Links to talks for more info
Talks Specifically Referenced:
D. Todd Christofferson, “Born Again,” Ensign, May 2008, 76–79
"When Thou Art Converted," Elder D. Todd Christofferson, May 2004 Ensign
Dallin H. Oaks, “Sins and Mistakes,” (Ensign, Oct 1996, 62) Download MP3 HERE
Dallin H. Oaks, “The Challenge to Become,” (Ensign, Nov 2000, 32–34).
David A. Bednar, “Clean Hands and a Pure Heart,” (Ensign, Nov 2007, 80–83) Download MP3 HERE
Excellent Talks about same Subject:
Bruce C. Hafen, “A Disciple's Journey”, (BYU Devotional, February 5, 2008) Download MP3 HERE
-This talk best captures the urgency of the need to continually work on conversion throughout life. He links specific attitudes to each kingdom of glory.
Lance B. Wickman, “‘Friends Again at Last’: Justice and Mercy in the Warming Glow of Charity,”
(Ensign, Jun 2000, 30).
Full Talk Transcript
1. Thank Bro. Anderson—so excited: favorite principle of the Gospel: a principle that I knew nothing about—rather, understood nothing about—until well into my mission, and that studying this principle has brought me more joy, given me more confidence, and changed my way of thinking about the purpose of life, my actions, and my relationship with others more deeply than a study of any other principle of the gospel, save only the Atonement of Jesus Christ (but really they are highly correlated). It is so important that it has been the major theme, or at least mentioned in every single talk Elder Bednar has given in conference since he was called as an apostle {some phrases being: “going on a mission” versus “becoming a missionary”-Oct05, the parable of the transformation of a pickle-April07, the difference between 'saying prayers' and 'engaging in meaningful prayer'-Apr08, and my favorite: the difference between having 'clean hands' and a 'pure heart'-Oct07}. My topic is Repentance with the reference talk being “Born Again,” by Elder Christofferson.
2. but then apprehensive: first because I have my cousin's homecoming talk to go to at 1pm, and second because as I started studying and organizing all the quotes I collected, I realized how much I was still lacking in this area.
But just want to say though I do think that it is the most important principle (or at the least the third most important principle), I still am in the very early stages of studying this, don't have near a complete understanding, and I know that I do not act out as well as I need to on the knowledge I do have, and if anyone sees or hears something that I have misunderstood, I would please invite them to point it out to me.
OK, so, Repentance:
In the Bible Dictionary under repentance:
“The Greek word of which this is the translation denotes a change of mind, i.e., a fresh view about God, about oneself, and about the world. Since we are born into conditions of mortality, repentance comes to mean [2]a turning of the heart and will to God, and [1]a renunciation of sin to which we are naturally inclined. Without this there can be no progress in the things of the soul’s salvation.”
{My entire life I thought that repentance was only the first part, that of 'renouncing' or stopping sin and repairing the damage we had done, but there is a whole 'nother dimension to it: that of, once we have been washed clean from our sins of commission by recognizing, reporting, restitution, and refraining, just as important but not nearly as emphasized is the need to then work on 'turning our heart and will toward God'}
As Elder Oaks explained:
"We tend to think of the results of repentance as simply cleansing us from sin. But that is an incomplete view of the matter. A person who sins is like a tree that bends easily in the wind. On a windy and rainy day, the tree bends so deeply against the ground that the leaves become soiled with mud, like sin. If we focus only on cleaning the leaves, the weakness in the tree that allowed it to bend and soil its leaves may remain. Similarly, a person who is merely sorry to be soiled by sin will sin again in the next high wind. The susceptibility to repetition continues until the tree has been strengthened.
“. . . To be admitted to [Heavenly Father's] presence, we must be more than clean. We must also be changed from a morally weak person who has sinned into a strong person with the spiritual stature to dwell in the presence of God. We must, as the scripture says, '[become] a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord.' (Mosiah 3:19.) This is what the scripture means in its explanation that a person who has repented of his sins will 'forsake them.' (D&C 58:43.) Forsaking sins is more than resolving not to repeat them. Forsaking involves a fundamental change in the individual.”
(Dallin H. Oaks, “Sin and Suffering,” Ensign, Jul 1992, 70)
This fundamental change is what Elder Christofferson's talk is all about. It is the process of being born again, or becoming converted.
Said he:
“It was Jesus who stated that entry into the kingdom of God requires that one be born again—born of water and of the Spirit (see John 3:3–5). His teaching about a physical and a spiritual baptism helps us understand that both our own action and the intervention of divine power are needed for this transformative rebirth—for the change from natural man to saint (see Mosiah 3:19).”
