"Nourish the Roots, and the Branches Will Grow"

Last updated on December 1st, 2024 at 12:07 am

General Conference Applied

S4 E6 – Sunday, November 24, 2024 | “Nourish the Roots, and the Branches Will Grow” by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf; October 2024 General Conference

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Introduction

“The year 2024 is something of a milestone year for me. It marks 75 years since I was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Zwickau, Germany.

“My membership in the Church of Jesus Christ is precious to me. To be counted among God’s covenant people, with you, my brothers and sisters, is one of the greatest honors of my life.

“When I think about my personal journey of discipleship, my mind often goes back to an old villa in Zwickau, where I have cherished memories of attending sacrament meetings of the Church of Jesus Christ as a child. It is there where the seedling of my testimony received its earliest nourishing.

“This chapel had an old air-driven organ. Every Sunday a young man was assigned to push up and down the sturdy lever operating the bellows to make the organ work. I sometimes had the great privilege of assisting in this important task.

“While the congregation sang our beloved hymns, I pumped with all my strength so the organ would not run out of wind. From the bellows operator seat, I had a great view of some stunning stained-glass windows, one depicting the Savior Jesus Christ and another portraying Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove.

“I can still remember the sacred feelings I had as I looked at those sunlit windows while listening to the testimonies of the Saints and singing the hymns of Zion.

“In that holy place, the Spirit of God bore witness to my mind and heart that it was true: Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. This is His Church. The Prophet Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ and heard Their voices.

“Earlier this year, while on assignment in Europe, I had the opportunity to return to Zwickau. Sadly, that beloved old chapel isn’t there anymore. It was torn down many years ago to make room for a large apartment building.

“I admit that it’s sad to know that this beloved building from my childhood is now just a memory. It was a sacred building to me. But it was just a building.

“By contrast, the spiritual witness I gained from the Holy Ghost those many years ago has not passed away. In fact, it has grown stronger. The things I learned in my youth about the fundamental principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ have been my firm foundation throughout my life. The covenant connection I forged with my Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son has stayed with me—long after the Zwickau chapel was dismantled and the stained-glass windows were lost.” -Elder Uchtdorf
“‘This Is My Gospel’—’This Is My Church’“, Elder Dale G. Renlund, October 2024 General Conference: “People flocked to the Waters of Mormon to hear Alma preach the gospel. Though they revered those waters and the surrounding forests, the Lord’s Church was not a location or a building, nor is it today. The Church is simply ordinary people, disciples of Jesus Christ, gathered and organized into a divinely appointed structure that helps the Lord accomplish His purposes. The Church is the instrument through which we learn the central role of Jesus Christ in Heavenly Father’s plan. The Church offers the authoritative way for individuals to participate in ordinances and make lasting covenants with God. Keeping those covenants draws us closer to God, gives us access to His power, and transforms us into who He intends us to become.”

Bio

“Dieter F. Uchtdorf was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church on October 2, 2004.

“Dieter F. Uchtdorf was born on November 6, 1940, in Ostrava, Czechoslovakia, to Karl Albert and Hildegard Opelt Uchtdorf. In 1947 his family became members of the Church in Zwickau, Germany. They fled to Frankfurt/Main in 1952 where he received an education in engineering. In 1959 he joined the German Air Force and served for six years as a fighter pilot.

“Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Harriet Reich married in 1962. They have two children, six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. With his call as an Apostle, the Uchtdorfs left their homeland and now live permanently in the United States.

“Dieter and Harriet Uchtdorf enjoy outdoor activities, cherish the arts, and are happiest when spending time with their family.

“Elder Uchtdorf was called as Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on February 3, 2008. He served in that position until January 2018. He has served as a General Authority since April 1994.

