Talk on being truly converted

[Anonymous]

I am giving a talk Sunday on being converted and receiving the Holy Ghost.

I would be interested in the thoughts of those here. Some of this may make no sense as I am not one to write a talk verbatim and some things are only cues.

Sometimes in Life – certain – sure – where we are supposed to be

First date – wrong address? (My date’s father acted like I had the wrong address and had me scared

Same Principle in Peter’s Life – most of ours – Your name in Scripture

Luke 22 : 31-32

¶And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

In Otherwords

Peter, you have walked with me, have seen miraculous miracles at side, have shared in experiences with angelic beings in my presence. And yet, inspite of all of that…. you are not yet converted

But I love you and have prayed for you that in the meantime, while you figure it out, your faith will not fail you. Then Once you are converted, I mean really converted, then go and strengthen your brethren.

Our Comparison with Peter

Converted = born again = Nicodemus

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Our focus on incorrect things-

– Some fail recognize their lack of or skewed conversion

– Ex: Many of us focus on what team we are on. We are so grateful to have found the Savior’s Church. Perhaps we ought to be more concerned with finding him

Content with spiritual fuzzy feelings

concluded this is the gospel peak

One evidence of true Conversion is to have received the Holy Ghost

Many have received Confirmation, Many have not truly received this gift

Why? Self Reliance / Comfortable Path / content with a sporadic inconsistent experiences with the HG yet not pushing forward to the real blessing, to receive the constant companionship of the HG, to receive the Mighty Change spoken by Alma

John 16:7 – Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Why? Why did Christ have to Leave- to truly receive we have to be pushed outside our comfort zone, left to exercise real faith, and they could not with him in their presence to always reassure them, bringing them back into the safety of his presence, solving problems when their faith was not enough

But Bishop we received the HG when we were confirmed!!!

Elder David Bednar Q12-

“The simplicity of this ordinance may cause us to overlook its significance. These four words—“Receive the Holy Ghost”—are not a passive pronouncement; rather, they constitute a priesthood injunction—an authoritative admonition to act and not simply to be acted upon (see 2 Nephi 2:26). The Holy Ghost does not become operative in our lives merely because hands are placed upon our heads and those four important words are spoken. As we receive this ordinance, each of us accepts a sacred and ongoing responsibility to desire, to seek, to work, and to so live that we indeed “receive the Holy Ghost” and its attendant spiritual gifts. “For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift” (D&C 88:33).”

Alma’s Change = mighty – not minor

True Conversion is deep – natural man can/must change–Merits Mercy Grace of JC

After Baptism

– need continual immersed in Saturated by Light/Truth Savior’s gospel

– Sporadic Dipping in the DOC or partial immersion at the waters edge of the Savior’s gospel and his Church can not produce this needed transformation that enables us to walk in the Light of His Love

– Rather – Fidelity/Covenants, Constancy/Commitment, Offer/whole Soul unto God – Required to receive Blessing of Eternity.

– Total Immersion in and Saturation with – Savior Gospel – is essential

Steps to Conversion true Conversion and receiving the HG

MUST BE SOMETHING YOU WANT – REALLY WANT – Otherwise won’t make much difference

1.) Focus on being obedient – LORD/SPIRIT/ PROMPTINGS

2.) Do NOT do what comes Naturally – Sanctified – Subject Lord’s Will

3.) Establish discipline – to live faithful to covenants – Discpline to read and study the scriptures – to Pray and to pray for something (More Charity, More Faith, More Humility) – Disicpline to be more Christlike each day

4.) More Fully use the Sacrament

Elder Donald Hallstrom

“Focus on the ordinances and covenants. If there are any of the essential ordinances yet to be performed in your life, intently prepare to receive each of them. Then we need to establish the discipline to live faithful to our covenants, fully using the weekly gift of the sacrament. Many of us are not being regularly changed by its cleansing power because of our lack of reverence for this holy ordinance”

Did we see that? Sacrament – not just maintaining but changing

BROKEN HEART & CONTRITE SPIRIT (Repentant & Obedient)

5.) Prayerfully seek forgiveness for personal sins and seek to forgive others

6.) Think about promises made and kept over the past week – make new ones

7.) Trust in & Follow the Savior

These will be ever more difficult but would your gifts of repentance and obedience be worthy gifts if they cost you nothing

Once when King David prepared to offer a sacrifice to the Lord, a loyal subject said he would give the king the place, the animals, and the firewood to make the sacrifice. But David declined, saying, “I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing” (2 Sam. 24:24).

Elder Holland

as the path of discipleship ascends, that trail gets ever more narrow until we come to that knee-buckling pinnacle of the sermon of which Elder Christofferson just spoke: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”13 What was gentle in the lowlands of initial loyalty becomes deeply strenuous and very demanding at the summit of true discipleship.

Principles

Desire, Submissiveness to God, Faith, Study, Prayer, Service, Repentance, Obedience, and Worship lead to a mighty change

BLESSINGS

1.) begin to sense impressions

2.) find yourself being obedient to these impressions

3.) record them as they will be important to you, taken seriously

4.) begin to hear a voice within you – spiritual not physical – senses honed

5.) begin to listen with more focus during and after our prayers – faculties aroused

6.) Heart and very being will be changed and filled with the spirit

7.) Scriptures become more alive/clear–Clarity spiritual voice within you increase

8.) You will teach and preach with power concerning spiritual matters – you will be instructed by the Lord

Testimony

D&C 88:63

Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given unto you

[Anonymous]

Good luck.

The only comment/concern I have is your “focus on obedience to receive spirit” principle #1.

That rhetoric doesn’t work for me…I’m to cynical and weary of cultish terminology.

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[Anonymous]

cwald wrote:

Good luck.

The only comment/concern I have is your “focus on obedience to receive spirit” principle #1.

That rhetoric doesn’t work for me…I’m to cynical and weary of cultish terminology.

Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2

For the record, not obedience but obedience to the Lord, his spirit, and his promptings. I will emphasize that as I am a big enemy of Blind obedience on any level within church or any other person or institution.

[Anonymous]

Great. Thank you for clarifing that. We need more of you “bishops” in the church.

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[Anonymous]

I’m am so glad you are over here rather than wasting your time at MAD. The way they treated you…

You can make a difference in many people’s lives. Good luck Bishop.

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[Anonymous]

I still participate on both though I find myself not needing either for me but rather still check into both to try and be a voice of reason from time to time. I have found myself very comfortable with uncertainity.

[Author]

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