Conversion: The Healing Power of Conversion and the Heart

THE HEALING POWER OF CONVERSION

·         Elder Marion G. Romney, “Conversion,”  Conference Report, October 1963

It is about conversion and the healing which attends it that I wish to speak. Conversion is effected by divine forgiveness, which remits sins. The sequence is something like this. An honest seeker hears the message. He asks the Lord in prayer if it is true. The Holy Spirit gives him a witness. This is a testimony. If one's testimony is strong enough, he repents and obeys the commandments. By such obedience he receives divine forgiveness which remits sin. Thus he is converted to a newness of life. His spirit is healed.

Always the remittance of sins which attends divine forgiveness heals the spirit. This accounts for the fact that in the scriptures conversion and healing are repeatedly associated.

For example, in 1837 the Lord said, “I, the Lord, will feel after them, and if they harden not their hearts, and stiffen not their necks against me, they shall be converted, and I will heal them." (D&C 112:12-13)

Getting people's spirits healed through conversion is the only way they can be healed.

Russell M. Nelson, “Jesus Christ—the Master Healer,” Ensign, Nov 2005, 85”

 “Afflictions can come from spiritual as well as physical causes. We can more fully repent! We can become more fully converted! Then the “Son of Righteousness” can more fully bless us by His healing hand.

Early in His mortal ministry, Jesus announced that He had been sent “to heal the brokenhearted.”  Wherever He taught them, His pattern was consistent. As I quote His words spoken at four different times and locations, note the pattern.

• To people of the Holy Land, the Lord said that His people “should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” 15

• To people of ancient America, the resurrected Lord extended this invitation: “Return unto me, … repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you.” 3 Ne. 9:13

• To leaders of His Church, He taught, “Continue to minister; for ye know not but what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal them.” 3 Ne. 18:32

• Later, the Lord taught the Prophet Joseph Smith regarding the pioneers, “After their temptations, and much tribulation, behold, I, the Lord, will feel after them, and if they harden not their hearts, and stiffen not their necks against me, they shall be converted, and I will heal them.” D&C 112:13

The sequence of His pattern is significant. Faith, repentance, baptism, a testimony, and enduring conversion lead to the healing power of the Lord. Baptism is a covenant act—a sign of a commitment and a promise. Testimony develops when the Holy Ghost gives conviction to the earnest seeker of the truth. True testimony fosters faith; it promotes repentance and obedience to God’s commandments. Testimony engenders enthusiasm to serve God and fellow human beings.  Conversion means “to turn with.”  Conversion is a turning from the ways of the world to, and staying with, the ways of the Lord. Conversion includes repentance and obedience. Conversion brings a mighty change of heart. Thus, a true convert is “born again,” walking with a newness of life.

Scriptural Theme:  The Heart

Ezekial 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

20 That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

Ezekiel 36:26 “A new heart also will I give you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.”

Jeremiah 31:33  “I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

Dale G. Renlund, “Preserving the Heart’s Mighty Change,” Ensign, Nov 2009, 97–99

Since 1967, over 75,000 heart transplants have been performed worldwide.  In each heart transplant recipient, the patient’s own body recognizes the new heart as “foreign” and begins to attack it.

Medicines can suppress this natural response, but the medications must be taken daily and with exactness. Occasional heart biopsies are performed wherein small pieces of heart tissue are removed and then examined under a microscope [for signs of rejection].

Surprisingly, some patients become casual with their transplanted hearts. They skip their medicines here and there and obtain the needed follow-up less frequently than they should. They think that because they feel good, all is well.

The Lord explained the operation that we all need: [In Ezekiel 36:26 He says], “A new heart also will I give you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.”

Enduring to the end can be challenging because the tendency of the natural man is to reject the spiritually changed heart and allow it to harden. We need to frequently biopsy our mightily changed hearts and reverse any signs of early rejection.  

Conversion: The Conversion Cycle

Full Conversion Brings Happiness Richard G. Scott, Ensign, May 2002, 24

Your happiness now and forever is conditioned on your degree of conversion.

