Elder Uchtdorf: Doubt, faith, mistakes, leaving and staying

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2013/10?lang=eng&vid=2717004184001

1:33:17

I heard about this talk from a couple of forums. I sat and watched it as soon as I heard about it.

My highlights:

"The church provides opportunities for doing good. Believing in God is commendable but most people want to do more than listen to inspirational sermons of dream of their mansions above they want to put their faith into practice... and that is what happens when they join with us. They have many opportunities to transform their talents, compassion and time into good works. 

"There are some who leave the church they once loved. If the gospel is so wonderful, why would anyone leave? Sometimes we assume it is because they have been offended or lazy or sinful. Actually, it is not that simple. In fact there is not just one reason that applies to the variety of situations. Some of our dear members struggle for years with the question whether they should seperate themselves from the church. In this church that honours agency so strongly... we respect those that honestly search for truth. It may break our hearts when their journey takes them away from the church that we love... but we honour their right to worship the Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience just as we claim the privilege for ourselves.

"Some struggle with unanswered questions about things that have been said or done in the past. We openly acknowledge that in nearly 200 years of Church history — along with an uninterrupted line of inspired, honorable, and divine events — there have been some things said and done that could cause people to question. Sometimes questions arise because we don't have all the information.

"A question that creates doubt in some... can build faith in others. And to be perfectly frank there have been times in the church when members or leaders have simply made mistakes. There may have been things said or done that have not been in harmony with our values, principles or doctrine. I suppose the church would only be perfect if it were run by perfect beings. God is perfect and his doctrine is pure. But he works through us, his imperfecty children and imperfect people make mistakes."

"Stay a little longer."

I was smiling at parts of it. Then it got to the section that talked about the legitimacy of respecting people making choices to leave and worship and other ways, followed by the part on the issues in the history of the church and the mistakes of the past and starting crying violently. It felt like 18 months of pain and anxiety came flooding out. It was cathartic.

I wondered how I, as a 'middle-wayer,' could use and share this talk with other members who may have missed it? I suddenly feel like I want to "Hasten the Work" too. I wanted become a member missionary. Facing in not out. I want to share the best of Uchtdorf and educate the membership on the beauty of the gospel through his expression of Mormonism.

I will follow his call to stay a little longer.