(D. Todd Christofferson, “Born Again,” Ensign, May 2008, 76–79)
“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."(See Jer. 31:33 and Ezek. 11:19–20)
Do you want this for yourself? I can tell you how that can happen, but it must be something you want. The gospel cannot be written in your heart unless your heart is open. Without a heartfelt desire, you can participate in sacrament meetings, classes, and Church activities and do the things I will tell you, but it won't make much difference. But if your heart is open and willing, like the heart of a child, 2 let me tell you what you can do to be converted.
As a first step, you must lay aside any feeling of pride that is so common in the world today. By this I mean the attitude that rejects the authority of God to rule in our lives.
Satan wanted, and still wants, the power to declare arbitrarily what is right and wrong. Our beloved Creator does not force us to accept His authority, but willingly submitting to that authority is the first step in conversion.
(D. Todd Christofferson, "When Thou Art Converted," Ensign, May 2004, 11)
[Out of all the first steps that Elder Christofferson could've said, this was really the hardest thing I could have ever come up with, this was like the hardest thing he could have said, this is the thing that had blinding me from even seeing this principle—literally, whenever the term 'born again' would come up, I would just think: “oh, being baptized, I've done that” and I would stop listening. I still only thought of the requirements of this life to be that first part of repentance: “to be cleansed from sin.” I thought 'Well, I don't go out and SIN, I'm a good person, I'm clean, I'm set—I just need to keep trying to be 'a good boy' and I've got it made, I did not even comprehend the other half of repentance: of turning our hearts to God, of not just ceasing to do bad, but of proactively doing good and not just doing good, but focusing on my desires for doing so]
As Elder Oaks has said:
"the Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become.
A parable illustrates this understanding. A wealthy father knew that if he were to bestow his wealth upon a child who had not yet developed the needed wisdom and stature, the inheritance would probably be wasted. The father said to his child:
“All that I have I desire to give you—not only my wealth, but also my position and standing among men. That which I have I can easily give you, but that which I am you must obtain for yourself."
(Dallin H. Oaks, “The Challenge to Become,” Ensign, Nov 2000, 32)
[that is the purpose of life: to prepare to live with God, the type of life He lives:
as Elder Perry has said, quoting Bruce R. McConkie, ““only those who obey the fulness of the gospel law will inherit eternal life. . . . It is ‘the greatest of all the gifts of God’ . . . , for it is the kind, status, type, and quality of life that God himself enjoys.(Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 237).”
(As quoted by L. Tom Perry, “The Gospel of Jesus Christ,” Ensign, May 2008, 44–46)”
And Elder Oaks adds:
"King Benjamin and Alma both speak of a mighty change of heart. King Benjamin’s congregation described that mighty change by saying that they had 'no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.' (Mosiah 5:2.) Alma illustrated that change of heart when he described a people who 'awoke unto God,' 'put their trust in' him, and were 'faithful until the end.' (Alma 5:7, 13.) . . . Persons who have had that kind of change in their hearts have attained the strength and stature to dwell with God. That is what we call being saved."
(Dallin H. Oaks, “Sin and Suffering,” Ensign, Jul 1992, 70)
[I have to stop here again, I said at the beginning of my talk that an understanding of this principle has given me a great source of joy, but I as I began to understand this principle in my mission, that of the absolute need to not just stop sinning but developing the attributes of God, it killed me, I got so depressed and hard on myself because I didn't have charity, I didn't serve others with all my heart might mind and strength, I didn't obey or even was there in Argentina on my mission out of ONLY pure motives—I caught a glimpse of myself and just how far I was away from ready to enter the presence of God and, well, things got a lot worse before they got better, but that was because I did not understand an absolutely necessary companion principle to this principle of conversion, that of the FALSE notion that we need to do it all: have perfect faith, perfect charity, and perfect obedience by ourselves, RIGHT NOW, immediately—topic for another day, and I have tons of quotes I could go over that explain this, but suffice to say that it is a lifetime process, that we will fall short of even our best intentions.
The key is to not get discouraged, be patient and forgiving of yourself—I testify that God sure is-
as C.S. Lewis has said:“This [God] who will, in the long run, be satisfied with nothing less than absolute perfection, will also be delighted with the first feeble, stumbling effort you make . . . to do the simplest duty.”
(C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, 174)]
But we need to remember that we are required to strive continually at it, as Elder Bednar has said [and he kinda fuses these two principles of needing to work on it, but being reasonable, patient, and forgiving of yourself]:
““Some who hear or read this message may think the spiritual progress I am describing is not attainable in their lives. We may believe these truths apply to others but not to us.
We will not attain a state of perfection in this life, but we can and should press forward with faith in Christ along the strait and narrow path and make steady progress toward our eternal destiny. The Lord’s pattern for spiritual development is “line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little” (2 Nephi 28:30). Small, steady, incremental spiritual improvements are the steps the Lord would have us take. Preparing to walk guiltless before God is one of the primary purposes of mortality and the pursuit of a lifetime; it does not result from sporadic spurts of intense spiritual activity.
