Traditionally, the start of a new year offers the opportunity to take stock of one's life and to decide how to improve it. Years provide convenient measuring sticks for mortality, yet too often people make resolutions only during this time of year, and too many of those resolutions are broken before the new year is very old.

Perhaps this is because the goals are unrealistic, or perhaps it is because people make goals based on what they know they ought to be doing but their hearts are set on doing something entirely different.

This is true, for instance, with many a resolution involving weight loss. Most people who really want to lose 20 pounds can find a way through diet and exercise. But too many people may list this as a goal when deep down they are unwilling to commit to the sacrifice necessary for achieving it. They continue on in frustration, never getting where they say they want to be.

So it is often with goals of a spiritual nature, as well.

"And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church," said the prophet Alma, "have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?"

He then asks us to ponder what the logical extension of our current lifestyles would be.

"I say unto you, can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day: Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth?

"Or do ye imagine to yourselves that ye can lie unto the Lord in that day, and say — Lord, our works have been righteous works upon the face of the earth — and that he will save you?" (Alma 5:14, 16-17.)

Later, he makes it clear that conversion is not a one-time event, like the conferring of a degree, which never requires any further attention. "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 5:26.)

That would be an appropriate question for members of the Church to ask themselves as they prepare to write goals for the coming year.

Each Latter-day Saint should have as a goal returning to Heavenly Father's presence and dwelling in the Celestial Kingdom. This is not, of course, something that is achieved suddenly and without effort. One must set a variety of goals that lead in that direction and then monitor progress. But more important, it requires a true conversion and a change of heart that, in turn, changes everything about a person — his thoughts, actions and very countenance.

In his classic A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens made Ebeneezer Scrooge an unforgettable character because he awakened in him a true desire to change. After visits from the three ghosts, Scrooge did not wake up and write a list of general goals to make him a better person. He "scrambled out of bed. . . . He was so fluttered and so glowing with his good intentions, that his broken voice would scarcely answer to his call."

Immediately he set about doing good to others. "He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world." (Chatham River Press, Copyright 1982.)

The fictional Scrooge had a change of heart that changed everything else about him. He no longer desired to be evil.

In our goal to achieve Everlasting Life, we should desire to change ourselves so that we no longer have a desire to do evil of any kind. In this quest, we have one perfect example and guide: the Savior. He has commanded us to "be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect" (3 Nephi:12:48), and has extended the loving invitation: "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28.)

Resolve to learn of Him, study His words and His works. Then, live as He did, and the change will come. "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." (Matthew 16:25.)