What Elder Uchtdorf Has to Say to Teens Seeking for Success

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared words of inspiration on his Instagram. He posted the following:

When I think of you youth and young adults, I feel a deep tenderness toward you. When I think of you, I see me!

As a young man, I stood at the fence of an international airport and watched those “magnificent flying machines.” How I wanted to be in the cockpit of one of those impressive airplanes and feel the thrill of rising up from the ground, climbing above the clouds, and traveling unto new horizons.

But was that dream possible? I was not born into wealth. My family had twice been refugees, taking only what we could carry. I was considered by some to be an outsider. While other children played with their friends, I had to spend my afternoons and weekends working in our family laundry business, often as a delivery boy.

I say this because some of you might also be wondering if your dreams will ever become reality. I understand what you are feeling. If I could go back in time and talk to that young boy who stood on the other side of the fence yearning for a better future, I would say:

“It’s not going to be easy, but you can do it. You will be all right. The journey will be filled with challenges, Dieter. But the struggle itself will transform you into the person you want to be. Work hard. Be consistent. Focus on the things you can change, not so much on the things you cannot change. Have faith. Have hope. Trust in God. Know that if you do your part, things will work out.”

This is also my advice to you today. No matter how far away your destination feels, know this: you may not get to where you want to go in a day or a week or even a year. But if you continue to place one foot in front of the other and strive each day to follow your plan, things will work out and you will reach your goals. You will certainly find surprises and unexpected challenges during your adventure, but those are the things that make a successful story—your life story! And, especially, remember that if you trust in the Lord, learn of Him, have faith in Him, He will direct your path.