As
I was reading Alma 32 this morning, my heart nearly exploded as I
remembered reading this chapter for the first time – or at least digesting this
chapter. I know I must have read it in
seminary in High School. I guess I
didn’t feel I needed this information then.
But ten years later, when my world was in shambles and I was searching
for answers, this chapter rang true to me and my heart did sing!
This
morning, I noticed that the first step to change is humility, i.e. having the
courage to ask the question. What is the
question? “How can I have peace
again?” At least that’s what it was for
me. I was miserable, in a miserable
marriage, raising a daughter without gospel principles I remembered to be
true. I wanted change, but didn’t have a
clue how to get it. Yes, ask the
question! (V9) There will be someone there to
start answering the questions. You will
be guided to the answers in the scriptures.
Your heart will sing as you “remember” the things you once knew. What if you were never LDS as I was? No problem.
You see, we learned these things before we came to earth. They ring true to the Spirit as we hear the
truth. It’s a beautiful thing.
So
what can we expect to happen as we start the search? Alma teaches with a beautiful visual in the
planting of a seed. Before going there,
however, he tells the people if they can only exercise a particle of faith
(v27), or no more than desire to believe, that we can let that desire work in
us until we know it is a truth.
The
visual is in the planting of a seed. If
it is a good seed, it will Swell (sprout), Enlarge and Enlighten the soul, and
it will be Delicious (SEED). He calls this an
experiment on the word (v28-29). I
didn’t realize I was going through these steps.
It was a natural progression.
However, I do remember that I was so excited as I learned new things and
applied them to my life. It all seemed
to happen so fast, and I was walking around with a perma-grin on my face all
the time. I was so happy! The fruit was delicious, and I could not get
enough. I started attending firesides
and extra meetings to get more of what was enlightening me. It was an amazing time in my life.
It
is my testimony that this type of experience awaits anyone who has a
desire – however small, to change.
Ask the question! Then look
around you. There will be someone come
into your world very quickly to give you sincere guidance to your
questions. Be humble and have the faith
to pray about the answers, applying them to your own life and growing in the
gospel. It’s a beautiful truth. It is
invigorating and something that will forever be a delight to look back on and
ponder. I am amazed at the growth that
has taken place for me since those days.
It is a process, and one that is a thrill. I’m so grateful to my Heavenly Father for His
amazing “Plan” that enables us to repent when we find we have veered off the
chosen path. This has been such a
blessing in my life. This knowledge has
brought me joy every day since then.
There aren’t bad days – some days may be better than others, but there
are not bad days.
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