Power to Become by David A. Bednar

I was so grateful to have the opportunity to read The Power to Become, the third in a spiritual trilogy of sorts by Elder David A. Bednar. I hadn't read the first two (although I've wanted to!). I was told that this book could be read as a stand-alone experience and that was definitely the case for me.

The book has five different chapters, as follows:

Power to Become and the Atonement of Jesus Christ

Power to Become and the Spiritual Gift of Personal Peace

Power to Become, Priesthood Ordinances, and Willing Obedience

Power to Become and Enduring Valiantly

Power to Become and All Things Gathered Together in One 

I had an interesting experience with this book. I started reading it a few weeks ago and thought it was good, but didn't necessarily feel a connection with the content at first. When I curled up with the book this weekend, my experience was different. My initial experience is not a reflection of the book; I think there were experiences I had during those weeks in between that helped me be more ready to receive what Elder Bednar has to say. I think I came in more of a spirit of seeking. I even re-read some of what I had read before, and it sunk into my heart in a deeper way.

As I sat with my children last night around one of the discussion videos that was created to be used with this book, my son said something like, "He's teaching the basics." My son didn't say that in a negative way, but it was a good observation.

And that is the wonder of books like this, because in reality the basics are everything. They also all tie together. Elder Bednar encourages us (through the book and in the videos) to allow the Spirit to help us see how the truths of God really are all connected.

One of the chapters that resonated with me was the chapter on enduring valiantly. How often do we hear the basic idea that we need to endure to the end? In fact, Elder Bednar quotes several scriptures along these lines. But what does it really mean? How does it tie into the plan, the Atonement, the ordinances, the commandments?

I've been pondering a lot about the purpose of pain in this mortal sojourn of ours. My mortal self really would like to bypass and avoid and prevent pain, sometimes at all costs -- even if it has costed me peace and perspective! I've dealt, for example, with chronic health issues for over 11 years now. For the first few years of this trial, all I could think about was getting the trial removed. I thought surely if I had enough faith, I should be able to be healed (which to me meant being cured). Priesthood blessings have promised me health. I thought, too, that surely if I just got some tests done and talked to enough doctors, the solution would present itself.

Now, of course, sometimes healing does happen rather quickly and miraculously through priesthood blessings, and sometimes medical solutions are the very blessing that God guides people to, but for me, the answer has been different. The answer for me was and is to wait on the Lord and learn from the trial by leaning into it.

In short, for many years, my faith was tied to outcomes (see Elder Oaks' talk on healing the sick). And I still can so easily slip into the mode of wanting relief from my trials rather than wanting to learn what God would have me learn and seeking His peace through the hard stuff. Hearing truths like those taught by Elder Bednar helps the Spirit flow into my heart and give me strength to seek eternal perspective and help to endure well whatever may come. In reality, healing is coming -- not to my body, necessarily, but to my mind and heart.

Elder Bednar talks about the process of growth that I'm coming to understand, at least a little.

"If you and I are focused and consistent in [doing small and simple things to develop] our spiritual capacity, we can slowly and steadily strengthen our minds and hearts [he talks in the first chapter of how the Atonement enables this kind of progress to happen] to discern, accept, and employ gospel truth; we can increase our spiritual capacity to detect and avoid temptation; and we can increase our determination and our ability to endure, through the enabling power of the Atonement [yes, there it is!], any challenges we may encounter" (p. 119).

Another example of a basic concept that sunk into my heart was Elder Bednar's reflections on obedience. How easy is it to just talk about keeping the commandments in a sort of rote, passive way? Also, when we talk about keeping the commandments, I think we usually think of that to mean following laws like those found in the Ten Commandments or in temple recommend interviews. To be sure, this is one meaning. But Elder Bednar expands the definition of keeping the commandments to include the process of becoming more able to seek for and then submit to the personal commandments that God gives us.

"To be sure," Elder Bednar notes, "we keep the rules, but we also begin to ask ourselves, 'What is the principle involved here?'" (p. 89) He urges us to seek to become more founded in doctrines and principles, engaging the truths behind the laws of God, so we can come to understand more of what it means to receive "quiet and ongoing" -- and very personal -- "divine direction" (p. 89).

Elder Bednar quotes Doctrine and Covenants 59:3-4 and states:

"I find it fascinating that one of the greatest blessings related to keeping the commandments is additional commandments ["commandments not a few" says Doctrine and Covenants 59]. Now, individuals who find commandments restrictive and constraining clearly will not regard more commandments as a blessing. But the Apostle John taught that for one who has come unto Christ and been born again, God's "commandments are not grievous" (1 John 5:3). Thus, individuals who have eyes to see and ears to hear will readily recognize the consummate spiritual benefit that comes from extra direction from heaven.

"The individual and personal 'commandments not a few' we receive frequently tend to focus upon good things we can and should do to develop and deepen our discipleship -- as opposed to focusing primarily on the bad things we must avoid or overcome" (p. 90). 

Thus, Elder Bednar builds on something he has taught about a lot -- that the Atonement isn't just to overcome sin, but to enable us to become better and become more converted. To become more devoted, changed disciples of Christ. This book is all about that process of coming to Christ in small and simple -- basic -- yet profound, real, soul-changing ways.

I highly recommend this book. If you are like me, you'll want to have a pencil in hand when you read it. I highlighted much, and made notes in the margins (they've left space just for that). In addition, at the end of each chapter there are multiple pages with simple questions and generous space  for recording personal reflections and impressions.

You also might enjoy the Power to Become videos I mentioned earlier. (I've embedded the one I watched with my children below.) There are discussions with young adults, with couples, and with women. There is also an interview with Elder and Sister Bednar and Sheri Dew.

If you have read it (or one of his other books in this series), I would love to hear any thoughts and reflections you would like to share.