Wednesday, November 23, 2011

What’s part of the mighty change of heart?

2 And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.
3 And we, ourselves, also, through the infinite goodness of God, and the manifestations of his Spirit, have great views of that which is to come; and were it expedient, we could prophesy of all things.
4 And it is the faith which we have had on the things which our king has spoken unto us that has brought us to this great knowledge, whereby we do rejoice with such exceedingly great joy.
5 And we are willing to enter into a covenant with our God to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he shall command us, all the remainder of our days… (Mosiah 5:2-5)
We’ve often heard of this might change of heart, and I think we focus a lot of our attention on the particular aspect of having no more disposition to do evil and wanting to do good continually. But as I was reading through these verses, I realized that there is so much more to the might change of heart than just that. If we only notice the change in our disposition and miss all the other spiritual gifts that go along with it, we don’t get a chance to enjoy the full manifestation of the mighty change!

It is worth studying these facets of the mighty change to see if we can remember feeling something similar in our own experience.

“through the infinite goodness of God” The mighty change of heart also brings a huge appreciation for the goodness and mercy of God. Goo seems infinitely good, not just good. Really, that’s just seeing things as they really are, isn’t it?

“manifestations of his Spirit” They know they have felt the Spirit multiple times. It is obvious to them. They know what it feels like and they know where it comes from.

“great views of that which is to come” One of the things that seems to happen with the mighty change of heart is that one’s view of the future is expanded. I know what this feels like. It is as if the possibilities jump from just pretty words to being realities, although still in the future. At least one great view that I’m sure these people received was that of the coming of Christ to atone for their sins. It is like a mystery suddenly has been unfolded.

“we could prophecy of all things” With a great view of what is to come, the words to share it are ready at a moment’s notice. One wishes one could be called on to spontaneously bear testimony to the truth.

“faith” This is the faith to act to obtain the promises given. It feeds on hope.
“great knowledge” With the mighty change of heart, one’s considers the knowledge gained to be no small thing. It is so precious, it is reflected upon again and again.

“we do rejoice with exceedingly great joy” Wouldn’t you call this the best part of the mighty change? Here is joy given as a spiritual gift. For me, it is both electrifying and my heart seems to swell wide.

“we are willing to enter into a covenant with our God to do his will” Along with the desire to do good continually comes the desire to make a covenant with God. The covenant seems like a perfectly natural and desirable thing to make. Submission to the will of God seems easy. One wants to obey ALL of God's commandments, ALL the time, for the rest of one's mortal life.

I notice that these facets of the change of heart affect one’s thoughts, one’s words, and one’s deeds. That is certainly what makes it a mighty change.

I’m thankful to Mormon for including those verses because they are so spiritually perceptive. They help me recognize that these feelings I have felt are all part of receiving the mighty change of heart.

2 comments:

Ramona Gordy said...

Thanks for this post,lately these scripture in Galatians have been on my heart:
Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires
I have felt like King Lamoni, that I will continue to give away all of my sins to live this gospel.

Michaela Stephens said...

I'm so glad you shared those verses! They make a lot more sense now!