Elder Bednar Devotional – Jan 20, 2011

I ask everyone who reads it to read it with a spirit of prayer, that the Holy Ghost may touch you as you read these rough notes, that you can take something from it that will better your lives. :) It is, after all, spoken through one of the 12 apostles. I like to think of this as a Patriarchal Blessing for the BYU Hawaii community who assisted the devotional, but hopefully someone can be edified by reading this, if not at least informed.
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‘My message is just for you’. No one recorded this broadcast so only our notes of this event are proof that this took place!

There is a connection between Personal Testimony and On-going Conversion

Testimony: personal knowledge by the Holy Ghost to our souls that things are true.

·         The Holy Ghost is a Teacher and Guide to all truth.

Sincere Heart, Real Intent, and Faith in Jesus Christ, Responsibility, Duty, Accountability

Conversion: mighty change of heart, new creature in Christ; a fundamental and permanent change in our nature via the atonement.

·         Includes a conscious effort to be a disciple of Christ

Come unto Christ and offer your WHOLE soul unto him. Knowing that Christ is the Redeemer is good, but coming unto Him requires more effort on your part.          

·         No more dispositions to do evil, but to do good continually – improve and become better.

Mighty change in heart, no more disposition to do evil, walk circumspect before God, Keep the Commandments, Diligence

Gradually align your thoughts, words, and deeds to align to God’s will

·         Persistence and Patience is necessary

Belief -> Faith->Repentance-> Change of Heart-> Firm and Steadfast in the faith = Pathway to ongoing conversion to the Lord.

Having a testimony is the initial step to deepening conversion. “As many of the Lamanites did converted never fell away.”

If we are still in possession of what keeps us from fully converting unto the lord, we NEED TO LAY IT DOWN NOW!  

Conversion = A deepening devotion to the Knowledge we’ve received. Being consistent to the gospel is also conversion. Be true to the gospel.

Lamps of the virgins à Lamps of Testimony / Oil of Conversion

·         It cannot be borrowed by someone else. It comes from the steps and experiences we personally have. Each of us must “buy our oil and lamps, adding ‘line upon line, precept upon precept’ the oil’ (It’s our responsibility to increase our light of testimony and ample supply of conversion oil to the Lord)

Come to the Knowledge of Truth and be converted – we will be ready at the coming of the bridegroom.

“I bear apostolic witness that ‘They’ live and love and know each and every one of us. They speak. I leave you with a blessing that you may have eyes to see and ears to hear, to be more fully converted unto the Lord and assist others.”