Am I converted?

Helaman 15

Samuel continues talking to the people and tells them the Lord chastens those whom he loves.  He talks about the converted Lamanites and their firmness and steadfastness in the faith.  The Lord will be merciful to them.

I read a talk this week by Elder Bednar that was given at a Regional meeting.  It has given me a lot of things to think about.  For one, the difference between testimony and conversion.  Many of the people who have been baptized have testimonies.  In fact, it’s probably safe to say all have testimonies.  They know the gospel to be true and that it is the Lord’s true church.  What is missing?  Conversion.  What exactly is conversion?  I think Samuel answers that in this chapter.

V5 – The more part of the Lamanites are on the path of their duty.  They have studied what the Lord expects of them and they do it.  They walk circumspectly before God.  What does circumspectly mean?  The dictionary says:  Careful to consider all circumstances and their consequences.  Prudent.   Prudent is marked by wisdom, being judicious, and practical in their affairs. 

Samuel continues in v7 to say they have a change of heart.  I would imagine if your heart is changed, you would be a changed person since the heart is what keeps us alive.  In v8 he says they were firm and steadfast in the faith. 

Am I among a converted people or content to just have a testimony of the truth?  Which will sustain me when things get tough as they undoubtedly will?  I believe the firm and steadfast characteristic is one I need to hone.  How is this done?  Keep on keeping on – i.e. study the scriptures, sincere prayer, listen intently to the words of the prophet and make course corrections where the spirit guides me.  Easy?  Of course not!  Doable?  Absolutely!