“In 1965 Dieter F. Uchtdorf began working for Lufthansa German Airlines as a pilot. From 1970 until 1996 he flew as captain of the B737, Airbus, DC10, and B747. While also working as training and check captain, he received several management responsibilities. These positions included Section Chief Pilot B737, head of Lufthansa pilot school in Arizona, head of all cockpit crews, and finally Senior Vice President Flight Operations and Lufthansa Chief Pilot. He was also chairman of the Flight Operations Committee of the International Air Transport Association.”
This was Elder Uchtdorf’s 71st general conference address (the Gospel Library app shows 81 addresses, but 10 of those have been the sustaining of church officers). Here are his five most recent addresses:
- “A Higher Joy” – April 2024 General Conference
- “The Prodigal and the Road That Leads Home” – October 2023 General Conference
- “Jesus Christ Is the Strength of Parents” – April 2023 General Conference
- “Jesus Christ Is the Strength of Youth” – October 2022 General Conference
- “Our Heartfelt All” – April 2022 General Conference

What is the speaker inviting me to do, and how might I consider taking action?

Invitations

1: “If you want to nourish a tree, you don’t splash water on the branches. You water the roots. Similarly, if you want the branches of your testimony to grow and bear fruit, nourish the roots. If you are uncertain about a particular doctrine or practice or element of Church history, seek clarity with faith in Jesus Christ. Seek to understand His sacrifice for you, His love for you, His will for you. Follow Him in humility. The branches of your testimony will draw strength from your deepening faith in Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son.”

To effectively find answers to your gospel questions, prioritize learning about and developing a deeper relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Christlike Attribute: “I seek to understand the truth and find answers to my questions. (Doctrine and Covenants 6:7)” (Knowledge)
“For example, if you want a stronger testimony of the Book of Mormon, focus on its witness of Jesus Christ. Notice how the Book of Mormon testifies of Him, what it teaches about Him, and how it invites and inspires you to come unto Him.

“If you’re seeking a more meaningful experience in Church meetings or in the temple, try looking for the Savior in the sacred ordinances we receive there. Find the Lord in His holy house.

“If you ever feel burned out or overwhelmed by your Church calling, try refocusing your service on Jesus Christ. Make it an expression of your love for Him.

“Nourish the roots, and the branches will grow. And in time, they will bear fruit.” -Elder Uchtdorf
Footnote 10: “Is it interesting to note archaeological similarities between ancient American cultures and Book of Mormon peoples? It can be. Is it helpful to learn from the accounts of scribes and others about the details of how Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon? It is for some. But none of this constitutes a lasting testimony that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. For that, you need to find the Savior in the Book of Mormon, to hear His voice speaking to you. Once this happens, it won’t matter to you where the ancient city of Zarahemla was actually located or what the Urim and Thummim looked like. Those are branches that can be pruned off your tree if needed, but the tree will remain.” -Elder Uchtdorf
Actions:
1. “Answer the primary questions first.”
  - “Stand Forever“, Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge, January 22, 2019, BYU Devotional: “Begin by answering the primary questions. There are primary questions and there are secondary questions. Answer the primary questions first. Not all questions are equal and not all truths are equal. The primary questions are the most important. Everything else is subordinate. There are only a few primary questions. I will mention four of them.
    
    “1. Is there a God who is our Father?
    “2. Is Jesus Christ the Son of God, the Savior of the world?
    “3. Was Joseph Smith a prophet?
    “4. Is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the kingdom of God on the earth?
    
    “By contrast, the secondary questions are unending. They include questions about Church history, polygamy, people of African descent and the priesthood, women and the priesthood, how the Book of Mormon was translated, the Pearl of Great Price, DNA and the Book of Mormon, gay marriage, the different accounts of the First Vision, and on and on.
    
    “If you answer the primary questions, the secondary questions get answered too, or they pale in significance and you can deal with things you understand and things you don’t and things you agree with and things you don’t without jumping ship altogether.”
2. “Increase your understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”
  - “The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again“, President Russell M. Nelson, October 2024 General Conference: “I urge you to devote time each week—for the rest of your life—to increase your understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”
3. “Teach about Jesus Christ no matter what you are teaching.”
  - “Teaching in the Savior’s Way: For All Who Teach in the Home and in the Church” – “Teach about Jesus Christ No Matter What You Are Teaching“: “There are many things to teach about in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ—principles, commandments, prophecies, and scripture stories. But all of these are branches of the same tree, for they all have one purpose: to help all people come unto Christ and be perfected in Him (see Jarom 1:11; Moroni 10:32). So no matter what you are teaching, remember that you are really teaching about Jesus Christ and how to become like Him. The Holy Ghost can help you learn to recognize truths about the Savior and His redeeming power in each gospel principle, commandment, and prophetic teaching (see Jacob 7:10–11).
    
