk, and read what I have to say about it :). The message is definitely something that has been a beacon in my life!
People today have become so invested in things that are of the world. Ads show that you are not skinny enough, you do not have trendy enough clothes, and that you do not wear enough makeup. The saddest part is that most of the girls in these do not look how they truly appear in person. Photoshop is an amazing tool that can completely change the appearance of someone, and is used much more than most people would like to admit. This means that people are chasing after looking like a fake person. People today are not trying to be what Heavenly Father created to be—rather, they are aiming after what men can make them. We are created in His image, yet they seek to distort themselves to what man wants to see. They lose sight of the fact that God does know us. He loves us, and although there are billions of people alive, He can call each person by name and assist them through anything.
President Uchtdorf made this point last November during General Conference in his address entitled “You Matter to Him”. This talk meant so much to me at this time in my life. When you are in a competitive school, surrounded by very smart people and taking hard classes, it’s easy to find yourself feeling insignificant and small.. Sometimes I just feel forgotten. But as President Uchtdorf reminds us, even though God put forth a massive creation, “we are the reason He created the universe! His work and glory—the purpose for this magnificent universe—is to save and exalt mankind”. If He created expansive galaxies all for mankind, He would have to be sure to keep track of all He sends here. With this in mind, I realize that there is no possible way that I could be forgotten. I may feel so by the people I am surrounded by, but He knows how I feel and is ever-extending his arm for me to hold to.
Part of mortality is facing differences. Each person is created just a bit different, and placed in various circumstances of life. President Uchtdorf says, “The Lord doesn’t care at all if we spend our days working in marble halls or stable stalls. He knows where we are, no matter how humble our circumstances”. This is such an important note to remember in our lives today, as some are put in desperate situations where others are blessed beyond belief. Heavenly Father is above this, and cares not for your social class. He looks beyond, and sees YOU. Not only this though, He loves you for who you are. President Uchtdorf goes on to say that often, the greatest people are never recognized, because they live humble lives patterned after Christ. This is such a great reminder that pride does not get you anywhere. Christ came as such a humble being, and continued as such through his life. To be like him, we must become humble and remember that Heavenly Father values such actions.
One of my very favorite lines in the talk is when President Uchtdorf says, “the most powerful Being in the universe is the Father of your spirit. He knows you. He loves you with a perfect love”. What could be truer! This is one of the most valuable pieces of information for all people to understand and believe. It is one thing that sets our faith apart from others; we believe that we are literally sons and daughters of God, and that he loves us. Even in our darkest despair, He knows what we are experiencing, and wants to help. In our times of sin and trials, He is extending His hand for us to cling to and be saved. He provided all the tools for us to become like He is—“the most powerful being in the universe”. His love is so unselfish, as he was willing to send us from his presence, so we could gain the experience needed to rise to his level. That is the purpose of each of us coming to earth; He will not forget that, and He will not forget each and ever one of us.
Surrounded by worldly things, it is easy to lose sight of this beautiful message, but President Uchtdorf so gloriously reminds us. We may not feel good enough or forgotten, but Heavenly Father has made up for each shortcoming and will never forget you. He is the greatest Being, yet he cares for something as small as man in this vast universe. Each of us matters to Him, no matter what.
.jpg)