Converted Unto the Lord

I'm studying Alma 23 for my religion class.  I really appreciate this chapter because it speaks of true conversion, which is something I'm trying to focus more on applying from my scriptures.

Conversion is more than testimony.

Elder Bednar taught that "Testimony is important and necessary but not sufficient to provide the spiritual strength and protection we need. Some members of the Church with testimonies have wavered and fallen away. Their spiritual knowledge and commitment did not measure up to the challenges they faced."  

Compare that with conversion.
"As many... as believed in...[the prophets] preaching and were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away" - Alma 23:6

They "never did fall away."  To be truly converted unto the Lord guarantees us a spiritual safeguard.  What a significant gift!

Elder Bednar taught that,  "Knowing that the gospel is true is the essence of a testimony. Consistently being true to the gospel is the essence of conversion."

This causes me to conclude that conversion is the spiritual fusion of mind, heart, and action.  It is when "what we know" in our mind becomes "what we cherish" in our heart, and what we cherish in our heart shows in the very outward expressions of "what we do."

To go into more detail about what conversion looks like, I've laid out the main points that Elder Bednar gives in his talk:

CONVERSION IS:

1.   A change in one’s beliefs, heart, and life to accept and conform to the will of God (see Acts 3:19; 3 Nephi 9:20) and includes a conscious commitment to become a disciple of Christ.

2. An enlarging, a deepening, and a broadening of the undergirding base of testimony.

3. The result of revelation from God, accompanied by individual repentance, obedience, and diligence.

4. An offering of self, of love, and of loyalty we give to God in gratitude for the gift of testimony.

5. All of our heart, all of our might, and all of our mind and strength (see D&C 4:2).

6. Experiencing a mighty change in our hearts, having a disposition to do good continually, going forward in the path of duty, walking circumspectly before God, keeping the commandments, and serving with unwearied diligence.

7. An ongoing process and not a onetime event... 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.

8. A setting aside our cherished “weapons of rebellion” such as selfishness, pride, and disobedience.

9,  Constant devotion to the revealed truth we have received—with a heart that is willing and for righteous reasons.

(Converted Unto the Lord by, David A. Bednar)

I want this safeguard in my life, this kind of protection!  I pray the Lord will help me have the kind of heart that allows these things to sink deep in my soul, that it changes my very nature.  I want to be a person of integrity where everything I say, everything I do, everything I am is out of a sincere, pure desire to show love for my Savior and to be more like Him.  I have so much to learn.  I'm grateful that the Lord is so very patient with me.

-Alicia