This remarkable about-face has long been a wonder to me. For a long time, I was even jealous that Alma and the Sons of Mosiah were converted in such a remarkable fashion. More recently, having had my own born again experience, I've had a change of heart (no pun intended). I'm sure that God is just as interested in my recovery as He was in theirs. Who am I to judge the attractiveness of the methods God chooses.
My Mission President often watched for and drew attention to those moments when we were "driven to our extremity." By that he meant something akin to the alcoholic's "rock bottom". Some point or circumstance arrives in everyone's life at which we have to decide to commit to the truth, or not, to trust God or not, to accept our own need for grace, or not. If we choose not, then other times may also be appointed. Sometimes it takes something harsh like a death in the family or some other great loss. Sometimes, it may just be the emptiness of hope that accompanies the loss of the Spirit. Each person is different and God's recovery methods are tailor made for each circumstance. An angel visited Laman and Lemuel too, with entirely different results. Retrieving the Brass Plates was an extremity moment for Nephi and Sam too, but their reaction differed slightly don't you think?.
Usually in life, I think we drift along, presented with choices that don't really grab us, but now and then a choice comes that is monumental in it's scope and meaning. We all get them. They are so precious. I don't think we could ever say that one person's aha moment was better, or finer, or more miraculous than another. All are designed to bring us home, born again in a newness of life. As I pray for such moments in the lives of my children, I'm not going to quibble about the method because I know Heavenly Father knows far better than I, what it will take to reach them.
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25 And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be aborn again; yea, bborn of God, cchanged from their carnal and dfallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his esons and daughters;
26 And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in anowise inherit the kingdom of God.
I used to think this referred to baptism, but I think this is more than that. Baptism is the beginning of the mighty change. It really takes a life time. I am changed bit by bit, day by day, experience by experience. I’m inclined to take 2 steps forward, 1 step back, but I do change. I desire to become that new creature that is worthy to inherit the kingdom of God.
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