1) Each of us has observed how some individuals go through life consistently doing the right things. When difficult choices are to be made, they seem to invariably make the right ones, even though there were enticing alternatives available to them. We know that they are subject to temptation, but they seem oblivious to it.

2) Likewise, we have observed how others are not so valiant in the decisions they make.  In a powerfully spiritual environment, they resolve to do better, to change their course of life, to set aside debilitating habits. They are very sincere in their determination to change, yet they are soon back doing the same things they resolved to abandon.

3) What is it that makes the difference in the lives of these two groups? How can you consistently make the right choices? The scriptures give us insight. Consider enthusiastic, impetuous Peter. For three years he had served as an Apostle beside the Master, observing miracles and hearing transforming teachings.   Yet with all of this, the Savior could see that Peter still lacked consistency. In the Bible, we read:

4) “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you. … But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.”  Certainly these were not, from the perspective of Peter, idle words. He sincerely meant what he said but would act otherwise.

5) Later, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus prophesied to His disciples, “All ye shall be offended because of me this night.” Peter again responded, “Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.” Then the Master soberly prophesied, “Verily I say unto thee, thou shalt deny me thrice.” To which Peter responded more vehemently, “If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise.”

6) For me, one of the most poignant passages of scripture describes what then occurred. It is a sobering reminder to each of us that knowing to do right, even ardently desiring to do right, is not enough. It is often very hard to actually do what we clearly know we should do.

7) How then can you become truly converted? President Romney describes the steps you must follow:

·         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.

·         Conversion is the fruit or the reward for repentance and obedience.”

8) True conversion is the fruit of faith, repentance, and consistent obedience. Faith comes by hearing the word of God and responding to it. You will receive from the Holy Ghost a confirming witness of things you accept on faith by willingly doing them.  You will be led to repent of errors resulting from wrong things done or right things not done.  As a consequence, your capacity to consistently obey will be strengthened.


9) This cycle of faith, repentance, and consistent obedience
will lead you to greater conversion with its attendant blessings.
True conversion will strengthen your capacity to do what you
know you should do, when you should do it, regardless of the
circumstances.

Conversion: How to Become Truly Converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Jeremiah 31:33  I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

WHAT IS CONVERSION?

·         Dallin H. Oaks, "The Challenge toBecome", Ensign, Nov. 2000

The Apostle Paul taught that the Lord’s teachings and teachers were given that we may all attain “the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Eph. 4:13). This process requires far more than acquiring knowledge. It is not even enough for us to be convinced of the gospel; we must act and think so that we are converted by it. In contrast to the institutions of the world, which teach us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something.

·         Elder Marion G. Romney, “Conversion,”  Conference Report, October 1963

"But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." (Luke 22:31-32.) From this it would appear that membership in the Church and conversion are not necessarily synonymous. Being converted, as we are here using the term, 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. (Of course one's testimony continues to increase as he is converted.)

·         
Elder Marion G. Romney, “Conversion,”  Conference Report, October 1963

 “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.” 

M. Russell Ballard

“Among other things, Elder Ballard shared some feelings of the Brethren about conversion.  He indicated that President Hinckley has expressed concern that some people in the church have mental but not spiritual conversion.  The gospel appeals to them, but real conversion is when they feel something in their hearts, and not just in their minds.  There is mental assent, but not spiritual conviction.  They must be touched by the power of the Holy Ghost which creates a spiritual experience.  The power and deep conversion of the Spirit is needed by our members to get into their hearts to confirm what they agreed to in their minds.  This will carry them through every storm of adversity.”  

Bruce R. McConkie, "Be Ye Converted," BYU First Stake Conference, 11 February 1968, found in Sermons and Writings of Bruce R. McConkie

Peter had a testimony. Peter had worked miracles; he had been in the ministry. There is a difference, as is evident from this, between having a testimony and being converted. It is only fair, and it is also essential to the story, to say that the reason Peter was not converted in the full sense is that the time had not then arrived when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the people. This came later; it was the promised endowment that they got on the day of Pentecost.

A person may get converted in a moment, miraculously. That is what happened to Alma the younger. But with most people, the conversion is a process; and it goes step by step, degree by degree, level by level, from a lower state to a higher, from grace to grace, until the time that the individual is wholly turned to the cause of righteousness. Now, this means that an individual overcomes one sin today and another sin tomorrow.

