Testimony vs. Conversion- What is the difference?
Sisters commented that were as testimony is knowledge or belief, conversion is a process. It is also action. For example when we are obedient to the Lord and His commandments we are expressing our conversion.
“My message focuses upon the relationship between receiving a testimony that Jesus is the Christ and becoming converted to Him and His gospel. Typically, we treat the topics of testimony and conversion separately and independently. However, we gain precious perspective and greater spiritual conviction as we consider these two important subjects together.”
Conversion is being wise by applying gospel knowledge.
Mosiah 4:10
“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. A testimony is spiritual knowledge of truth obtained by the power of the Holy Ghost. Continuing conversion is constant devotion to the revealed truth we have received—with a heart that is willing and for righteous reasons. Knowing that the gospel is true is the essence of a testimony. Consistently being true to the gospel is the essence of conversion. We should know the gospel is true and be true to the gospel.”
Converted unto THE LORD. What is the difference between conversion to Christ or to the church?
Sisters commented that it is easier to stick with the church and stay firmly grounded when they are converted to the Lord vs. to principles, programs, church leaders, etc. It was also noted that all our good works and efforts are empty without our conversion - our conversion to Christ is what makes us do things for the right reason (and not just go through the motions).
"Two major elements are described in these verses: (1) the knowledge of the truth, which may be interpreted as a testimony, and (2) converted unto the Lord, which I understand to be conversion to the Savior and His gospel. Thus, the powerful combination of both testimony and conversion unto the Lord produced firmness and steadfastness and provided spiritual protection. Note that the Lamanites were not converted to the missionaries who taught them or to the excellent programs of the Church. They were not converted to the personalities of their leaders or to preserving a cultural heritage or the traditions of their fathers. They were converted unto the Lord—to Him as the Savior and to His divinity and doctrine—and they never did fall away."Alma 23:6-8
"They never did fall away and surrendered “the weapons of their rebellion, that they did not fight against God any more.” To set aside cherished “weapons of rebellion” such as selfishness, pride, and disobedience requires more than merely believing and knowing. Conviction, humility, repentance, and submissiveness precede the abandonment of our weapons of rebellion. Do you and I still possess weapons of rebellion that keep us from becoming converted unto the Lord? If so, then we need to repent now.
What are some of the modern day weapons that we cling to that keep us from being converted to Christ? –selfishness –pride –complacency –hardwork
How are we truly converted?
"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."
Sisters commented that conversion doesn't come through living the gospel in a check list manner - doing things for the sake of doing them doesn't cut it. The Lord helps remind us to be thoughtful and have the right intentions to our actions, and that conversion is much more than an item we check off our list of things to do.
Also the Savior can heal our unbelief that may hinder our conversion. Remember the man from the New Testament that said "help thou my unbelief" (Mark 9:4) The Lord doesn't always answer our pleas right away, but He always gives us enough to carry on in the faith.
When we remember the atonement everyday and have experiences with the Savior daily we can remain converted.
Five basic elements of conversion: Helaman 15:7-8
"Samuel the Lamanite identified five basic elements in becoming converted unto the Lord: (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” This is the pattern that leads to conversion."
*How does reading the scriptures help us gain faith in Jesus Christ? John 20:29-31
**How do we gain faith in Jesus Christ? If we do not know him, we cannot have faith in Him - Mos. 5:12-13
“Four steps, when coupled with desire, help us gain faith in Jesus Christ. They are study, prayer, service and sacrifice, and personal righteousness.” –Elder Mason
-We know Him best when we serve Him
-Desire
-Remember tender mercies
*** We no longer have a desire to do wrong, we put off desires to be appear/behave unrighteously, though it may be 'cool' or 'sexy' in the eyes of the world. Mosiah 5:2
On becoming firm and steadfast:
"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."
"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. As we honor the ordinances and covenants of salvation and exaltation, “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ,” and endure in faith to the end, we become new creatures in Christ. Conversion is an offering of self, of love, and of loyalty we give to God in gratitude for the gift of testimony."
Mosiah 5:7
3 Nephi 12:2
Eliza encouraged us to take time to ponder and study and to ask ourselves - how can I have daily experiences with Christ?
Then sister Crouch shared a special experience that I will do my best to describe. She talked about a time when she was 19 and was feeling very angry in the grieving process of losing her father to cancer. How could God have done this to her? Why did she have to watch her father suffer? It just wasn't fair. Her father had been perfect to her.... One time at stake conference when she was feeling these things she had the thought "I've done it too.." and she was immediately humbled and apologized to her Savior, who had gone through all of her pain, in her heart. She promised to give her life to Him. This was a moment of conversion for her.
This made me think about how the pain of life that is inevitable has a purpose and that we become better people when we turn to the Savior in times of hardship. The only way suffering in life doesn't serve any purpose is when we don't turn to God for help. In times of hardship we have a great opportunity to turn to God and to know Him and His Son through the heeling and peace that only they can provide.
It totally reminded me of the 2011 conference talk by Elder Todd D Christofferson "“As Many as I Love, I Rebuke and Chasten” and the quote the little bush in the story seemed to say to the gardener after being pruned down drastically, but then became fruitful, "thank you Mr gardener for cutting me down, for loving me enough to hurt me."
See a great depiction of the story in this 3 minute video.
Then a few sisters bore their testimony. We heard heartfelt comments from them about love for the Savior, evidence of His hand in their lives, gr attitude for Relief Society and the blessings it brings to our lives (including being lifted up spiritually on Sundays hearing each others' comments during lessons) and the peace and guidance the gospel brings us.
If you weren't here last week, please come next week. We miss the sisters who are not with us. Have a fantastic week!
No comments:
Post a Comment