I witness that the Savior will strengthen and assist us to make sustained, paced progress.”
(David A. Bednar, “Clean Hands and a Pure Heart,” Ensign, Nov 2007, 80–83)
[That is really the essential thing, line upon line, precept upon precept, tackling the thing in life that come up, guarding against committing sins, but also doing frequent, thorough-even brutal evaluations of yourself then actively working on specific positive things—developing the attributes of Christ—(some might say these are just sins of omission, but it has been more helpful to me to think of them as developing attributes or characteristics)]
And Elder Christofferson gives us a sure-fire way of doing just that:
“. . . for the gospel to be written in your heart, you need to know what it is and grow to understand it more fully. That means you will study it. 5 When I say "study," I mean something more than reading. It is a good thing sometimes to read a book of scripture within a set period of time to get an overall sense of its message, but for conversion, you should care more about the amount of time you spend in the scriptures than about the amount you read in that time. I see you sometimes reading a few verses, stopping to ponder them, carefully reading the verses again, and as you think about what they mean, praying for understanding, asking questions in your mind, waiting for spiritual impressions, and writing down the impressions and insights that come so you can remember and learn more [and I would add, write them down to transform the impressions received into specific goals to be applied]. Studying in this way, you may not read a lot of chapters or verses in a half hour, but you will be giving place in your heart for the word of God, and He will be speaking to you.”
(D. Todd Christofferson, "When Thou Art Converted," Ensign, May 2004, 11)
[This principle works. This principle changed my life. It completely transformed the way I approached scripture study-{b4 mission read 6 times, but never really felt its effect daily in my life until I started identifying and applying principles to my life—just kinda went along 'doing what I was supposed to' in a 'checking off the list' type of way} but I believe this is the 'down in the trenches' way of improving ourselves toward an eternal life with a perfect being-reading the scriptures slowly, stopping at each principle, and not moving on until you can apply it directly to your live. E.g.,
“love chief characteristics of deity, ranges throughout the world: How can I be a ranger anxious to bless the entire human race?” Invite people into my apartment for treat night and share with them, buy big huge 7oz otter-pops for everyone at an OWLZ game, or maybe it is just something like maintaining eye contact with the people you meet, or have the goal to make an effort to say hi and use their name each time you see them. I dunno, that is why we need to pray in all energy of heart, that is why we have the spirit—He will tell us some things to do if we sincerely and humbly seek it.]
E. Christofferson continues:
“Let me mention one other thing. In ancient times when people wanted to worship the Lord and seek His blessings, they often brought a gift. For example, when they went to the temple, they brought a sacrifice to place on the altar. After His Atonement and Resurrection, the Savior said He would no longer accept burnt offerings of animals. The gift or sacrifice He will accept now is "a broken heart and a contrite spirit." 12 As you seek the blessing of conversion, you can offer the Lord the gift of your broken, or repentant, heart and your contrite, or obedient, spirit. In reality, it is the gift of yourself—what you are and what you are becoming.
Is there something in you or in your life that is impure or unworthy? When you get rid of it, that is a gift to the Savior. Is there a good habit or quality that is lacking in your life? When you adopt it and make it part of your character, you are giving a gift to the Lord. 13 Sometimes this is hard to do, but would your gifts of repentance and obedience be worthy gifts if they cost you nothing?”
(D. Todd Christofferson, "When Thou Art Converted," Ensign, May 2004, 11)
[Again, I believe this is the divinely prescribed process to become as God is: cultivating one good habit at a time, but is a long process—and sometimes need outside eyes—if you really want to take the fast track to improving yourself and developing divine attributes ask the people you live with—the people you are closest to or even just any friend you associate with—what is something you do that you could change, so hard to do, but without exception, the people who do this are those who I look most up to. The humility and commitment that this shows instantly gives them a certain respect to them. They are willing to let go of their pride to more fully develop themselves as God would have them be]
“Some describe the entire spiritual growth process as faith, repentance, baptism, and the Holy Ghost—as if once we’ve received the Holy Ghost, the hard work is done and our exaltation is assured, so long as we don’t do something seriously wrong. 'Endure to the end,' we say, as if that means relaxing in some eternal rocking chair. God will just reel us in, like a fish hooked on a line. But it’s not quite that simple.
“On the contrary, receiving the Holy Ghost marks the beginning of our real spiritual growth, not the end of it. Baptism and the Holy Ghost only let us enter 'in by the gate.'(2 Nephi 31:18). Then the Holy Ghost leads us along the “strait and narrow path” (2 Nephi 31:19) of becoming sanctified disciples—not as passive spectators but by our straining every spiritual muscle, drinking in the power of temple ordinances, and feasting actively on Christ’s words to nourish us in becoming ever more holy (See 2 Nephi 32:3–6). And the long-term goal of that journey is to become like Him.
