Do you see all the ways the gospel is transforming you?

The gospel of Jesus Christ is more than a system of belief or code of conduct; it is a system of becoming, intended to transform us into more Christlike persons. But how do we know we are on the right track? What are some signs that we are indeed being transformed?

We are perhaps inclined to evaluate our discipleship based on what we believe (testimony) and what we do (obedience to commandments), which is appropriate to a degree. However, it is also important to remember that testimony and obedience are not our final goals. They are means to a greater end—conversion.¹

So how do we know if we are being converted?

Conversion occurs over a lifetime and can be difficult to detect. We may have occasionally wondered if the gospel is working in our lives—are we being transformed in the way God intended? Gratefully, the scriptures provide many examples of the ways that spiritual progress might manifest itself.

Being aware of and watching for signs of spiritual progress can increase our confidence that we are becoming “new creatures,” being “born again,” and experiencing a mighty “change of heart” (Mosiah 27:25–26; Alma 5:26). Our Father in Heaven wants us to live with assurance and joy, not guilt or nervousness that we are not doing enough. Here are a few prominent signs of spiritual progress to look for in your life.

One hallmark of spiritual progress is the tendency to be less focused on ourselves and more focused on others. Lehi, for example, after tasting the fruit of the tree of life, thought immediately of his family and how he might share this blessing with them. Enos, after experiencing God’s grace, “began to feel a desire for the welfare” of others and prayed that both his people and the Lamanites would be blessed (Enos 1:4–11).

We might ask ourselves:

• How am I seeking to bless others’ lives?
• Am I striving to become my best self for the sake of others?
• Am I doing unto others as I would have them do unto me and loving others as I love myself?

Spiritual progress is also reflected in our motivations for doing good. If one were to establish a hierarchy of appropriate motivations based on scripture, it might look something like this. At the bottom would be fear, either of God, humans, or punishment—we do good because we fear the consequences of not doing good.² This is not bad but also not ideal. A more noble motivation might be duty or the desire for a righteous reward—we do good because we know that we should and want to be blessed for our efforts.³ The highest motivation, however, would be love for God and others. As Jesus taught, on such love “hang(s) all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:40).

We might consider:

• How can I increase my love for God and others?
• How can I let this love inform my efforts to do good?
• How can I be more “anxiously engaged in a good cause” and avoid just going through the motions (Doctrine and Covenants 58:27)?

Another sign of spiritual progress relates to one’s attitudes toward sin. Righteous people’s attitudes towards sin are described in different ways in scripture. Unlike the wicked who seek out and take joy in sin, righteous people are praised for their “hatred to sin” and their “fear to sin” (Alma 26:34; Helaman 15:9). Some even progress to the point that they, either temporarily or permanently, lose the “desire to do evil” (Alma 19:33). Righteous people also experience sorrow for their own sins and lament the sins of others.⁴

We might ask ourselves:

• How would I characterize my attitudes toward sin?
• How might I respond better to those temptations which I face most often?
• Do I promptly and sincerely repent when I sin?

Spiritual progress similarly manifests in how we perceive ourselves and others. Righteous people do not view themselves as superior to others. Rather they recognize that all people are beloved sons and daughters of God, “the one being is as precious in his sight as the other” (Jacob 2:21).

Practically speaking, this involves more than treating one another justly and respectfully. It also entails genuine concern and actively seeking others’ welfare regardless of their race, social class, gender, sexual orientation, or anything else.

We might ask ourselves:

• Do I pray to see myself and others as God does?
• How can I better curtail my pride?
• How can I better “lead out in abandoning attitudes and actions of prejudice” and “promote respect for all God’s children”?⁵

Another sign of spiritual progress is experiencing joy in goodness. While life can be difficult at times, and there are legitimate reasons for why some good people might experience less joy than others,⁶ the scriptures demonstrate that righteousness leads to happiness. The righteous derive joy from truth, God’s word, and sharing the gospel.⁷ They also experience joy from seeking out the good of others and in their successes. After seeing the Nephites’ faith, for example, Jesus says “And now, behold, my joy is great, even unto fulness, because of you” (3 Nephi 27:30).

We might ask ourselves:

• How might I better experience the joy that the gospel promises?
• How do I feel when others succeed?
• How might I be an agent in bringing joy to the lives of others?
  

In our efforts to become like Jesus Christ, the Lord does not expect perfection, but He does expect progress. Being attentive to the signs of spiritual progress can give us confidence that we are on the right track as we “travel the pathway from bad to good to better and to have our hearts changed.”⁸

Find more articles on progress in the links below:

▶ ‘How do you avoid getting overwhelmed?’ Sharon Eubank’s brilliant and simple answer
▶ One man’s incredible story of escaping communist Laos and finding Jesus Christ
▶ 5 insights to fill you with hope as you encourage others on the covenant path
▶ What does it mean to say ‘I know’ vs. ‘I believe’? An insightful, comforting answer

Notes

1. President Dallin H. Oaks taught that it is not “enough for us to be convinced of the gospel; we must act and think so that we are converted by it…The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become.”
2. See 3 Nephi 3:16, 25.
3. See 3 Nephi 28:1-3.
4. See 2 Nephi 4:17; 3 Nephi 1:10.
5. Russell M. Nelson, “Let God Prevail” (churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/10/46nelson?lang=eng).
6. See President Jeffrey R. Holland’s discussion of depression in “Like a Broken Vessel” (churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2013/10/like-a-broken-vessel?lang=eng).
7. See 2 Nephi 11:2, 4–6.
8. David A. Bednar, “In the Strength of the Lord” (speeches.byu.edu/talks/david-a-bednar/strength-lord/).