Today’s Reading: Alma 5:1-15
7 Behold, he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God. Behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word; yea, they were encircled about by the bands of death, and the chains of hell, and an everlasting destruction did await them.
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?
Changing your heart is difficult. But I have found that the older I get, the more pliable my heart has become. I realize more and more each day just how little I know, and how much I still need to be tutored daily by the Holy Spirit of Truth.
There are two verses in this block of scriptures that I am always drawn to whenever I read Chapter 5.
VERSE 7:
How many times have I felt lost in a midst of darkness? Too many to count. Satan is very good at making sure that discouragement and hopelessness sneak their way into my life on a regular basis. In order for me to find my way out of the darkness, I have found that I have to exercise 3 things: belief, faith, and humility. As I allow my heart to soften and as I turn to the Lord, He is able to exercise His great power to not just heal, but to change my heart and illuminate my soul with His light.
VERSE 14:
I think it would be wise to have these three questions in a place where you could see them every Sunday as you partake of the Sacrament.
- Have ye spiritually been born of God?
- Have ye received his image in your countenance?
- Have ye experienced this mighty change in your heart?
If you asked yourself these questions once a week, think of how much closer you would be to the Savior throughout the week. If you knew that when Sunday rolled around you would have to be honest with yourself and with God in answering these questions, how would you live your life differently during the week?
Maybe you would choose to nourish your Spirit more and give in to the “natural woman” less. Maybe you would pray more or take more time to listen. The possibilities are endless.
I grew up the oldest of 5 children in the blazing heat of Southern Utah. After high school and some college experience I met and married Mark Ogden and we are the parents of four children. I have owned and operated my own home-based preschool for more than a dozen years, and I consider myself an accidental author as well. When I am not in my minivan transporting children from one activity to the next, I enjoy playing the piano, blogging, speaking about my life’s experiences, and feeding my insatiable crafting disease.