LILY Letter 71: A Mighty Change of Heart

Perhaps the most central message of the Book of Mormon is the mighty change of heart we can experience through the power of Jesus Christ's atonement. This "mighty change" is accomplished through the power of Holy Ghost, which brings about faith and even a change in our desires: "And they all cried with one voice, saying: 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, emphasis added).

The change the Lord asks of us is not just in what we do, but in who we are. He makes it possible to change our hearts (desires and devotion) as we welcome His "Omnipotent" supernatural power and influence. As President Benson said: "The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ would take the slums out of people, and then they would take themselves out of the slums. 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." Significantly, he adds "and changed men can change the world."

The Lord is not trying to change our performance as much as our hearts—and our changed hearts will change our performance. When Alma heard the dramatic final testimony of the prophet Abinidai, "there was a mighty change wrought in his heart" (Alma 5:12). And after this mighty change, "he preached the word unto your fathers, and a mighty change was also wrought in their hearts" (Alma 5:13). This is how the leavening influence of divine love is spread in the world. Recalling these experiences, Alma's son asked: "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?" (Alma 5:14). Another term for the heart that has experienced this "mighty change" is a "broken heart." The opposite of a broken heart is a proud heart. Instead of an animal sacrifice, "ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit" (3 Nephi 9:20).

The Book of Mormon is replete with passages teaching that the transformation the Lord seeks is internal, and that this "mighty change" will supply the strength we need to change our outer world for the better. If you feel stuck on the sidelines of life—like you are just watching while the rest of the world is engaged—the gospel provides hope that things can always change for the better. That change begins inside each of us.

• Change begins by forgiving a former partner who hurt me.
• Change begins by seeking peace instead of holding on to bitterness.
• Change begins by accepting the reality of my current situation instead of fighting it, and focusing my intention on changing my direction for the future.

We do not suggest that every difficult situation you find yourself in is a reflection of an impure heart. There are trials and turbulence in every life as a consequence of living in a fallen world. But we are also sure that changing our circumstances begins with changing our hearts—which contain our deepest desires.

Enjoy this week’s featured podcast interview "A Mighty Change of Heart with Alyssa" (listen & watch options below) and the associated weekly video: “Believing Impossible Things.” Our short of the week is “Sharing is Caring.”

FEATURED THIS WEEK

LILY Pod Episode 82: A Mighty Change of Heart with Alyssa (70min) AUDIO OPTION

LILY Tube Interview: A Mighty Change of Heart with Alyssa (70min) VIDEO OPTION

LILY Tube Video: Believing Impossible Things (9min)

LILY Tube Short: Sharing is Caring (1min)

Discover what coaching can do for you personally by visiting LILY Coaching and setting an appointment with one of us.

To get a copy of "Intentional Courtship" on Amazon and create more love in your life in 2022, visit Intentional Courtship.

If you enjoy this letter, forward to a friend. Our goal is to support as many mid-singles and later-married couples as possible!