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“The almost impossible thing is to hand over your whole self—all your wishes and precautions—to Christ.” In his masterpiece Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis warned Christians that Christ wants to change and develop all aspects of our lives. This will be a mighty change, involving the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and all prophetic teachings, as through His Atonement we may repent of our sins and weaknesses, experience change in our hearts, and become new.
A Mighty Change of Heart and Mind
Paul gave a perspective: “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new“ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Alma used the phrase “born of God” to express this newness, as “a mighty change of heart” is offered by the Savior (Alma 5:14-15).
Becoming a new creature involves but goes beyond repenting of sins and mistakes. It includes changing the way we think and feel. To these changes, Elder Ulisses Soares added a dimension: “bringing a fresh attitude, both toward God and toward life in general.”
This mighty change takes time and demands humility, patience, love, and perseverance. We cannot do this alone; we must allow the Savior to work in and through us. Elder Soares advised that as “we draw nearer to Him, surrendering ourselves spiritually to His care . . . we will receive the strength we all need to overcome the hardships, weaknesses, and sorrows of life, which are exceedingly difficult to endure without His help and healing power.”
A Close Relationship with the Savior
While hunting alone, Enos thought on the teachings of his father, the prophet Jacob, younger brother of Nephi.
And my soul hungered, and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens.
Enos heard a voice telling him his sins were forgiven, and he knew his guilt “was swept away.” Enos asked how, and was told,
Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen. And many years pass away before he shall manifest himself in the flesh; wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole.
Enos kept praying and asked about the rest of the Nephites and then the Lamanites. They were not changing as he was, but he did receive some assurances. Praying all day and all night is not required for a mighty change in relationship with God, along with heart and mind. But “my soul hungered” and “cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication” give us instruction.
Elder Gerrit W. Gong expressed the warm, personal nature of the Savior’s atonement, as Enos was taught of it. “We speak reverently of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, personal and real, not only of Atonement in the abstract.”
A New Life With the Book of Mormon
My brother tried for many years to overcome his addiction to methamphetamines. He completed several rehab programs, but the power of the addiction bound him physically and emotionally to the controlling drug. We family members watched him destroy his life and family. We tried desperately to help, but we felt powerless.
He was in prison when he began an intense study of the Book of Mormon. His cell mate saw that he was reading the Book of Mormon and asked him to read it out loud. He was incarcerated just long enough to read the entire Book of Mormon out loud so they could learn together. One of those coincidences that is not a coincidence at all.
Each week as I visited him in jail, we talked about the many people in the Book of Mormon who repented and were forgiven. We discussed the enabling power of the Atonement. He felt hope as he began an earnest repentance process.
The branch president visited him and gave him priesthood blessings. And he drew upon many tools he had gathered from the rehab programs. I witnessed an incredibly beautiful light returning to his countenance. The transformation was real! I witnessed a mighty change as He became a new creature.
My brother has been clean and sober for 14 years, and he freely explains that his continued sobriety is due to the power of reading the Book of Mormon every day. He says that if he misses even a single day he feels the addiction begin to tug at him again. He considers the power of the Book of Mormon and the Holy Ghost that comes when he reads it to be a force field protecting him and keeping him focused on Jesus Christ and His Atonement. He now focuses his life on doing good and being charitable.
In his recent book The Shepherd and the Lamb, Elder Gong described visiting a state penitentiary in which the inmates wore white jumpsuits. This white clothing caused him to think about the spiritual potential of those in this setting. He wrote, “Jesus Christ comes to deliver the penitent from prison. He helps us change our hearts, countenances, character.” On further reflection, Elder Gong wrote, “[Christ’s] deliverance and redemption come in time and eternity. Perfectly, He measures and discerns our heart and character.” My brother is a joyfully living example.
Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can gain the strength to overcome our sins, we can take upon us the name of Christ, we can find a better way to live, and we can become strong enough to bear the burdens of life. The profound impact of Christ’s love and sacrifice enables us to become new creatures who fully embody the love and light of the Savior.
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