Praised as a great community leader and aviator, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany during a recent short ceremony at the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City.
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The Order of Merit is the highest tribute that the Federal Republic of Germany can pay to individuals for service to the nation, recognizing exceptional charitable work as well as accomplishments in various other types of social, political and scientific endeavors.
German Consul General Dr. Bernd Fischer lauded President Uchtdorf for his lifetime of service and leadership, including his present work as the second counselor in the First Presidency of the Church.
“He has always shown the flag of Germany to the world” said Dr. Fischer, to a gathering including the First Presidency, members of the Uchtdorf family and German consular officials. “Particularly as a Church leader he has rendered exceptional service and done great work for the image and status of Germany.”
A former fighter pilot in the German Air Force, President Uchtdorf also served the Church as a stake president in both the Frankfurt Germany Stake and the Mannheim Germany Stake. For twenty-six years President Uchtdorf was an airline captain for Lufthansa German Airlines. At the time of his call to full-time Church service, he was the senior vice president of flight operations and chief pilot for Lufthansa. He and his wife Harriet raised their two children in Germany.
President Uchtdorf said he was humbled to receive the “unexpected distinction.”