Does the Atonement have anything to do with this higher, developmental part of the journey or is it limited to the forgiveness part? Moroni taught that Christ’s grace helps us move well beyond forgiveness toward becoming like Him, or sanctified. He wrote, 'Come unto Christ, and be perfected in him' (Moroni 10:32; see also verse 33).
“So, after weeding out our worldly ways, Christ’s perfecting grace helps us replace those weeds with the divine flowers of Christlike attributes. You might say He wants to plant a garden in us. But we must satisfy certain conditions for this growth to occur, just as we had to satisfy the condition of repentance in order to receive forgiveness.”
(Bruce C. Hafen, “A Disciple's Journey”, BYU Devotional, February 5, 2008)
[Need Holy Ghost, tell us all things what we should do]
Other Quotes
*****(R-Atonement-Enabling Power of, Conversion, Endure to the End, Holy Ghost)Bruce C. Hafen, Receiving the Holy Ghost is only beginning of real growth-Endure to the end is not sitting back in a rocking chair:
“Some describe the entire spiritual growth process as faith, repentance, baptism, and the Holy Ghost—as if once we’ve received the Holy Ghost, the hard work is done and our exaltation is assured, so long as we don’t do something seriously wrong. 'Endure to the end,' we say, as if that means relaxing in some eternal rocking chair. God will just reel us in, like a fish hooked on a line. But it’s not quite that simple.
“On the contrary, receiving the Holy Ghost marks the beginning of our real spiritual growth, not the end of it. Baptism and the Holy Ghost only let us enter 'in by the gate.'(2 Nephi 31:18). Then the Holy Ghost leads us along the “strait and narrow path” (2 Nephi 31:19) of becoming sanctified disciples—not as passive spectators but by our straining every spiritual muscle, drinking in the power of temple ordinances, and feasting actively on Christ’s words to nourish us in becoming ever more holy (See 2 Nephi 32:3–6). And the long-term goal of that journey is to become like Him.
Does the Atonement have anything to do with this higher, developmental part of the journey or is it limited to the forgiveness part? Moroni taught that Christ’s grace helps us move well beyond forgiveness toward becoming like Him, or sanctified. He wrote, 'Come unto Christ, and be perfected in him' (Moroni 10:32; see also verse 33).
“So, after weeding out our worldly ways, Christ’s perfecting grace helps us replace those weeds with the divine flowers of Christlike attributes. You might say He wants to plant a garden in us. But we must satisfy certain conditions for this growth to occur, just as we had to satisfy the condition of repentance in order to receive forgiveness.”
(Bruce C. Hafen, “A Disciple's Journey”, BYU Devotional, February 5, 2008)
King Lamoni's father: I will give away all my sins to know thee
King Benjamin's people
~~~"Why is it necessary for us to suffer on the way to repentance for serious transgressions? We tend to think of the results of repentance as simply cleansing us from sin. But that is an incomplete view of the matter. A person who sins is like a tree that bends easily in the wind. On a windy and rainy day, the tree bends so deeply against the ground that the leaves become soiled with mud, like sin. If we focus only on cleaning the leaves, the weakness in the tree that allowed it to bend and soil its leaves may remain. Similarly, a person who is merely sorry to be soiled by sin will sin again in the next high wind. The susceptibility to repetition continues until the tree has been strengthened.
“When a person has gone through the process that results in what the scriptures call a broken heart and a contrite spirit, the Savior does more than cleanse that person from sin. He also gives him or her new strength. That strengthening is essential for us to realize the purpose of the cleansing, which is to return to our Heavenly Father. To be admitted to his presence, we must be more than clean. We must also be changed from a morally weak person who has sinned into a strong person with the spiritual stature to dwell in the presence of God. We must, as the scripture says, '[become] a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord.' (Mosiah 3:19.) This is what the scripture means in its explanation that a person who has repented of his sins will 'forsake them.' (D&C 58:43.) Forsaking sins is more than resolving not to repeat them. Forsaking involves a fundamental change in the individual.”
(Dallin H. Oaks, “Sin and Suffering,” Ensign, Jul 1992, 70)
****(R-Born Again, Conversion, Holy Ghost)Bruce R. McConkie, Born again means more than complying with the outward ordinances-must actually have companionship of the spirit:
“Mere compliance with the formality of the ordinance of baptism does not mean that a person has been born again. No one can be born again without baptism, but the immersion in water and the laying on of hands to confer the Holy Ghost do not of themselves guarantee that a person has been or will be born again. The new birth takes place only for those who actually enjoy the gift or companionship of the Holy Ghost, only for those who are fully converted, who have given themselves without restraint to the Lord. Thus Alma addressed himself to his ‘brethren of the church,’ and pointedly asked them if they had ‘spiritually been born of God,’ received the Lord’s image in their countenances, and had the ‘mighty change’ in their hearts which always attends the birth of the Spirit. (Alma 5:14–31.)”
(Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 101.)
****
*****(R-Conversion, Judgment, Life-Changing)Dallin H. Oaks, Final judgment judging what WE have BECOME:
"the Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become.
A parable illustrates this understanding. A wealthy father knew that if he were to bestow his wealth upon a child who had not yet developed the needed wisdom and stature, the inheritance would probably be wasted. The father said to his child:
“All that I have I desire to give you—not only my wealth, but also my position and standing among men. That which I have I can easily give you, but that which I am you must obtain for yourself."
(Dallin H. Oaks, “The Challenge to Become,” Ensign, Nov 2000, 32)
“People often think of Christian morality as a kind of bargain in which God says, 'If you keep a lot of rules I'll reward you, and if you don't I'll do [an]other thing.' I do not think that is the best way of looking at it. I would much rather say that every time you make a choice you are turning the central part of you, . . . into something a little different from what it was before. . . ”
(C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, 87)
*****(R-Conversion, Eternal Life, Life-Changing, Obedience)Bruce R. McConkie, Eternal Life is the kind, type, and quality of life that God enjoys:
“only those who obey the fulness of the gospel law will inherit eternal life. . . . It is ‘the greatest of all the gifts of God’ . . . , for it is the kind, status, type, and quality of life that God himself enjoys. Thus those who gain eternal life receive exaltation; they are sons of God, joint-heirs with Christ, members of the Church of the Firstborn; they overcome all things, have all power, and receive the fulness of the Father”
(Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 237).”
(As quoted by L. Tom Perry, “The Gospel of Jesus Christ,” Ensign, May 2008, 44–46)
*****(R-Born Again, Conversion, Eternal Life, Salvation)Dallin H. Oaks, Able to dwell with God=must have hearts/natures changed:
"King Benjamin and Alma both speak of a mighty change of heart. King Benjamin’s congregation described that mighty change by saying that they had 'no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.' (Mosiah 5:2.) Alma illustrated that change of heart when he described a people who 'awoke unto God,' 'put their trust in' him, and were 'faithful until the end.' (Alma 5:7, 13.) He challenged others to 'look forward with an eye of faith' to the time when we will 'stand before God to be judged' according to our deeds. (Alma 5:15.) Persons who have had that kind of change in their hearts have attained the strength and stature to dwell with God. That is what we call being saved."
(Dallin H. Oaks, “Sin and Suffering,” Ensign, Jul 1992, 70)
*****(R-Conversion, Eternal Life)Bruce C. Hafen, Only those like Him can be with Him:
Sanctification is the stage when we are not only with God but like God—for only those who have become like Him can be with Him. Jesus said, 'It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master' (Matthew 10:25; emphasis added).
(Bruce C. Hafen, “A Disciple's Journey”, BYU Devotional, February 5, 2008)
*****(R-Conversion, Eternal Life, Perspective)L. Tom Perry, If realize clearly what eternal life is, would change our thinking and behavior:
“I believe that if we could create in our minds a clear and true picture of eternal life, we would start behaving differently. We would not need to be prodded to do the many things involved with enduring to the end, like doing our home teaching or visiting teaching, attending our meetings, going to the temple, living moral lives, saying our prayers, or reading the scriptures. We would want to do all these things and more because we realize they will prepare us to go somewhere we yearn to go.”
(L. Tom Perry, “The Gospel of Jesus Christ,” Ensign, May 2008, 44–46)
*****(R-Endure to the End, Indicators, Stress)Jeffrey R. Holland, None will reach perfection in this life; progress more by direction than speed:
. . . the most significant sign of your progress on this journey is not so much your location on the path at the moment, but rather the direction in which you are moving. When you come to the end of your time in mortality, you will not yet have completed the process of perfection—none of us will have done so—but if you have loved and served, sacrificed and stayed faithful to the end, you will hear those glorious words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: … enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:21, 23). Your journey then will continue in unspeakable glory in the company of loved ones who have gone before you and the very angels of heaven themselves. Welcome to “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
(Jeffrey R. Holland, “What I Wish Every New Member Knew—and Every Longtime Member Remembered,” Ensign, Oct 2006, 10–16)
I express my thanks to you and pledge my whole soul and all of my energy to this sacred work. . . . I will strive to become what I should and must become. In the strength of the Lord and through His grace, I know that you and I can be blessed to accomplish all things.”
(David A. Bednar, “In the Strength of the Lord,” Ensign, Nov 2004, 76–78)
“Since last October I have reflected repeatedly upon the phrase “the tender mercies of the Lord.” Through personal study, observation, pondering, and prayer, I believe I have come to better understand that the Lord’s tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ. Truly, the Lord suits “his mercies according to the conditions of the children of men” (D&C 46:15).”
