Conversion
“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. Any honest seeker of truth can become converted by experiencing the mighty change of heart and being spiritually born of God (see Alma 5:12–14). As we honor the ordinances and covenants of salvation and exaltation (see D&C 20:25), “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ” (2 Nephi 31:20), and endure in faith to the end (see D&C 14:7), we become new creatures in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). Conversion is an offering of self, of love, and of loyalty we give to God in gratitude for the gift of testimony… Conversion requires all of our heart, all of our might, and all of our mind and strength (see D&C 4:2).”
(Elder David A. Bednar, Converted Unto the Lord, October 2012 Conference)
(Elder David A. Bednar, Converted Unto the Lord, October 2012 Conference)
“Sometimes the word converted is used to describe when a sincere individual decides to be baptized. However, when properly used, conversion means far more than that, for the new convert as well as the long-term member… “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, Full Conversion Brings Happiness, April 2002 General Conference)
(Elder Richard G Scott, Full Conversion Brings Happiness, April 2002 General Conference)
“May our personal supplication in response to the prophet’s entreaty be:
Help me reach a friend in darkness;
Help me guide him through the night.
Help me show thy path to glory
By the Spirit’s holy light. …
Help me find thy lambs who wander;
Help me bring them to thy keep.
Teach me, Lord, to be a shepherd;
Father, help me feed thy sheep.
That we may follow our prophet’s plea, become converted, and then strengthen our brothers and sisters is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”
(Elder Robert D Hales, When Thou Art Converted, Strengthen Thy Brethren, April 1997 General Conference)
Help me reach a friend in darkness;
Help me guide him through the night.
Help me show thy path to glory
By the Spirit’s holy light. …
Help me find thy lambs who wander;
Help me bring them to thy keep.
Teach me, Lord, to be a shepherd;
Father, help me feed thy sheep.
That we may follow our prophet’s plea, become converted, and then strengthen our brothers and sisters is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”
(Elder Robert D Hales, When Thou Art Converted, Strengthen Thy Brethren, April 1997 General Conference)
“To repent fully is to convert completely to the Lord Jesus Christ and His holy work… Repentant converts find that the truths of the restored gospel govern their thoughts and deeds, shape their habits, and forge their character. They are more resilient and able to deny themselves of all ungodliness. Moreover, uncontrolled appetite, addiction to pornography or harmful drugs, unbridled passion, carnal desire, and unrighteous pride are diminished with complete conversion to the Lord and a determination to serve Him and to emulate His example. Virtue garnishes their thoughts, and self-confidence grows. Tithing is seen as a joyful and protective blessing, not as a duty or a sacrifice. Truth becomes more attractive, and things praiseworthy become more engaging. Repentance is the Lord’s regimen for spiritual growth.”
(Russell M. Nelson, Repentance and Conversion, April 2007 General Conference)
(Russell M. Nelson, Repentance and Conversion, April 2007 General Conference)
“Jesus’ challenge shows that the conversion He required for those who would enter the kingdom of heaven was far more than just being converted to testify to the truthfulness of the gospel. To testify is to know and to declare. The gospel challenges us to be “converted,” which requires us to do and to become. If any of us relies solely upon our knowledge and testimony of the gospel, we are in the same position as the blessed but still unfinished Apostles whom Jesus challenged to be “converted.” We all know someone who has a strong testimony but does not act upon it so as to be converted.”
(Elder Dallin H Oaks, The Challenge to Become, October 2000 General Conference)
(Elder Dallin H Oaks, The Challenge to Become, October 2000 General Conference)
“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… first step, you must lay aside any feeling of pride that is so common in the world today… Further, for the gospel to be written in your heart, you need to know what it is and grow to understand it more fully… I mentioned praying as you study to understand the scriptures, but your prayers must not be limited to that… 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.”
(Elder D Todd Christofferson, When Thou Art Converted, April 2004 general Conference)
(Elder D Todd Christofferson, When Thou Art Converted, April 2004 general Conference)
“True conversion comes through the power of the Spirit. When the Spirit touches the heart, hearts are changed. When individuals, both members and investigators, feel the Spirit working with them, or when they see the evidence of the Lord’s love and mercy in their lives, they are edified and strengthened spiritually and their faith in Him increases. These experiences with the Spirit follow naturally when a person is willing to experiment upon the word. This is how we come to feel the gospel is true.”
(Elder M Russell Ballard, Now Is the Time, October 2000 General Conference)
(Elder M Russell Ballard, Now Is the Time, October 2000 General Conference)
“Once we receive a witness of the Spirit, our testimony is strengthened through study, prayer, and living the gospel. Our growing testimony brings us increased faith in Jesus Christ and His plan of happiness. We are motivated to repent and obey the commandments, which, with a mighty change of heart, leads to our conversion. And our conversion brings divine forgiveness, healing, joy, and the desire to bear our witness to others.”
(Elder Robert D Hales, Receiving a Testimony of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, October 2003 General Conference)
(Elder Robert D Hales, Receiving a Testimony of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, October 2003 General Conference)
“Conversion is a personal and spiritual process. Every individual must examine these principles for himself. It is not enough to make a halfhearted attempt, accompanied by doubts, fear, or lack of trust. God promises us, because of His mercy, that He will answer our petitions in accordance with our sincerity. Only those who seek with real intent will receive their answer, as a gift from God, through the Holy Ghost.”
(Carlos H. Amado, Some Basic Teachings From the History Of Joseph Smith, April 2002 General Conference)
(Carlos H. Amado, Some Basic Teachings From the History Of Joseph Smith, April 2002 General Conference)
"Conversion brings strength, determination to defend the work of the Lord on earth and to expand it. This conversion comes when one receives the baptism of fire, the witness of the Holy Ghost… All we need to do now is for each of us to become converted, to arise and go forth in the power of our knowledge and by the Spirit. Truly the admonition of the Lord to Peter, “and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren,” is happening today.”
(Elder S. Dilworth Young, When Thou Art Converted, April 1971 General Conference)
(Elder S. Dilworth Young, When Thou Art Converted, April 1971 General Conference)
My Personal Position Statement on Conversion
Conversion isn’t something that happens to converts when they get baptized and join the church. Conversion can happen to those that have been members their entire life. Conversion is when there is a pure change of heart and the individual decides to finally turn themselves over to the lord. They lose the desire to sin and find it easier to stand up against the face of adversity. They make a conscious decision to keep the commandments because of the overwhelming desire to serve the lord. Instead of just trying and going through the motions they make a change and become a righteous individual.