Embarking on the miraculous transfor-mation from a caterpillar to a butterfly,a caterpillar must gorge itself, growingto 30,000 times it’s original size!

So it is with one who is looking for thetruth. One must feast upon the scriptures,especially the Book of Mormon, to trulyunderstand and ponder the Gospel. Onemay also feed his spirit by hearing theword of God from missionaries, churchmeetings, members, and church leaders.

When the caterpillar has completedhis feasting, an inner clock tells himthat the time has come to form a pupa.He does this by weaving a cocoon andsettling down inside while his bodychanges and grows into an adult form.

When one has intently sought the truth,shown faith, studied, pondered, and thenprayed for a confirmation, the Holy Spiritspeaks to his spirit. At this point one iswilling to give up former ways and makea “mighty change.”

In the cocoon, a developing butterflystruggles to free itself from its restric-tion, unfolds and flattens its new wingsand waits for them to dry. As the wingsspread and it takes flight, the beautyand grace are always an unforgettablesight—and it is free at last.

When one humbly submits to the Lord,and goes through the struggle, regret andremorse of repentance, he is ready forbaptism. One finds joy in living the com-mandments, feels new freedom, and isable to rise to heights never before imagined.

“Conversion: to change from one status to another.” —Bruce R. McConkie

Change of Heart

A MIGHTY CHANGE OF HEART: the process of conversion PAGE 1

AMighty

True conversion is the greatest miracle in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Change of Heart

Copyright © 2005 Brigham Young University, Women's Conference. All Rights Reserved.

1. THERE IS POWER IN HEARING ANDREADING THE WORD OF GOD.

Alma 31:5“And now, as the preaching of the word had a great ten-dency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea,it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of thepeople than the sword, or anything else, which had hap-pened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedi-ent that they should try the virtue of the word of God.”

Helaman 15:7“And behold, ye do know of yourselves, for ye have wit-nessed it, that as many of them as are brought to the knowl-edge of the truth,…and are led to believe the holy scrip-tures, yea, the prophecies of the holy prophets, which arewritten, which leadeth them to faith on the Lord and untorepentance, which faith and repentance bringeth a changeof heart unto them—therefore, as many as have come tothis, ye know of yourselves are firm and steadfast in the faithand in the thing wherewith they have been made free.”

Joseph Fielding Smith, Church History and Modern Revelations, Volume 1, pp. 39-40“…If the Lord had placed the Book of Mormon plateswhere the scholars could examine them, they would havescoffed at them just as much as they do today. People areconverted by their hearts being penetrated by the Spirit ofthe Lord when they humbly hearken to the testimonies ofthe Lord’s servants.”

2. FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST IS ESSENTIAL TO CONVERSION.

Joseph Smith, Lectures on Faith, Vol. 3, pp. 2-5 (alsoquoting Paul)“…How then shall they call on him in whom they havenot believed? and how shall they believe in him of whomthey have not heard? …So then faith comes by hearingthe word of God. Let us here observe, that three thingsare necessary in order that any rational and intelligentbeing may exercise faith in God unto life and salvation.First, the idea that he actually exists. Secondly, a correctidea of his character, perfections, and attributes. Thirdly,an actual knowledge that the course of life which he ispursuing is according to his will.”

John 17:3 “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee theonly true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Volume 2, p. 311“Unless a man will adhere to the doctrine and walk infaith, accepting the truth and observing the command-ments as they have been given, it will be impossible forhim to receive eternal life…”

A MIGHTY CHANGE OF HEART: the process of conversion PAGE 2

ASPECTS OF CONVERSION:

1. There is power in hearing and reading the Word of God.

2. Faith in Jesus Christ is essential to conversion.

3. The Holy Ghost is the great testifier.

4. Repentance brings about a mighty change of heart.

5. True conversion turns hearts to serve others.

Copyright © 2005 Brigham Young University, Women's Conference. All Rights Reserved.

3. THE HOLY GHOST IS THE GREAT TESTIFIER.

Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, Volume 1, pg. 42“Every man can receive manifestation of the Holy Ghost,even when he is out of the Church, if he is earnestly seekingfor the light and for the truth. The Holy Ghost will comeand give the man the testimony he is seeking.”

Bruce R. McConkie, The Millennial Messiah, pp. 98-99“True it is that honest truth seekers come to know of thetruth and divinity of the Lord’s work by the power of theHoly Ghost; they receive a flash of revelation telling themthat Jesus is the Lord, that Joseph Smith is his prophet, thatthe Book of Mormon is the mind and will and voice of theLord, that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saintsis the only true and living Church upon the whole earth.”

Acts 2:37 “Now when they heard this they were pricked in theirheart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles,Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

Wilford Woodruff, Deseret Weekly, April 6, 1889, p. 451“Now if you have the Holy Ghost with you—and every-one ought to have—I can say unto you that there is nogreater gift, there is no greater blessing, there is no greatertestimony given to any man on earth. You may have theadministration of angels; you may see many miracles; youmay see many wonders in the earth; but I claim that thegift of the Holy Ghost is the greatest gift that can bebestowed upon man.”

4. REPENTANCE BRINGS ABOUT A MIGHTYCHANGE OF HEART.

Alma 22:15-16“…after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, theking said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal lifeof which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that Imay be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted outof my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filledwith joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Beholdsaid he, I will give up all I possess, yea, I will forsake mykingdom, that I may receive this great joy.

But Aaron said unto him: If thou desirest this thing, if thouwilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent of all thysins…and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shallreceive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest.”

Charles A. Callis“The reward of repentance is a new man, a new birth.Think of the sweet influence that repentance brings. Itchanges hearts. It makes us feel that we have no more dis-position to do evil, but to do good continually…Oh, thestrength, the beauty there is in purity of heart!”

5. TRUE CONVERSION TURNS HEARTS TO SERVE OTHERS.

Luke 22:32“But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: andwhen thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

Mosiah 18: 8-9“And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, hereare the waters of Mormon…and now, as ye are desirous tocome unto the fold of God, and to be called his people andare willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may belight; yea and are willing to mourn with those that mourn;yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, andto stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all thingsand in all places that ye may be in, even until death, thatye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with thoseof the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life.”

Marvin J. Ashton, Ensign, 1992, pp.20.“When we are truly converted to Jesus Christ, committedto Him, an interesting thing happens: our attention turnsto the welfare of our fellowmen, and the way we treat othersbecomes increasingly filled with patience, kindness andgentle acceptance.”

Mosiah 5:2“And they cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believeall the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also weknow of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of theLord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change inus or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition todo evil, but to do good continually.”

A MIGHTY CHANGE OF HEART: the process of conversion PAGE 3

Copyright © 2005 Brigham Young University, Women's Conference. All Rights Reserved.