(David A. Bednar, “The Tender Mercies of the Lord,” Ensign, May 2005, 99)
“For instance, as you and I face challenges and tests in our lives, the gift of faith and an appropriate sense of personal confidence that reaches beyond our own capacity are two examples of the tender mercies of the Lord. Repentance and forgiveness of sins and peace of conscience are examples of the tender mercies of the Lord. And the persistence and the fortitude that enable us to press forward with cheerfulness through physical limitations and spiritual difficulties are examples of the tender mercies of the Lord. ”
(David A. Bednar, “The Tender Mercies of the Lord,” Ensign, May 2005, 99)
*****“The word chosen in 1 Nephi 1:20 [1 Ne. 1:20] is central to understanding the concept of the Lord’s tender mercies. The dictionary indicates that chosen suggests one who is selected, taken by preference, or picked out. It also can be used to refer to the elect or chosen of God (Oxford English Dictionary Online, second ed. [1989], “Chosen”). . . .
To be or to become chosen is not an exclusive status conferred upon us. Rather, you and I ultimately determine if we are chosen. Please now note the use of the word chosen in the following verses from the Doctrine and Covenants:
“Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?
“Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men” (D&C 121:34–35; emphasis added).
I believe the implication of these verses is quite straightforward. God does not have a list of favorites to which we must hope our names will someday be added. He does not limit “the chosen” to a restricted few. Rather, it is our hearts and our aspirations and our obedience which definitively determine whether we are counted as one of God’s chosen.”
(David A. Bednar, “The Tender Mercies of the Lord,” Ensign, May 2005, 99)
“One of the most well-known and frequently cited passages of scripture is found in Moses 1:39. This verse clearly and concisely describes the work of the Eternal Father: “For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (emphasis added).
A companion scripture found in the Doctrine and Covenants describes with equal clarity and conciseness our primary work as the sons and daughters of the Eternal Father. Interestingly, this verse does not seem to be as well known and is not quoted with great frequency. “Behold, this is your work, to keep my commandments, yea, with all your might, mind and strength” (D&C 11:20; emphasis added).
Thus, the Father’s work is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of His children. Our work is to keep His commandments with all of our might, mind, and strength—and we thereby become chosen and, through the Holy Ghost, receive and recognize the tender mercies of the Lord in our daily lives.”
(David A. Bednar, “The Tender Mercies of the Lord,” Ensign, May 2005, 99)
“the single most important thing you can do to prepare for a call to serve is to become a missionary long before you go on a mission. Please notice that in my answer I emphasized becoming rather than going. Let me explain what I mean.
In our customary Church vocabulary, we often speak of going to church, going to the temple, and going on a mission. Let me be so bold as to suggest that our rather routine emphasis on going misses the mark.
The issue is not going to church; rather, the issue is worshipping and renewing covenants as we attend church. The issue is not going to or through the temple; rather, the issue is having in our hearts the spirit, the covenants, and the ordinances of the Lord’s house. The issue is not going on a mission; rather, the issue is becoming a missionary and serving throughout our entire life with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength. It is possible for a young man to go on a mission and not become a missionary, and this is not what the Lord requires or what the Church needs.”
(David A. Bednar, “Becoming a Missionary,” Ensign, Nov 2005, 44)
“Elder Dallin H. Oaks has taught us most effectively about the challenge to become something instead of just doing expected things or performing certain actions:
“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. …
“… It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become” (“The Challenge to Become,” Liahona, Jan. 2001, 40; Ensign, Nov. 2000, 32).”
(David A. Bednar, “Becoming a Missionary,” Ensign, Nov 2005, 44)
Taking “the Holy Spirit for [our] guide” (D&C 45:57) is possible and is essential for our spiritual growth and survival in an increasingly wicked world. Sometimes as Latter-day Saints we talk and act as though recognizing the influence of the Holy Ghost in our lives is the rare or exceptional event. We should remember, however, that the covenant promise is that we may always have His Spirit to be with us. This supernal blessing applies to every single member of the Church who has been baptized, confirmed, and instructed to “receive the Holy Ghost.”
(David A. Bednar, “That We May Always Have His Spirit to Be with Us,” Ensign, May 2006, 28–31)
“it ultimately is impossible for another person to offend you or to offend me. Indeed, believing that another person offended us is fundamentally false. To be offended is a choice we make; it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us by someone or something else.
In the grand division of all of God’s creations, there are things to act and things to be acted upon (see 2 Nephi 2:13–14). As sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, we have been blessed with the gift of moral agency, the capacity for independent action and choice. Endowed with agency, you and I are agents, and we primarily are to act and not just be acted upon. To believe that someone or something can make us feel offended, angry, hurt, or bitter diminishes our moral agency and transforms us into objects to be acted upon. As agents, however, you and I have the power to act and to choose how we will respond to an offensive or hurtful situation.”