The Holy Ghost does two things in particular. On the one hand he is a witness to truth, and so he bears the testimony of the truth, and that is how we get a testimony, by revelation from the Holy Ghost. But on the other hand the Holy Spirit is a sanctifier, and he has the power to cleanse and perfect the human soul, to wash evil and iniquity out, and to replace it with righteousness. And that is the occasion when we are converted.

HOW DO WE BECOME TRULY CONVERTED?

M. Russell Ballard,“Now Is the Time,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 75

“True conversion comes through the power of the Spirit. When the Spirit touches the heart, hearts are changed. When individuals, both members and investigators, feel the Spirit working with them, or when they see the evidence of the Lord’s love and mercy in their lives, they are edified and strengthened spiritually and their faith in Him increases. These experiences with the Spirit follow naturally when a person is willing to experiment upon the word. This is how we come to feel the gospel is true.

A most significant evidence of our conversion and of how we feel about the gospel in our own lives is our willingness to share it with others and to help missionaries find someone to teach. The likelihood of lasting conversion greatly increases when a nonmember has a friend or a relative who radiates the joy of being a member of the Church. The influence of members of the Church is very powerful. I believe that’s why President Hinckley asked us to see that everyone has a friend (see “Converts and Young Men,” Ensign, May 1997, 47)

Elder Richard G. Scott, The Sustaining Power of Faith

You can learn to use faith more effectively by applying this principle taught by Moroni: “Faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.” Thus, every time you try your faith, that is, act in worthiness on an impression, you will receive the confirming evidence of the Spirit. Those feelings will fortify your faith. As you repeat that pattern, your faith will become stronger. The Lord knows your needs. When you ask with honesty and real intent, He will prompt you to do that which will increase your ability to act in faith.

Susan W. Tanner, YW General President, “Written in the Fleshy Tables of the Heart,” Spring 2005
Here, then, is an important key to our success in accelerating the Lord’s work. As active members of the Church, and especially as priesthood and auxiliary leaders, we need to do more to assist in the process of conversion, retention, and activation. We know that faithful members desire to serve, but sometimes we lose sight of the essential outcomes that our faith and works ought to produce in strengthening the commitment of our Father’s children to the gospel. “How can we as Young Women leaders facilitate conversion, this mighty change within the hearts of the young women we serve?  The scriptures reiterate again and again that the real teacher is the Holy Ghost.  A closely related subject to how we teach is how young women learn, how they internalize the gospel deep into their hearts. The Holy Ghost again is the facilitator. he “carrieth it unto the hearts” (2 Nephi 33:1). 

HOW DO WE KNOW IF WE HAVE BEEN TRULY CONVERTED?

·       Elder Marion G. Romney, “Conversion,” Conference Report, October 1963

In one who is really wholly converted, desire for things 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.”   

Mosiah 5:2 Because of the Spirit of the Lord which has wrought a might change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil.

Alma 13:12 Now they, after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, could not look upon sin save it were with abhorrence.

Alma 19:33 And they did all declare unto the people that their hearts had been changed; that they had no more desire to do evil.

Elder Marion G. Romney, “Conversion,” Conference Report, October 1963

Somebody recently asked how one could know when he is converted. The answer is simple. He may be assured of it when by the power of the Holy Spirit his soul is healed. When this occurs, he will recognize it by the way he feels, for he will feel as the people of Benjamin felt when they received remission of sins. The record says, . . . the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience, . . ." (Mosiah 4:3.) 

Conversion: What Lack I Yet? How to Deepen our Conversion

Earlier this week I was listening to Elder Lawrence's General Conference talk from October 2015, "What Lack I Yet?" Here is the part I was focusing on and trying to understand how to implement in my own life: 

The journey of discipleship is not an easy one. It has been called a “course of steady improvement.” As we travel along that strait and narrow path, the Spirit continually challenges us to be better and to climb higher. The Holy Ghost makes an ideal traveling companion. If we are humble and teachable, He will take us by the hand and lead us home.

