The Day The World Changed
So far in the book of Mosiah, we have read two speeches that changed the societies in which they were given. Speaking by the power of the Holy Ghost, King Benjamin, and Abinadi delivered messages that changed the hearers for generations. However, their words didn’t have the same effect on everyone who heard them. King Benjamin’s sermon was generally more universally effective, but Abinadi’s message only changed the heart of a single hearer: Alma. The retelling of the message had an enormous effect on Nephite society for years. They had something in common: Jesus is the one anointed to save and redeem the world.
You could argue that it wasn’t the world that changed but the people’s hearts who accepted the message of Jesus’ atonement and redemption. But when people’s hearts change, the world changes, and what changes people’s hearts is Jesus.
Most of us have heard great sermons or talks that have changed how we see ourselves and the world. Those who speak by the power of the Holy Ghost can inspire both societies and individuals if the hearers are tuned to the same spiritual frequency. The words of Christ are unrivaled and resonate more deeply and powerfully than any others. Those who utter these exact words can have the same effect when accompanied by the Spirit. When we have ears to hear, eyes to see, and hearts to understand, we learn the mysteries of Godliness. These so-called mysteries fill us with light to see the world for what it is and help us navigate life’s treacherous and dangerous pitfalls.
The generational changing addresses of King Benjamin and Abinadi don’t happen every day. I would argue that they are perhaps once-in-a-lifetime occurrences. Even though we can access these written messages, the power accompanying them is sometimes lost on us unless we open ourselves to the Spirit.
In our reading for the week, we learned that the sons of Mosiah, (the grandsons of King Benjamin) and Alma the younger were not affected by either of the sermons or prophecies in any profound way. Not only did they not have changed hearts, but they rebelled against their fathers, who had been eyewitnesses to the events mentioned. However, when confronted by an angel, they remembered what they had undoubtedly been taught and saved by the power of Christ.
I urge you to delve into your own spiritual journey and recall a talk that you have heard, scriptures you have read, or spiritual events you have experienced that have reshaped your world. Ponder on how you were changed. If you haven’t encountered anything that profound, I invite you to listen to a talk given by Lawrence Corbridge in the October 2008 General Conference, titled The Way. In this talk, he weaves together the words of Christ, spoken about himself in scripture. These words illuminate the singular choice we can make, and I am confident that it will transform your world.
If it has been a while since you felt a change of heart, or if it hasn’t happened for you yet, I implore you to revisit the sermons and prophecies of King Benjamin and Abinadi. Discover the redeeming power of the Lord Jesus Christ. Do not wait for the memory of your sins to harrow you up like Alma the younger before seeking the mercy and grace offered by the atonement of Christ. Step out of the shadows of doubt and fear and behold the brilliance of a life centered on Christ.