Conversion is something that has been a big topic lately in General, Stake, and Ward Conferences- at least where we live. :) Sis Oscarson describes:
"conversion to gospel principles comes through righteously living the principles of the gospel and being true to our covenants with the Lord."She then shares a story from her family history of such conversion and the sacrifice involved. Her great-great grandmother had "come all the way from Scotland and had gone through tribulations and trials for the Gospel, and she did not intend, if humanly possible, to let a child of hers lose what she had come so far to gain.”
Elder Maynes talk was good talk. I especially liked it since it's middle of winter and I'm getting a little frustrated with the cold and clouds (although yesterday it was beautifully bright and shiny!). A talk on enduring to the end was just what I needed to renew my focus and give me encouragement.
"So whatever challenges you wake up to each morning, remember—with the spiritual strength you develop, coupled with the Lord’s help, at the end of the race you will be able to enjoy the confidence that the Apostle Paul expressed when he said:
“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day."
I love the quote, "Our ability to endure to the end in righteousness will be in direct proportion to the strength of our testimony and depth of our conversion."
He teaches us how to build a strong testimony.
"A testimony, like your body, needs to be in shape if you want it to endure. So how do we keep our testimonies in shape? We cannot get our bodies into good basketball shape by simply watching basketball on television. Similarly, we won’t be able to get our testimonies in shape by simply watching general conference on television. We need to study and learn the fundamental principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and then we must do our very best to live them. That is how we become disciples of Jesus Christ, and that is how we build an enduring testimony."Elder Maynes shares how to spiritually prepare and to work on our spiritual stamina.
"When we develop spiritual stamina, the false traditions of the world, as well as our personal daily challenges, will have little negative impact on our ability to endure in righteousness."
Elder W Mack Lawrence in April Conference of 1996' quoted President Marion G Romney from April 1954 Conference. " We have heard enough truth and direction in this Conference to bring us into the presence of God, if we would follow it.". Elder Lawrence then said: " Please note that it is insufficient to just hear the word of God in gatherings such as Conference. In order to have God's word impact our lives- to recieve the promised blessings - we must follow it. Indeed, the Lord has proclaimed: " For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.". (DC 84:44)
ReplyDeleteElder Lawrence also quoted President Gordon B Hinckley from the October Conference of 1995. President Hinckley said: " We have heard God's words at this Conference, and now our responsibility is to live by them. I will bea better man if I will put into my life the things which I have been reminded in this conference and I would like to suggest that each of you will be a better man or woman if you will put into your lives something of what you have heard in this great Conference.". Elder Lawrence said: "By following this counsel, we strengthen our conversion to Christ and His gospel and in this sense become more committed to keeping covenants and commandments and in doing our duty in the church. "
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the talk by Sis. Oscarson. She spoke of testimony and conversion like the talk by Elder David A Bednar . It is possible to have a testimony of the gospel without living it. They both concurred like our prophets that, we are acting upon what we believe and allowing it to creat a ' mighty change of heart'. Conversion is a lifelong process, not an event. It is the righteous effort of trying everyday to follow the Savior
ReplyDeleteI liked Elder Maynes quote: " Our ability to endure to the end in righteousness will bein direct proportion to the strength of our testimony and the depth of our conversion."
ReplyDeleteIn April of 1996, Elder Mack Lawrence stated: " A truly converted follower of Christ, one who merits the designation of discipleship or Saint could not be casual or complacent in his or her approach to service in the Church, nor in keeping covenants and commandments. Such a one would surely follow the Lord's admonition to'learn his duty, and to act in all diligence' (DC 107:99)"
ReplyDeletePresident Harold B Lee in April Conference of 1974, said: "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."
ReplyDeleteElder para more in April of 1979 stated: " Everyone who truly commits himself to the gospel, finds his life expanding and his appreciation growing for all good things. His acknowledgement of God and His wondrous creations intensifies. 'That which is of God is light and he that recieveth light and continueth in God recieveth more light and that light growth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.' (DC 50:24)"
ReplyDeletePresident Hinckley in a leadership training meeting on April 6,1984 stated: " We should be concerned with the spiritual dimension of our people and the enlargement of this dimension. There is a tendency in all of us to ask for better statistical performance. There is a tendency to impose quotas behind which usually lies imposition of pressure to achieve improved statistics. In the work of the Lord, there is a more appropriate motivation than pressure. There is the motivation that comes of true conversion. When there throbs in the heart of an individual Latter Day Saint a great and vital testimony of the truth of this work, he will be found dong his duty in the Church. He will be found in sacrament meeting. He will be found in priesthood meetings. He will be found paying his honest tithes and offerings. He will be found in attendance at the temple as frequently as his circumstances will permit. He will have within him a great desire to share the gospel with others. He will be found strengthening and lifting his brethren and sisters. It is a conversion that makes a difference."
ReplyDeletePresident Joseph Fielding Smith said: " People are converted by their hearts being penetrated by the Spirit of the Lord when they humbly hearkening to the testimonies of the Lord's servants." ( Church History and Modern Revelation 1953)
ReplyDeleteElder W Mack Lawrence said: " May I admonish each of you to evaluate your present state of conversion and commitment. I invite you to have a personal interview with yourself in which you ask how effective you are in your present calling to serve. Consider how fully you are keeping the commandments and acting upon the counsel given by the prophets and other divinely called leaders of the Church, yes including your Stake President and Bishop. Do you have to be reminded of your duty? Think upon Alma's question:'Have you spiritually been born of God? Have you received His image on your countenance? Have ye experienced a mighty change of heart? ' (Alma 5:14). The same spirit of revelation, the spirit of conversion, if you will, is available to each of us as we diligently seek for it. May we follow the admonitions of James: ' to be doers of the word and not hearers only'.(James 1:22)
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