Becoming a True Disciple - Converted Unto the Lord

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Sunday afternoon session of the October 2012 General Conference.

The talks by Elder Daniel L. Johnson of the Seventy, and Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve, seemed to me to go hand in hand. 

Elder Johnson said, "Making the covenant to be a disciple of Christ is the beginning of a lifelong process, and the path is not always easy."

Elder Bednar said, "True conversion brings a change in one's beliefs, heart, and life to accept and conform to the will of God (see Acts 3:19, 3 Nephi 9:20) and includes a conscious commitment to become a disciple of Christ."

Elder Johnson - "Becoming like Him and being one with Him is the ultimate goal and objective--and essentially the very definition of true discipleship." He quotes his grandson Benjamin, "Being a disciple of Jesus Christ means being an example. It means being a missionary. It means to serve others. It means you read the scriptures and say your prayers. It means you keep the Sabbath day holy. It means you listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. It means going to church and going to the temple." Then he says, "I agree with Benjamin. Discipleship is all about doing and becoming."

Elder Bednar - "[T]he key characteristics associated with conversion are experiencing a mighty change in our hearts, having a disposition to do good continually, going forward in the path of duty, walking circumspectly before God, keeping the commandments, and serving with unwearied diligence. . . . For many of us conversion is an ongoing process and not a onetime event . . ." 

Having gone through some really hard challenges in recent years, and days, I've been told that I am a strong woman. I don't feel strong most of the time. As I pondered this compliment to me I realized that I'm not strong at all, but I am yoked with my Savior and He is strong! He is my strength. I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me, as Paul said. (Philippians 4:13) I'm trying to be a faithful disciple. Sometimes I'm just going through the motions, but my mission president taught us that we should always be where we are supposed to be, doing what we are supposed to be doing and our spirit will catch up to where our body is. I know that is true. Sometimes the catch up is quick, sometimes it is long in coming. But I must continue to press forward with steadfastness in Christ, as Nephi said (2 Nephi 31:20), because it is by doing that we become.

It's so hard to look at ourselves and determine our progress and standing, mostly because we tend to be our worst critics. Which is why I don't think of myself as a "strong woman". Until I hear it from someone else, or pray about it (my standing before the Lord) and realize that I'm on the right path and making progress toward the "promised land".

Life is hard! It's meant to be because it is a test of our faith and obedience. In my own mind I liken it to a handcart trek across the plains. When hard things happen what is the alternative to continuing? I have to keep putting one foot in front of the other. I can't just sit down and wait for things to get better, because they never really do. Oh, there's a pretty sunset, or maybe a wildflower to see once in a while, but the trek is fraught with trials of all kinds and I just have to pass through them to get to the other side of them. The trials won't be taken away, no matter how much I beg (which I've long ago stopped asking for), rather I pray for strength and help to make it through them, often daily! 

In recent months and through the latest trial I've asked myself if I'm becoming more like Jesus. I want to and I try, but I feel so weak and far from being the person I want to be. I'm so grateful for the Savior! He truly is the one who saves me, redeems me and succors me. My love and gratitude for Him is what keeps me going. I trust His words that the greatest gift is eternal life and I want to prove worthy of that gift.