God among Us
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- How does Elder Uchtdorf describe the presence of God in our lives?
- What does Elder Uchtdorf say about the role of Jesus Christ in our salvation?
- What lessons does Elder Uchtdorf draw from his personal experiences?
- How does Elder Uchtdorf describe the teachings of the Savior?
- What does Elder Uchtdorf say about our potential as children of God?
Topics
Recognizing God's Presence in Our Lives
Elder Uchtdorf shares his personal experiences during World War II and how the missionaries who served among them offered divine hope. He emphasizes the message of the gospel that God is among us and is personally involved in our lives and actively guiding His children.
The message was that God lived and cared about us, even in these hours of turmoil, confusion, and chaos.
That He actually appeared in our time to restore truth and light—His gospel and His Church.
That He speaks to prophets again; that God is among us—and is personally involved in our lives and actively guiding His children.
- How did Elder Uchtdorf experience God's presence during his difficult times?
- What does Elder Uchtdorf say about God's involvement in our lives?
- How does the restoration of the gospel and the Church demonstrate God's presence among us?
- When have you felt God's presence in your life?
- How can you become more aware of God's guidance in your life?
- What steps can you take to study and heed the words of the prophets?
Understanding Our Potential as Children of God
Elder Uchtdorf discusses our divine potential as children of God. He reminds us that we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, and that we have the potential to inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers. He emphasizes that this future is possible not because of who we are, but because of who God is.
When we feel insignificant, cast off, and forgotten, we learn that we may be assured that God has not forgotten us—in fact, that He offers to all His children something unimaginable: to become “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.”
That we will live forever, receive a fulness of joy, and have the potential to “inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers.”
It is so humbling to know that this magnificent and supernal future is possible—not because of who we are but because of who God is.
- What does it mean to be an heir of God and a joint-heir with Christ?
- How does Elder Uchtdorf describe our potential as children of God?
- Why is this future possible?
- How does understanding your divine potential influence your actions and decisions?
- What can you do to strive towards this potential?
- How does knowing your divine potential affect your relationship with God and others?
Appreciating the Role of Jesus Christ in Our Salvation
Elder Uchtdorf emphasizes the role of Jesus Christ in our salvation. He discusses the Savior's infinite Atonement and how it changes the way we view our transgressions and imperfections. He also talks about the cleansing gift of repentance and how it allows us to leave our sins behind and emerge a new creature.
Because of God’s perfect love for us and the eternal sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our sins—both great and small—can be blotted out and remembered no more. We can stand before Him pure, worthy, and sanctified.
The Savior’s infinite Atonement completely changes the way we may view our transgressions and imperfections. Instead of dwelling on them and feeling irredeemable or hopeless, we can learn from them and feel hopeful.
Because of Jesus Christ, our failures do not have to define us. They can refine us.
- What does Elder Uchtdorf say about the role of Jesus Christ in our salvation?
- How does the Savior's Atonement change the way we view our transgressions and imperfections?
- What does Elder Uchtdorf mean when he says our failures can refine us?
- How has the Atonement of Jesus Christ influenced your life?
- How can you apply the principle of repentance in your life?
- How can your failures refine you and help you grow?
Following the Teachings of Jesus Christ
Elder Uchtdorf discusses the teachings of Jesus Christ and how they apply to people of every age and in any circumstance. He talks about the Savior's message of hope and belonging and His commandments to love God, serve Him, love one another, and seek for the things of a better world.
The Savior always teaches timeless truths. They apply to people of every age and in any circumstance.
His message was and is a message of hope and belonging—a testimony that God our Heavenly Father has not abandoned His children.
He teaches us to love one another and to be “full of charity towards all men.”
- What are some of the timeless truths that the Savior teaches?
- What is the Savior's message of hope and belonging?
- What commandments does the Savior give us?
- How can you apply the Savior's teachings in your daily life?
- How can you show love and charity towards all men?
- How can you seek for the things of a better world?
Inviting Jesus Christ into Our Lives
Elder Uchtdorf invites us to invite Jesus Christ into our lives. He emphasizes that because of Him, we will never be alone. He encourages us to keep searching with faith and patience, and to trust the Lord. He also talks about the importance of setting aside pride and approaching God's throne with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
To you, my dear brothers and sisters, my dear friends, and to all who are searching for answers, truth, and happiness, I do offer the same counsel: keep searching with faith and patience.
Ask, and you will receive. Knock, and it will be opened unto you. Trust the Lord.
As we set aside pride and approach His throne with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, He will draw near to us.
- What does Elder Uchtdorf mean when he says to invite Jesus Christ into our lives?
- What does it mean to approach God's throne with a broken heart and a contrite spirit?
- How does Elder Uchtdorf describe the process of searching for answers, truth, and happiness?
- How can you invite Jesus Christ into your life?
- How can you approach God with a broken heart and a contrite spirit?
- What can you do to keep searching with faith and patience?