(David A. Bednar, “And Nothing Shall Offend Them,” Ensign, Nov 2006, 89–92)
“A pickle is a cucumber that has been transformed according to a specific recipe and series of steps . . .
The curing process gradually alters the composition of the cucumber and produces the transparent appearance and distinctive taste of a pickle. An occasional sprinkle of or dip in the brine cannot produce the necessary transformation. Rather, steady, sustained, and complete immersion is required for the desired change to occur.
The final step in the process requires the sealing of the cured pickles in jars that have been sterilized and purified.”
(David A. Bednar, “Ye Must Be Born Again,” Ensign, May 2007, 19–22)
~~Stress~~the essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ entails a fundamental and permanent change in our very nature made possible through our reliance upon “the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah” (2 Nephi 2:8). As we choose to follow the Master, we choose to be changed—to be spiritually reborn.
(David A. Bednar, “Ye Must Be Born Again,” Ensign, May 2007, 19–22)
****David A. Bednar, Conversion is mighty, not minor: a fundamental change of what we desire:
"We are instructed to 'come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny [ourselves] of all ungodliness' (Moroni 10:32), to become 'new creature[s]' in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:17), to put off "the natural man" (Mosiah 3:19), and to experience "a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually" (Mosiah 5:2). Please note that the conversion described in these verses is mighty, not minor—a spiritual rebirth and fundamental change of what we feel and desire, what we think and do, and what we are. Indeed, the essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ entails a fundamental and permanent change in our very nature made possible through our reliance upon "the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah" (2 Nephi 2:8). As we choose to follow the Master, we choose to be changed—to be spiritually reborn."
(David A. Bednar, “Ye Must Be Born Again,” Ensign, May 2007, 19–22)
“The spiritual rebirth described in this verse typically does not occur quickly or all at once; it is an ongoing process—not a single event. 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. This phase of the transformation process requires time, persistence, and patience.
A cucumber only becomes a pickle through steady, sustained, and complete immersion in salt brine. Significantly, salt is the key ingredient in the recipe. Salt frequently is used in the scriptures as a symbol both of a covenant and of a covenant people. And just as salt is essential in transforming a cucumber into a pickle, so covenants are central to our spiritual rebirth.
We begin the process of being born again through exercising faith in Christ, repenting of our sins, and being baptized by immersion for the remission of sins by one having priesthood authority.
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).
And after we come out of the waters of baptism, our souls need to be continuously immersed in and saturated with the truth and the light of the Savior’s gospel. Sporadic and shallow dipping in the doctrine of Christ and partial participation in His restored Church cannot produce the spiritual transformation that enables us to walk in a newness of life. Rather, fidelity to covenants, constancy of commitment, and offering our whole soul unto God are required if we are to receive the blessings of eternity. ”
(David A. Bednar, “Ye Must Be Born Again,” Ensign, May 2007, 19–22)
“The Holy Spirit of Promise is the ratifying power of the Holy Ghost. When sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, an ordinance, vow, or covenant is binding on earth and in heaven. (See D&C 132:7.) Receiving this “stamp of approval” from the Holy Ghost is the result of faithfulness, integrity, and steadfastness in honoring gospel covenants “in [the] process of time” (Moses 7:21). However, this sealing can be forfeited through unrighteousness and transgression.
Purifying and sealing by the Holy Spirit of Promise constitute the culminating steps in the process of being born again. ”
(David A. Bednar, “Ye Must Be Born Again,” Ensign, May 2007, 19–22)
“The gate of baptism leads to the strait and narrow path and to the destination of putting off the natural man and becoming a saint through the Atonement of Christ the Lord (see Mosiah 3:19). The purpose of our mortal journey is not merely to see the sights on earth or to expend our allotment of time on self-centered pursuits; rather, we are to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4), to become sanctified by yielding our hearts unto God (see Helaman 3:35), and to obtain “the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16).
We are commanded and instructed to so live that our fallen nature is changed through the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost. President Marion G. Romney taught that the baptism of fire by the Holy Ghost “converts [us] from carnality to spirituality. It cleanses, heals, and purifies the soul. … Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, and water baptism are all preliminary and prerequisite to it, but [the baptism of fire] is the consummation. To receive [this baptism of fire] is to have one’s garments washed in the atoning blood of Jesus Christ” (Learning for the Eternities, comp. George J. Romney [1977], 133; see also 3 Nephi 27:19–20).
Hence, as we are born again and strive to always have His Spirit to be with us, the Holy Ghost sanctifies and refines our souls as if by fire (see 2 Nephi 31:13–14, 17). Ultimately, we are to stand spotless before God.
