“Countenances”

D. Kelly Ogden, Andrew C. Skinner

After many years of marriage, husbands and wives in some ways begin to look like each other, to think and act like each other. They may even adopt the same mannerisms. The word countenance derives from an old French term denoting behavior, demeanor, or conduct. With Christ’s image in our countenances, we begin to look like he looks; our life becomes a reflection of the Savior’s life. He never forgets us because we are engraved upon the palms of his hands (see commentary at 1 Nephi 21:14–16); we show true conversion to him by having his image engraved upon our countenance. The engraving represents permanence. Because of “a mighty change in us,” we have “no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually” (Mosiah 5:2).

Verse by Verse: The Book of Mormon: Vol. 1

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