Changing Before Our Eyes

Change is good, right?  Apparently, according to this cartoon, change can sometimes occur in us unexpectedly!  

Amulek

Today in seminary, we covered Alma 11, where Amulek stands forth to condend with a lawyer in Ammonihah by the name of Zeezrom.  Zeezrom knows knows there is a God (Alma 11:24), but he tries to twist Amulek's words to make him contradict himself. In fact, he is attempting to lure Amulek to misspeak about the gospel in front of the crowd so he and Alma will stand condemned as liars. 

Amulek teaches of Jesus Christ, the Godhead, the Atonement, the Resurrection, and of eternal life.

A change is occuring in Zeezrom "before our eyes"; unexpectedly as he listens to Amulek!  Zeezrom cannot deny what he now feels and knows through the Spirit. "Now, when Amulek had finished these words the people began again to be astonished, and also Zeezrom began to tremble." (Alma 11:46) It's a remarkable, physical change which continues in Zeezrom as Alma then to "establish the words of Amulek". (Alma 12:1)

The reason for this change in Zeezrom..........

"True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. Preoccupation with unworthy behavior can lead to unworthy behavior. That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel." (Boyd K. Packer, Conference Report, October 1986)

 

UNDERSTANDING the doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ brings us peace.  It softens the heart, and we behave differently because of what we know.  President Packer's quote has been one I have embraced over the years.  I have come to realize just how true it is through testing it.  UNDERSTANDING true doctrine lays a solid foundation for a testimony, and it helps to change us from worldly beings to spiritual beings.

Yep, change is good.