Alma, like so many other righteous leaders, endeavored to bring about a mighty change in the hearts of his followers.

In an October 1985 general conference address he titled "Born of God," President Ezra Taft Benson spoke of how the gospel changes people:"Can human hearts be changed? Why, of course! It happens every day in the great missionary work of the Church. It is one of the most widespread of Christ's modern miracles. If it hasn't happened to you - it should."

President Benson quoted the Savior's declaration to Nicodemus that "except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3.) Then President Benson added:

"Besides the physical ordinance of baptism and the laying on of hands, one must be spiritually born again to gain exaltation and eternal life.

"Alma states: `And the Lord said unto me; Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters;

" `And thus they became new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.' (Mosiah 27:25-26.)

"The `change of heart' and `born again' processes are best described in the keystone of our religion, the Book of Mormon.

"Those who had been born of God after hearing King Benjamin's address had a mighty change in their hearts. They had `no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.' " (See Mosiah 5:2, 7.)

President Benson quoted Alma, who asked some crucial questions: " `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? . . .

" `If ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?' " (Alma 5:14, 26.)

President Benson asked some questions of his own: "Would not the progress of the Church increase dramatically today with an increasing number of those who are spiritually reborn? Can you imagine what would happen in your homes? Can you imagine what would happen with an increasing number of copies of the Book of Mormon in the hands of an increasing number of missionaries who know how to use it and who have been born of God? . . .

"The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. 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."

*****

(Additional information)

Capture of daughters leads to vengeful war

In the revolution that arose between King Noah and his people, a king's officer by the name of Gideon turned against the wicked king and plotted to kill him.

From atop the tower to where he escaped, Noah saw an army of Lamanites in the nearby land of Shemlon. The king appealed to Gideon, who spared his life. Noah then ordered his people to flee into the wilderness to escape the invading Lamanites.

When the Lamanites overtook Noah's people, he commanded the men to leave behind their wives and children in order to continue their flight into the wilderness. Some obeyed and fled into the uninhabited regions. Those who stayed were taken with their families as captives by the Lamanites.

When the men who fled into the wilderness decided to return, Noah ordered them not to do so. They became so angry that they burned him to death - the same fate Noah had imposed upon the prophet Abinadi. Noah's priests escaped, going farther into the wilderness.

Those priests later kidnapped 24 daughters of the Lamanites. The Lamanites, thinking the kidnappers were the people of Limhi, sent armies to attack. Limhi, Noah's son and successor, saw from atop a tower the Lamanites' preparations for war and prepared his people. Limhi's warriors "fought like lions" and drove back the Lamanites. (Mosiah 20:10.)

The Lamanite king, wounded and captured, was taken before Limhi and learned the daughters had been taken by the priests of Noah, not by the people of Limhi. Pacified, the king went out to meet another army of Lamanites and "did plead in behalf of the people of Limhi." (Mosiah 20:25.) The Lamanites saw the people of Limhi, "that they were without arms, [andT they had compassion on them and were pacified towards them, and returned with their king in peace to their own land." (Mosiah 20:26.)

Heavenly Father knows the feelings of parents' hearts

Directing his remarks primarily to parents in his October 1983 general conference address, Elder Howard W. Hunter said many of them "live with feelings of guilt and unworthiness because some of their sons and daughters have wandered or strayed from the fold."

Elder Hunter, then a member of the Council of the Twelve, said: "At the outset we understand that conscientious parents try their best, yet nearly all have made mistakes. . . . Surely our Heavenly Father knows, when He entrusts His spirit children into the care of young and inexperienced parents, that there will be mistakes and errors in judgment."

Elder Hunter said some parents may not have made mistakes but still have children who have wandered. He recounted stories of biblical parents whose children went astray. Then, referring to the Book of Mormon, he related:

"The great prophet Alma, who had a son named Alma, prayed at length to the Lord regarding the rebellious attitude of his son and no doubt was overwhelmed with concern and worry about the dissension of the wickedness his son was causing among those who were within the Church. (See Mosiah 27:14.) Our Father in Heaven has also lost many of His spirit children to the world; He knows the feelings of your heart."

Elder Hunter further said: "We should never let Satan fool us into thinking that all is lost. Let us take pride in the good and right things we have done; reject and cast out of our lives those things that are wrong; look to the Lord for forgiveness, strength, and comfort; and then move onward."

Articles on this page may be used in conjunction with the Gospel Doctrine course of study.

Information compiled by Gerry Avant

Sources: General conference reports: April 1982, October 1983 and October 1985.