“A Mighty Change”

Church Educational System
Alma refers to “a mighty change” (Alma 5:13) being wrought in the hearts of the people. The heart has often been used to symbolize the center of our desires and affections. The man of the world is likely to have these desires and affections centered in the appetites of the flesh and the pleasures of the world. The man of Christ turns his back on the things of the world and seeks the things of God. Everyone, at some time, needs to make a commitment and experience a change of heart. Elder Marion G. Romney defined this change of heart as conversion:

“Webster says the verb, ‘convert, ’ means ‘to turn from one belief or course to another.’ That ‘conversion’ is ‘a spiritual and moral change attending a change of belief with conviction.’ As used in the scriptures, ‘converted’ generally implies not merely mental acceptance of Jesus and his teachings but also a motivating faith in him and in his gospel—a faith which works a transformation, an actual change in one’s understanding of life’s meaning and in his allegiance to God—in interest, in thought, and in conduct. While conversion may be accomplished in stages, one is not really converted in the full sense of the term unless and until he is at heart a new person. ‘Born again’ is the scriptural term”

(in Conference Report, Oct. 1963, p. 23).

Book of Mormon Student Manual (1996 Edition)

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