Born Again: What It Truly Means to Be Converted Through Him
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), the concept of conversion lies at the very core of our spiritual growth and progression as we continue our very personal journey home. As members of the Church, we often hear the term "conversion," but what does it mean to be "truly converted"? In this blog post, we will delve into the profound meaning of conversion, exploring its significance, process in striving for it, and the culminating experiences and fruits, ultimately highlighting its transformative power in the lives of faithful Latter-day Saints.
The Essence of True Conversion
At its essence, true conversion includes a divine process of surrendering our hearts by degrees to the Lord, until we surrender our all to Him in full, withholding nothing. This is when we can be endowed with power from on high as an act of grace. It is preceded by and made possible through having first come under heavenly contract with God through the ordinances by proper authority, but even this is no guarantee. The level of grace to which I am referring is known as the First Comforter or being “born of God,” which includes an experience of being filled with the Love of God [charity], an actual knowledge as to the reality of the Father and the Son manifested in power, receiving a remission of sins as though by spiritual fire, and receiving the sure promise of Eternal Life directly from Him, subject to enduring to the end. In effect, it is to come once again into the Presence of the Lord (shrouded by the veil), and know it. And when we know IT, we will know HIM. How could we not experience a "mighty change of heart," through such a deeply personal, and spiritual encounter with the Deity? This is when we will have fulfilled the covenant we make each and every Sunday through the Sacrament ordinance, "to take upon [us] the name of [His] Son," having been actually spiritually-adopted by Him. Thus, true conversion encompasses much more than just adopting certain beliefs or performing religious rituals; it is a profound change of heart and character, arising out of having entered His Presence through a manifestation of His Spirit in power. Hard to believe? Then this is the wall of "unbelief" that must be torn down.
After the apostle Peter witnessed all the miracles of Jesus, and after he witnessed Christ's transfiguration, together with having heard the voice of Elohim on the holy mount say, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased;” And after having witnessed the resurrected beings of Moses and Elias speaking to the Lord, it was shortly thereafter, that Peter was still told by the Savior of the World, "when thou are converted, strengthen thy brethren." Can any of us say that we have had a stronger "testimony" than that of Peter prior to his true conversion on the day of Pentecost? These "events of testimony," if you will, had not previously created any "whole or true conversion" in Peter, for after all of these, Peter denied Christ 3 times. Peter's conversion occurred when he received the "actual" Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost. And if we are to be truly converted ourselves, it will be through this same process of being "truly and fully" immersed in the Spirit of the Lord as on the day of Pentecost. This is when we will be made a "new creature" in the Holy Ghost (2 Cor. 5:14-15, 17), "awakened out of a deep sleep... unto God" (Alma 5:7).
Joseph Smith taught:
“There are two comforters spoken of. One is the Holy Ghost, the same as given on the day of Pentecost”
When we receive the Holy Ghost or First Comforter, this is when we receive the “second birth,” or Spiritual Rebirth. This is when we are born again or born of God. Notice that all of these are synonymous and are represented in Lehi’s dream as the “fruit” of salvation.
We can receive this First Comforter only after pure and whole faith, (broken-hearted) repentance, baptism of water, and the laying on of hands (see Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 151). Through this manifestation, even as on the day of Pentecost as experienced by the apostles of old, we can be entirely cleansed by the Deity, completely healed of all spiritual and emotional wounds, and have all addictions miraculously lifted from us. We are then (and not until then) “converted unto the Lord,” as was the apostle, Peter. I bear personal witness of such an unspeakable miracle.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie said:
“If I do not receive the same testimony of our Lord’s divine Sonship that Peter gained, if I do not know by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is Lord, that is, if I do not have the testimony of Jesus,… I shall have no abiding inheritance in that church and kingdom.”
Conversion, therefore, is not a "process" void of an actual reconciliation with God, but one that leads to said reconciliation, including the experiential taste of a "oneness in Him." Thus, we do not perform "the mighty change" in ourselves through personal grit or willpower alone. It comes as the bestowal of an endowment as we arrive to that point of faith where we are willing to sacrifice all that we have and are. As John Pontius has said, "God does not require us to perfect ourselves, or to develop godly attributes by our own labors. He will give us all those marvelous things. He will change us in a mighty way. He will exalt us, if we obey Him. Hear it again. He will exalt us. He will work the changes. He will purify us. He will cleanse us—if we obey Him” (John Pontius, “Following the Light of Christ into His Presence, p. 452, e-book).
