1/22 RS Lesson: "Forget Me Not" -President Uchtdorf

This Sunday's lesson was from a talk given by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf at the September 2011 general Relief Society meeting.  The complete talk can be accessed online through the lds.org, "Forget Me Not," where you can read, print out, share, and listen to President Uchtdorf's message to the women of the church.


As President Uchtdorf reflects over a walk with his wife and daughter through a beautiful garden, he is reminded of the simple beauty of the forget-me-not flower that grows among all the other "glorious blooms."  Though he realizes that it could be easy to overlook such a small flower, he finds that "it is just as beautiful, with its rich color that mirrors that of the bluest skies."  


It was the five pedals of the forget-me-not flower that "prompted [him] to consider five things we would be wise never to forget."

1. Forget not to be patient with yourself:   God is aware that His children are not perfect.  Everyone has strengths and weaknesses.  Even the smallest of successes are noticed by Him.  We must not take these personal improvements for granted, for they will strengthen us to become the great spirits God knows we are capable of being in the long-run.
2. Forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice:  We need to ask ourselves, "Am I committing my time and energies to the things that matter most?"  "There are so many good things to do, but we can't do all of them."  "Heavenly Father is most pleased when we sacrifice something good for something far greater with an eternal perspective."
3. Forget not to be happy now:  It is okay (and good) to work toward higher goals and achievements, but it is important not to overlook the simple things we experience and obtain as we strive for something better.  "The happiest people...are those who, while in pursuit of worthy goals, discover and treasure the beauty and sweetness of the everyday moments."
4. Forget not the "why" of the gospel:  We sometimes focus too much on the "what" and "how" of the gospel.  (How we are supposed to live, what guidelines we must follow, etc...)  It is important to be aware of why we are doing what we're doing.  Keeping the eternal perspective in mind is important in becoming Christ-like.  When we do this, "the gospel ceases to become a burden and, instead, becomes a joy and delight."  
5. Forget not that the Lord loves you: "You are not forgotten."  Each and every one of us is "known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful, and glorious Being in the universe!  You are loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time!"

In closing, President Uchtdorf hopes that the symbolism of the little forget-me-not flower will remind us of the simple joys in life and that each of us are "destined for more than [we] can possibly imagine."