Change of Heart, Alma

1. a Change
of Heart

2. Ezra Taft Benson said:
• “The Lord works from the inside out. The world works
from the outside in. … The world would mold men by
changing their environment. Christ changes men, who
then change their environment. The world would shape
human behavior, but Christ can change human nature.

3. Alma 5:14
• And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the
church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye
received his image in your countenances? Have ye
experienced this mighty change in your hearts?

4. What does being “spiritually been born of
God” mean?
What does a “mighty change in your hearts”
mean?
What does having “received his image in
your countenances” mean?

5. Alma 5:19
• I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day
with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you,
can you look up, having the image of God
engraven upon your countenances?

6. Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught:
• “Except in … unusual circumstances, as with Alma, spiritual
rebirth is a process. It does not occur instantaneously. It comes to
pass by degrees. Repentant persons become alive to one spiritual
reality after another, until they are wholly alive in Christ and are
qualified to dwell in his presence forever.”

7. Alma 5:45-46
• …Do ye not suppose that I know of these things myself? Behold, I
testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken
are true. And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety?
• Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit
of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know
these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true;
for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy
Spirit…