How Can We Obtain a Change of Heart?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Alma 5-7 in a lesson titled “Have Ye Experienced This Mighty Change in Your Hearts?” The lesson was introduced by the following information. 

Alma did not know about today’s lifesaving heart transplant surgeries, which replace a damaged or diseased heart with a healthy one. But he knew about a more miraculous “change of heart” (Alma 5:26) – one in which the Savior gives us a newness of spiritual life, like being “born again” (see Alma 5:14, 49). Alma could see that this change of heart was exactly what many of the Nephites needed. Some were rich and others poor, some prideful and others humble, some persecutors and others afflicted by persecution (see Ama 4:6-15). But all of them needed to come unto Jesus Christ to be healed – just as we all do. Whether we are seeking to overcome pride or to endure afflictions, Alma’s message is the same: “Come and fear not” (Alma 7:15). Let the Savior change a hardened, sinful, or wounded heart into one that is humble, pure, and new.

While instructing the people, Alma asked dozens of questions to help the people examine their own hearts. He asked questions such as, “Have ye spiritually been born of God?” and “Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?” “If so, do you still have a change in heart?” He also asked questions such as, “Are you stripped of pride?”, “Are you stripped of envy?”, and “Do you mock your neighbor or persecute him?” His questions in Alma 5 can be considered to be a spiritual EKG to determine the condition of our spiritual hearts.

Alma 5 is a good chapter to study, but I feel impressed to discuss a principle found in Alma 7:7-16: “The Savior took upon Himself my sins, pains, and afflictions.” Have you ever felt that no one understands your struggles, challenges, or pains? Alma taught truths that may help you and I in such situations. We will first look at the scripture block.

7 For behold, I say unto you there be many things to come; and behold, there is one thing which is of more importance than they all—for behold, the time is not far distant that the Redeemer liveth and cometh among his people.

8 Behold, I do not say that he will come among us at the time of his dwelling in his mortal tabernacle; for behold, the Spirit hath not said unto me that this should be the case. Now as to this thing I do not know; but this much I do know, that the Lord God hath power to do all things which are according to his word.

9 But behold, the Spirit hath said this much unto me, saying: Cry unto this people, saying—Repent ye, and prepare the way of the Lord, and walk in his paths, which are straight; for behold, the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and the Son of God cometh upon the face of the earth.

10 And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

14 Now I say unto you that ye must repent, and be born again; for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.

15 Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every sin, which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down to destruction, yea, come and go forth, and show unto your God that ye are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this day by going into the waters of baptism.

16 And whosoever doeth this, and keepeth the commandments of God from thenceforth, the same will remember that I say unto him, yea, he will remember that I have said unto him, he shall have eternal life, according to the testimony of the Holy Spirit, which testifieth in me. [Emphasis added.]

The Savior took upon Himself all the sins, pains, afflictions, and temptations for all mankind. He knows what it feels like to be shamed, to be deceived, and to be betrayed. Through His Resurrection, Jesus Christ made it possible for all mankind to be resurrected and to overcome death – to become immortal and to live forever. Through His atoning sacrifice, He made it possible for all mankind to become clean from their sins and to live with Heavenly Father forever.