Be Ye Converted
by Bonnie L. Oscarson
What does it mean to be converted?
- TRUE CONVERSION = "acting upon what we believe and allowing it to create 'a mighty change in us, or in our hearts'."
- "True conversion is more than merely having a knowledge of the gospel principles and implies even more than just having a testimony of those principles."
I have a friend who has a strong testimony of the gospel, yet she doesn't always live those principles she believes in, nor does she actively attend church each week.
A Testimony does not equal Conversion
"Being truly converted means we are acting upon what we believe and allowing it to create 'a mighty change in us, or in our hearts'."
We are changing as our motives, our thoughts, our words, and our deeds become aligned with the will of God.
How do we become converted?
- ". . . Conversion to gospel principles comes through righteously living the principles of the gospel and being true to our covenants with the Lord."
- "Conversion is a process, not an event. You become converted as a result of. . . righteous efforts to follow the Savior." - True to the Faith
- We are the only ones who can convert us - not our parents, our neighbors, our Church leaders - only us!
"You have [the] primary responsibility for your own conversion. No one can be converted for you, and no one can force you to be converted." - True to the Faith
Yesterday in my daily scripture study I read in 2 Nephi 33:1 which tells us:
". . .When a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it UNTO the hearts of the children of men."
The Holy Ghost will carry the message right up to your heart but you must be the one to let it in.
"[Being Converted] takes times, effort, and work."
- "The Lord expects us to exercise faith."
Sister Oscarson shares the following example, she says,
"The Savior taught, 'If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself (John 7:17). Sometimes we try to do it backwards. For example, we may take this approach: I will be happy to live the law of tithing, but first I need to know what it's true. Maybe we even pray to gain a testimony of the law of tithing and hope the Lord will bless us with that testimony before we have ever filled out a tithing slip. It just doesn't work that way. . .We have to consistently pay a full and honest tithe in order to gain a testimony of tithing. This same pattern applies to all the principles of the gospel. . . "
"Ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith" -Ether 12:6
"We must do the work first and exercise faith by living the gospel, and then we will receive the witness that it is true."
- "True Conversion occurs as you continue to act upon the doctrines you know are true and keep the commandments, day after day, month after month."
Remember: It is a process, not an event. It takes time, effort, and work. We cannot expect the reward without having worked for it first.
- "Conversion takes place as we are diligent about saying our prayers, studying the scriptures, attending church, and being worthy to participate in temple ordinances."
- "Conversion comes as we act upon the righteous principles we learn in our homes and in the classroom.
- "Conversion comes as we live pure and virtuous lives and enjoy the companionship of the Holy Ghost.
- "Conversion comes as we understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ, acknowledge Him as our Savior and Redeemer, and allow the Atonement to take effect in our lives."
- "As we act upon the doctrines of the gospel and put them into daily practice, we will become converted. . . "
"Living the gospel and standing in holy places is not always easy or comfortable, but I testify that it is worth it!"
Next Week's Talk:
by Elder Richard J. Maynes