The most important result of Alma’s conversion has been his ability to pass on his experiential understanding of Yahweh. Alma no longer understood Yahweh as a theoretical being but rather as a powerful reality. He uses strong sensory language: “taste,” “seen.” Alma knows—but knows through a deeper understanding than either the intellect alone or the heart alone. What is even more remarkable, he indicates that others “have tasted as I have tasted, and have seen eye to eye as I have seen.”
In confirming that others have had tremendous visions, we should not suppose that “tasting” and “seeing” are limited to our merely physical senses. Joseph Smith used “taste” in describing a spiritual experience: “This is good doctrine. It tastes good. You say honey is sweet and so do I. I can also taste the spirit and principles of eternal life, and so can you. I know it is good and that when I tell you of these words of eternal life that are given to me by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and the revelations of Jesus Christ, you are bound to receive them as sweet. You taste them and I know you believe them. I rejoice more and more.”
Joseph tells his audience that they can taste as he has tasted, and so does Alma. It is not likely that we will experience the Savior’s personal visit, but we can have an experience so deep that we can taste the godliness in it.