Comments on: Dieter Friedrich Uchtdorf https://historyofmormonism.com/2008/07/08/dieter_f_uchtdorf/ Mon, 27 Jun 2016 13:43:51 +0000 hourly 1 By: Allen C. Christensen https://historyofmormonism.com/2008/07/08/dieter_f_uchtdorf/#comment-339049 Mon, 27 Jun 2016 13:43:51 +0000 http://www.historyofmormonism.com/?p=45#comment-339049 On December 2, 2000, Elder Uchtdorf presided at the conference of the Chino California Stake. Just prior to the beginning of the general session he came to my place in the choir and said: “I understand you are the pioneer in this stake. I want to thank you for what you have done for these people, and now you are supporting by singing in the choir.” I said that we had just returned from a second full-time mission. He inquired as to where we had served. I reported lastly as executive secretary in the Pacific Islands Area and prior to that as president of the Philippines San Fernando Mission. He graciously thanked me again for our service and returned to his seat. Just prior to his giving the concluding address, he instructed the stake president to invite me to bear my testimony. As I approached him I asked: “Two minutes?” He replied, “No, five.” It had been a memorable morning for my wife and me as our third son, Niel Daniel Christensen, had been approved for ordination to high priest and called to the stake high council. It was a little difficult to speak. I said that one of the traits that had characterized the early Latter-day Saints was that of adventure. It was a trait and an attitude forged in the fires of conversion. I spoke briefly about the need for missionary couples and mentioned the especially effective service of Rodney and Arleen Nelson in American Samoa and Tonga. (Rodney Nelson had served as my first counselor for the nine years I had been stake president.)I closed with a declaration of faith. Elder Uchtdorf then invited all of the returned missionaries who had returned home in the last 12 months to come to the stand. He interviewed each asking where they had served and if it had been the right mission. One young man said his mission was the South Dakota Rapid City Mission, and he did not think it had been the right mission until his plane flew out of Rapid City en route home, and then he knew that it had been the right call. Elder Uchtdorf gave a stirring sermon about missionary service. Afterward, while we were visiting with friends, Elder Udhtdorf came and hugged both my wife and I, and thanked me for my testimony. He was the epitome of warmth and graciousness. I made a lengthy journal entry about the impact he had on me. Clearly, the feelings of that special morning are still bright in my memory.

I am grateful to have read this wonderful piece about President Uchtdorf which portrays the special qualities of this marvelous man.
Allen C. Christensen

]]> By: Joy https://historyofmormonism.com/2008/07/08/dieter_f_uchtdorf/#comment-19 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:13:55 +0000 http://www.historyofmormonism.com/?p=45#comment-19 I am once again amazed at the power of the Gospel! And reminded that it is not what Religion we align ourselves with but that we have a deep and abiding relationship with Jesus Christ and the Father, God, who gave us the Gospel. His Word became flesh and dwelt among us! His word has power to change our lives from the sadness of sin to the Hope of eternal life. We are blessed!

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