Elder Dallin H. Oaks
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"In contrast to the institutions of the world, which teach us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something."
It is not enough to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances and covenants are not deposits in a heavenly account. The gospel is a plan from Heavenly Father to show us what He wants us to become. We qualify for eternal life through a process of conversion. As used here, "conversion" means a profound change of nature.
"To testify is to know and to declare. The gospel challenges us to be 'converted,' which requires us to do and to become."
The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan to help us become what the children of God should become. And now is the time for each of us to work toward our personal conversion, toward becoming what our Heavenly Father desires for us. Family relationships — even more than church callings — are the setting for such development. Our conversions come more readily by suffering and adversity than by comfort and tranquility. Most of us experience what the scriptures call "the furnace of affliction."
"Instead of being judgmental about others, we should be concerned about ourselves. We must not give up hope. We must not stop striving. We are children of God and it is possible for us to become what our Heavenly Father would have us become. "
