Alma 23-29

This week our lesson focused on the experience of conversion.  In previous lessons we had spoken about conversion, and this definition which captures the essence of conversion as being alignment with God, was one of the principles we discussed.

Speaking about conversion, Elder Bednar has said: 

"For many of us, conversion is an ongoing process and not a onetime event that results from a powerful or dramatic experience. 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. Conversion unto the Lord requires both persistence and patience." (Converted Unto the Lord, October 2012) 

 Sister Oscarson elaborated on other aspects of conversion: - obedience and time.  Sister Oscarson also stated:

"True conversion is more than merely having a knowledge of gospel principles and implies even more than just having a testimony of those principles. It is possible to have a testimony of the gospel without living it. Being truly converted means we are acting upon what we believe and allowing it to create “a mighty change in us, or in our hearts.” In the booklet True to the Faith, we learn that “conversion is a process, not an event. You become converted as a result of … righteous efforts to follow the Savior.” It takes time, effort, and work. " (Be Ye Converted, October 2013) 

In our lesson, we discussed aspects of our individual conversion experiences.  As we shared, we pondered on the background to our conversion experiences, any preparations that we noted in relation to the experience and events leading up to our baptisms.

During the discussions, we noted similarities in our experiences.  These included:
1. The role of sincere personal PRAYER;
2. Experiencing PEACEFUL FEELINGS about the gospel and experiencing the influence of the Spirit;
3.  The progression of TIME- learning and changes that happened line upon line, slowly;
4.  The significance of OBEDIENCE to promptings received; and
5. The significance of studying the SCRIPTURES.

Another common, and highly significant experience to the class was the "person who influences",  In each case, some significant person had influence over us leading us towards accepting the gospel.

So - ponder and write about your conversion experience, and see if the same principles come up as we have mentioned.  And then reflect on the significance of these things in your ongoing conversion ...