Drew's Reviews #8 - "Power to Become"

I just finished reading “Power to Become” by David A. Bednar.

Quick Take: Fantastic book! David A. Bednar is a gifted teacher. I learned much about what I can do to become more like God.

Longer Take:

Elder David A. Bednar uses D&C 11:30 as the foundational principle for this book:

“…I say unto you, that as many as receive me, to them will I give power to become the sons [and daughters] of God, even to them that believe on my name…”

“The Power to Become” teaches principles for how we can more fully become like our Father in Heaven. The way he presents things, the reader cannot help but think deeply. There were several teachings where I felt I was being reminded of something already knew and at the same time reading them anew. I often had to force myself to stop reading just so I could spend time pondering.

Here are my top 3 takeaways:

1. I have heard Elder Bednar reference the “enabling power of the Atonement” previously. But, until reading this book, I did not fully understand what that meant. I needed the reminder that the atonement is not just to find forgiveness of our sins, but is a power we can tap into to become better at doing what we know is right.

2. “…the enabling power of Christ’s Atonement strengthens us to do and be good and to serve beyond our own individual desire and natural capacity.” Desire is the word that hit me the hardest here. I try to fulfill my duties within the church, but I don’t always what to. The atonement can not only give greater ability but also can fuel the desire. The better I apply the atonement in my life the greater my desire and ability to obey and serve will be.

3. A tell-tale sign that I am moving closer to the Savior is that I more often look outside of myself and strive to serve others. “The natural consequence of coming unto Christ … is turning outward in service and compassion.”

I absolutely loved this book!

Some of My Favourite Quotes:

“It is not even enough for us to be converted to 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.”

“…the Final Judgement is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts – what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts – what we have become.”

“Most of us clearly understand that the Atonement is for sinners. I am not sure, however, that we know and understand that the Atonement is also for saints. … We may mistakenly believe we must make the journey from good to better and become saints all by ourselves, through sheer grit, will power and discipline … the Atonement provides help for us to overcome and avoid bad as well as to do and become good. Help from the Savior is available for the entire journey…”

“When words cannot provide the solace we need or seek … when logic and reason cannot yield an adequate understanding of the injustices and inequities of life … and when it seems that perhaps we are so totally alone, then comes the peace that only the Prince of Peace can give…”

“…even with our strong faith, many mountains will not be moved. And not all of the sick and infirm will be healed. If all opposition were curtailed, if all maladies were removed, then the primary purposes of the Father’s plan would be frustrated.”

Quoting Elder Neal A. Maxwell: “Even yesterday’s spiritual experience, however, does not guarantee us against tomorrow’s relapse. Persistence thus matters greatly. … Hence, the emphasis on enduring well to the end is wise, simply because we are at risk till the end!”

“A great attempt to pray one time for five hours likely will not produce the spiritual results of meaningful morning and evening prayer offered consistently over five weeks … A single, great scripture-reading marathon cannot produce the spiritual impact of steady scripture study over many months.”

“The process of effectively doing and living what we know to be true is one of the great challenges of mortality.”

“A testimony is the beginning of and a prerequisite to conversion unto the Lord. A testimony is a point of departure; it is not the ultimate destination. … Knowing the gospel is true is the essence of a testimony. Consistently being true to the gospel we know is the essence of conversion. … We should both know the gospel is true and constantly be true to the gospel.”