President Dieter F. Uchtdorf addressed the members of the priesthood session about personal purity while warning not to accuse others of imperfections.
President Uchtdorf started by sharing the story of the last day of Jesus’ mortal experience. As Jesus broke bread he asked a question of his disciples that caused a feeling of “great alarm and deep sadness.”
Jesus said to his disciples “One of you shall betray me.”
President Uchtdorf stated that instead of the disciples pointing fingers at one another they asked, “Lord, is it I?”
“In these simple words, ‘Lord, is it I?’ lies the beginning of wisdom and the pathway to personal conversion and lasting change,” President Uchtdorf said.
He gave another reference to the teachings of Jesus found in the New Testament about beams and motes. He talked about how sometimes members can see the faults in others quite easily but struggle to see the problems found within themselves.
“I’m not sure why we are able to diagnose and recommend remedies for other people’s ills so well, while we often have difficulty seeing our own,” he said.
President Uchtdorf cautioned priesthood holders about spiritual blind spots. He warned about the rationalization of neglecting scripture study, church attendance and payment of an honest tithe and how it blinds us from the light of the gospel.
“Blindness to our weakness will also blind us to the divine potential within us from our Heavenly Father,” President Uchtdorf said.
He urged those in attendance to be careful about where their hearts are. He counseled them to make sure they are standing in the light of the gospel, ensuring promised blessings from obedience to the commandments.
For those wondering about how they stand before Jesus and God, President Uchtdorf gave direction that personal study of the scriptures and talks from General Conference can be like a mirror for self examination.
“The good news helps us become good,” President Uchtdorf said.
To watch the full address, click here.
