You Can Do It Now!

You Can Do It Now!

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

What stood out to me:

1. Even when we think we cannot rise up, there is still hope. And sometimes we just need someone to look us in the eyes, take our hand, and say, "You Can Do It Now!"

2. No one likes to fail. And we particularly don't like it when others-especially those we love-see us fail. We want to be respected and esteemed. We want to be champions. But we mortals do not become champions without effort and discipline or without making mistakes.

3. Brethren, out destiny is not determined by the number of times we stumble but by the number of times we rise up, dust ourselves off, and move forward.

4. We know this mortal life is a test. But because our Heavenly Father loves us with a perfect love, He shows us where to find the answers. He has given us the map that allows us to navigate the uncertain terrain and unexpected trials that each of us encounters. The words of the prophets are part of this map.

5. Of all the principles taught by prophets over the centuries, one that has been emphasized over and over again is the hopeful and heartwarming message that mankind can repent, change course, and get back on the true path of discipleship.

6. Godly sorrow leads to conversion and a change of heart. It causes us to hate sin and love goodness. It encourages us to stand up and walk in the light of Christ's love. True repentance is about transformation, not torture or torment.

7. We have a champion, a Savior, who walked through the valley of the shadow of death on our behalf. He gave Himself as a ransom for our sins. No one has ever had greater love than this-Jesus Christ, the Lamb without blemish, willing Himself on the altar of sacrifice and paid the price for our sins to "the uttermost farthing".  He took upon Himself our suffering. He took our burdens, our guilt upon His shoulders. My dear friends, when we decide to come to Him, when we take upon ourselves His name and boldly walk in the path of discipleship, then through the Atonement we are promised no only happiness and "peace in this world" but also "eternal life in the world to come."

8. True heartfelt repentance brings with it the heavenly assurance that "We can do it now."

9. Often enough, we are the ones who are being helped up by friends or family. But if we look around with observant eyes and the motive of a caring heart, we will recognize the opportunities that Lord places in front of us to help others rise up and move toward their true potential.

10. It is a great source of spiritual power to live lives of integrity and righteousness and to keep our eyes on where we want to be in the eternities. Even if we can see this divine destination only with the eye of faith, it will help us to stay the course. 

11. Every person, young and old, has had his own personal experience with falling. Falling is what we mortals do. But as long as we are willing to rise up again and continue on the path toward spiritual goals God has given us, we can learn something from failure and become better and happier as a result.

12. My dear brethren, my dear friends, there will be times when you think you cannot continue on. Trust the Savior and His love. With faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the power and hope of the restored gospel, you will be able to walk tall and continue on.

13. We acknowledge that your path will at times be difficult. But I give you this promise in the name of the lord: rise up and follow in the footsteps of our Redeemer and Savior, and one day you will look back and be filled with eternal gratitude that you chose to trust the Atonement and its power to lift you up and give you strength.

14. My dear friends and brethren, no matter how many times you have slipped or fallen rise up! Your destiny is a glorious one! Stand tall and walk in the light of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ! You are stronger than you realize. You are more capable than you can imagine. You can do it now!