Dieter F. Uchtdorf

(black text is the original talk; all yellow highlights are things I am commenting on;All blue text are my thoughts and are my opinions only and do not represent the official position of the speaker or the church.)

Come, Join with Us

By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Second Counselor in the First Presidency

Regardless of your circumstances, your personal history, or the strength of your testimony, there is room for you (Members...make "room in the inn"...they are coming...)in this Church.

Once there was a man I think he made this story up:) who dreamed that he was in a great hall where all the religions of the world were gathered. He realized that each religion had much that seemed desirable and worthy. This is how we feel about other religions...

He met a nice couple we hope everyone sees us as "nice" people who represented The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints  every member "represents" the Church of Jesus Christ; we have taken His name upon us...and asked, “What do you require of your members?” Some thing that religion is only about restrictions and requirements...

“We do not require anything,” they replied. “But the Lord asks that we consecrate all.” to "devote or dedicate" all. He asks, and we say, "yes!"

The couple went on to explain about Church callings, home and visiting teaching, full-time missions, weekly family home evenings, temple work, welfare and humanitarian service, and assignments to teach. This is a kind of check list to evaluate your level of consecration.  Don't dismiss it as just a cute story...

“Do you pay your people for all the work they do?” the man asked.

“Oh, no,” the couple explained. “They offer their time freely.”make sure you maintain a good attitude about this...

“Also,” the couple continued, “every six months our Church members spend a weekend attending or watching 10 hours of general conference.” Did you watch all 10 hours?

“Ten hours of people giving talks?” the man wondered.

“What about your weekly church services? How long are they?”

“Three hours, every Sunday!”Do you attend the entire block?

“Oh, my,” the man said. “Do members of your church actually do what you have said?”He is asking you this question right now...Do you do it?

“That and more. We haven’t even mentioned family history, youth camps, devotionals, scripture study, leadership training, youth activities, early-morning seminary, maintaining Church buildings, and of course there is the Lord’s law of health, the monthly fast to help the poor, and tithing.” Keep checking your list...

The man said, “Now I’m confused. Why would anyone want to join such a church?” That's quite a list (see Imperatives below)

The couple smiled and said, “We thought you would never ask.”Notice there is no tone of apology, weariness, complaint or anxiety...they have an easy, joyful attitude that assumes others would want to live this law of consecration as well.

Why Would Anyone Join Such a Church?

At a time when many churches throughout the world are experiencing significant decreases in numbers, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—though small in comparison with many others—is one of the fastest growing churches in the world. As of September 2013 the Church has more than 15 million members around the world. These numbers are about to skyrocket. Be prepared for this to bring about a new level of persecution. Those in paid ministries will lose their income if people leave their churches. We are also concerned when people leave our church. But we never attack the churches they may be leaving for. Actually, I don't know of too many people that leave the church for another church. They just leave religion altogether.

There are many reasons for this, but may I offer a few?

The Savior’s Church

First,Let's make another list: reasons people are joining this particular Church... this Church was restored in our day by Jesus Christ Himself. Here you will find the authority to act in His name—to baptize for the remission of sins, to confer the gift of the Holy Ghost, and to seal on earth and in heaven.¹ Restored by Christ himself; priesthood authority directly from Him to baptize, confer the Holy Ghost and seal families forever.

Those who join this Church love the Savior Jesus Christ and they wish to follow Him. They rejoice in the knowledge that God speaks to mankind again. When they receive sacred priesthood ordinances and make covenants with God, they can feel His power in their lives.² When they enter the holy temple, they sense they are in His presence. When they read the holy scriptures³ and live the teachings of His prophets, they grow closer to the Savior they love so much. Yes, I love the Savior that much! The list continues: Want to follow Jesus; revelation; power through ordinances and covenants; temples; scriptures; teachings of living prophets; feel closer to the Savior

An Active Faith

Another reason is because the Church provides opportunities for doing good. Service, charity....always motivated by love for the Savior

Believing in God is commendable, but most people want to do more than listen to inspirational sermons or dream of their mansions above.⁴ This generalizes the typical worship of many other Christians. They meet on Sunday and then they are done until the next Sunday. Does this describe your worship? He might be saying here, that most people want to do more, but their churches do not ask anything of them. He might be asking us to do more than that as well....They want to put their faith into practice. Faith is a verb. They want to roll up their sleeves an expression of one ready to work and become engaged in this great cause.He is asking you... do you want to put your faith into action? Do you want to roll up your sleeves and become engaged in this great cause? 

