Dieter Friedrich Uchtdorf, born on November 6, 1940, has led a multifaceted life as a German aviator, airline executive, and prominent religious leader. His journey is marked by resilience, leadership, and a deep commitment to his faith. He is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
Early Life and Overcoming Adversity
Dieter Friedrich Uchtdorf was born in Moravská Ostrava, Czechoslovakia, during World War II. At the time it was in the Nazi-occupied Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia (now Ostrava, Czech Republic). His parents were Karl Albert Uchtdorf and Hildegard Else Opelt. His father was conscripted into the German army. The family faced considerable hardship during and after the war. They were refugees with an uncertain future. Uchtdorf recalls playing in bombed-out houses and growing up with the ever-present consequences of a lost war, along with the awareness that his country had inflicted terrible pain on many nations during World War II.
His family joined the LDS Church when he was young because of his grandmother's encounter with a member in a soup line. When Uchtdorf was about eleven, his father's political beliefs, incongruent with Soviet rule, earned him the label of "dissenter", which put their lives in danger. His sisters escaped by jumping from a moving train that passed through West Germany, while Dieter and his mother climbed a mountain to avoid GDR guard checkpoints.
Education and Professional Career
Uchtdorf started studying mechanical engineering at age 18. He later continued in business administration in Cologne and graduated from Institut pour l'Etude des Methodes de Direction de l'Entreprise (today the International Institute for Management Development) in Lausanne, Switzerland, with an MBA. He received an honorary doctorate in international leadership from Brigham Young University during the April 2009 graduation ceremony.
In 1959, Uchtdorf volunteered for the air force, at age 19, to become a fighter pilot. Due to an agreement between the West German and US governments, Uchtdorf trained as a fighter pilot in Big Spring, Texas, where he excelled, earning the coveted Commander's Trophy (USAF) for being the best student pilot in his class. After earning wings from both the German and US air forces, he served for six years as a fighter pilot in West Germany, leaving in 1965 to join Lufthansa.
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By 1970, at 29 years of age, Uchtdorf had reached the rank of captain with Lufthansa. He was appointed in 1975 as head of Lufthansa's new Arizona Training School. In 1980 he was made head chief pilot of cockpit crews, followed by appointment to senior vice president of flight operations in 1982.
Religious Service
Uchtdorf's service within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been extensive and impactful.
Early Callings
Uchtdorf was sustained as a General Authority Seventy in the Second Quorum of the Seventy on April 2, 1994, serving until April 6, 1996. He was then sustained as a General Authority Seventy in the First Quorum of the Seventy from April 6, 1996, to October 2, 2004. From August 15, 2002, until October 2, 2004, he served as a President in the Presidency of the Seventy.
Apostle
Called as an apostle in 2004, Uchtdorf filled the vacancy left by the passing of Elder Neal A. Maxwell. He was sustained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on 2 October 2004 and ordained an apostle on 7 October 2004 by church president Gordon B. Hinckley. Uchtdorf and David A. Bednar were called to fill the vacancies created by the July 2004 deaths of quorum members David B. Haight and Neal A. Maxwell. Uchtdorf was the first church apostle ordained in the 21st century and the eleventh apostle of the LDS Church to be born outside the United States. He is the first German apostle in church history and was the first born outside of North America since the death of John A. Widtsoe in 1952.
Second Counselor in the First Presidency
On February 3, 2008, Uchtdorf was called as Second Counselor in the First Presidency under President Thomas S. Monson, following the death of President Gordon B. Hinckley. He served in this role until Monson's death on January 2, 2018. During his time in the First Presidency, Uchtdorf dedicated several temples around the world, including those in Tegucigalpa, Honduras; Quetzaltenango, Guatemala; Manaus, Brazil; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Cordoba, Argentina; Trujillo, Peru; Tijuana, Mexico; Fort Collins, Colorado; and Tucson, Arizona.
Read also: Faith and Overcoming Fear: Uchtdorf's Story
Return to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
With the dissolution of the First Presidency upon President Monson's death, Uchtdorf returned to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. When the First Presidency was reorganized under new church president Russell M. Nelson, Uchtdorf was not retained as a counselor but continued his service in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Following his return, he received new assignments, as announced on January 22, 2018.
Dedication of Lands and Temples
While in Slovakia on 12 May 2006, Uchtdorf offered a prayer dedicating the land "for the preaching of the gospel", an LDS Church leadership custom usually observed at the time missionaries arrive in a new country.
Personal Life and Values
Dieter F. Uchtdorf married Harriet Reich on 14 December 1962 in the Swiss Temple. They have two children. Beyond his leadership roles, Dieter F. Uchtdorf is known for his warm teaching style and messages of faith, hope, and discipleship.
Recent Quotes and Teachings
In honor of his 83rd birthday, here are nine quotes from Elder Uchtdorf in the past year:
- The temple bridges borders: "In a world with a lot of walls, we need to continue to build bridges. The temple is a beautiful symbol for that peaceful effort, and it will radiate throughout the community here, … and it will spread out all across the world."
- The road that leads home: "Though choices may have taken you far away from the Savior and His Church, the Master Healer stands at the road that leads home, welcoming you. And we as members of the Church of Jesus Christ seek to follow His example and embrace you as our brothers and sisters, as our friends. We rejoice and celebrate with you."
- Unity between missionaries and Church members: "We may have different assignments, but it is not a different work. We all serve one Master, Jesus Christ, and it is all one work - His work."
- 'I am a disciple of Jesus Christ': "The great gift is the sacrifice of His Son, the Beloved Savior. It is Jesus Christ who is at the center, and this great gift fills my heart with great gratitude. … I bear witness of Him. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ."
- The core doctrine of Jesus Christ is solid, firm, real: "It is more solid and more firm than the Giza pyramids. It is real to us, and we can trust it."
- 'The Lord loves you': "My message to all parents is this: The Lord loves you. He is with you. He stands beside you. He is your strength in guiding your children to make righteous choices."
- Ministry in India: "I invite you to grow the Church here. Love the people, share with them why you love the gospel and the Church of Jesus Christ, and invite them to come and see, come and help, and come and belong."
- 'God is not your opposition': "Remember, because He loves you, He does not remove obstacles from your paths. He does not lower standards to make things easier for you. But even as you stumble, struggle or try to resist His help, He does not give up - ever. God is not your opposition. He is your coach. He is your guide. He is your healer. He is your Savior. His self-admitted purpose is to be your teacher and mentor."
- Don’t wait for tomorrow: "Don’t wait for tomorrow to make changes you want to see in your life now. Every day is a new beginning. Turn to Jesus Christ today. Repent today. Seek the spirit more in your life today. Every day is a new opportunity to grow from the past and to create an even better future centered on following Jesus Christ. We need to live so that tomorrow we are happy about our today - which is then our yesterday."