Elder Bednar's Words

Converted Unto The Lord (October 2012)

Key Doctrines and Principles:

Importance of Testimonys

Difference between testimony and conversion

Change in our nature

Holy Ghost

Living the gospel through our actions 

Favorite Quotes:

Knowing that the gospel is true is the essence of a testimony. Consistently being true to the gospel is the essence of conversion.

Yet even Peter needed additional instruction from Jesus about the converting and sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost and his obligation to serve faithfully.

The essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ entails a fundamental and permanent change in our very nature made possible through the Savior’s Atonement. True conversion brings a change in one’s beliefs, heart, and life to accept and conform to the will of God and includes a conscious commitment to become a disciple of Christ.

Conversion is an enlarging, a deepening, and a broadening of the undergirding base of testimony. It is the result of revelation from God, accompanied by individual repentance, obedience, and diligence.  

Knowing by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ is important and necessary. But earnestly coming unto Him and giving our whole souls as an offering requires much more than merely knowing. Conversion requires all of our heart, all of our might, and all of our mind and strength.

For many of us, conversion is an ongoing process and not a onetime event that results from a powerful or dramatic experience. Line upon line and precept upon precept, gradually and almost imperceptibly, our motives, our thoughts, our words, and our deeds become aligned with the will of God. Conversion unto the Lord requires both persistence and patience.

Testimony alone is not and will not be enough to protect us in the latter-day storm of darkness and evil in which we are living. Testimony is important and necessary but not sufficient to provide the spiritual strength and protection we need. Some members of the Church with testimonies have wavered and fallen away. Their spiritual knowledge and commitment did not measure up to the challenges they faced.

Why It Matters: 

Our testimonies are so important because they allow us to live close to our Heavenly Father because we know he exists. Having a teimony doesn't eliminate all difficulties in our lives. Even with a testimony, it is easy to fall into Satan's trap. We must be consistent every day and live our lives patterned after Christ.