And that is what happens when they join with us—That is what should be happening to all current members too...they have many opportunities to transform their talents, compassion, and time into good works. Do you look for these opportunities? Do you see them as opportunities? Because we have no paid local clergy in our worldwide congregations, our members perform the work of ministry themselves. Do you see your calling as a "work of ministry"?  They are called by inspiration. Sometimes we volunteer; "we need help at the cannery this week..." sometimes we are “volunteered.” "Sister, we'd like you to serve as the Nursery Leaders" We see assignments not as burdens but as opportunities to fulfill covenants we gladly make to serve God and His children.He is giving you some special glasses to look through. Will you put them on? 

Treasured Blessings

A third reason why people join the Church is because walking the path of discipleship leads to precious blessings. Time to make another list. This one will help you feel more gratitude.

We see baptism as the starting point Many churches believe that it ends there. Once baptized nothing more is ever required. in our journey it's a process of discipleship. Our daily walk not occasional or hit and miss with Jesus Christ leads to peace there is nothing more precious than peace. You can possess it even though the world around you is in chaos. Only the Savior can give this kind of peace and purpose in this life this knowledge give you and eternal perspective that enables you to "endure to the end" and profound joy and eternal salvation in the world to come.We know joy here, but in the world to come it will be a joy far beyond anything we can imagine here. 

Those who follow this path faithfully avoid many of the pitfalls, unexpected dangers, difficulties or traps sorrows, and regrets of life.

The poor in spirit and honest of heart find great treasures of knowledge here. Learn to be poor in spirit and honest of heart to find greater treasures of knowledge.

Those who suffer or grieve find healing here.Are you finding healing from your suffering or grief?

Those burdened with sin find forgiveness, liberty, and rest.Sin keeps us in bondage through the incorrect thinking it produces. The weight of guilt is a heavy burden which we should seek rest from.

To Those Who Leave

The search for truth has led millions millions more are now looking...they only "know not where to find it"...of people to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, there are some who leave the Church they once loved. We need to find these people. 

One might ask, “If the gospel is so wonderful, why would anyone leave?”The following information is important for us to understand as we head out "to rescue". We need to broaden our understanding and increase our respect for others. 

Sometimes we assume it is because they have been offended or lazy or sinful. Clearly asserting this offensive to the one in question... Actually, it is not that simple. In fact, there is not just one reason that applies to the variety of situations.Broaden your storybook of possibilities...

Some of our dear members always see them as "dear" people struggle for years with the question whether they should separate themselves from the Church.a possible sign of honest seeking for peace or at least a good effort fight between the voices of good and evil. 

In this Church that honors personal agency so strongly, This is soooooooooo important to embrace...that was restored by a young man who asked questions and sought answers, remember Joseph Smith was questioning his religion...we respect those who honestly search for truth. this is an invitation to "these" people to be honest about whether or not they are searching for truth. It may break our hearts when their journey takes them away from the Church we love and the truth we have found, but we honor their right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience, just as we claim that privilege for ourselves.⁵ We are in a battle to retain our religious freedoms. He does not say this lightly. We must claim this privilege and defend it and protect it.

Unanswered Questions

Some struggle with unanswered questions about things that have been done or said in the past. He could be referring to things publicly known or privately experienced We openly acknowledge
 "the truth shall make you free"... no need to hide..that in nearly 200 years of Church history—along with an uninterrupted line of inspired, honorable, and divine events—"what we know will always trump what we do not know" there have been some things said and done that could cause people to question.If this is you, he is asking you to open your mind to the possibilities...

Sometimes questions arise because we simply don’t have all the information and we just need a bit more patience.It is not fair to draw conclusions when you lack all the information. Be patient. All things will be made known in time... When the entire truth is eventually known, things that didn’t make sense to us before will be resolved to our satisfaction."God's ways are not man's ways"

Sometimes there is a difference of opinion as to what the “facts” really mean. A question that creates doubt in some can, after careful investigation, build faith in others.I would like to hear an example of this one. He might be talking about a situation where your doubt might lead you to do some honest investigating and you end up learning some things that change your "opinion of the facts" so that you are converted to your new way of thinking". In this case, questioning lead to greater faith, not doubt.

