The process of conversion is not like turning on a light switch. It is achieved step by step, drop by drop, and principle upon principle. It is not something someone can do in an evening.
The price of discipleship is what we are willing to give of ourselves. Are we willing to give our whole soul--all of our heart, all of our might, and all of our mind and strength? What are we willing to give up? Do we surrender our will to Heavenly Father's? He can make more of us than we can make of ourselves.
The Savior can bring about "mighty changes" in the lives of all who exercise faith in Him and obey His teachings--examples:
- "Nevertheless the children of God were commanded that they should gather themselves together OFT, and join in Fasting and Mighty Prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of those WHO KNEW NOT God." (Alma 6:6)
- Alma the Younger--Alma's father prayed "mightily" for his son Alma. His father's prayers were answered.
- Alma 5:7 "Behold he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God. Behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word; yea, they were encircled about by the bands of death, and the chains of hell, and an everlasting destruction did await them.
- Alma 5:9, "And again I ask, were the bands of death broken, and the chains of hell which encircled them about, were they loosed, and their souls did expand, and they did sing redeeming love. And I say unto you that they are saved."
- Alma 5:12, "And according to his faith there was a mighty change wrought in his heart. Behold I say unto you that this is all true."
- Alma 5:13"And behold, he preached the word unto your fathers, and a mighty change was also wrought in their hearts, and they humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God. And behold, they were faithful until the end; therefore they were saved."
- Alma 5:14, "And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?
- Alma 5:19, "I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?
- Alma 5:26, "And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?
- Alma 5:28, "Behold, are ye stripped of pride? I say unto you, if ye are not ye are not prepared to meet God. Behold ye must prepare quickly; for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand, and such an one hath not eternal life.
- Alma 5:34, "Yea, he saith: Come unto me and ye shall partake of the fruit of the tree of life; yea, ye shall eat and drink of the bread and the waters of life freely;
- Alma 5:35, "yea, come unto me and bring forth works of righteousness, and ye..."
- Alma 5:38, "Behold, I say unto you, that the good shepherd doth call you; yea, and in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of Christ; and if ye will not hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd, to the name by which ye are called, behold, ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd."
- Mosiah 5:7, And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.
- Mosiah 5:13, "For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?"
