“Mighty Change”

Jana Reiss

Alma asks the members of the church the critical question: Are they truly converted? Without the “mighty change” that comes with knowing God, their membership in an organization or affiliation with a church will not be very meaningful. The real test is whether people are acting in a Christ-like way (“Have ye received his image in your countenances?”) and transforming their lives to conform with Christ’s teachings. To understand this, it’s helpful to return to an older definition of “countenance,” which means not just one’s face or likeness, but also one’s demeanor, bearing, and even behavior.

The Book of Mormon: Selections Annotated & Explained

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