Alma 26: 23-25, 27: 27; 23: 6; 23: 7;

 

How have you experienced long-lasting change through the atoning power of Jesus Christ?

"23 Now do ye remember, my brethren, that we said unto our brethren in the land of Zarahemla, we go up to the land of Nephi, to preach unto our brethren, the Lamanites, and they laughed us to scorn?

24 For they said unto us: Do ye suppose that ye can bring the Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth? Do ye suppose that ye can convince the Lamanites of the incorrectness of the traditions of their fathers, as stiffnecked a people as they are; whose hearts delight in the shedding of blood; whose days have been spent in the grossest iniquity; whose ways have been the ways of a transgressor from the beginning? Now my brethren, ye remember that this was their language.

25 And moreover they did say: Let us take up arms against them, that we destroy them and their iniquity out of the land, lest they overrun us and destroy us." (Alma 26: 23-25)

"14 And assuredly it was great, for they had undertaken to preach the word of God to a wild and a hardened and a ferocious people; a people who delighted in murdering the Nephites, and robbing and plundering them; and their hearts were set upon riches, or upon gold and silver, and precious stones; yet they sought to obtain these things by murdering and plundering, that they might not labor for them with their own hands." (Alma 17: 14)

"27 And they were among the people of Nephi, and also numbered among the people who were of the church of God. And they were also distinguished for their zeal towards God, and also towards men; for they were perfectly honest and upright in all things; and they were firm in the faith of Christ, even unto the end." (Alma 27: 27)

"6 And as sure as the Lord liveth, so sure as many as believed, or as many as were brought to the knowledge of the truth, through the preaching of Ammon and his brethren, according to the spirit of revelation and of prophecy, and the power of God working miracles in them—yea, I say unto you, as the Lord liveth, as many of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching, and were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away." (Alma 23: 6)

"7 For they became a righteous people; they did lay down the weapons of their rebellion, that they did not fight against God any more, neither against any of their brethren." (Alma 23: 7)

And here's the introductory commentary for this week's reading asignment: "July 8–14: They “Never Did Fall Away” Alma 23–29 :

"Do you sometimes wonder whether people can really change? Maybe you worry about whether you can overcome poor choices you’ve made or bad habits you’ve developed, or you may have similar worries about loved ones. If so, the story of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies can help you. These people were the sworn enemies of the Nephites. When the sons of Mosiah decided to preach the gospel to them, the Nephites “laughed [them] to scorn.” Killing the Lamanites seemed like a more plausible solution than converting them. (See Alma 26:23–25.)

But the Lamanites did change—through the converting power of Jesus Christ. They were once known as “a hardened and a ferocious people” (Alma 17:14), but they became “distinguished for their zeal towards God” (Alma 27:27). In fact, they “never did fall away” (Alma 23:6).

Maybe you have some thoughts or actions to change or “weapons of … rebellion” to lay down (Alma 23:7). Or maybe you just need to be a little more zealous toward God. No matter what changes you need, Alma 23–29 can give you hope that through the atoning power of Jesus Christ, long-lasting change is possible."

Long-lasting change is truly indeed possible through the atoning power of Jesus Christ. I, myself did experience this long-lasting change in my thoughts and actions. I want to share here a few changes that are special to me. 

 It was difficult for me to wake up early in the morning daily before. When I've read from the Bible how Jesus would wake up "a great while before day", I was inspired to follow his example. And I've been able to wake up between 3-4 AM daily consistently for quite a while now. And I would also wake up early on the weekends, between 4-6 AM. And because I've been waking up early, I've been able to accomplish more with my time and energy daily. 

It was not easy for me to forgive myself before. When I finally realized that the Lord has forgiven me so I need to forgive myself as well, I did forgive myself. And this self-forgiveness has lifted all the burdens I was carrying. And I was able to forgive others as well. This forgiveness of others paved the way for many blessings to come into my life.