Conversion is a strong and repeated theme in the Book of Mormon. Some of my favorite examples of full conversion are that of Alma the younger and the Sons of Mosiah. They experienced so complete a turn-around after being visited by the Angel,  that the Sons of Mosiah, who were heirs to the Nephite kingdom, stepped away from that power and responsibility in order to go into enemy territory and bring the gospel to the Lamanites.

Because of their conversion, we have other miraculous stories of conversion such as that of King Lamoni and his father, the King over all the Lamanites! Can you image what a life change it was for these Lamanite leaders to convert to the gospel? It was so complete a change that they helped in bringing other Lamanites to the gospel. This group of Lamanites became so repentant, humble, and righteous that they changed their name to Anti-Nephi-Lehi and buried their weapons as a covenant of their complete and total conversion, or change, from what they were, to who they now promise to be: righteous children of God.

Whether we have been members of the Church of Jesus Christ for many years, or for only a few, we know we must all experience this same change in our own lives. Elder Bednar, in a Regional Conference talk in October of 2011, used the parable of the ten virgins to teach this. He compared the virgin’s lamps to be “lamps of testimony” and the oil that they needed to keep their lamps burning bright, “oil of conversion”. As we know, five of the ten were unable to enter into the Lord’s presence because they ran short of this vital oil.  Elder Bednar teaches, “The ‘oil of conversion’ cannot be shared in a moment of adversity or crisis. The ‘oil of conversion’ comes drop by drop, ‘line upon line, precept upon precept; here a little, and there a little;’ (D&C 128:21). Testimony is what we know to be true by the power of the Holy Ghost. It is a beginning. Conversion grows out of testimony. Conversion is consistently being true to what we know in our hearts by the witness and power of the Holy Ghost. I believe every single member of this Church, has some measure of testimony. It is clearly the case that not every member of the Church is fully converted unto the Lord.”

How then, can we be fully converted? In the April 2004 General Conference Elder D. Todd Christofferson gave the answer in several basic steps:

1. We must have the desire. “Do you want [true conversion] for yourself? I can tell you how that can happen, but it must be something you want. The gospel cannot be written in your heart unless your heart is open. Without a heartfelt desire, you can participate in sacrament meetings, classes, and Church activities and do the things I will tell you, but it won’t make much difference. But if your heart is open and willing, like the heart of a child, let me tell you what you can do to be converted.”
2. Trust in the Lord. “As a first step, you must lay aside any feeling of pride that is so common in the world today. By this I mean the attitude that rejects the authority of God to rule in our lives. You hear it expressed today in phrases such as “Do your own thing” or “Right and wrong depend on what I feel is right for me.” That attitude is a rebellion against God, just as Lucifer rebelled against God in the premortal world. He rejected God’s right to declare the truth and establish the law. Satan wanted, and still wants, the power to declare arbitrarily what is right and wrong. Our beloved Creator does not force us to accept His authority, but willingly submitting to that authority is the first step in conversion.”
3. Study the Scriptures. “Further, for the gospel to be written in your heart, you need to know what it is and grow to understand it more fully. That means you will study it. I see you sometimes reading a few verses, stopping to ponder them, carefully reading the verses again, and as you think about what they mean, praying for understanding, asking questions in your mind, waiting for spiritual impressions, and writing down the impressions and insights that come so you can remember and learn more. Studying in this way, you may not read a lot of chapters or verses in a half hour, but you will be giving place in your heart for the word of God, and He will be speaking to you. Remember Alma’s description of what it feels like: “It beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.”
4. Give the Lord a gift of sacrifice.  “Let me mention one other thing. In ancient times when people wanted to worship the Lord and seek His blessings, they often brought a gift. For example, when they went to the temple, they brought a sacrifice to place on the altar. After His Atonement and Resurrection, the Savior said He would no longer accept burnt offerings of animals. The gift or sacrifice He will accept now is “a broken heart and a contrite spirit.” As you seek the blessing of conversion, you can offer the Lord the gift of your broken, or repentant, heart and your contrite, or obedient, spirit. In reality, it is the gift of yourself—what you are and what you are becoming.”

Is there something in you, or in your life, that is impure or unworthy? When you get rid of it, that is a gift to the Savior. Is there a good habit or quality that is lacking in your life? When you adopt it and make it part of your character, you are giving a gift to the Lord.

We have talked of desire, submissiveness to God, study, prayer, service, repentance, and obedience. From these, coupled with your worship and activity in Church, will come testimony and conversion. The gospel won’t be just an influence in your life—it will be what you are. Plead with God in the name of Christ to write the gospel in your mind that you may have understanding and in your heart that you may love to do His will. Pursue this blessing diligently and patiently, and you will receive it, for God “is gracious and merciful, … and of great kindness.”  I so bear witness in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.