October 2011 General Conference You Matter to Him Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Second Counselor in the First PresidencyThe Lord uses a scale very different from the world’s to weigh the worth of a soul.
Second Counselor in the First PresidencyThe Lord uses a scale very different from the world’s to weigh the worth of a soul.
Outline - Learner Readiness
- Read the name of the lesson (Your Matter to Him) and the theme (The Lord uses a scale very different from the world's to weight the worth of a soul).
- Q: When I read this, does it give you positive, warm feeling or a cynical feeling (like, I don't matter Him or God doesn't watch over me, I take care of myself)?
- There are three section to President Uchdorf's talk:
- We are less than we suppose
- We are greater than we suppose
- The last shall be first
- Let's discuss what is mean to be less than we suppose. When Moses was give a vision of the workmanship of God's hands, he declared, I know that man is nothing.
- Let's read from P. Uchdorf's talk. Who has 'A'
A - Astronomers have attempted to count the number of stars in the universe. One group of scientists estimates that the number of stars within range of our telescopes is 10 times greater than all the grains of sand on the world’s beaches and deserts.
This conclusion has a striking similarity to the declaration of the ancient prophet Enoch: “Were it possible that man could number the particles of the earth, yea, millions of earths like this, it would not be a beginning to the number of thy creations.”5
Given the vastness of God’s creations, it’s no wonder the great King Benjamin counseled his people to “always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness.”
Q: In what context are we less than we suppose?
Say: Let's move to the next section of President Uchdorf's talk, "We Are Greater than we Suppose"
Who had Reading Selection B?
B - But even though man is nothing, it fills me with wonder and awe to think that “the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.”7
And while we may look at the vast expanse of the universe and say, “What is man in comparison to the glory of creation?” God Himself said we are the reason He created the universe! His work and glory—the purpose for this magnificent universe—is to save and exalt mankind.8 In other words, the vast expanse of eternity, the glories and mysteries of infinite space and time are all built for the benefit of ordinary mortals like you and me. Our Heavenly Father created the universe that we might reach our potential as His sons and daughters.
Let's read C
Let's read C
C - This is a paradox of man: compared to God, man is nothing; yet we are everything to God. While against the backdrop of infinite creation we may appear to be nothing, we have a spark of eternal fire burning within our breast. We have the incomprehensible promise of exaltation—worlds without end—within our grasp. And it is God’s great desire to help us reach it.
Learner Involvement starts here.
Learner Involvement starts here.
The Folly of Pride
READ - The great deceiver knows that one of his most effective tools in leading the children of God astray is to appeal to the extremes of the paradox of man.
Q: So, what are the two side of the paradox? (we believe we are not important to God or we believe that we are all important without God.)
Read E
Q: So, what are the two side of the paradox? (we believe we are not important to God or we believe that we are all important without God.)
Read E
E - Abraham Lincoln is said to have loved a poem that reads:
Oh why should the spirit of mortal be proud?
Like a swift-flitting meteor, a fast-flying cloud,
A flash of the lightning, a break of the wave,
Read F
F - Disciples of Jesus Christ understand that compared to eternity, our existence in this mortal sphere is only “a small moment” in space and time.10 They know that a person’s true value has little to do with what the world holds in high esteem. They know you could pile up the accumulated currency of the entire world and it could not buy a loaf of bread in the economy of heaven.
Question: How does wealth or security effect our estimation or ourselves?
Q: Should it?
[if there is opposition] Q: Why is it that we tie a man's earthly success to the amount of fame, education or money they possess?
Answer: Is it our American tradition, our Calvinist heritage?
F - Disciples of Jesus Christ understand that compared to eternity, our existence in this mortal sphere is only “a small moment” in space and time.10 They know that a person’s true value has little to do with what the world holds in high esteem. They know you could pile up the accumulated currency of the entire world and it could not buy a loaf of bread in the economy of heaven.
Question: How does wealth or security effect our estimation or ourselves?
Q: Should it?
[if there is opposition] Q: Why is it that we tie a man's earthly success to the amount of fame, education or money they possess?
Answer: Is it our American tradition, our Calvinist heritage?
READ G
G - Those who will “inherit the kingdom of God”11 are those who become “as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love.”12 “For every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”13 Such disciples understand also “that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”14
Q: How does the Lord measure a man?
