Branded to the heart!

Cows and Conversion

So lately I have been studying a lot about conversion and the ways that we can become converted. Before we can truly follow the Savior we have to LET ourselves be converted to him. 

First off what is conversion?

Bible Dictionary:

"Denotes changing one’s views, in a conscious acceptance of the will of God (Acts 3:19). If followed by continued faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism in water for the remission of sins, and the reception of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, conversion will become complete and will change a natural man into a sanctified, born again, purified person—a new creature in Christ Jesus (see 2 Cor. 5:17). Complete conversion comes after many trials and much testing (see Luke 22:32; D&C 112:12–13). To labor for the conversion of one’s self and others is a noble task, as in Ps. 51:13; Dan. 12:3; James 5:19–20; Alma 26; D&C 18:15–16."

From what I have learned it's a change, and process of turning ourselves fully to something. For total conversion you can't just sort of change you have to allow your nature to change. It doesn't always feel to good but in the end it is a beautiful transformation of becoming!

When I think of conversion I think of branding! If anyone knows me at all they know I love Cattle!! Like LOVE CATTLE! I grew up raising and showing cattle for 4-h and I made the money for my mission and part of college from selling these amazing critters. I may not have been raised on a full blown cattle ranch but I know and have seen the love and care that go into these critters. A rancher cares for each animal, he will take ALL precautions so that nothing hurts his animals. He will build fences and ditches, he will train the cattle to come to certain noises, he will check on them or send someone else in whom he trusts to care for them.

He also will take the precautions to not lose them even if they do wander and break through the fences (which they will). He will tag them, maybe tattoo them and he will usually brand them. When branding cattle you have to do it right. The brand has to be hot enough and the iron has to go on the right spot for the right amount of time. When done properly the brand will stay for the rest of the animal's life. That way anytime the animal runs away or gets caught in another heard it will be easy to return the animal home.

Just like with cattle we have allow ourselves to brand Christ on our hearts and into our lives. We have to allow ourselves to become his completely. We have to receive his image into his countenance. I love Alma chapter 5 in the Book of Mormon which talks about having that "mighty change of heart." Alma (the prophet speaking in the Book Of Mormon) talks so much about this branding to the heart this "receiving His image in your countenance."

It isn't always pleasant and fun but the result is safely, security and true eternal joy! You have to go through some pain and some tough times but in return you gain the experience and the tools to prepare to live with God again. That is our purpose in this life, to prepare ourselves to live with our Heavenly Father again! So what are you doing to prepare? Is Christ branded in your heart? Do all who see you know who you belong to? I have some other questions to throw out

from Alma chapter 5

 

(Here is a link to read the whole chapter: https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/5?lang=eng)

Some great questions of the soul to make us all think on our own branding!

Some of Alma's questions of Conversion:

HAVE YOU RECEIVED HIS IMAGE IN YOUR COUNTENANCE?

HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED A MIGHTY CHANGE OF HEART?

HAVE YOU BEEN SPIRITUALLY BORN?

DO YOU EXERCISE FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST?

DO YOU LOOK FORWARD WITH AN EYE OF FAITH?

Thanks for reading have a magical day!