The reader should notice that Alma uses the Hebrew manner of associating the condition of one's soul with outward physical appearance or physical organs. For example, in Alma 5:14 he says, "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?" A little later in the same sermon, Alma asks the question, "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" (Alma 5:19). The reader should keep this symbolism in mind when considering the curse of the "dark skin" or the blessing of the "white skin." [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes] [See the commentary on 2 Nephi 5:21]
“Have Ye Experienced This Mighty Change in Your Hearts”
In Alma 5:14 Alma asks: "Have ye received [the Lord's] image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this might change in your hearts?" The poetic picture of the image of God engraven on their countenances appears to be unique to Alma. But when Alma ties it to "a mighty change in your hearts" there is a good possibility that Alma is referring to the covenant language made specifically by the fathers of those who are listening to Alma. In Benjamin's speech it is the heart and not the face that is the focus, but the concepts are parallel:
"I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the name written always in your hearts, that ye are not found on the left hand of God, but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called, and also, the name by which he shall call you."
To have "the name written always in your hearts" implies a covenant. Similar covenant imagery of what it implies to be a covenant person or people with Christ is also alluded to by Paul in the New Testament:
"Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart." (2 Corinthians 3:3)
[Adapted from Brant Gardner, "Book of Mormon Commentary," at [http://www.frontpage2k.nmia.com/] ~nahualli/LDStopics/Alma/ Alma5.htm, pp. 14-15]