Mistakes of Imperfect People

And, to be perfectly frank,"unreserved in expressing truth" there have been times when members or leaders in the Church have simply made mistakes. There...he said it...There may have been things said or done that were not in harmony with our values, principles, or doctrine.Surprise...we're not perfect...even if we are "leaders"...

I suppose the Church would be perfect only if it were run by perfect beings. God is perfect, and His doctrine is pure.This you must never doubt But He works through us—His imperfect children—and imperfect people make mistakes.All of us...the accuser and the accused...sometimes we get caught up in the difference between and honest "mistake" and knowingly sinning. However, in the broad sense, even rebellious people are mistaken in what they believe and are therefore making a "mistake" in their actions. 

In the title page of the Book of Mormon we read, “And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless for in condemning others faults as proof that God is not perfect, you become at fault yourself and are no more spotless than the person you are condemning...at the judgment-seat of Christ.”⁶

This is the way it has always been and will be until the perfect day when Christ Himself reigns personally upon the earth.He is preparing you to be able to handle it if someone makes a mistake (or has made one/many)...especially if they are a leader. He's talking about mistakes that are not in harmony with our doctrine, principles or values. 

It is unfortunate that some have stumbled because of mistakes made by men. Lamen and Lemuals posterity "stumbled" because of the mistake of their fathers...But in spite of this, the eternal truth of the restored gospel found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not tarnished, diminished, or destroyed.the sins of man do not change what is eternally true. 

As an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ and as one who has seen firsthand the councils and workings of this Church, I bear solemn witness that no decision of significance affecting this Church or its members is ever made without earnestly seeking the inspiration, guidance, and approbation of our Eternal Father. This is the Church of Jesus Christ. God will not allow His Church to drift from its appointed course or fail to fulfill its divine destiny.This is a strong witness you can "take to the bank"... You can follow the prophet all the way through its appointed course to its divine destiny. 

There Is Room for You

To those who have separated themselves from the Church, I say, my dear friends, there is yet a place for you here.Make a place for others to come back...

Come and add your talents, gifts, and energies to ours. We will all become better as a result.People need to be needed and appreciated. If you invite them back, make sure you are sensitive to this and find ways to let them add their talents, gifts and energies. 

Some might ask, “But what about my doubts?”

It’s natural to have questions—the acorn of honest inquiry has often sprouted and matured into a great oak of understanding. Best example...Joseph Smith...There are few members of the Church who, at one time or another, have not wrestled with serious or sensitive questions. Try not to wrestle with the ones that are not serious or sensitive...One of the purposes of the Church is to nurture and cultivate the seed of faith—even in the sometimes sandy soil of doubt and uncertainty. Do we nurture the seed of faith in others or do we feed their doubts? Faith is to hope for things which are not seen but which are true.⁷

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters—my dear friends he is consistent in using this phrase, "dear friends" —please, first doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith.⁸ This went viral among church members the moment he said it. Great words to live by...especially in the future...We must never allow doubt to hold us prisoner Did you know doubt could hold you a prisoner? How? and keep us from the divine love, peace, and gifts that come through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.Warning...

Some might say, “I just don’t fit in with you people in the Church.”

If you could see into our hearts, you would probably find that you fit in better than you suppose. You might be surprised to find that we have yearnings and struggles and hopes similar to yours. Look inside others to find out what you have in common as human beings. Your background or upbringing might seem different from what you perceive in many Latter-day Saints, but that could be a blessing. Brothers and sisters,members dear friends,less active or not member we need your unique talents and perspectives. The diversity of persons and peoples all around the globe is a strength of this Church.I feel certain he is speaking right here as a seer. As people join the church "in all the world" we will be flooded with people different than ourselves; different backgrounds, upbringing, talents and perspectives. We need to make room for them. You may find the only thing you have in common the yearnings, struggles and hope common to all men and your testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let this diversity bless your life. 

