Restoration: Wake Up To The Benefits Of Sleep

In his address, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf referenced the short story Rip Van Winkle, in which the protagonist sleeps for 20 years and misses the American Revolution. Uchtdorf draws a parallel to the ongoing Restoration, suggesting that individuals may be sleeping through this significant period in history. He highlights three reasons why people may become sleepy regarding the building of God's kingdom: selfishness, addiction, and competing priorities. Uchtdorf emphasizes the need to actively engage in selfless service, avoid addictive habits, and prioritize our commitment to God and our neighbors to ensure we do not sleep through the Restoration.

Selfishness

Selfish people seek their own interests and pleasure above all else. The central question for a selfish person is "What's in it for me?". This attitude is contrary to the spirit required to build God's kingdom. When people seek self-service over selfless service, their priorities become centred on their own recognition and pleasure.

Past generations had their struggles with variations of egotism and narcissism, but today's preoccupation with the self seems to be even more pronounced. The Oxford Dictionary's word of the year was once "selfie", which is indicative of a culture of self-interest and self-absorption.

While it is natural to desire recognition, and there is nothing wrong with relaxing and enjoying oneself, when seeking the "gain and praise of the world" becomes a central motivation, people will miss the redemptive and joyful experiences that come when they give generously of themselves to the work of the Lord.

The remedy for selfishness is found in the words of Christ:

> "Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it."

Those who turn their lives over to the Saviour and serve God and their fellow humans will discover a richness and fullness to life that the selfish will never experience. The unselfish give of themselves, and these gifts of charity can have a grand impact: a smile, a handshake, a hug, time spent listening, a soft word of encouragement, or a gesture of caring. All these acts of kindness can change hearts and lives. When people take advantage of the unlimited opportunities to love and serve their fellow humans, including their spouse and family, their capacity to love God and to serve others will greatly increase.

Those who serve others will not sleep through the restoration.

Addiction

In his address, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf refers to the short story "Rip Van Winkle", whose titular character slept for 20 years and missed the American Revolution. Uchtdorf uses this story as a metaphor for those who are "sleeping through the Restoration". He argues that the Restoration of the gospel is not a completed process but rather an ongoing one, and that people should not be passive observers but active participants in this process.

Uchtdorf identifies addiction as the second reason why people sleep through the restoration. He describes addictions as "thin threads of repeated action that weave themselves into thick bonds of habit", and that negative habits can become consuming addictions. These addictions can take many forms, such as pornography, alcohol, drugs, gambling, work, or even video games.

Uchtdorf emphasizes that addictions are much easier to prevent than to cure, and that the best defense against addiction is to never start. However, for those who are already struggling with addiction, he offers hope and encouragement. He urges them to seek help from loved ones, Church leaders, and trained counselors, assuring them that with the Savior's help, they can break free from addiction.

He also addresses the role of Satan in addiction, stating that he uses these chains of addiction to rob people of their divine potential and their ability to accomplish their mission in the Lord's kingdom. Uchtdorf reminds his audience that they are sons of the Most High, designed to soar freely, and that they should not allow themselves to be shackled by addictions of their own making.

Competing priorities

In his priesthood session address, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf refers to the character Rip Van Winkle, who slept for 20 years and missed the American Revolution. Uchtdorf uses this story to ask: "Are you sleeping through the Restoration?". Uchtdorf notes that the Restoration is an ongoing process, and that we are living in it right now.

Uchtdorf identifies three major reasons why it is "easy to become a bit sleepy with regard to building the kingdom of God". The third reason he identifies is competing priorities.

Uchtdorf observes that some people are so busy that they feel pulled in many different directions, like a "cart pulled by a dozen work animals". While people may be devoting their best efforts to hobbies, sports, work, and community or political issues, Uchtdorf asks whether these things are leaving people with enough time and energy for their highest priorities.

Uchtdorf identifies these highest priorities as loving God and loving one's neighbour. He quotes from the Bible: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Uchtdorf notes that even in Church service, it is easy to go through the motions without the heart or substance of discipleship.

Uchtdorf calls on people to awaken, saying: "There is too much at stake for us as individuals, as families, and as Christ's Church to give only a half-hearted effort to this sacred work". He concludes that being a disciple of Jesus Christ is "not an effort of once a week or once a day. It is an effort of once and for all".

Self-service over selfless-service

In President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's address, he asks: "Are you sleeping through the Restoration?" He refers to the character Rip Van Winkle, who slept for 20 years and missed the American Revolution. Uchtdorf suggests that we are currently living through the Restoration, a period of preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Uchtdorf identifies three reasons why it is easy to become "a bit sleepy" when it comes to building God's kingdom. The first is seeking self-service over selfless service, which leads to a focus on personal recognition and pleasure rather than the work of the Lord. This can be combated with simple acts of kindness and charity.

The second reason is addiction, which can take many forms and is easier to prevent than to cure. Uchtdorf advises listening to the warnings of loved ones, religious leaders, and the Savior when tempted. He also offers hope to those struggling with addiction, encouraging them to seek help and reminding them that the Savior can help them break free.

The third reason is competing priorities, where people become so busy with hobbies, sports, or other interests that they do not have time or energy for their highest priorities, such as loving God and their neighbour.

Uchtdorf emphasizes that being a disciple of Jesus Christ is not a once-a-week or daily effort but "an effort of once and for all." He calls on his audience to awaken and not give only a half-hearted effort to this sacred work, as there is too much at stake.

Half-hearted efforts

In his address, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf refers to the short story "Rip Van Winkle", whose titular character slept for 20 years and missed the American Revolution. In a similar vein, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. used this story as an illustration for his speech, "Don't Sleep Through the Revolution". President Uchtdorf asks: "Are you sleeping through the Restoration?"

The Restoration, or the restoration of the gospel, is often viewed as something that has already been completed with the work of Joseph Smith. However, President Uchtdorf highlights that it is an ongoing process that we are currently living through, a period of preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

With this context, President Uchtdorf identifies three major reasons why individuals may sleep through the Restoration, giving it only a half-hearted effort:

• Selfishness and Self-Service: Prioritising self-interest, recognition, and pleasure over serving God and others. This attitude is contrary to building God's kingdom, and those who seek self-service will miss out on the redemptive and joyful experiences that come from selfless service.
• Addiction: Addictions often start subtly and can take many forms, such as pornography, alcohol, drugs, gambling, or even work. These addictions are chains that rob individuals of their divine potential and prevent them from fully contributing to the Lord's work.
• Competing Priorities: Being pulled in too many directions by various commitments and interests. While hobbies, sports, and community issues are important, they may distract from our highest priorities: loving God and loving our neighbour. It is easy to go through the motions in Church service without truly embodying discipleship.

President Uchtdorf emphasises that there is too much at stake to give only half-hearted efforts to this sacred work. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ requires a full and unwavering commitment.

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