The Conversion Model
This week’s reading in the Book of Alma covers the miraculous missions of the sons of Mosiah and the conversion of thousands of Lamanites, beginning with their kings. There is no reason to rehash the stories known to every primary-aged child. However, these accounts reveal essential insights into the methods and model of conversion. In each case, the pattern is clear: a stunning realization of one’s nothingness or sinful state, the hope of salvation through the redeemer of the world, the death of old paradigms and attitudes, and the spiritual rebirth of the new person.
The characters in the story each experienced the four-part model. The sons of Mosiah had an angel deliver the wake-up call, which resulted in them calling upon the mercies of Christ and turning away from their former lives to a life-long mission to convince others to experience the same thing. The Lamanite kings observed the extraordinary actions of the sons of Mosiah, which, in turn, caused them to believe their teachings. The resulting change of heart was so jarring that it physically disabled them while they had personal experiences with Deity.
We generally do not experience conversion in such a dramatic fashion, but the effects are the same when we are truly changed. Our encounters with Deity come line by line and precept upon precept. That does not mean our conversions lack any of the transformative power experienced by the characters in the story. Perhaps a gradual conversion saves us from upending our entire lives to accommodate the newly transformed us.
I must say that I struggled with what to say today because the stories are so familiar to us. I always try to come up with something thought-provoking and exciting, but it wasn’t happening for me. However, early this morning, another element of the story manifested itself to me. I have mentioned previously that I am looking for temple-related concepts in the Book of Mormon this year, and lo and behold, elements of the temple endowment jumped out of the pages at me.
It is explained in these verses, “And it came to pass that when Aaron saw that the king would believe his words, he began from the creation of Adam, reading the scriptures unto the king—how God created man after his own image, and that God gave him commandments, and that because of transgression, man had fallen. And Aaron did expound unto him the scriptures from the creation of Adam, laying the fall of man before him, and their carnal state and also the plan of redemption, which was prepared from the foundation of the world, through Christ, for all whosoever would believe on his name. And since man had fallen he could not merit anything of himself; but the sufferings and death of Christ atone for their sins, through faith and repentance, and so forth; and that he breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory, and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory; and Aaron did expound all these things unto the king.”
This is straight out of our temple endowment ceremony. First, the concepts are explained, covenants are made, then the revelation begins. The scripture says, “And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, (consecration) that I may receive this great joy.”
When the king approached God in mighty prayer, he was overwhelmed by the Spirit and presumedly experienced a personal interaction with the Lord. Immediately upon waking from the spiritual realm, the king ministered to his household, and they were all converted. In essence, the king focused on building the kingdom of God on the earth. This is how we must react to our conversions. We are converted when we feel compelled to do all we can to build the kingdom of God in whatever way we can.
That is the conversion model. The Savior said it best, “When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”