Mormon women urged to focus on 'why' of gospel

The forget-me-not flower can be a symbol of little things that sweeten the lives of women in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said President Dieter F. Uchtdorf during church's General Relief Society Meeting on Sept. 24.

"There is something inspiring and sublime about the little forget-me-not flower," he said.

Speaking to a capacity congregation in the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City, President Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency, used the forget-me-not flower — which has five petals — as a metaphor to illustrate five things he would like the women in the church to remember.

"Never forget that you must be patient and compassionate with yourselves, that some sacrifices are better than others, that you need not wait for a golden ticket to be happy. Please never forget that the 'why' of the gospel of Jesus Christ will inspire and uplift you. And never forget that your Heavenly Father knows, loves and cherishes you."

In addition to President Uchtdorf, Sister Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president, and her counselors, Sister Silvia H. Allred and Sister Barbara Thompson, spoke. President Thomas S. Monson and President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency, also attended the meeting, which was broadcast to LDS meetinghouses across the globe.

During his remarks, President Uchtdorf asked Latter-day Saint women worldwide to not forget five things:

First, forget not to be patient with yourself. "I want to tell you something and I hope you will take it the right way. God is fully aware that you and I are not perfect," he said. "Let me add: God is fully aware that the people you think are perfect are not."

Second, forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice. "An acceptable sacrifice is when we give up something good for something of far greater worth," said President Uchrtdorf.

Third, forget not to be happy now. Recalling the children's story "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," President Uchtdorf said people were looking for a golden ticket in a candy bar. Unfortunately, the candy bar itself became an utter disappointment if it did not contain a gold ticket, he explained.

"So many people today are waiting for their own golden ticket — the ticket that they believe holds the key to the happiness they have always dreamed about."

The problem, he added, comes when a person puts their happiness on hold as they wait for some future event — or gold ticket — to appear.