In his talk “Ye Must Be Born Again” Elder David A Bednar begins his talk by explaining the process of canning a pickle. The first step is to clean the cucumber. The second step is to immerse the cucumber in brine, so that it can transform into a pickle. The third step is to seal the jars so that you can use them at a different time. Elder Bednar then goes on to explain that in order for us to become spiritually transformed, we need to complete a similar process. He says:
“We are instructed to ‘come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny [ourselves] of all ungodliness’ (Moroni 10:32), to become ‘new creature[s]’ in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:17), to put off ‘the natural man’ (Mosiah 3:19), and to experience ‘a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually’ (Mosiah 5:2). Please note that the conversion described in these verses is mighty, not minor—a spiritual rebirth and fundamental change of what we feel and desire, what we think and do, and what we are. Indeed, the essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ entails a fundamental and permanent change in our very nature made possible through our reliance upon ‘the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah’ (2 Nephi 2:8). As we choose to follow the Master, we choose to be changed—to be spiritually reborn.”
Elder Bednar says that it essential to become clean in order to begin our own transformation. It is through repentance and baptism that we can prepare ourselves to experience the changes necessary so that we can return to live with our Heavenly Father. It is important to take these first steps as we prepare for the future.
Elder Bednar says that the next steps are immersion and saturation. Elder Bednar says this is best accomplished by attending church and studying the scriptures on a regular basis. It is something that we must commit ourselves to wholly and completely. It is important because you cannot change if you do not spend the time drawing closer to the Lord.
The last step is purifying and sealing. This is accomplished through the covenants we make. We also need to have the Holy Ghost with us, as a constant companion. It is important to continuously keep the commandments and dedicate our lives to the Lord.
Elder Bednar ends his talk by encouraging us to evaluate our lives. He wants us to understand the importance of spiritual rebirth. This is a wonderful talk that leads to self-reflection. It is also a wonderful parable. I hope that you will take the time to read it.
Related Articles:
Gospel Doctrine: Spiritually Reborn
General Conference: “Commitment to the Lord”
General Conference from the Past: “Conversion and Commitment”