No matter who we are or where we come from, deepening our conversion to Jesus Christ transforms us, urging us to unlock the divine potential that lies within us as beloved children of God. This transformation is neither quick nor easy; it's the faith-inspired effort of progressing “toward becoming what our Heavenly Father desires us to become.”[1] The compelling question is: how can we sustain this quiet yet powerful transformation throughout our covenant journey, nurturing our personal conversion as men, women, and children of God, to become true disciples of Christ, and to be more like Him?
Consider the remarkable story in the Book of Mormon of former Lamanites who had been “a wild and a hardened and a ferocious people; a people who delighted in murdering the Nephites, and robbing and plundering them” (Alma 17:14). And yet, upon receiving the gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by Ammon and his brothers, they chose to lay down their weapons of war and covenant never to take them up again. Their conversion was so profound that they also chose to die rather than break their covenant with God (Alma 24:6-19), and as many as “were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away” (Alma 23:6).
Ruth's famous proclamation in the Old Testament, “Your people shall be my people, and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16), marked her lifelong conversion which eventually prepared her to become the great-grandmother of King David and an ancestor of Jesus through His mortal step-father, Joseph. Similarly, Saul in New Testament times, a fierce persecutor of Christians, encountered a life-altering awakening on the road to Damascus, and in due course became Paul, a devoted apostle of Christ. We also learn of Peter’s transforming conversion from being one of Jesus’ apostles who denied knowing Him three times out of fear during His trial (Luke 22:54-62) to a fearless preacher and the chief apostle, playing a crucial role in the early Church's expansion (Acts 2-4).
“in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost. [And] through the manifestations of the Holy Ghost, the Lord will assist us in all our righteous pursuits.”
President Russell M. Nelson
Each person has his or her own conversion story, and will have unique spiritual experiences with God which continue shaping their faith to and building their personal testimony of Him, His eternal truth, and His grand plan of joy for all of us. But there is a singular fundamental principle that we need to hold fast to in order to help us become truly converted to the Lord and endure to the end in this lifelong covenant journey. It is finding joy and peace in keeping Christ the center of our lives. Let this commitment be our beacon, steering us through life's ups and downs as we cultivate a deeper relationship with Him. We are never meant to experience this life changing, faith building, and character shaping journey alone as mortals without divine assistance.
Our living prophet, President Russell M. Nelson teaches that “when the focus of our lives is on Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening – or not happening – in our lives. Joy comes from and because of Him. He is the source of all joy.” “Focusing on joy brings God’s power into our lives. As in all things, Jesus Christ is our ultimate exemplar, ‘who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.’ Think of that! In order for Him to endure the most excruciating experience ever endured on earth, our Savior focused on joy!”[2] President Nelson also reminds us that “in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost. [And] through the manifestations of the Holy Ghost, the Lord will assist us in all our righteous pursuits.”[3]
In holding fast to this principle, the Anti-Nephi-Lehies rejoiced in Christ and were visited by angels (Alma 24:14-15); it led Ruth to peace and joy and a life of honour before God (Ruth 1:16, 4:13-17); it strengthened Paul as he witnessed Christ's power amid trials (2 Corinthians 12:10, Philippians 4:13); and it inspired Peter to rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Peter 1:3-9, 2 Peter 1:1-11).
So, in a world where spiritual survival will increasingly depend on the enabling power of Jesus Christ’s infinite Atonement and the guidance of the Holy Ghost, may we strive to “never fall” (Doctrine & Covenants 50:44, 2 Peter 1:10, Alma 23:6) as we also hold fast to this principle. May we be blessed with the abundant fruits of our ongoing personal conversion to Jesus Christ, who is the author and finisher of our faith, guiding us toward our eternal destiny filled with enriched joy and peace.
[1] “The Challenge to Become”, Elder Dallin H. Oaks, General Conference – Oct 2000
[2] “Joy and Spiritual Survival”, President Russell M. Nelson, General Conference – Oct 2016
[3] “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives” , General Conference – Apr 2018, President Russell M. Nelson