Say, Let's more to the other side of the paradox.
G - Those who will “inherit the kingdom of God”11 are those who become “as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love.”12 “For every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”13 Such disciples understand also “that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”14
Q: How does the Lord measure a man?
Say, Let's more to the other side of the paradox.
We Are Not Forgotten
Read H
H- Another way Satan deceives is through discouragement. He attempts to focus our sight on our own insignificance until we begin to doubt that we have much worth. He tells us that we are too small for anyone to take notice, that we are forgotten—especially by God.
Say: Br U. tells a story about going to Big Spring, Texas for pilot training. He didn't know english very well and was in competition with the best of the best. In his spare time he worked on building the chapel with other ward members. He concludes the story by saying:
H- Another way Satan deceives is through discouragement. He attempts to focus our sight on our own insignificance until we begin to doubt that we have much worth. He tells us that we are too small for anyone to take notice, that we are forgotten—especially by God.
Say: Br U. tells a story about going to Big Spring, Texas for pilot training. He didn't know english very well and was in competition with the best of the best. In his spare time he worked on building the chapel with other ward members. He concludes the story by saying:
READ G
G - At the time, Big Spring, despite its name, was a small, insignificant, and unknown place. And I often felt exactly the same way about myself—insignificant, unknown, and quite alone. Even so, I never once wondered if the Lord had forgotten me or if He would ever be able to find me there.
READ H
H - I knew that it didn’t matter to Heavenly Father where I was, where I ranked with others in my pilot training class, or what my calling in the Church was. What mattered to Him was that I was doing the best I could, that my heart was inclined toward Him, and that I was willing to help those around me. I knew if I did the best I could, all would be well.
G - At the time, Big Spring, despite its name, was a small, insignificant, and unknown place. And I often felt exactly the same way about myself—insignificant, unknown, and quite alone. Even so, I never once wondered if the Lord had forgotten me or if He would ever be able to find me there.
READ H
H - I knew that it didn’t matter to Heavenly Father where I was, where I ranked with others in my pilot training class, or what my calling in the Church was. What mattered to Him was that I was doing the best I could, that my heart was inclined toward Him, and that I was willing to help those around me. I knew if I did the best I could, all would be well.
Q: Regarding each us, what matters to the Lord?
Q: What does it mean to do our best?
Q: Is my best different from someone else's best?
Q: What does it mean to incline our hearts toward Him?
The Last Shall Be First
Q: What does it mean to do our best?
Q: Is my best different from someone else's best?
Q: What does it mean to incline our hearts toward Him?
The Last Shall Be First
Read I
I - 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. He will use—in His own way and for His holy purposes—those who incline their hearts to Him.
Q: What does it mean to incline one's heart to Heavenly Father?
I - 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. He will use—in His own way and for His holy purposes—those who incline their hearts to Him.
Q: What does it mean to incline one's heart to Heavenly Father?
Read J
J - God knows that some of the greatest souls who have ever lived are those who will never appear in the chronicles of history. They are the blessed, humble souls who emulate the Savior’s example and spend the days of their lives doing good.16
J - God knows that some of the greatest souls who have ever lived are those who will never appear in the chronicles of history. They are the blessed, humble souls who emulate the Savior’s example and spend the days of their lives doing good.16
Q: Is there a quality that some have developed more than others that make a person want to wear out his days in doing good?
One such couple, parents of a friend of mine, exemplify this principle for me. The husband worked at a steel mill in Utah. At lunch he would pull out his scriptures or a Church magazine and read. When the other workers saw this, they ridiculed him and challenged his beliefs. Whenever they did, he spoke to them with kindness and confidence. He did not allow their disrespect to make him angry or upset.
Years later one of the more vocal mockers became very ill. Before he died, he requested that this humble man speak at his funeral—which he did.
This faithful member of the Church never had much in the way of social status or wealth, but his influence extended deeply to all who knew him. He died in an industrial accident while stopping to help another worker who was stranded in the snow.
Within a year his widow had to undergo brain surgery, which has left her unable to walk. But people love coming to spend time with her because she listens. She remembers. She cares. Unable to write, she memorizes her children’s and grandchildren’s telephone numbers. She lovingly remembers birthdays and anniversaries.
