Continuing, Elder Bednar said in his book ‘Act in Doctrine’:
…”An important lesson about the connection between personal testimony and ongoing conversion is evident in the missionary labors of the sons of Mosiah. These faithful and diligent missionaries were blessed with much success among the Lamanites. “And thousands were brought to a knowledge of the Lord… “And as sure as the Lord liveth, so sure as many as believed, or as many as were brought to the knowledge of the truth through the teaching of Ammon and his brethren, according to the spirit of revelation and of prophecy, and the power of God working miracles in them—yea, I say unto you, as the Lord liveth, as many of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching and were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away. For they became a righteous people; they did lay down their weapons of rebellion, that they did not fight against God anymore, neither against any of their brethren. “Now, these are they who were converted unto the Lord” (Alma 23:5-8).
Notice that as many of the Lamanites as were brought to a knowledge of the truth and converted unto the Lord never did fall away! The two major elements described in these verses are (1) the knowledge of the truth, which may be considered a testimony and (2) converted unto the Lord, which I understand to be ongoing conversion to the Savior and His gospel. Thus the powerful combination of both personal testimony and conversion unto the Lord produced firmness and steadfastness and provided spiritual protection.These faithful disciples never did fall away, and they did lay down the weapons of their rebellion.
To lay down cherished “weapons of rebellion” requires more than merely believing and knowing. Conviction, commitment, repentance, and submissiveness precede the discarding of our weapons of rebellion. Do you and I still possess weapons of rebellion that keep us from becoming more fully converted unto the Lord? If so, then we need to surrender and repent—and we need to do it now.
Also notice that the Lamanites were not converted to the missionaries who taught them. They were not converted to the excellent programs provided by the Church. They were not converted to the personalities of the leaders who served them. They were not converted to preserving a cultural heritage or the tradition of their fathers. They were converted unto the Lord—to Him as the Savior, to His Atonement, to His doctrine, to covenants and ordinances, to His commandments—and they never did fall away. Thus a testimony that develops and grows into conversion yields greater consistency in living that which we know and understand is true. This truth applies in precisely the same manner to you and to me today.
Elder Marion G. Romney highlighted the central role of the Savior and of His Atonement in the relationship between testimony and conversion: “A testimony comes when the Holy Ghost gives the earnest seeker a witness of the truth. A moving testimony vitalizes faith; that is, it induces repentance and obedience to the commandments. Conversion, on the other hand, is the fruit of, or the reward for, repentance and obedience. Conversion is effected by divine forgiveness, which remits sins. Thus [the ernest seeker] is converted to a newness of life. His spirit is healed” (in Conference Report, October 1963, 24).
Whereas a testimony is spiritual knowledge of truth obtained through the power of the Holy Ghost, conversion is deepening devotion to the consistent application of the knowledge we have received. Knowing that the gospel is true is the essence of testimony. We can be honest and true to many worthwhile things, but ultimately we must be converted unto the Lord and the things that are spiritually and eternally essential. We should both know the gospel is true and constantly be true to the gospel. ~ From “Act in Doctrine” by Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, pgs 81-83, Deseret Book 2012.
Suggestion from k… In sharing passages, I am a little past halfway through this book. Spiritually treat yourself…. pick up a copy then study it.
