Becoming

"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 Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, November 2000).

The other night as I was studying my Book of Mormon in Spanish, I came across this verse found in 2 Nephi 2:17: “And I, Lehi, according to the thing which I have read, must needs suppose that an angel of God, according to that which is written, had fallen from heaven; wherefore, he became a devil, having sought that which was evil before God.”

Immediately I noticed that in Spanish the verb to become is translated using the verb convertirse meaning: to convert, to change or transform.

So when translated literally from Spanish to English, that one line would read: “he (meaning Lucifer) converted himself to a devil, having sought that which was evil before God.”

Interesting, isn’t it, that becoming, in all essence, is really about being converted.

Elder Oaks testifies: "The gospel of Jesus Christ is the plan by which we can become what children of God are supposed to become. This spotless and perfected state will result from a steady succession of covenants, ordinances, and actions, an accumulation of right choices, and from continuing repentance. “This life is the time for men to prepare to meet God” (Alma 34:32).

"Now is the time for each of us to work toward our personal conversion, toward becoming what our Heavenly Father desires us to become. As we do so, we should remember that our family relationships—even more than our Church callings—are the setting in which the most important part of that development can occur. The conversion we must achieve requires us to be a good husband and father or a good wife and mother. Being a successful Church leader is not enough. Exaltation is an eternal family experience, and it is our mortal family experiences that are best suited to prepare us for it." CLICK HERE to read Elder Oaks's entire talk!!

So I ask myself: To WHAT am I being converted? And WHO am I becoming?

I've decided it all depends what is written in my heart.