    “Are you teaching about sacrifice? Consider exploring with learners how the sacrifices we make point our souls to the Savior’s ‘great and last sacrifice’ (Alma 34:10). Are you teaching about unity? Consider discussing the unity Jesus Christ achieved with His Father and His invitation for us to be one with Them (see John 17). See every gospel topic as an opportunity to teach and learn about Jesus Christ.
    
    “Every commandment also provides this opportunity. Don’t just focus on the laws of the gospel—learn also about the Lawgiver. If you discuss the Word of Wisdom and stop at the dos and don’ts of healthy living, you miss the opportunity to ponder how deeply Jesus Christ must care about us—both our spiritual and physical well-being—to give us this law. Focus on how willing and anxious the Savior is to bless us with His power to help us live His laws. Every commandment He gives us reveals something about His mind and will and heart—find joy in discovering this together!”
  - Footnote 19: “Interestingly, Korihor’s arguments were entirely unpersuasive among the recently converted Lamanites, the people of Ammon (see Alma 30:19–20), who were following Christ not because of the tradition of their fathers.
    
    “By contrast, the Book of Mormon also tells of a generation of young people who separated themselves from the Lord’s Church because ‘they did not believe the tradition of their fathers’ (see Mosiah 26:1–4). It’s good for families to establish righteous traditions. But it’s just as important for families to clearly understand the why behind those traditions. Why do we pray every morning and night? Why do we have family scripture study? Why do we hold weekly home evening, family activities and service projects, and so on? If our children understand how these traditions draw us closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, they’ll be more likely to continue them—and improve on them—in their own families.”
4. Ask yourself the following question as you study each general conference address: ‘How does this address help me see and love Jesus Christ?’
  - “Sir, We Would Like to See Jesus“, Elder Robert M. Daines, October 2023 General Conference: “That is what we all want—we want to see Jesus for who He is and to feel His love. This should be the reason for most of what we do in the Church—and certainly of every sacrament meeting. If you’re ever wondering what kind of lesson to teach, what kind of meeting to plan, and whether to just give up on the deacons and play dodgeball, you might take this verse as your guide: will this help people see and love Jesus Christ? If not, maybe try something else.”
  - “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” –Stephen R. Covey
5. Journal about this question: “What degree of relationship [do I] want to experience with Jesus Christ?”
  - “Walking in Covenant Relationship with Christ“, President Emily Belle Freeman, October 2023 General Conference: “When I returned home from Israel, I listened more closely to the conversations around me regarding covenants. I noticed people asking, Why should I walk a covenant path? Do I need to enter a house for making covenants? Why do I wear the holy garment? Should I invest in a covenant relationship with the Lord? The answer to these good and important questions is simple: it depends on what degree of relationship you want to experience with Jesus Christ. Each of us will have to discover our own response to those deeply personal questions.”

2: “We must ask ourselves: Is my testimony based on what I hope to happen in my life? Is it dependent on the actions or attitudes of others? Or is it firmly founded on Jesus Christ, ‘rooted and built up in him,’ regardless of life’s changing circumstances?”

Ask ourselves: Is my testimony built upon the rock of Jesus Christ? Or on something else?
Christlike Attribute: “I believe in Christ and accept Him as my Savior. (2 Nephi 25:29) (Faith)
“At first, we may be drawn to the Savior’s gospel and Church because we are impressed by the friendly members or by the kind bishop or the clean looks of the chapel. These circumstances are certainly important to grow the Church.

