"Interestingly, this mighty Apostle [Peter] had talked and walked with the Master, had witnessed many miracles, and had a strong testimony of the Savior’s divinity. Yet even Peter needed additional instruction from Jesus about the converting and sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost and his obligation to serve faithfully."
“Converted Unto the Lord,” David A. Bednar, Ensign, Oct. 2012
"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."
“Converted Unto the Lord,” David A. Bednar, Ensign, Oct. 2012
“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.”
“Full Conversion Brings Happiness,” Richard G. Scott, Ensign, May 2002
“The Apostle Paul taught that the Lord’s teachings and teachers were given that we may all attain 'the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ' (Eph. 4:13). This process requires far more than acquiring knowledge. It is not even enough for us to be convinced of the gospel; we must act and think so that we are converted by it. In contrast to the institutions of the world, which teach us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something.”
“The Challenge to Become,” Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, Oct. 2010
“It is faith that is the converter. It is faith that is the teacher.”
“The Miracle of Faith,” Gordon B. Hinckley, May 2001
“There is a difference between a convert who is built on the rock of Christ through the Book of Mormon and stays hold of the iron rod, and one who is not. I promise you that you will have more and better converts in every mission of the Church if you will teach and inspire missionaries to effectively use the Book of Mormon as the great converter.”
Ezra Taft Benson, Mission Presidents' Seminar, 25 June 1986
"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) strive(s) continually to improve inward weaknesses and not merely the outward appearances."
Harold B. Lee, Church News, 25 May 1974
“How can you become converted? How can you make the gospel of Jesus Christ not just an influence in your life but the controlling influence and, indeed, the very core of what you are? The ancient prophet Jeremiah spoke of the law of God, the gospel, being written in our hearts. He quotes the Lord speaking about us, His people in the latter days: ‘I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.’”
“When Though Art Converted,” D. Todd Christofferson, Ensign, May 2004
“Some men are willing to die for their faith, but they are not willing to fully live for it.”
“Jesus Christ-Gift and Expectations,” Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, Dec. 1988
"As we are made new in Christ, our very natures change and we no longer want to go back to our old ways."
“Being a More Christian Christian,” Robert D. Hales, Ensign, Nov. 2012
“The Miracle of Faith,” Gordon B. Hinckley, May 2001
“There is a difference between a convert who is built on the rock of Christ through the Book of Mormon and stays hold of the iron rod, and one who is not. I promise you that you will have more and better converts in every mission of the Church if you will teach and inspire missionaries to effectively use the Book of Mormon as the great converter.”
Ezra Taft Benson, Mission Presidents' Seminar, 25 June 1986
"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) strive(s) continually to improve inward weaknesses and not merely the outward appearances."
Harold B. Lee, Church News, 25 May 1974
“How can you become converted? How can you make the gospel of Jesus Christ not just an influence in your life but the controlling influence and, indeed, the very core of what you are? The ancient prophet Jeremiah spoke of the law of God, the gospel, being written in our hearts. He quotes the Lord speaking about us, His people in the latter days: ‘I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.’”
“When Though Art Converted,” D. Todd Christofferson, Ensign, May 2004
“Some men are willing to die for their faith, but they are not willing to fully live for it.”
“Jesus Christ-Gift and Expectations,” Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, Dec. 1988
"As we are made new in Christ, our very natures change and we no longer want to go back to our old ways."
“Being a More Christian Christian,” Robert D. Hales, Ensign, Nov. 2012
My Testimony
I am so grateful for the understanding I have that true conversion is so much more than simply doing things, but being something different, something better. For most of my youth I assumed it was good enough just having a testimony, that it would take care enough of me. I came to realize quickly in high school that it wasn't so, because even though I knew the gospel of Jesus Christ was true, that didn't always mean I desired to live according to its established pattern. Once I understood that I couldn't afford to betray what I knew by what I did I knew I had more to go, and so the pattern has remained. Every time I think I've "arrived" at some destination, the Lord opens my eyes to what more I can learn and do for both Him and myself. Elder Bednar teaches that conversion is a broadening and deepening of testimony and it is not a destination. Unless each of us undergoes conversion we cannot inherit eternal life. Conversion is a desire to leave sin behind and not go back, to sacrifice our will to the Lord's, understanding His is the only way to true and everlasting happiness.
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