President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: 'You are my hands'

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf began his Sunday morning conference address by relating the story of a large statue of Jesus that was severely damaged during a World War II bombing of a city. Experts were able to repair most of the statue, but the hands had been damaged so severely that they could not be restored. The statue remained without hands. The people of the city added to the base of the statue of Jesus Christ a sign: "You are my hands."

'We are the hands of Christ'

Second counselor in the First Presidency, President Uchtdorf said, "When I think of the Savior, I often picture Him with hands outstretched; reaching out to comfort, heal, bless, and love. And He always talked with — never down to — people. He loved the humble and the meek and walked among them, ministering to them and offering hope and salvation.

"This is what He did during His mortal life; it is what He would be doing if He were living among us today; and it is what we should be doing as His disciples and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. … As we emulate His perfect example we can become His hands; our eyes, His eyes; our heart, His heart."

'Our hands can embrace'

President Uchtdorf recollected details arising from his experience as a boy living in the aftermath of World War II in a severely depleted Germany. Humanitarian aid from the Church came to Germany in the form of food and clothing.

"To this day, I can still remember the smell of the clothing and I can still taste the sweetness of the canned peaches," he recalled.

Some German families joined the Church solely because of that humanitarian aid. Unfortunately, many established members looked down upon the new converts — even referring to them by the offensive name "canned-food Mormons." President Uchtdorf expressed his hope that Church members today will embrace new converts better than what transpired in post-World War II Germany.

"I hope we welcome and love all of God's children, including those who might dress, look, speak, or just do things differently," he said. "It is not good to make others feel as though they are deficient. Let us lift those around us. Let us extend a welcoming hand. Let us bestow upon our brothers and sisters in the Church a special measure of humanity, compassion and charity so that they feel, at long last, they have finally found home."

'Our hands can comfort'