Converted unto the Lord
Elder David A. Bednar
Of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles
October 2012 General Conference
A testimony is personal knowledge of spiritual truth obtained by revelation.
Conversion is an enlarging, a deepening, and a broadening of the undergirding base of testimony.
Conversion is the result of revelation from God, accompanied by individual repentance, obedience, and diligence.
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.
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.
“… And they are striving with unwearied diligence…” Helaman 15: 6
Five basic elements to conversion:
(1) believing in the teachings and prophecies of the holy prophets as they are recorded in the scriptures, (2) exercising faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, (3) repenting, (4) experiencing a mighty change of heart, and (5) becoming “firm and steadfast in the faith”
• Testimony is the beginning of and a prerequisite to continuing conversion.
• Testimony is a point of departure; it is not an ultimate destination.
• Strong testimony is the foundation upon which conversion is established.
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.
“For they became a righteous people; they did lay down the weapons of their rebellion, that they did not fight against God any more. …
“Now, these are they who were converted unto the Lord” – Alma 23:6-8
Knowing that the gospel is true is the essence of a testimony.
Consistently being true to the gospel is the essence of conversion.
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