By Joanna Caldwell
True conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ is essential to the happiness of the Saints said Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in his Saturday conference address.
'Your happiness now and forever is conditioned on your degree of conversion and the transformation it brings to your life,' Elder Scott said.
Elder Scott quoted President Marion G. Romney when he said, 'converted means to turn from one belief or course of action to another.'
Elder Scott used the story of the apostle Peter to illustrate tendencies to claim conversion without really understanding what it means.
Elder Scott said that it wasn''t until after Peter had denied the Lord three times that he realized the true position of his testimony, and as a result turned more fully to the Lord.
In hopes of avoiding the sorrow that Peter experienced, Elder Scott gave specific instruction on how to become truly converted.
'True conversion is the fruit of faith, repentance and consistent obedience,' he said.
Elder Scott said faith can be developed from hearing the word of God and acting on it. After that, repentance and obedience will follow.
The importance of being converted, Elder Scott said, is that it brings enduring happiness even when the world is in turmoil.
He assured the Saints that the Holy Ghost would help them identify the personal changes that need to be made for true conversion and that the Lord would bless them abundantly when such changes were made.