Stories of Change in Mosiah

Someone mentioned in our stake conference today how in the books of Mosiah and Alma are all about how people can and do change.  For example, at the beginning of the book of Mosiah the people of King Benjamin had their hearts chanted and they proclaim, “Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually” (Mosiah 5:2).  The preaching of the word had truly led them to desire to do good—they changed their hearts. 

               We see more stories of positive change in the account of the people of Noah and Limhi.  While Abinadi didn’t seem to be able to effect repentance among the people of King Noah, Alma did listen and eventually “repented of his sins and iniquities” and completely changed his life to follow the Lord (Mosiah 18:1).  He showed that even those steeped in sin can change their ways.  He was then the means of helping hundreds of his people to likewise repent and turn their lives to the Lord.  When Alma asked them if they would be baptize and covenant to keep the commandments of the Lord, they “exclaimed: This is the desire of their hearts” (Mosiah 18:11).  They proved that even those led by wicked leaders living in a culture that rejected the words of the Lord could still change their ways and become righteous.  We see this change again in the people of King Limhi when they turned to the Lord in their suffering.  They had been terribly wicked in the days of Abinadi, but under their bondage to the Lamanites they “did humble themselves even in the depths of humility; and they did cry mightily to God” (Mosiah 21:14).  This story helps us have hope for those who seen like they will never change—the Lord can enter even the most hardened hearts which have been softened by trials and persecutions. 

               The story of Alma and the sons of Mosiah likewise is one of repentance and change.  These men went about the people causing all kinds of problems, “seeking to destroy the church, and to lead astray the people of the Lord.”  Alma was described as a “very wicked and idolatrous man” and they were it appears the cause of major problems among their people (Mosiah 27:8-10).  And yet, despite their level of wickedness, they too—“the very vilest of sinners”— were able to repent and change (Mosiah 28:4).  The transformation of their lives was incredible, with Alma declaring, “I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit” (Mosiah 27:24).  Alma and the sons of Mosiah of course went on to be incredible missionaries and never wavered from their testimonies, showing that their change was indeed real.  Despite the great difficulties to true spiritual change in ourselves and others, the book of Mosiah stands as a witness that real change is possible and that anyone can come unto the Lord through repentance.