The gospel of Jesus Christ encompasses much more than avoiding, overcoming, and being cleansed from sin and the bad influences in our lives; it also essentially entails doing good, being good, and becoming better. Repenting of our sins and seeking forgiveness are spiritually necessary, and we must always do so. But remission of sin is not the only or even the ultimate purpose of the gospel. To have our hearts changed by the Holy Spirit such that “we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually” (Mosiah 5:2), as did King Benjamin’s people, is the covenant responsibility we have accepted. This mighty change is not simply the result of working harder or developing greater individual discipline. Rather, it is the consequence of a fundamental change in our desires, our motives, and our natures made possible through the Atonement of Christ the Lord. Our spiritual purpose is to overcome both sin and the desire to sin, both the taint and the tyranny of sin.
Prophets throughout the ages have emphasized the dual requirements of (1) avoiding and overcoming bad and (2) doing good and becoming better.Consider the penetrating questions posed by the Psalmist:
“Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?
“He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully” (Psalm 24:3–4).
Brothers and sisters, it is possible for us to have clean hands but not have a pure heart. Please notice that both clean hands and a pure heart are required to ascend into the hill of the Lord and to stand in His holy place.
Let me suggest that hands are made clean through the process of putting off the natural man and by overcoming sin and the evil influences in our lives through the Savior’s Atonement. Hearts are purified as we receive His strengthening power to do good and become better. All of our worthy desires and good works, as necessary as they are, can never produce clean hands and a pure heart. It is the Atonement of Jesus Christ that provides both a cleansing and redeeming power that helps us to overcome sin and a sanctifying and strengthening power that helps us to become better than we ever could by relying only upon our own strength. The infinite Atonement is for both the sinner and for the saint in each of us.
In the Book of Mormon, we find the masterful teachings of King Benjamin concerning the mission and Atonement of Jesus Christ. The simple doctrine he taught caused the congregation to fall to the earth, for the fear of the Lord had come upon them. “And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men” (Mosiah 4:2; emphasis added). ”
(David A. Bednar, “Clean Hands and a Pure Heart,” Ensign, Nov 2007, 80–83)
“Some who hear or read this message may think the spiritual progress I am describing is not attainable in their lives. We may believe these truths apply to others but not to us.
We will not attain a state of perfection in this life, but we can and should press forward with faith in Christ along the strait and narrow path and make steady progress toward our eternal destiny. The Lord’s pattern for spiritual development is “line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little” (2 Nephi 28:30). Small, steady, incremental spiritual improvements are the steps the Lord would have us take. Preparing to walk guiltless before God is one of the primary purposes of mortality and the pursuit of a lifetime; it does not result from sporadic spurts of intense spiritual activity.
I witness that the Savior will strengthen and assist us to make sustained, paced progress. The example in the Book of Mormon of “many, exceedingly great many” (Alma 13:12) in the ancient Church who were pure and spotless before God is a source of encouragement and comfort to me. I suspect those members of the ancient Church were ordinary men and women just like you and me. These individuals could not look upon sin save it were with abhorrence, and they “were made pure and entered into the rest of the Lord their God” (v. 12). And these principles and this process of spiritual progress apply to each of us equally and always. ”
(David A. Bednar, “Clean Hands and a Pure Heart,” Ensign, Nov 2007, 80–83)
“As we speak of prayer, I emphasize the word meaningful. Simply saying prayers is quite a different thing from engaging in meaningful prayer. I expect that all of us already know that prayer is essential for our spiritual development and protection. But what we know is not always reflected in what we do.”
(David A. Bednar, “Ask in Faith,” Ensign, May 2008, 94–97)
“True faith is focused in and on the Lord Jesus Christ and always leads to righteous action. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that “faith [is] the first principle in revealed religion, and the foundation of all righteousness” and that it is also “the principle of action in all intelligent beings” (Lectures on Faith [1985], 1). Action alone is not faith in the Savior, but acting in accordance with correct principles is a central component of faith. Thus, “faith without works is dead” (James 2:20).”
(David A. Bednar, “Ask in Faith,” Ensign, May 2008, 94–97)
“The Prophet Joseph further explained that “faith is not only the principle of action, but of power also, in all intelligent beings, whether in heaven or on earth” (Lectures on Faith, 3). Thus, faith in Christ leads to righteous action, which increases our spiritual capacity and power. Understanding that faith is a principle of action and of power inspires us to exercise our moral agency in compliance with gospel truth, invites the redeeming and strengthening powers of the Savior’s Atonement into our lives, and enlarges the power within us whereby we are agents unto ourselves (see D&C 58:28).
I long have been impressed with the truth that meaningful prayer requires both holy communication and consecrated work. Blessings require some effort on our part before we can obtain them, and prayer, as “a form of work, … is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings” (Bible Dictionary, “Prayer,” 753). We press forward and persevere in the consecrated work of prayer, after we say “amen,” by acting upon the things we have expressed to Heavenly Father.”
(David A. Bednar, “Ask in Faith,” Ensign, May 2008, 94–97)
