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Become

 

     The Apostle Paul taught that the Lord’s teachings and teachers were given that we may all attain “the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Eph. 4:13). This process requires far more than acquiring knowledge. It is not even enough for us to be convinced of the gospel; we must act and think so that we are converted by it. In contrast to the institutions of the world, which teach us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something. (Dallin H. Oaks, The Challenge to Become, General Conference Oct. 2000)

 

    I recently read a book called Return From Tomorrow by George Richie. It is a true story about a man that dies as a solider and has an out of body experience where he meets Christ before returning to his body. In this experience Christ shows him around the spirit world. Richie is amazed by all the spirits in spirit prison that are so caught up in their addictions (from drugs and alcohol to things like lust and anger) that they are unable to feel the presence and love radiating from their Savior standing right next to them. Even more confounding is when Christ takes Richie to a place where everyone is a seemingly good person but stuck in their thirst for knowledge that they completely miss the Being with all the knowledge of the universe.  This experience seems to be trying to teach the same message as Dallin H. Oaks. It is not enough to simply know something; we must be truly converted in order to become something.


    Oaks further explains, “To testify is to know and to declare. The gospel challenges us to be “converted,” which requires us to do and to become. If any of us relies solely upon our knowledge and testimony of the gospel, we are in the same position as the blessed but still unfinished Apostles whom Jesus challenged to be “converted.” We all know someone who has a strong testimony but does not act upon it so as to be converted.”


    In order to “become” we must look unto Christ in everything. In Return From Tomorrow Richie stated, “If I wanted that nearness of Christ, I would have to find it in the people He put before me each day.” I love that. Not only are we trying to be like Him and follow in His footsteps but we can also seek Him in those around us giving us a great capacity for love.

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