Some might say, “I don’t think I could live up to your standards.”

All the more reason to come! The Church is designed to nourish the imperfect, the struggling, and the exhausted. It is filled with people who desire with all their heart to keep the commandments, even if they haven’t mastered them yet.

Some might say, “I know a member of your Church who is a hypocrite. I could never join a church that had someone like him as a member.”He's really covering all the bases here...

If you define hypocrite as someone who fails to live up perfectly to what he or she believes, then we are all hypocrites. None of us is quite as Christlike as we know we should be.This is the springboard for our actions to improve.  But we earnestly desire to overcome our faults and the tendency to sin. With our heart and soul we yearn to become better with the help of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.We do this each week when we partake of the Sacrament 

If these are your desires, If they are not your desires...then you probably won't like it here...then regardless of your circumstances, your personal history, or the strength of your testimony, there is room for you in this Church. Come, join with us!

Come, Join with Us!

In spite of our human imperfections, I am confident that you will find among the members of this Church many of the finest souls this world has to offer. The Church of Jesus Christ seems to attract the kind and the caring, the honest and the industrious.look for these kind of people in your missionary labors...be this kind of person 

If you expect to find perfect people here, you will be disappointed. But if you seek the pure doctrine of Christ, the word of God “which healeth the wounded soul,”⁹ and the sanctifying influence of the Holy Ghost, Are you seeking these things? then here you will find them. In this age of waning faith—in this age when so many feel distanced from heaven’s embrace—Is your faith waning? Do you feel heaven is far away? here you will find a people who yearn to know and draw closer to their Savior by serving God and fellowmen, just like you. Come, join with us!Are you yearning to know and draw closer to the Savior by serving God and fellowmen?

Will Ye Also Go Away?

I am reminded of a time in the Savior’s life when many abandoned Him.¹⁰ The time is coming for you to decide if you will abandon Him...Jesus asked His twelve disciples:

“Will ye also go away?

“Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.”¹¹ This needs to be your response as well.  
There are times when we have to answer the same question. Will we also go away? Or will we, like Peter, hold fast to the words of eternal life?The time is coming... hold fast to the words of eternal life!

If you seek truth, meaning, and a way to transform faith into action; if you are looking for a place of belonging:Make sure your home and ward and stake feels like "a place of belonging" Come, join with us!No place for cliques in this church!

If you have left the faith you once embraced: Come back again. Join with us!

If you are tempted to give up: Stay yet a little longer. There is room for you here. members; create a safe place for them to stay while they investigate their questions.

I plead with all who hear or read these words: Come, join with us. 

Come heed the call of the gentle Christ. Take up your cross and follow Him.¹²

Time is short. He is pleading for you to respond to the call. "Come to Zion" ...that was the Opening Hymn...So we end where we began. Come, join with us! For here you will find what is precious beyond price.Do you feel this way about your own Church membership? 

I testify that here you will find the words of eternal life, the promise of blessed redemption, and the pathway to peace and happiness.

I earnestly pray that your own search for truth will impress upon your heart the desire to come and join with us. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Notes

1. See Matthew 16:18–19; Helaman 10:7.
2. See Doctrine and Covenants 84:20.
3. See 2 Nephi 33:10.
4. See “Have I Done Any Good?” Hymns, no. 223.
5. See Articles of Faith 1:11.
6. Title page of the Book of Mormon; see Mormon 8:17.
7. See Hebrews 11:1; Alma 32:21.
8. See F. F. Bosworth, Christ the Healer (1924), 23.
9. Jacob 2:8.
10. See John 6:66.
11. John 6:67–68.
12. See Matthew 16:24.

