Before I go into my story I want to briefly explain what I think or mean when talking about conversion or sanctification. Even though these are words I use a lot I still like to refer to the dictionary to help me remember exactly what they mean. Conversion means something that is changed from one use or purpose to another.  As far as sanctification goes when I first read that I thought of the act of becoming a saint and I am far from that. But once again I read the definition in the dictionary and sanctifying means to set something apart for a sacred purpose or use (it does also means to free from sin or to purify). I’m going to focus on purpose in both of these definitions.

So what does this mean for us? Conversion means that we personally need to undergo some significant change in who we are (as it says in the book of Joel to turn to God with all of our hearts) so that our purpose in this life (what we do with the time and talents God has given us) shifts from a worldly/temporal focus to that of a celestial/eternal one that is in tune with God’s will. A couple of scriptures to go along with that purpose are Alma 29:9 which says, “that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance” and Moses 1:39 when it says we are meant to become converted so that our use or purpose can aid God in his work of “bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man”. We need to become converted first (save ourselves like the instructions with the airplane masks to put one over your own mouth before someone else's) so that we can help others convert.

With that in mind I’m going to start talking about my personal story of conversion or how I was converted. My parents are converts and joined right before I was born. We were sealed in the Mesa Arizona Temple when I was about 4 months old. I’m not sure how much babies participate in this covenant, but it was the first time I entered the temple. I’m going to talk more about the temple later and how important it is. I was raised in the church so went to Primary - got baptized at 8, Young Mens - got the priesthood at 12, got my patriarchal blessing and Eagle Scout award. I graduated from seminary. Basically I checked all the boxes of someone who grows up in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. But then something happened when I was a senior in high school. I began to wander. I still went to church but started doing things my non-member friends were doing. Tobacco and alcohol became a part of my life. Then I went inactive after high school and would go to church maybe once or twice a year for Christmas or something like that. Actually looking back on this time while writing my talk I realize I wasn’t truly converted. I was doing the right things which is important, but I was relying on other people’s testimony and was on the sandy foundation we read about in Matthew 7.

After a few years of aimlessly going about my life - sometimes working, sometimes going to school, sometimes partying - at some point I realized I was in a really bad place. It was pretty much a prodigal son moment where I had hit rock bottom. If you remember the son in that story after all the fun stuff he had been doing was eating with the pigs and realizes his life is not where he imagined it would be. For me it got to the point where I was broke and homeless. I had no potential of jobs or any real future. And like the prodigal son I knew I was meant to have a better life than this. That I deserved more. (Everyone needs to remember this - you deserve more). It’s not that I felt entitled. However I knew that God had a greater purpose for me than struggling day to day. Remembering my patriarchal blessing I knew I had a divine and eternal destiny. Just like everyone in this building and on this earth does. So I began the long, slow journey back to Christ (which involved moving to Utah against all my wishes).

I immediately stopped doing things that were easy and then focused on the harder ones. Some of these habits that I stopped were easy while some are struggles to this day. (Examples of what was easy to stop included movies, music, swearing). I eventually started going to church and surrounding myself with friends with the standards I wanted. I started talking to God again. The next three years or so were filled with quite a bit of struggling and growth as I relied on Him to help me graduate from college and get into the Marine Corps and in all ways get my life back on track.

Really what it came down to was daily decisions to do better. I prayed and read the scriptures. I went to church and institute. I got my temple recommend back after many - at the time uncomfortable - discussions with the bishop and occasionally slipping backward. Once I got my recommend back I made the effort to go to the temple as often as possible. I accepted and fulfilled callings that were given to them. I did my best to get engaged in the work God has called all of us to.

A side note before I move on to the next part of my talk. I’m not sure we can ever be perfectly converted in this life. I feel like conversion is a lifelong pursuit that isn’t completed until we return home. It’s kind of like going to the gym. You’re never perfectly fit or strong or fast. You work on it every day to improve. I suppose the goal is to get to where the Nephites were in Mosiah chapter 5 when they said, "Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually. And we are willing to enter into a covenant with our God to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he shall command us, all the remainder of our days."

So how do I remain faithful and on the path? That’s an interesting question. I don’t know if remaining faithful has ever been an issue - I’ve never had a crisis of faith or doubted the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon or Joseph Smith as a prophet - but the path often remains elusive through my own choices. One of my favorite hymns is “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”. One of the lines is a request to God. It says, "bind my wand'ring heart to Thee. Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love”. I do love God and I love my Savior and I never intentionally go out of my way to disappoint Them. We all know what is right and wrong yet still distractions, temptations, moments of weaknesses, fear, pride, deception, a variety of things take us down a different path that looks easier or more appealing in the moment. We know regret, loss, and pain are what we experience when we leave the path yet still it can be so easy. And it’s the same for me. Sometimes I feel like I’m the dog in Up that randomly says squirrel and completely loses focus on what I’m supposed to be doing. So going back to the original question - what do I do to minimize my wandering and get back when I do slip?

Remember who I am (who we are). Remember who others are (children of God). Remember my eternal Identity - this is from everlasting to everlasting - as a son of God. Some practical ways to do this are to regularly read your patriarchal blessing if you have it. Also put up pictures of Christ, the temple, or favorite bible stories all around the house.

Develop a relationship with my Savior. One of my non-LDS friends said this is what it means to be a Christian. Remember His atonement and live a life worthy of Christ’s sacrifice.

As President Russell M. Nelson said develop a daily habit or practice of repentance. That is the catalyst for the change we seek to become like little children.

Go to church and make friends that have the same standards. People you trust and can talk to honestly about your struggles. Develop a relationship with your church leaders. Moroni 6:5 says, “And the church did meet together oft; to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls.” Really there are two reasons for me to come to church every Sunday: first partake of the sacrament and renew baptismal covenants and then strengthen each other and help each of us stay on the path in other words developing a community of saints. It isn’t impossible to do it alone - there have been people who have done it - but it sure is a lot easier to do it when you have people all around you encouraging you to choose the right.

Get inside the temple. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of getting to the temple as often as possible. I’ve had extended periods of time - like when I was in Afghanistan - when the closest temple was way beyond reach. Some saints have made enormous sacrifices to go once in their lives while others still wait for the opportunity to go. If you live within reach of one make an appointment with God to go on a regular basis. Take your family. Take your friends. Or go by yourself. The temple is where we learn of God and make covenants with him. We draw closer to his Spirit. For a moment the world vanishes away. Read the scriptures and pray there. Then listen. It’s easier to hear God in there than so many other places as there is so much noise that can drown out what He wants to tell us.

My last thought is don’t give up. I know it’s hard. I know doubts (sometimes very serious ones) will creep in. It takes a lot of patience to stay on the path and for those who know me patience is not my strength. But I know it’s the right thing to do. I know it’s what will lead to lasting happiness. The blessing of joy is available to all of us as long as we live righteously. Trials and hardship and loss - while very real and painful - cannot take away the joy God has given us. I’m not perfect. But that’s ok. Because God still loves me and He loves each of you. All He wants us to do is give our best efforts and He will make up the rest.