Doing vs. Becoming

Elder Dallin H. Oaks- The Challenge to Become

I was extremely touched by this talk. My life often feels like an endless to-do list and it is difficult to see the fruits of my labors as I trudge on to the next checklist. However, Elder Oaks teaches the principle of becoming rather than doing. The gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something.  I learned from his article that to TESTIFY is to know and declare; but to be CONVERTED is to do and become. As we become disciples of Christ, it is second nature to think as He would, act as He would, and say what he would have you say. I believe the golden rule is not to treat others as they would like to be treated, but to treat others the way He would treat them. In our reading for this week, we learn in Alma chapter 12 that we are not condemned merely on our thoughts, words, and actions. If we were judged on the things that we had done, rather than the person we have become, that would be contrary to the teachings of Christ. We can all be saved through His atonement, which is available to every person who has lived on earth. It is available to all, but we must take advantage of it. Christ knew that he sacrificed in advance for some who would not utilize this great blessing, but He loves us so much that He would make that sacrifice whether we use it or not. I am so thankful for the blessing of the Atonement in my life, and the chance that it gives me to become more like the Savior throughout and despite all of my mistakes and challenges.

Am I ready?

A huge theme for class this week was covenants, which were found in the supplemental reading, “Understanding My Covenants with God,” and in Mosiah 18:8-10. We learned that making and keeping covenants with Christ is essential to receive eternal salvation. I was reminded that if I want the full blessings of the atonement, I must make covenants.

I am currently attending a temple preparation class instead of Sunday School. I don’t have a mission call, and I’m not getting married in the foreseeable future, so one might ask why I am taking Temple Prep. Since covenants have been on my mind this week, my lesson in Temple Prep today was especially meaningful. It was the last week in a series of lessons to help me prepare to receive my endowment. Something that my instructor said really hit home- he said, “Your endowment does not have to be triggered by a mission or a marriage! The question is, simply, Are you ready to make covenants?”  

As I learn more about covenants, my desire grows to be ready to make them. I am thankful for the preparation I receive regularly in religion classes, personal study, and church attendance, and soon I want to be able to answer, “Yes. I am ready." To make covenants with Christ that will lead to my eternal happiness.

True Conversion

I loved Elder Whetten’s general conference talk about true conversion and service. In high school, I had the opportunity to serve on seminary council, a group of students who were leaders in our seminary program. I cannot even begin to tell you how many hours of service that constituted. But even more so, I cannot begin to express the pure happiness I felt in that time of my life. Despite experiencing deep personal trials during that year, I felt joy when I served and I felt myself coming closer to my Heavenly Father. One of our advisors often told us, “An invitation offered in love will never offend.” I agree with this wholeheartedly and I think it goes along well with Elder Whetten’s general conference talk, because he noted that “love should be at the heart of all service.”

Service is a sign of true conversion, and it is a means of consecrating lives to helping others just like the Savior did. Thinking about the life of the Savior can be intimidating, but then I consider all of the small acts of service that He gave (gives) each day. I can serve in big ways by volunteering for organizations or fulfilling my calling, but I can also serve in little ways by saying hello, or washing my roommate’s dishes, or wiping out the fridge. Even though these acts of service are “little” and perhaps of little consequence to my own life, they could be the difference between a good and a bad day for someone else. When we are willing to serve and humble enough to listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we are capable of being instruments in the Lord’s hands and angels in the lives of others around us.

Mosiah 1:3-4

“Were it not for these plates, which contain these records and these commandments, we must have suffered in ignorance, even at this present time, not knowing the mysteries of God….Lehi did teach them to his children, that thereby they could teach them to their children, and so fulfilling the commandments of God, even down to this present time.”

I do not know when I marked these verses, but I am so glad I did. It caused me to pause in my reading and consider what meaning I must have gleaned from them before. One of the most effective ways for me to read scripture is by putting myself in the present situation: when I read those words in Mosiah, I think, “Were it not for these scriptures, I would be suffering in ignorance. The scriptures are given to me at this day for the purpose of fulfilling the commandments of God. My parents used the scriptures to teach me, and one day I must also teach my children the word of God.”

I am so thankful to be born of goodly parents, as Nephi would say. My mom and dad reared me in the gospel and taught me essential truths that carry my testimony today. My dad is a scriptorian, and knows the word of God inside and out. Not only does he know the words, but he also lives them. He is a wonderful example—like Lehi—of teaching the word to his children and “so fulfilling the commandments of God.” I hope to fulfill this commandment as well, when I have a family of my own. I am so grateful for the opportunities I have to study the word of God, and my testimony is strengthened as I do.