“Nevertheless, if the roots of our testimony never grow deeper than that, what will happen when we move to a ward that meets in a less impressive building, with members who aren’t so friendly, and the bishop says something that offends us?

“Another example: Doesn’t it seem reasonable to hope that if we keep the commandments and are sealed in the temple, we will be blessed with a large, happy family with bright, obedient children, all of whom stay active in the Church, serve missions, sing in the ward choir, and volunteer to help clean the meetinghouse every Saturday morning?

“I certainly hope that all of us will see this in our lives. But what if it doesn’t happen? Will we stay bound to the Savior regardless of circumstances—trusting Him and His timing? …

“A testimony is not something that you build once and it stands forever. It’s more like a tree that you nourish constantly. Planting the word of God in your heart is only the first step. Once your testimony starts to grow, then the real work begins! That’s when you ‘nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit.’ It takes ‘great diligence’ and ‘patience with the word.’ But the Lord’s promises are sure: ‘Ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you.'” …

“It is my sincere prayer and blessing that we will constantly nourish the roots of our faith in the Savior, in His doctrine, and in His Church.” -Elder Uchtdorf
Actions:
1. Better understand how to build upon the rock of Jesus Christ.
  - “‘Be Still, and Know That I Am God’“, Elder David A. Bednar, April 2024 General Conference: “The symbolism of Christ as the ‘rock’ upon whom we should build the foundation of our lives is most instructive. Please note in this verse that the Savior is not the foundation. Rather, we are admonished to build our personal spiritual foundation upon Him.
    
    “The foundation is the part of a building that connects it to the ground. A strong foundation provides protection from natural disasters and many other destructive forces. A proper foundation also distributes the weight of a structure over a large area to avoid overloading the underlying soil and provides a level surface for construction.
    
    “A strong and reliable connection between the ground and a foundation is essential if a structure is to remain sturdy and stable over time. And for particular types of construction, anchor pins and steel rods can be used to attach the foundation of a building to ‘bedrock,’ the hard, solid rock beneath surface materials such as soil and gravel.
    
    “In a similar way, the foundation of our lives must be connected to the rock of Christ if we are to remain firm and steadfast. The sacred covenants and ordinances of the Savior’s restored gospel can be compared to the anchor pins and steel rods used to connect a building to bedrock. Every time we faithfully receive, review, remember, and renew sacred covenants, our spiritual anchors are secured ever more firmly and steadfastly to the ‘rock’ of Jesus Christ.”
  - That statement is important: “Every time we faithfully receive, review, remember, and renew sacred covenants, our spiritual anchors are secured ever more firmly and steadfastly to the ‘rock’ of Jesus Christ.”
2. Focus on Jesus Christ and His gospel.
  - “Joy and Spiritual Survival“, President Russell M. Nelson, October 2016 General Conference: “My dear brothers and sisters, the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.
    
    “When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation … and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives. Joy comes from and because of Him. He is the source of all joy.”
3. Journal about this question: ‘Am I allowing anything to come between me and Jesus Christ and His Church?’
  - “The Testimony of Jesus“, Elder D. Todd Christofferson, April 2024 General Conference: “Years ago, Elder John H. Groberg related the story of a young family living in a small branch in Hawaii in the early 1900s. They had been members of the Church for about two years when one of their daughters fell ill with an undiagnosed disease and was hospitalized. At church the next Sunday, the father and his son prepared the sacrament as they did most weeks, but as the young father knelt to bless the bread, the branch president, suddenly realizing who was at the sacrament table, jumped up and cried, ‘Stop. You can’t touch the sacrament. Your daughter has an unknown disease. Leave immediately while someone else fixes new sacrament bread. We can’t have you here. Go.’ The stunned father searchingly looked at the branch president and then the congregation and, sensing the depth of anxiety and embarrassment from all, motioned to his family, and they quietly filed out of the chapel.
    
    “Not a word was said as, dejectedly, the family walked along the trail to their small home. There they sat in a circle, and the father said, ‘Please be silent until I am ready to speak.’ The young son wondered what they would do to get revenge for the shame they had suffered: would they kill the branch president’s pigs, or burn his house, or join another church? Five, ten, fifteen, twenty-five minutes passed in silence.
    
