Conversion Is Our Goal
Mark L. Pace, Sunday School General President
Sunday School General President Mark L. Pace invites members to deepen their conversion to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ through consistent scripture study and the influence of the Holy Ghost.
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- What is the role of the Holy Ghost in our personal scripture study?
- How does consistent scripture study contribute to our conversion?
- What are some of the blessings that come from following the counsel of living prophets?
- How does Mark L. Pace draw parallels between ancient and modern examples of obedience?
- Why is conversion considered our ultimate goal?
Topics
Understanding the Goal of Conversion
Conversion to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ is the ultimate goal of all gospel learning and teaching. This conversion is a lifelong process and requires consistent, daily efforts to understand and live the gospel.
The aim of all gospel learning and teaching is to deepen our conversion to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Long-lasting conversion is a lifelong process. Conversion is our goal.
- What does it mean to be converted to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
- Why is conversion considered a lifelong process?
- How can we deepen our conversion?
- What steps can you take to deepen your conversion?
- How can you make consistent, daily efforts to understand and live the gospel?
- What experiences have you had that have strengthened your conversion?
Recognizing the Role of the Holy Ghost in Scripture Study
The Holy Ghost plays a critical role in our personal scripture study, teaching us and providing spiritual impressions. These experiences with the Holy Ghost are foundation stones for our conversion to the Savior.
That is the miracle we seek—when one person has an experience in the scriptures and that experience is blessed by the influence of the Holy Ghost.
There is no substitute for the time you spend in the scriptures, hearing the Holy Ghost speak directly to you.
- What is the role of the Holy Ghost in our personal scripture study?
- How does the Holy Ghost influence our experiences with the scriptures?
- Why are these experiences important for our conversion?
- How have you felt the influence of the Holy Ghost during your personal scripture study?
- What experiences have you had where the Holy Ghost has spoken directly to you?
- How can you invite the Holy Ghost more into your scripture study?
Learning from Ancient Examples of Obedience
The Old Testament provides examples of obedience, such as the children of Israel following the Lord's directions through Moses during the Passover. These examples illustrate the power of faith and obedience in receiving protection and deliverance.
Because the children of Israel followed the counsel of Moses and acted in faith, they were saved from the plague and, in time, freed from their captivity.
The faith and humility to follow the prophet preceded the miracle of protection and deliverance.
- What can we learn from the obedience of the children of Israel during the Passover?
- How did their faith and obedience lead to protection and deliverance?
- Why is it important to follow the counsel of prophets?
- How can you apply the lessons of faith and obedience from the children of Israel in your own life?
- What experiences have you had where following the counsel of prophets has led to protection or deliverance?
- How can your faith and humility help you follow the counsel of prophets?
Following the Counsel of Living Prophets
Following the counsel of living prophets, such as President Nelson's introduction of Come, Follow Me, brings specific blessings. Testimonials from Saints show how these blessings have been realized in their lives, including increased faith, decreased influence of the adversary, and strengthened relationships.
When the Lord’s living prophet, President Nelson, introduced us to Come, Follow Me as a means of studying the scriptures, he invited us to transform our homes into sanctuaries of faith and centers of gospel learning.
Today, as we follow the Lord’s direction given through our living prophet, President Nelson, we are equally blessed with conversion in our hearts and protection in our homes.
- What counsel has President Nelson given regarding scripture study?
- What are the promised blessings of following this counsel?
- How have Saints experienced these blessings in their lives?
- How have you been blessed by following the counsel of President Nelson?
- What changes can you make to transform your home into a sanctuary of faith and center of gospel learning?
- How can following the counsel of living prophets contribute to your conversion?
Experiencing Personal Conversion
Personal conversion comes from individual experiences with the scriptures and the Holy Ghost. These experiences bring about changes in our lives, such as increased humility, understanding of gospel principles, and strength to resist temptations.
My daily experiences with Come, Follow Me are rarely noteworthy, but over time I can see how I am being changed by such a constant, focused study of the scriptures. That kind of study humbles me, teaches me, and changes me a little at a time.
When we study the scriptures, there is no spiritual famine in the land. As Nephi said, "Whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction"
- How do individual experiences with the scriptures and the Holy Ghost contribute to personal conversion?
- What changes can occur in our lives as a result of these experiences?
- How does focused study of the scriptures help us resist temptations?
- How have you experienced personal conversion through your scripture study?
- What changes have you noticed in your life as a result of your experiences with the scriptures and the Holy Ghost?
- How can you increase your focus on scripture study to deepen your conversion?
