Forget Me Not

I've mentioned it before, but I think President Uchtdorf's talk Forget Me Not may have been just for me. While going through photos getting ready to put them on my hard-drive, I came across this picture that I took at Girls camp. One of the Young Women had pointed out the little purple flowers and said that I needed to take a picture of them. I remember seeing the delicate blossoms and thinking how they were so small and unassuming-- I loved that about them! I was excited that one of my young women had pointed them out, knowing I'd appreciate their beauty!

This photo has spoken to me for some time, and suddenly I see why... All this time I've loved those sweet little purple flowers, without even knowing that they were the very forget-me-nots from the talk I've been reading over and over, and drawing inspiration from these last few months! It was a tender mercy, a moment of realization. A perfect depiction of the very principles taught by President Uchtdorf. Those little flowers were tucked away--almost hidden from view in the campsite--but noticed and appreciated. Again, there they were, tucked away in my photo catalog, appreciated for their beauty, but waiting for the moment I'd see them for what they really were. Not just a lovely little flower, but a sweet reminder of God's love. A tender reminder that just like those little flowers, I too have not been forgotten.

Quoting President Uchtdorf:

First, forget not to be patient with yourself.

Dear sisters, many of you are endlessly compassionate and patient with the weaknesses of others. Please remember also to be compassionate and patient with yourself.

In the meantime, be thankful for all the small successes in your home, your family relationships, your education and livelihood, your Church participation and personal improvement. Like the forget-me-nots, these successes may seem tiny to you and they may go unnoticed by others, but God notices them and they are not small to Him. If you consider success to be only the most perfect rose or dazzling orchid, you may miss some of life’s sweetest experiences.

Second, forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice.

How can we tell the difference for our own situation? We can ask ourselves, “Am I committing my time and energies to the things that matter most?” There are so many good things to do, but we can’t do all of them. Our Heavenly Father is most pleased when we sacrifice something good for something far greater with an eternal perspective. Sometimes, that may even mean nurturing small but beautiful forget-me-not flowers instead of a large garden of exotic blooms.

Third, forget not to be happy now.

There is nothing wrong with righteous yearnings—we hope and seek after things that are “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.”⁴ The problem comes when we put our happiness on hold as we wait for some future event—our golden ticket—to appear.

This is not to say that we should abandon hope or temper our goals. Never stop striving for the best that is within you. Never stop hoping for all of the righteous desires of your heart. But don’t close your eyes and hearts to the simple and elegant beauties of each day’s ordinary moments that make up a rich, well-lived life.

Fourth, forget not the “why” of the gospel.

Sometimes, in the routine of our lives, we unintentionally overlook a vital aspect of the gospel of Jesus Christ, much as one might overlook a beautiful, delicate forget-me-not. 

When we understand why our Heavenly Father has given us this pattern for living, when we remember why we committed to making it a foundational part of our lives, the gospel ceases to become a burden and, instead, becomes a joy and a delight. It becomes precious and sweet.

Fifth, forget not that the Lord loves you.

Sisters, wherever you are, whatever your circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you with an infinite love.


Sisters, there is something inspiring and sublime about the little forget-me-not flower. I hope it will be a symbol of the little things that make your lives joyful and sweet. Please 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.


With Love,
L