President Marion G. Romney of the First
Presidency
gave the following insight regarding
the meaning of true conversion:
“Webster [dictionary] says the verb, ‘convert,’ means
‘to turn from one belief or course to another.’ That ‘conversion’ is ‘a
spiritual and moral change. . . .’ As used in the scriptures, ‘converted’ generally implies
not merely mental acceptance of Jesus and his teachings but also a motivating
faith in him and in his gospel—a faith which works a transformation, an actual change
in one’s understanding of
life’s meaning and in his allegiance to God— in interest, in thought, and in
conduct. . . .
In one who is wholly converted, desire for things
inimical [contrary] to the gospel of Jesus Christ has actually died, and
substituted therefore is a love of God with a fixed and controlling
determination to keep his commandments. . . .
. . . From this it would appear that membership in the
Church and conversion are not necessarily synonymous. Being converted . . . and
having a testimony are not
necessarily the same thing either. A testimony comes
when the Holy Ghost gives
the earnest seeker a witness of the truth. A moving
testimony vitalizes faith; that is, it induces repentance and obedience to the
commandments. Conversion, on the other hand, is the fruit of, or the reward
for, repentance and obedience”
(in Conference Report, Oct. 1963,
23–24).