Those who visit her come away feeling better about life and about themselves. They feel her love. They know she cares. She never complains but spends her days blessing the lives of others. One of her friends said this woman was one of the few people she had ever known who truly exemplifies the love and life of Jesus Christ.
This couple would have been the first to say they were not of much importance in this world. But the Lord uses a scale very different from the world’s to weigh the worth of a soul. He knows this faithful couple; He loves them. Their actions are a living witness of their strong faith in Him.
Q: What is the scale that the Lord uses to weigh the worth of a soul?
Q: Even though the Lord loves all his children, can one be more highly favored than another?
Q: What is the criteria for being highly favored of the Lord?
Q: The Pharisees were obedient to a strict set of rules but they weren't highly favored. What is it that I highly favored person does?
Q: What is the scale that the Lord uses to weigh the worth of a soul?
Q: Even though the Lord loves all his children, can one be more highly favored than another?
Q: What is the criteria for being highly favored of the Lord?
Q: The Pharisees were obedient to a strict set of rules but they weren't highly favored. What is it that I highly favored person does?
You Matter to Him
Read K
K - My dear brothers and sisters, it may be true that man is nothing in comparison to the greatness of the universe. At times we may even feel insignificant, invisible, alone, or forgotten. But always remember—you matter to Him! If you ever doubt that, consider these four divine principles:
K - My dear brothers and sisters, it may be true that man is nothing in comparison to the greatness of the universe. At times we may even feel insignificant, invisible, alone, or forgotten. But always remember—you matter to Him! If you ever doubt that, consider these four divine principles:
Say: First, God loves the humble and meek, for they are “greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Second, the Lord entrusts “the fulness of [His] gospel [to] be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world.”18 He has chosen “the weak things of the world [to] come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones”19 and to put to shame “the things which are mighty.”20
Q: Who are the weak and simple?
Q: What do the weak things of the earth possess that will break down the mighty and strong ones?
Q: Who are the weak and simple?
Q: What do the weak things of the earth possess that will break down the mighty and strong ones?
Third, no matter where you live, no matter how humble your circumstances, how meager your employment, how limited your abilities, how ordinary your appearance, or how little your calling in the Church may appear to you, you are not invisible to your Heavenly Father. He loves you. He knows your humble heart and your acts of love and kindness. Together, they form a lasting testimony of your fidelity and faith.
Q: What if we are fighting against our current difficult circumstances? What is the key that we are missing?
Q: What if we are fighting against our current difficult circumstances? What is the key that we are missing?
Fourth and finally, please understand that what you see and experience now is not what forever will be. You will not feel loneliness, sorrow, pain, or discouragement forever. We have the faithful promise of God that He will neither forget nor forsake those who incline their hearts to Him.21 Have hope and faith in that promise. Learn to love your Heavenly Father and become His disciple in word and in deed.
Q: is there a difference between going through the motions and looking the part, and really deepening your discipleship?
Q: is there a difference between going through the motions and looking the part, and really deepening your discipleship?
Conclusion
Be assured that if you but hold on, believe in Him, and remain faithful in keeping the commandments, one day you will experience for yourselves the promises revealed to the Apostle Paul: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”22
Be assured that if you but hold on, believe in Him, and remain faithful in keeping the commandments, one day you will experience for yourselves the promises revealed to the Apostle Paul: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”22
Brothers and sisters, the most powerful Being in the universe is the Father of your spirit. He knows you. He loves you with a perfect love.
Amen
Amen
Read Helaman 12:5-8
5 Yea, how quick to be lifted up in pride; yea, how quick to boast, and do all manner of that which is iniquity; and how slow are they to remember the Lord their God, and to give ear unto his counsels, yea, how slow to walk in wisdom’s paths!
6 Behold, they do not desire that the Lord their God, who hathcreated them, should rule and reign over them; notwithstanding his great goodness and his mercy towards them, they do set atnaught his counsels, and they will not that he should be their guide.
7 O how great is the nothingness of the children of men; yea, even they are less than the dust of the earth.
8 For behold, the dust of the earth moveth hither and thither, to the dividing asunder, at the command of our great and everlasting God.
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