Converted Unto the Lord

this past thursday, Elder Bednar gave the devotional for our school.  it was incredible and the spirit was so strong.  the talk was intended just for BYUH students so, it will not be rebroadcast or printed.  he spoke on conversion and testimony and how the two are intertwined.  he said that:

• the Holy Ghost is the messenger, guide, and teacher
• a testimony is personal knowledge of spiritual truth
• conversion is a "mighty change of heart" and requires putting of the natural man
• true conversion brings change in heart and life
• earnestly coming to Christ is good, important, and essential but requires more than just knowing
• conversion doesn't happen in an instant, it takes time.  it requires persistence and patience.
• we cannot and will not falter if we establish ourselves upon "the rock of Christ" (Helaman 5:12)
• belief in the teachings of prophets fosters faith
• a testimony is a prerequisite for conversion...it is the initial step
• a testimony is not enough, it is not sufficient enough to provide protection
• we must ask ourselves if we have weapons or rebellion and, if you do, we must surrender and repent.

he spoke about the parable of the ten virgins and how the lamps are symbols of testimony and the oil represented conversion.  from this he said that:

• oil of conversion can not be borrowed, it is acquired on drop at a time.

all the virgins had lamps (testimony) but the 5 who did not also have enough oil (conversion) were not able to join the bridegroom.

Elder Bednar promised that, as we come to the knowledge of the truth and are converted we will never fall away.  He also gave us an apostolic blessing that, "we may have eyes to see and ears to hear to know how to become more fully converted to the Lord."

It was such an incredible blessing to have an apostle of the Lord with us.  the power that was felt from his presence was incredible.  sister bednar spoke before him and bore her testimony of the reality of living apostles.  she said that she has seen elder bednar do things and think things that as David Bednar alone, he could not do.  

i am so thankful for living prophets and apostles today and for their guidance and direction.  i know they speak truth and if we follow their teachings and examples we will be blessed with happiness and peace.