Do You Feel so Now? Part I

Isn’t the Book of Mormon amazing? I love reading it every morning. I know that it is the word of God. I know that because I have asked God if it is true, and I received an answer that it is. Yesterday in my morning studies, I studied Alma 5. I love this chapter so much, because every time I read it, I ask myself, “Have I (Sister Houtz) received HIS image in my countenance?” Some people might think that it’s a harsh rebuking from Alma to the members of the church. I think that it is a personal assessment for everyone to see if they are truly representing the Lord in their everyday activities. I actually taught a lesson about this chapter in church one time and I had kept some of my notes for it. I have put some of the quotes I used for that lesson in the post. I hope that as you read the words of Alma that you will pray for the Holy Ghost to enlighten your mind on how you can improve in your life and also that as you read this post you will receive whatever you come seeking to receive.

There are many some things stood out to me in this chapter this time around as I read it. In verse 6, it reads, “And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, you that belong to this church, have you sufficiently retained in remembrance the captivity of your fathers? Yea, and have you sufficiently retained in remembrance his mercy and long-suffering towards them? And moreover, have ye sufficiently retained in remembrance that he has delivered their souls from hell?”

I asked myself. Have I “sufficiently retained” all the blessing that my Father in Heaven has poured upon me? Do I remember when I was going through a very difficult trial and he “delivered me out of captivity?” Do I “sufficiently retain” that God sent his Son Jesus Christ to atone for my sins? Do I remember that when I’m out teaching the gospel to others? Do I remember that I am HIS daughter called by Him to preach His gospel to the people of this mission? Sadly, I pondered these questions. My answers were “no.” I don’t think I’ve “sufficiently retained” these things. Right from the beginning Alma, rebukes in such a thought provoking manner.

The overall arching theme though from this chapter is found in verse 14, “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?”

My answer to these questions are yes...maybe…sure? Then I started to ponder, do I want this? Do I want a mighty change of heart? You BET I DO! President Ezra Taft Benson stated, “The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. … 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” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1985, 5; or Ensign, Nov. 1985, 6).

Jesus Christ can change our human nature. We can experience this mighty change in our hearts! We can! I know it! I’ve witnessed it in myself and many others. I’m constantly changing for the better. I think “Yes, I’ve got it down. I’m good.” Then God gives me another opportunity to be pushed, tried, and so I can grow. I’m not the person I was eight months ago, I’m not the person I was last week, because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I am constantly changing because I want to progress. I want this mighty change. I would love it if His image was in my countenance! I represent Jesus Christ as a missionary. I want to make sure that I am representing well. So what happens after the mission? What happens when I am no longer a full-time missionary? Will I still be able to represent Him? Yes! Will I do everything possible to make sure of it? Yes!

From my lesson at church I read this powerful quote from Elder Bruce R. McConkie. He taught: “Except in … unusual circumstances, as with Alma (Mosiah 27), spiritual rebirth is a process. It does not occur instantaneously. It comes to pass by degrees. Repentant persons become alive to one spiritual reality after another, until they are wholly alive in Christ and are qualified to dwell in his presence forever” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [1966–73], 3:401).

It is a process! I am constantly changing and growing and progressing. I love how he says, “it comes by degrees!” There are SOOO many of us who think that we have to be perfect, now here and today. We beat ourselves up for not being perfect. Take a day at a time. Turn to Jesus Christ He will help you. He wants to help you on this spiritual rebirth. It takes time. Don’t give up. Keep going. The Lord is in our midst He will never leave us. I know this to be true. I testify of this. For I know that He wants us to change. He wants us to become like Him. He will do everything and anything to help us, but we MUST try. We must exercise our faith and our agency. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.