In a worldwide devotional for young people broadcast on Sunday, May 3, Elder Gary E. Stevenson and his wife, Sister Letha Stevenson, likened going deeper and deeper in a pool and deeper and deeper into the universe to going deeper and deeper “in a lifelong conversion as a disciple of Jesus Christ.”
Elder Stevenson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, pointed out how the Bible describes God’s power and understanding as “infinite.”
“The Apostle Paul taught in his letter to the Ephesians that the glory of the church through Jesus Christ extends to ‘all ages and worlds without end,’” Elder Stevenson said. “In the Book of Mormon, the sons of Mosiah speak of the Lord’s “infinite mercy,” and Mormon writes to his son Moroni about the “infinite mercy and grace of the Lord.”
Sister Stevenson said: “If you feel that your conversion is complete, be amazed that you can always deepen your conversion and faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement.”
The devotional was filmed at Salt Lake City’s Clark Planetarium and Brigham Young University’s Orson Pratt Observatory in Provo, Utah, and was broadcast around the world on the church’s YouTube channel and broadcasts.churchofjesuschrist.org.
Elder James R. Rasband, a General Authority Seventy and Commissioner of Church Education, opened the devotion.
The Stevensons spoke to the young people in front of a large IMAX screen, with visuals depicting greater depth as a metaphor for deepening conversion to Jesus Christ. The metaphor started with a pool, then moved on to lakes, oceans, space, and finally deep space.
orson pratt observatory
At the Orson Pratt Observatory, the Stevensons spoke with experts who use advanced telescopes in their research.
“One of the things we learned here is that there is much yet to be discovered, an almost universal assumption in the astrophysicist world, and that the future holds ever-deeper travel, vision, and understanding of the depths of the universe,” Elder Stevenson said. “There is still much work to be done to deepen our understanding and vision of the universe.”
Sister Stevenson emphasized that, like a child who feels like he has finally arrived when he reaches the deep end of the pool, “we, too, need to be careful not to feel like we have somehow reached the end of our conversion journey on the path of lifelong discipleship.”
Elder Stevenson added that one can always deepen their conversion.
“Certainly after Baptism and Primary, yes, after Young Men and Young Women, after fulfilling a rich and fulfilling vocation, or even after participating in the ordinances and covenants performed in holy temples. We should not liken the depth of our conversion to reaching the bottom of a pool, a lake, or even the deep end of an ocean. We can go much deeper, even deeper than the spectacular images of galaxies millions of light years away.”
Elder Stevenson said that just as there will be rewards for looking deeper into the universe as advanced technology advances, blessings will also come from investing in a deeper conversion to Jesus Christ.
“You, too, will find that if you invest the time and effort to apply gospel principles to deepen your conversion, you will be similarly rewarded,” he said. “Your eyes of understanding will be opened and greater depth and clarity will be revealed in spiritual matters.”
Elder Stevenson encouraged young adults to set aside some quiet time over the next week to prayerfully consider what they can do to deepen their conversion and become lifelong disciples.
“Consider both guiding principles and more tactical action items,” he said. “I’ve done this myself, and I have a list that I’m working on. As I do, I promise you that you will find answers, peace, joy, direction, and deepen your faith, knowledge, and conversion in Jesus Christ.”
youth
The broadcast featured several young people from around the world who answered the question, “How can we deepen our conversion and become lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ?”
Leah Flores, a resident of Cabanatuan City in the Philippines, said that attending the temple regularly helped her deepen her conversion to Jesus Christ. “Because it reminds me of who I am and who I am becoming.”
Jennifer Yazmin Castro Guerra, of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, said studying the scriptures and general conference messages revealed her desire to learn from Jesus Christ.
“He’s with me,” Guerra said. “God sustains me and strengthens me, and I truly have a testimony that God lives and is there for all of us.”
mission control
Elder Stevenson took the space exploration metaphor further, pointing to ground control teams that serve as support from Earth while astronauts explore space.
During the recent Artemis II mission, the entire team of experts was fully immersed in the mission objectives, including predicting obstacles and providing solutions, contributing to the success of the mission and the well-being of people in space.
“In your mission to deepen conversion that leads to lifelong discipleship of Jesus Christ, I want to assure you that you, too, have a dedicated team that cares deeply about the goals of your mission,” Elder Stevenson said. “I am grateful to be part of that team, along with so many others. The restored Church of Jesus Christ is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ Himself as the primary cornerstone. Rest assured, through Jesus Christ, the living prophets, the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and our dedicated file leaders, families, and loved ones, you are not alone.”
In conclusion, Elder Stevenson stated that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is infinite and eternal.
“God knows each of you and is pleased with your efforts to know Him.”
Elder Stevenson encouraged young adults to set aside some quiet time over the next week to prayerfully consider what they can do to deepen their conversion and become lifelong disciples.
“Consider both guiding principles and more tactical action items,” he said. “I’ve done this myself, and I have a list that I’m working on. As I do, I promise you that you will find answers, peace, joy, direction, and deepen your faith, knowledge, and conversion in Jesus Christ.”