However, we need to ask the Lord for directions along the way. We have to ask some difficult questions, like “What do I need to change?” “How can I improve?” “What weakness needs strengthening?”

President Harold B. Lee taught, “Every one of us, if we would reach perfection, must [at] one time ask ourselves this question, ‘What lack I yet?’”

Then this morning I was reading a talk by Elder Ballard that he gave to Church Education System teachers in February 2016 discussing how to help ourselves and others deepen our conversion. He suggested that each of us should take some time and ask ourselves some personal interview questions. He provided 3 references in the scriptures that we can use to ask ourselves how we are doing. He said:

May I suggest you hold a personal interview with yourself on occasion and review 

·         2 Nephi 26:29–32 

·         Alma 5:14–30

·         Doctrine and Covenants 121:33–46. 

That will help to identify the kinds of temptations we all may face. If something needs to change in your life, then resolve to fix it.

I did my own personal interview this morning, pausing after each sentence in each of these verses. It was a powerful and humbling experience. If anyone else has found similar references I would love to add them to the list.

Then later, as my daughter and I were discussing how to make this all happen in our own life, she shared with me this great message from President Henry B. Eyring. It is long, but very worth it:

Now your impressions will not have been quite like mine, but you have felt a tug, maybe many tugs, to be someone better. And what sets those yearnings apart from all your daydreams is that they were not about being richer, or smarter, or more attractive, but about being better. I am sure you have had such moments, not just from my experience, but because of what President David O. McKay once said. Listen very carefully:

“Man is a spiritual being, a soul, and at some period of his life everyone is possessed with an irresistible desire to know his relationship to the Infinite. … There is something within him which urges him to rise above himself, to control his environment, to master the body and all things physical and live in a higher and more beautiful world” (True to the Faith: From the Sermons and Discourses of David O. McKay, comp. Llewelyn R. McKay [1966], 244).

That pull upward is far beyond what you would call a desire for self-improvement. When I felt it, I knew I was being urged to live so far above myself that I could never do it on my own. President McKay had it right. You feel an urging to rise above your natural self. What you have felt is an urging from your Heavenly Father to accept this invitation:

“Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

“And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot” (Moroni 10:32–33).

That urge to rise above yourself is a recognition of your need for the Atonement to work in your life, and your need to be sure that it is working. After all you can do, after all your effort, you need confidence that the Atonement is working for you and on you.

Using our Time Wisely: Prophets Counsel on Time Management and Going to Bed Early

THE IMPORTANCE OF USING OUR TIME WISELY

President Russell M. Nelson, “Prophets, Leadership, and Divine Law”

[President Thomas is Monson] has shown us how to reach out and rescue the one. He has taught us by example that taking care of people is always more important than management of time, or meetings, or schedules.

Thomas S. Monson, “Finding Joy in the Journey,” October 2008

This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do.

“Pay attention to what the Lord requires of you and let the balance go.” --Brigham Young,

2 Nephi 9:27 Wo unto him that ...has all the commandments of God...and wasteth the days of his probation.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Good, Better, Best,” Oct. 2007

The number of good things we can do far exceeds the time available to accomplish them. Some things are better than good, and these are the things that should command priority attention in our lives.

Some uses of individual and family time are better, and others are best. We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families.

Elder Richard G. Scott, “Jesus Christ, Our Redeemer,” Apr. 1997

Study the things you do in your discretionary time, that time you are free to control. Do you find that it is centered in those things that are of highest priority and of greatest importance? Or do you unconsciously, consistently fill it with trivia and activities that are not of enduring value nor help you accomplish the purpose for which you came to earth?   

Pres. Russell M. Nelson, “The Price of Priesthood Power,” April 2016

President George Albert Smith taught that “we are not here to while away the hours of this life and then pass to a sphere of exaltation; but we are here to qualify ourselves day by day for the positions that our Father expects us to fill hereafter. 

HOW TO SET OUR PRIORITIES

Elder D. Todd Christofferson, “To Always Remember Him,” Ensign, April 2011

We can begin by stripping everything out of our lives and then putting it back together in priority order with the Savior at the center. We should first put in place the things that make it possible to always remember Him—frequent prayer and scripture study, thoughtful study of apostolic teachings, weekly preparation to partake of the sacrament worthily, Sunday worship, and recording and remembering what the Spirit and experience teach us about discipleship.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “The Atonement and Faith,” Ensign, June 2010

We should always put the Savior first. This powerful idea—that we must have faith and put the Lord first in our lives—seems simple, but in practice many find it difficult.

