The Transformation of Consciousness
Today, I will talk about something that I am in no way qualified to talk about. I am not educated in the sciences of neurobiology, psychology, or human behavior. Still, I can recognize how people change on a fundamental level when faced with the prospect of a disastrous existence. We are constantly on the precipice of calamity when we ignore the grace offered by the Lord Jesus Christ. In some ways, we act like we can navigate the world as if there were no consequences for our actions until we find ourselves hovering in midair like a cartoon character after walking off a cliff.
This may seem like an odd way to explain what happens to us when we try to go contrary to our divine nature by following our human nature. However, reading how quickly the Book of Mormon people go off track when things are going well demonstrates this phenomenon of lack of awareness. The only thing that seems to have the effect of a permanent change in a person is hitting rock bottom and being rescued by God’s mercy. The net effect of these experiences is a transformation of consciousness.
The transformation of being born of God is essential for each of us. It is not optional, as far as I can tell. Jesus said, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” Ezekiel 18:31 reads, “Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit:” Alma, the younger, was confronted with the prospect of “being cast off,” which caused him to plead for mercy from the Son of God. King Benjamin’s people voluntarily changed how they viewed themselves and, consequently, the world when they covenanted to take the name of Jesus Christ upon themselves. This transformation is more than a minor epiphany; it is more like becoming a new being.
A common side effect of a change of consciousness is that sin becomes abhorrent to the new creature. This is mentioned numerous times in the Book of Mormon. For most of us, this transformation is gradual. It is a process that takes years of focus and determination to forsake our natural tendencies. Perhaps this more gentle approach is one of the tender mercies of a loving Father in Heaven. Can you imagine the way you see everything change in an instant? Being creatures of habit makes us resistant to changes, especially if they are abrupt. Leaving behind a sinful life probably means leaving relationships with people and places, and we must start some things from scratch.
The critical part about transforming consciousness is that it must be complete to be permanent. In other words, it must be like leaving one world and arriving in another. If any remnants of your former habits, attitudes, validations, appetites, or passions remain, the probability that you will revert to the former you and not become new or born anew. This idea is illustrated in the conversion of King Benjamin’s people, Alma the elder and the sons of Mosiah and Alma the younger, versus most of the people who joined the church in Zarahemla. The fully transformed people never turned back, but those who joined the church as part of a cultural movement became proud and contentious in a few short years.
We see both fully and partially transformed people in the church today. People who are fully committed to God do not waiver or bend, but no matter how hard they try to pass along the same level of commitment to others or the next generation, they seldom succeed. A charismatic teacher may win converts, pragmatism may appeal to some, and a sense of community draws others in. Still, unless a person has some totally transformative experience, they seldom permanently convert.
So, how do we go about changing our consciousness? Do we isolate ourselves in a monastery or shelter-in-place to avoid contact with evil? Do we experiment with evil so that we may know what we are up against? I do not believe either approach is healthy or effective. If we acquaint ourselves with excellent and praiseworthy things and ideas, which we can think about as light, their dark alternatives will be apparent in our view. We accelerate the transformation by using our God-given agency and implementing the law of sacrifice to give away our sins.
Many stories in which individuals record life-changing or paradigm-shifting experiences have a few common themes. One is that they discover that they are nothing. Moses explicitly stated this idea when he saw the vision of God’s creation. King Benjamin taught that we are less than the dust from which we are created. Young Alma wished that “I could be banished and become extinct both soul and body.” Another thing that happens in each of the stories is that they are strengthened or rescued from their despair by the idea that God’s primary work is to save us when we follow His plan.
In contrast to these stories, modern society tells us that we are good enough how we are. Worse yet is the idea that you can determine your identity. Ironically, until we experience the transformation of our consciousness, we have only a vague idea of our true identity. If we can’t see ourselves as God sees us, we have no chance of understanding who we are or what we can become, and we will not wish to be something or someone we are not.
I believe the root of the problems the people of Zarahemla suffered was not allowing themselves to be transformed or born of Christ. Some desired riches, others wanted to shrug off their responsibilities for self-governance to a king, and others esteemed themselves as better than others. None of those things happen to someone who sees the world as it is because of a spiritual awakening.
I hope you will consider taking time to reflect on your transformation. Spend more time in the temple or deep reflection and discover everything in a new, better way.