Dieter F. Uchtdorf - The Gospel at 30,000 Feet

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Art direction by Richard Erickson. Design by Sheryl Dickert Smith.

2017 Dieter F. Uchtdorf

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Uchtdorf, Dieter F., author.

Title: The gospel at 30,000 feet / Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

Other titles: Gospel at thirty thousand feet

Description: Salt Lake City, Utah : Deseret Book, [2017] | Includes bibliographical references.

Identifiers: LCCN 2017040433 | ISBN 9781629723969 (hardbound : alk. paper)

Subjects: LCSH: Christian lifeMormon authors. | MormonsConduct of life. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsDoctrines. | Mormon ChurchDoctrines.

Classification: LCC BX8656 .U2324 2017 | DDC 248.4/89332dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017040433

Printed in the United States of America

Publishers Printing, Salt Lake City, UT

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

To Harriet,
the sunshine of my life

Publishers Preface

From the time President Dieter F. Uchtdorf first took the pulpit at general conference, members around the world have loved his stories about airplanes and the poignant gospel lessons he draws from them. In fact, his history of sharing tales of flight has led many listeners to find themselves internally asking a question as soon as he gets up to speakthe same question President Uchtdorf voiced one memorable conference: What does it have to do with flying an airplane?

Through the stories, lessons, and parables that have been gathered in this book, President Uchtdorf teaches readers exactly what every it has to do with flying an airplaneand what that has to do with the gospel of Jesus Christ. President Uchtdorf has made it clear over the years that if there is one thing he loves more than flying, it is the gospel that invites us to come unto Christ and be perfected in Him. President Uchtdorfs unique perspective as an Apostle of the Lord and one of the top pilots in the world provides an aerial view for us to chart the course the Lord would have us follow in our lives. His stories and analogies teach us about this journey of life, complete with lift, drag, turbulence, and guidance, as well as the joy well find in reaching our ultimate destination.

President Uchtdorf certainly knows something about trusting in the path the Lord has set out for us. From an early childhood in what was then Czechoslovakia, to his youth as a refugee in Germany, to his education and military experience that took him across the world, President Uchtdorfs course of life has not followed any straight and obvious line. But it is evident that the Lords hand was guiding him every step of the way, preparing him to fulfill the roles coming to himhusband, father, pilot, Apostle.

It seems almost beyond probability that a young boy from Europe who was forced to flee his home more than once without any possessions in a dangerous, war-torn era would not simply survive but would find the gospel of Jesus Christ and grow up to become senior vice president and chief pilot of a major airline and Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But President Uchtdorfs lifelong demonstration of the principles of lift, guidance, weathering turbulence, and reaching the destinations his Father in Heaven had planned for him have defied probability. His airplane stories teach powerful lessons, characterize his life of discipleship, and offer us guidance as we also strive to soar to our highest potential and navigate a life centered on and directed by Christ.

Lufthansa Chief Pilot and Senior Vice President, Flight Operations, 1982.

The Savior: The Wind beneath Our Wings

During my professional life as an airline pilot, I sometimes had passengers visit the cockpit of my Boeing 747. They asked about the many switches, instruments, systems, and procedures and how all this technical equipment would help such a huge and beautiful airplane fly.

As with all pilots, I enjoyed the fact that they were impressed by the apparent complexity of this plane and that they wondered what kind of magnificent and brilliant person it takes to operate it! (At this point of my story, my wife and children would kindly interrupt and say with a twinkling in their eyes, Pilots are born with a great measure of natural humility!)

To the visitors in my cockpit, I would explain that it takes a great aerodynamic design, many auxiliary systems and programs, and powerful engines to make this flying machine equal to the task of bringing comfort and safety to those joining the flight.

To simplify my explanation by focusing on the basics, I would add that all you really need is a strong forward thrust, a powerful upward lift, and the right aircraft attitude, and the laws of nature will carry the 747 and its passengers safely across continents and oceans, over high mountains and dangerous thunderstorms to its destination.

In recent years, I have often contemplated that being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invites us to ask similar questions. What are the basics, the fundamental principles of our membership in the kingdom of God on earth? After all is said and done, what will really carry us at times of greatest need to our desired eternal destination?

The Church, with all its organizational structure and programs, offers for its members many important activities aimed at helping families and individuals to serve God and each other. Sometimes, however, it can appear that these programs and activities are closer to the center of our heart and soul than the core doctrines and principles of the gospel. Procedures, programs, policies, and patterns of organization are helpful for our spiritual progress here on earth, but lets not forget that they are subject to change.

In contrast, the core of the gospelthe doctrine and the principleswill never change. Living according to the basic gospel principles will bring power, strength, and spiritual self-reliance into the lives of all Latter-day Saints.

To follow Christ is to become more like Him. It is to learn from His character. As spirit children of our Heavenly Father, we do have the potential to incorporate Christlike attributes into our life and character. The Savior invites us to learn His gospel by living His teachings. To follow Him is to apply correct principles and then witness for ourselves the blessings that follow. This process is very complex and very simple at the same time. Ancient and modern prophets described it with three words: Keep the commandmentsnothing more, nothing less.