President Brigham Young (1801–1877) gave us some practical advice on how to recognize Him whom we follow. “The difference between God and the Devil,” he said, “is that God creates and organizes, while the whole study of the Devil is to destroy.” 1 In that contrast we have an important example of the reality of “opposition in all things” (2 Nephi 2:11). 

Remember that our Savior Jesus Christ always builds us up and never tears us down. We should apply the power of that example in the ways we use our time, including our recreation and our diversions. 

M. Russell Ballard, “Keeping Life’s Demands in Balance,” Ensign, May 1987

I have a few suggestions that I hope will be valuable to those of you concerned with balancing life’s demands. These suggestions are very basic; their concepts can easily be overlooked if you are not careful. You will need a strong commitment and personal discipline to incorporate them into your life.

First, think about your life and set your priorities. Find some quiet time regularly to think deeply about where you are going and what you will need to do to get there. Jesus, our exemplar, often “withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed” (Luke 5:16). We need to do the same thing occasionally to rejuvenate ourselves spiritually as the Savior did. Write down the tasks you would like to accomplish each day. Keep foremost in mind the sacred covenants you have made with the Lord as you write down your daily schedules.

Second, set short-term goals that you can reach. Set goals that are well balanced—not too many nor too few, and not too high nor too low. Write down your attainable goals and work on them according to their importance. Pray for divine guidance in your goal setting.

ARISE EARLY AND RETIRE EARLY – KEY TO SUCCESS AND MORE REVELATION

Doctrine & Covenants 88:124 Cease to be ^aidle; cease to be ^bunclean; cease to ^cfind fault one with another; cease to ^dsleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be ^einvigorated.

Elder Boyd K. Packer

How can students increase personal spirituality?

You’ve got to learn to work. The scriptures tell us to retire to bed early and then to rise early. Both are very hard for college students — especially if you’ve got noisy roommates. ... Practice it, and it answers itself.”

Elder Neal A. Anderson in The Voice of the Lord:

Boyd K. Packer said once:

“I heard President Harold B. Lee begin many a statement about matters involving revelation with an expression something like this: ‘In the early hours of the morning, while I was pondering upon that subject …’ He made it a practice to work in the fresh, alert hours of the early morning on the problems that required revelation.

“The Lord knew something when He directed in the Doctrine and Covenants, ‘Cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated.’ (D&C 88:124.) …

“I’ve learned the power of the dictum, ‘Early to bed, early to rise.’ When I’m under pressure, you won’t find me burning the midnight oil. I’d much rather be in bed early and getting up in the wee hours of the morning, when I can be close to Him who guides this work” (Teach Ye Diligently [2005], 244–45).

Elder Joe J. Christensen, in “Observing the Laws of Physical Health”

President Romney shared some of his personal experiences from when he was first called to serve as a General Authority in 1941. He had been serving as a stake president at the time and had gone to general conference. To his amazement, he was sustained as a new General Authority—an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve—without his prior knowledge; no one had talked to him about the calling before the session started. He was shocked and very nervous. He felt that he needed some advice, so he went to Elder Harold B. Lee, a relatively new member of the Quorum of the Twelve and a former contemporary as a stake president. 

Elder Romney asked him for advice about how to be successful as a General Authority.

Elder Lee spoke about the necessity of receiving personal revelation in order to be effective and said: “If you are to be successful as a General Authority, you will need to be inspired. You will need to receive revelation. I will give you one piece of advice: Go to bed early and get up early. If you do, your body and mind will become rested, and then in the quiet of those early-morning hours, you will receive more flashes of insight and inspiration than at any other time of the day.”

President Romney said: “From that day on, I put that counsel into practice, and I know it works. Whenever I have a serious problem, or some assignment of a creative nature with which I hope to receive the influence of the Spirit, I always receive more assistance in the early-morning hours than at any other time of the day. Following that counsel has helped me a great deal through the years.”   In my own life, I also know that is true.

