This blog has been an amazing ride for me as various talks, ideas, and histories have come to me on such a regular basis.  I am never at a loss for what to post here.  I hope what I share with you is interesting and helpful to you in some way.

I now present to you this question:  What is true conversion?

Every one of us needs to go through a conversion process, whether born into the Church, or not.  I personally believe those found by the missionaries have it easier than those who follow in their parent’s footsteps.  It is for each one of us to use our agency…in this earth life…to claim God as our Father, and Jesus Christ as our King.  We cannot wait any longer for someday to get our act together, and serving two masters will surely lead us to Hell.  I offer you these answers and end with Elder Holland’s stirring and fervent testimony from last Conference:

Pres. Marion G. Romney:  “Converted means to turn from one belief or course of action to another.  Conversion is a spiritual and moral change.  Converted implies not merely mental acceptance of Jesus and His teachings but also a motivating faith in Him and His Gospel.  A faith which works a transformation, an actual change in one’s understanding of life’s meaning and in his allegiance to God in interest, in thought, and in conduct.  In one who is really wholly converted, desire for things contrary to the Gospel of Jesus Christ has actually died.  And substituted therefore is a love of God, with a fixed and controlling determination to keep His commandments.”

Elder Richard G. Scott:  “True conversion yields the fruit of enduring happiness that can be enjoyed even when the world is in turmoil and most are anything but happy.”  In the Book of Mormon, we find people who “did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.”

Elder Neal A. Maxwell:  “In today’s society, at the mere mention of the words obedience and submissiveness, hackles rise and people are put on nervous alert.  These virtues are unfashionable because the world quickly assumes them to be a threat to one’s independence and agency.”

Pres. Steven C. Wheelwright, of BYU-Hawaii, speaking at a Devotional:  “Unfortunately, the path toward full conversion is a challenging one.  Not only is the world unsupportive, but the new convert faces three immediate tests.  First, he must overcome pride.  He will have to submit to all the Lord requires, not just the easy parts.  Second, the new convert must willingly change, leaving behind old habits and thoughts that may not coincide with new understanding.  As the Christian writer C.S. Lewis put it, some want to retain a few “souvenirs from hell” rather than give them up in exchange for the Lord’s promises.  And, third, the new convert will need to internalize his new understanding, taking that idea that is now only in his mind and securely embedding it in his heart.”

Pres. Harold B. Lee:  “Conversion must mean more than just being a ‘card carrying’ member of the church with a tithing receipt…or a temple recommend.  One who is converted strives continually to improve inward weaknesses and not merely the outward appearances.”

Elder Dallin H. Oaks:  “Charity, ‘the pure love of Christ’, is not an act but a condition or state of being.  Charity is attained through a succession of acts that result in full conversion.  Charity, or conversion, is something one becomes.”

Elder Eyring:   “We should end our day by looking for signs of ‘God’s hand in our lives’.  It will be easy to spot those signs because the blessings that come from obedience and commitment are overwhelming!”

Pres. Harold B. Lee:  “One is converted when he sees with his eyes what he ought to see; when he hears with his ears what he ought to hear; and when he understands with his heart what he ought to understand.  And what we ought to see, hear, and understand is truth—eternal truth—and then practice it.  This is conversion.”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland:  “Now, I did not sail with the brother of Jared in crossing an ocean, settling in a new world. I did not hear King Benjamin speak his angelically delivered sermon. I did not proselyte with Alma and Amulek nor witness the fiery death of innocent believers. I was not among the Nephite crowd who touched the wounds of the resurrected Lord, nor did I weep with Mormon and Moroni over the destruction of an entire civilization. But my testimony of this record and the peace it brings to the human heart is as binding and unequivocal as was theirs. Like them,  I give my name unto the world, to witness unto the world that which I have seen.  And like them, I lie not, God bearing witness of it.  I ask that my testimony of the Book of Mormon and all that it implies, given today under my own oath and office, be recorded by men on earth and angels in heaven.”

These quotes can be found in the following addresses:

Elder Richard G. Scott, Ensign, May 2002

Pres. Steven C. Wheelwright, BYU-Hawaii Devotional, Jan. 15, 2008

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Ensign, Nov 2009