Regional conference :)
I attended my stake's regional conference a few weeks ago and had the opportunity to hear from Elder Bednar. His talk was powerful and made my head hurt a little bit because there was so much to think about :) I have thought about it several times since then. It was one of those talks that just inspires you to make real changes in your life.
Elder Bednar spoke of testimony, conversion, and the character of Christ. In his talk, he explained that testimony is something that comes as we study and pray about gospel truths. Conversion, he said, then grows out of testimony as we consistently follow what we know to be true. Following these explanations, he inserted the principles of testimony and conversion into the parable of the ten virgins, calling their lamps the lamps of testimony, and the oil, the oil of conversion. He explained that the oil cannot be shared during moments of trial and adversity, but comes drop by drop as we study the gospel. Conversion must be obtained and cannot be given from person to person. He expressed that every member of the church has some form of testimony, but it is apparent that not all are converted.
Elder Bednar then stated that one cannot be converted until he/she knows some basic things about the character of Christ for "except for the character of Christ, there would have been no atonement." He shared several examples from the scriptures that are representative of Christ's character. In each instance, and always in times of personal trial and adversity, Christ turned outward when the natural man or woman would have the tendency to turn inward. He sent an angel to John who had been sent to prison even though Jesus, himself, had just faced enormous personal hardship, he healed the guard's ear in the midst of his own betrayal, and even on the cross, he pleaded with the Father to "forgive them, for they know not what they do."
As Elder Bednar spoke, it became evident that a truly converted individual is one who follows the example of Christ and turns outward rather than inward...at all times. I've reflected on this often over the past few weeks. It seems logical that our actions would indicate our level of conversion to the gospel and it made me consider my own actions. Do I turn outward rather than inward during times of trial? Probably not as often as I should. I'm grateful for the message that Elder Bednar shared. It reminded me of a quote given in a talk by President Gordon B. Hinckley:
"If the pressures of school are too heavy, if you complain about your housing and the food you eat, I can suggest a cure for your problems. Lay your books aside for a few hours, leave your room, and go visit someone who is old and lonely. Or visit those who are sick and discouraged; there are hundreds of that kind...who need the kind of encouragement you could give. If you are complaining about life, it is because you are thinking only of yourself. There was for many years a sign on the wall of a shoe repair shop I patronized. It read, 'I complained because I had no shoes until I saw a man who had no feet.' The most effective medicine for the sickness of self-pity is to lose oneself in the service of others."
I feel like it's pretty easy to get caught up in selfishness and self-pity as a young single adult, as you mainly only have yourself to think about. As I considered both of these messages, it was made clear to me that the real cure for the sickness of self-pity is conversion...true conversion. Such conversion leads to outward acts which represent an inward commitment to live the gospel as a disciple of Jesus Christ. I am again so grateful for this powerful message and hope that as I continue to study and ponder the scriptures, I will develop those Christlike attributes that lead one to turn outward when the natural man would yearn to turn inward.
