Mormon converts from all walks of life, cultures, languages, political circumstances and religious traditions do not have to reject their spiritual heritage when they join the church, said Dieter Uchtdorf, second counselor in the church's governing First Presidency.

When Utah Mormons talk about their ancestors, they mostly mean those hardy pioneers who traveled by wagon and on foot to Utah, said Uchtdorf, whose forebears were "an ocean away."

He said he feels a part of that heroic 19th-century tale as well as more contemporary examples.

"With the same joy, I claim the legacies of modern-day church pioneers who live in every nation and whose own stories of perseverance, faith and sacrifice add glorious new verses to the great chorus of latter-day anthem of the kingdom of God," said Uchtdorf, speaking at last week's 178th Annual LDS General Conference from the giant Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City. The talk was beamed via satellite to Mormon chapels worldwide.

The "faith of our fathers" has an expanded meaning, said Uchtdorf, citing his own family line, which connects back to Protestant reformer Martin Luther. "It could refer to their family's heritage in one of the hundreds of Christian faiths, [or] it could refer to Middle Eastern, Asian or African faiths and traditions."

He encouraged Latter-day Saints to "honor and respect sincere souls from all religions, no matter where or when they lived, who have loved God, even without the fullness of the gospel."

Mormons need to lift their voices in gratitude for such selflessness and courage, Uchtdorf said. "We embrace them as brothers and sisters."

pstack@sltrib.com