Using our Time Wisely: Prophets Counsel on Limiting our Media Time

President Hinckley, BYU Speeches, 16 October 1990

We are constantly reminded that there is cause for alarm in our nation. It is shocking to read, for instance, that illiteracy is on the rise. ...One of the reasons for this condition lies in the way in which so many spend much of their time. I deplore the terrible waste of the intellectual resources of so many people of this nation who devote countless hours watching mindless drivel.

In the Wall Street Journal was a column written by the former editor of the Chicago Tribune. He wrote of certain aspects of television and then asked:

What is the mystery...about a society that has the manners of a rock band, the morals of a soap opera, the decision-making ability of the Simpsons and wants to pay for government with Visa and American Express? Why should we be surprised that our underlying culture is constructed from the ratings-based, give-them-what-they-want, remote-controlled, quick-zap world of commercial television? [Jim Squires, “Television’s Civil War,” Wall Street Journal, 8 October 1990, p. 10]

To you I say, don’t be a couch potato. Be a man or a woman with a mind and a will and a bit of discipline, with a zest for learning.

Elder M. Russell Ballard, “Be Strong in the Lord,” Ensign, July 2004.

“One of the ways Satan lessens your effectiveness and weakens your spiritual strength is by encouraging you to spend large blocks of your time doing things that matter very little. I speak of such things as sitting for hours on end watching television or videos, playing video games night in and night out, surfing the Internet, or devoting huge blocks of time to sports, games, or other recreational activities.

“Don’t misunderstand me. These activities are not wrong in and of themselves (unless, of course, you are watching salacious programs or seeking out pornographic images on the Internet). Games, sports, recreational activities, and even television can be relaxing and rejuvenating, especially in times when you are under stress or heavily scheduled. You need activities that help you to unwind and rest your minds. It is healthy to go onto the soccer field or the basketball court and participate in vigorous physical activity.

“But I speak of letting things get out of balance. It is not watching television, but watching television hour after hour, night after night. Does not that qualify as idling away your time? What will you say to the Lord when He asks what you have done with the precious gift of life and time? Surely you will not feel comfortable telling Him that you were able to pass the 100,000-point level in a challenging video game.

“One devastating effect of idling away our time is that it deflects us from focusing on the things that matter most. Too many people are willing to sit back and let life just happen to them. It takes time to develop the attributes that will help you to be a well-balanced person.”

COUNSEL TO YOUTH

Gordon B. Hinckley, “Rise Up, O Men of God,” Oct. 2016

Young men, rise up and discipline yourself to take advantage of educational opportunities. Your education will strengthen your service in the Church.”

Gordon B. Hinckley “A Prophet’s Counsel and Prayer for Youth” Ensign, Jan. 2001

You are moving into the most competitive age the world has ever known. All around you is competition. You need all the education you can get. Sacrifice a car; sacrifice anything that is needed to be sacrificed to qualify yourselves to do the work of the world. That world will in large measure pay you what it thinks you are worth, and your worth will increase as you gain education and proficiency in your chosen field.

You belong to a church that teaches the importance of education. You have a mandate from the Lord to educate your minds and your hearts and your hands.

                 

 “We cannot waste time entertaining ourselves when we have the chance to read or to listen to whatever will help us learn what is true and useful. Henry B. Eyring

Elder M. Russell Ballard “Raising the Greatest Generation of Missionaries,” 2003 BYU Women’s Conference

1. Limit the amount of time spent playing computer or electronic games. How many kills or baskets or points one can score in a minute with a computer game will have zero effect on children’s ability to be a good missionary and may, in fact, dull their senses, emotions, and receptivity to the Spirit.
2. Limit the time watching television, and go to movies, and watch videos. And beware—be fully aware of what our youth are watching on all kinds of media.
3.  Accepting responsibility for decisions and master self-control.

4.         Learn not to waste time. Focus on things that matter most, such as how to serve and find joy in putting the happiness of others ahead of our own.