IMPERATIVES

• If you have left the church; come back - there is room for you regardless of your circumstances, your personal history, or the strength of your testimony
• If you are an active member; make room for people to come back and new converts
• find what you have in common inside your hearts
• accept the diversity of others
• nourish the imperfect, struggling and exhausted
• look for kind, caring, honest and industrious people 
• be kind, caring, honest and industrious
• Freely consecrate all. Evaluate your level in these areas:
• church callings
• home and visiting teaching
• full-time mission
• weekly family home evening
• temple work
• welfare and humanitarian service
• teaching assignments
• 10 hours of General Conference twice a year
• 3 hour meetings each Sunday
• family history
• youth camps
• devotionals
• scripture study
• leadership training
• youth activities
• seminary
• maintain Church buildings
• follow the Lord's law of health
• contribute fast offerings monthly
• pay tithing
• Do not just go to church on Sunday and listen to inspirational sermons and dream of your mansions above
• Put your faith into action
• Roll up your sleeves and become engaged in this great work
• Look for opportunities to transform your talents, compassion and time into good works. 
• See assignments (you volunteer for or are called to) not as burdens but as opportunities to fulfill covenants you gladly made to serve God and His children.
• Walk the path of discipleship to receive precious blessings.
• See your baptism as a starting point on your journey of discipleship
• Walk daily (faithfully) with Jesus Christ to find peace and purpose in your life and to avoid many of the pitfalls, sorrows and regrets in life
• Find greater treasures of knowledge by becoming poor in spirit and honest of heart
• Find healing from suffering or grief
• Seek forgiveness, liberty and rest
• When working with others who have left the church:
• do not assume it is because they are offended, lazy or sinful
• understand there are a variety of situations
• some struggle for years before leaving the Church
• honor personal agency
• respect those who honestly search for truth
• honor others right to worship God the way they want while claiming that privilege for yourself
• invite them to come add their talents, gifts and energies to benefit us all
• nurture and cultivate their seed of faith when there are doubts
• encourage them to "hope for things which are not seen, which are true
• give them a sense of belonging

• If things that have been said or done in the past cause you to question or don't make sense:
• have patience; you do not have all the information 
• the entire truth will eventually be known and you will be satisfied.
• understand that your opinion of the "facts" may end up building faith as things are investigated.
• Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith
• Earnestly desire to overcome your faults and tendency to sin
• With your heart and soul, yearn to become better with the help of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
• Seek the pure doctrine of Christ, the word of God and the sanctifying influence of the Holy Ghost within the Church
• Yearn to know and draw closer to the Savior by serving God and your fellowmen
• Do not abandon the Savior; hold fast to the words of eternal life

DOCTRINAL INSIGHT

• The Lord does not require anything, but asks that you consecrate all
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is one of the fasted growing religions in the world. 
• Reasons people join the church:( checklist for members, do you believe still?)
• It was restored by Jesus Christ himself
• He has authorized the use of His priesthood to baptize, confer the gift of the Holy Ghost and to seal families
• They love the Savior and want to follow Him
• The joy in the knowledge that God speaks to man
• They feel God's power through receiving ordinances and making covenants
• They feel His presence in His holy temples
• They grow closer to the Savior when reading the scriptures
• They grow closer to the Savior when living the teachings of His prophets
• opportunities to serve
• opportunities to put faith into action
• blessings to avoid many pitfalls, sorrow and regrets in life
• find great treasures of knowledge
• find healing
• find forgiveness
• find liberty
• find rest
• Joseph Smith asked questions and sought answers; we respect those who honestly search for truth and their right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience, just as we claim that privilege for ourselves
• There has been nearly 200 years of uninterrupted, inspired, honorable, and divine events in the Church.
• The eternal truth of the restored gospel cannot be tarnished, diminished, or destroyed because of the mistakes of men. 
• No decision of significance affecting this Church or its members is ever made without earnestly seeking the inspiration, guidance, and approval of God.
• One of the purposes of the Church is to nurture and cultivate the seed of faith—even in the sometimes sandy soil of doubt and uncertainty. 
• We live in an age of waning faith when many feel distanced from heaven's embrace.

PROMISES

• Walking the path of discipleship leads to precious blessings. 
• Your daily walk with Jesus Christ will lead you to peace and purpose in this life and profound joy and eternal salvation in the world to come
• God will not allow His Church to drift from its appointed course or fail to fulfill its divine destiny.
• Come join us; here you will find the words of eternal life, the promise of blessed redemption, and the pathway to peace and happiness. 

WARNINGS

• If you do not faithfully follow the path of discipleship you will not be able to avoid all of the many pitfalls, sorrows and regrets of life
• Doubt can hold you prisoner and keep you from the divine love, peace, and gifts that come through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.