The Role of Faith and Repentance, together with the "offering" of a Broken Heart
Faith and repentance are integral components that lead to true and whole conversion, even as on the day of Pentecost. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ propels us to seek Him earnestly, believe in His teachings, and trust in His infinite grace and mercy. This faith moves us to act, to turn away from sin and seek forgiveness through sincere repentance.
Broken-hearted repentance through complete surrender is a vital step in the process that leads to this culminating experience of a complete immersion in the Spirit of the Lord delivered as a gift or act of grace. It first involves recognizing our shortcomings, admitting our mistakes, and making a genuine commitment to change and improve. As we humbly approach the Savior, seeking His forgiveness, and offering broken hearts in complete surrender to Him, while offering all that we have and are, and having a commitment to do His will forever, our burdens can become lifted through God’s grace, will and timing, and we can then experience the profound joy of reconciliation with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. We experience the oneness for which Christ prayed to the Father during His earthly ministry as found in John Chapter 17 in the New Testament, "that they also may be one in us... even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one" (John 17: 21-23). This experiential and miraculous taste of Their Oneness occurs through experiencing much of the same divine Spirit of Intelligence that inhabits the tabernacles of the Father and the Son during our own Spiritual Rebirth. And although this level of grace does not remain as a permanent endowment (at least in my experience), it helps to more fully understand how it is that we come to not only experience a "mighty change of heart" in this life, but what the experience of exaltation may be like having thus "tasted" of it here. Herein arises our "hope" for immortal glory (Moses 6:59).
The Role of the Holy Ghost
As outlined, above, true conversion is not achievable through human effort or will-power alone. The Holy Ghost, plays a pivotal role in this transformative experience that lasts several days and nights, with after-effects that can last into the eternities. As we strive to live righteously and draw nearer to God, the Holy Ghost or Comforter can become our constant companion, guiding, comforting, and sanctifying us unto Holiness. In fact, fighting to maintain the Comforter’s influence will become our primary battle after receiving the Holy Ghost in our lives. For without His ongoing influence within us, further sanctification would not be possible. This further sanctification is that which leads unto Holiness in order to prepare us to receive that “more sure word of prophecy,” an endowment which typically precedes receiving the Second Comforter, or entering the Lord’s literal Presence while yet in mortality. This is why we are told that the Lord is both the "author" and the "finisher" of our faith.
The Light of Christ is given to every man that enters into the world and testifies of truth, enlightens our understanding of the scriptures, and prompts us to follow God's will, including that of broken-hearted repentance, falling down and crying out for God’s mercy to save us, which can thereby yield the miraculous Spiritual Rebirth or true conversion described herein. Through the actual reception and enjoyment of the Holy Ghost, we gain increased spiritual insights, experience heightened personal revelation, and receive added comfort during times of trial. This divine influence helps us remain steadfast in our commitment to the gospel, including "enduring to the end." And this "end," in my opinion, is to view the face of the Lord while in mortality.
The Fruits of True Conversion
The fruits of true conversion are evident in the lives of faithful Latter-day Saints. As individuals experience this profound change of heart, they exhibit Christlike attributes in their interactions with others. Love and kindness become natural expressions of their character, and they actively seek opportunities to serve and lift those in need.
True conversion also leads to a desire to share the gospel with others. As the Savior taught, "Freely ye have received, freely give" (Matthew 10:8). When we have tasted the goodness of the gospel and felt the transformative power of true and whole conversion even as on the day of Pentecost, we cannot help but share these blessings with others, inviting them to experience the joy and peace that arises out of a faith in Christ.
Being truly converted to the Lord is a sacred and profound experience. It goes beyond surface-level beliefs and rituals, encompassing a mighty change of heart and a deep commitment to following the Savior's example, having experienced an actual redemption in Him—thereby yielding the perfect knowledge as to His living reality. Through faith, repentance, and the guidance of the Light of Christ which leads to our willingness to sacrifice all that we have and are, we can experience this transformation and witness the fruits of true conversion in our lives and the lives of those who have also found the gate of salvation.
May we continually strive to walk the path, drawing closer to our Heavenly Father and becoming more like His Son, Jesus Christ through Their grace. As we do so, our lives will be filled with purpose, joy, and the "peace that passeth all understanding." Let us remember the words of the Savior, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). Through true conversion, we will find this rest and the abundant blessings that flow from a life devoted to Jesus Christ and His gospel.