“Of the time that is allotted to man here on the earth there is none to lose or to waste. After suitable rest and relaxation there is not a day, hour or minute that we should spend in idleness, but every minute of every day of our lives we should strive to improve our minds and to increase the faith of the holy Gospel.” (Discourses of Brigham Young, 290)

Elder David R. Bednar, “The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn,” October 2011

It is no coincidence that FamilySearch and other tools have come forth at a time when young people are so familiar with a wide range of information and communication technologies. Your fingers have been trained to text and tweet to accelerate and advance the work of the Lord—not just to communicate quickly with your friends. The skills and aptitude evident among many young people today are a preparation to contribute to the work of salvation.

As you respond in faith to this invitation, your hearts shall turn to the fathers. Your testimony of and conversion to the Savior will become deep and abiding. And I promise you will be protected against the intensifying influence of the adversary. As you participate in and love this holy work, you will be safeguarded in your youth and throughout your lives.

Young people increasingly need to be learners who act and thereby receive additional light and knowledge by the power of the Holy Ghost—and not merely passive students who primarily are acted upon (see 2 Nephi 2:26).

You will count your many blessings as young people devote more time to family history work and temple service and less time to video games, surfing the Internet, and Facebooking. 

President Spencer W. Kimball, “On Cheating Yourself,” New Era, April 1972

I have interviewed many young men for missions, and I have asked them this question: “What were your grades in high school or college?” A little embarrassed, many have answered, “Oh, about a C average.” I have then asked, “Was that the best you could do?” And almost without exception their answers have been, “No, I was capable of better work. I fooled around and wasted my time quite a bit.” Such young men then realize that they have cheated themselves. 

Book of Mormon Themes: Being Directed Continually by the Hand of the Lord

When I look at the big picture of the stories from the Book of Mormon, one the lessons they illustrate for me is how to receive the Lord's guidance so I navigate through life better. This is especially apparent in the stories of Lehi's family and the story of the Brother of Jared.

1 Nephi 16:16, 28 And we did follow the directions of the ball, which led us in the more fertile parts of the wilderness. I Nephi, beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them.

1 Nephi 17:13 I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led.

1 Nephi 18: 1-3 And the Lord did show me from time to time after what manner I should work the timbers of the ship. Now I, Nephi, did not work the timbers after the manner which was learned by men. And I, Nephi, did go into mount oft, and I did pray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things.

Ether 2:5-6 And it came to pass that the Lord commanded them that they should go forth into the wilderness, yea, into that quarter where there never had man been. And it came to pass that the Lord did go before them, and did talk with them as he stood in a cloud, and gave directions whither they should travel. And it came to pass that they did travel in the wilderness, and did build barges, in which they did cross many waters, being directed continually by the hand of the Lord.

Ether 2:24-25 For behold, ye shall be as a whale in the midst of the sea; for the mountain waves shall dash upon you. Nevertheless, I will bring you up again out of the depths of the sea; for the winds have gone forth out of my mouth, and also the rains and the floods have I sent forth. And behold, I prepare you against these things; for ye cannot cross this great deep save I prepare you against the waves of the sea, and the winds which have gone forth, and the floods which shall come.

Ether 3:2-3 O Lord, thou hast said that we must be encompassed about by the floods. Now behold, O Lord, and do not be angry with thy servant because of his weakness before thee; O Lord, thou hast given us a commandment that we must call upon thee, that from thee we may receive according to our desires.

Ether 6:7-8 7 And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them; therefore, when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters. And it came to pass that the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land while they were upon the waters; and thus they were driven forth before the wind.

Wandering in the Wilderness due to Iniquity – i.e., if we are righteous, we won’t have to wander through life, we can take a more direct course.

1 Nephi 17:4 And we did sojourn for the space of many years, yea, even eight years in the wilderness.

Alma 37:41-43 41 Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works. They were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey; Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst, because of their transgressions. And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow.

Ether 3:3 Behold, O Lord, thou hast smitten us because of our iniquity, and hast driven us forth, and for these many years we have been in the wilderness; nevertheless, thou hast been merciful unto us. O Lord, look upon me in pity, and turn away thine anger from this thy people, and suffer not that they shall go forth across this raging deep in darkness; but behold these things which I have molten out of the rock.