Alma 19:33

"And it came to pass that when Ammon arose he also administered unto them, and also did all the servants of Lamoni; and they did all declare unto the people the self-same thing--that their hearts had been changed; that they had no more desire to do evil."
Alma 19:33


Sometimes we think of life as this never-ending struggle… with temptation, with obstacles, with just those internal struggles we go through sometimes, trying to do the right thing, but sometimes wanting something else… and I love this scripture because it is one of the ones that tells us that the struggles aren’t never-ending… aren’t eternal. They have limits, and one of the limits is described right here… through the spirit, through conversion, the Lamanites hearts were changed, and they didn’t even desire to do evil anymore… not just a change in action, but a change that went all the way down to the core of who they were. Evil wasn’t in style anymore… so last season, so yesterday. :) They wanted something better. And we can get there too. By reading and praying and keeping God in our hearts and minds, those evil thoughts can’t exist in the same space. We stop wanting bad things when our minds and hearts are occupied with Good… with God. And not just a displacement, with the evil waiting in the background… but we start seeing things differently, and get a whole new perspective. God helps us to glimpse something better for ourselves and the people around us, and we start seeing what is possible, and what will bring lasting happiness, rather than what will give us that temporary relief from despair. It’s a good change, and something to think on today. Have our hearts been changed? And, in the spirit of Alma 5:26 (another good verse), are they still changed? Can we feel that desire for good today? If not, let’s talk to God about it and try to recapture that hope… that unity of self… no more internal struggle. And if we *can* feel that desire to do good… let’s talk to God as well, and thank him for it. :) Because, seriously… how incredible, to be so changed, and so new, and so ready to face the world. True conversion is undeniable like that... looking up at God one day and realizing that it isn't a struggle anymore... what he says makes a lot of sense. :)