    “The father’s clenched fists began to relax, and tears formed. The mother began to cry, and soon each of the children was quietly weeping. The father turned to his wife and said, ‘I love you,’ and then repeated those words to each of their children. ‘I love all of you and I want us to be together, forever, as a family. And the only way that can be is for all of us to be good members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and be sealed by the holy priesthood in the temple. This is not the branch president’s church. It is the Church of Jesus Christ. We will not allow any man or any hurt or embarrassment or pride to keep us from being together forever. Next Sunday we will go back to church. We will stay by ourselves until our daughter’s sickness is known, but we will go back.’
    
    “They did go back, their daughter recovered, and the family was sealed in the Laie Hawaii Temple when it was completed. Today, well over 100 souls call their father, grandfather, and great-grandfather blessed because he kept his eyes on eternity.”
4. Journal about this question: ‘Do I believe that my obedience to God should lead to ‘specific outcomes on a fixed schedule’?
  - “Our Relationship with God“, Elder D. Todd Christofferson, April 2022 General Conference: “It truly is folly for us with our mortal myopia to presume to judge God, to think, for example, ‘I’m not happy, so God must be doing something wrong.’ To us, His mortal children in a fallen world, who know so little of past, present, and future, He declares, ‘All things are present with me, for I know them all.’ Jacob wisely cautions: ‘Seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that he counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his works.’
    
    “Some misunderstand the promises of God to mean that obedience to Him yields specific outcomes on a fixed schedule. They might think, ‘If I diligently serve a full-time mission, God will bless me with a happy marriage and children’ or ‘If I refrain from doing schoolwork on the Sabbath, God will bless me with good grades’ or ‘If I pay tithing, God will bless me with that job I’ve been wanting.’ If life doesn’t fall out precisely this way or according to an expected timetable, they may feel betrayed by God. But things are not so mechanical in the divine economy. We ought not to think of God’s plan as a cosmic vending machine where we (1) select a desired blessing, (2) insert the required sum of good works, and (3) the order is promptly delivered.
    
    “God will indeed honor His covenants and promises to each of us. We need not worry about that. The atoning power of Jesus Christ—who descended below all things and then ascended on high and who possesses all power in heaven and in earth—ensures that God can and will fulfill His promises. It is essential that we honor and obey His laws, but not every blessing predicated on obedience to law is shaped, designed, and timed according to our expectations. We do our best but must leave to Him the management of blessings, both temporal and spiritual.”
5. Work on your testimony like experts work on their craft.
  - “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” by Angela Duckworth: “Grit is about holding the same top-level goal for a very long time. …
    
    “This is how experts practice: First, they set a stretch goal, zeroing in on just one narrow aspect of their overall performance. Rather than focus on what they already do well, experts strive to improve specific weaknesses. They intentionally seek out challenges they can’t yet meet. …
    
    “Then, with undivided attention and great effort, experts strive to reach their stretch goal. Interestingly, many choose to do so while nobody’s watching. …
    
    “As soon as possible, experts hungrily seek feedback on how they did. Necessarily, much of that feedback is negative. This means that experts are more interested in what they did wrong—so they can fix it—than what they did right. The active processing of this feedback is as essential as its immediacy. …
    
    “And after feedback, then what?
    
    “Then experts do it all over again, and again, and again. Until they have finally mastered what they set out to do. Until what was a struggle before is now fluent and flawless. Until conscious incompetence becomes unconscious competence. …
    
    “And . . . then what? What follows mastery of a stretch goal?
    
    “Then experts start all over again with a new stretch goal.
    
    “One by one, these subtle refinements add up to dazzling mastery.”
  - If athletes, entertainers, and musicians put this much work into their craft, then why shouldn’t we put this much work into building our testimonies upon the rock of Jesus Christ?

Take Action

How will you take action on the invitations extended in this General Conference address?

Conclusion

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Additional Content

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