We are all grateful that President Gordon B. Hinckley asked us to study the Book of Mormon once again in 2005. I hope all of us obeyed his words and received blessings from our study. When Nephi was preparing the plates so that he could record the dealings of the Lord with his people, the Lord said to Nephi: “Wherefore, the Lord commanded me to make these plates for a wise purpose in him, which purpose I know not.”1 Nephi added an important personal comment to his writing when he declared, “For the fullness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved.”

As we study the Book of Mormon, we will find many patterns of life that will lead us to come unto the God of Abraham which is Jesus Christ. One significant pattern I want to discuss is that of the “mighty change of heart” that we read about repeatedly in the Book of Mormon. We see examples of mighty change in the examples of:

1. Enos who prayed fervently in order to gain forgiveness of his sins (Eons 3-5).
2. King Benjamin’s people who were so moved by his address that they were willing to covenant to do God’s will and to obey all of his commandments (Messiah 5:2-5).
3. The Laminates who refused to take up arms and who came to a greater understanding of God’s mercy and the Plan of Salvation (Alma 24:7–14).

But there are examples of people who have a “mighty change of heart” in our own day. I would like to share a story of a new convert as a reminder of how the “mighty change” works in our own lives.

In 1980, as young missionary I was assigned to a new city as trainer. One evening, as we planned our proselyting activities, we decided to go to the one of the Chinese temples where a special program was being held that attracted many people. As we walked around the temple we decided to stop at the security post and began conversing with one of the security guards. We ended up of talking about Jesus Christ. He was very enthused about the subject and we spent almost an hour with him. My companion was prompted to ask his home address and at the agreed day and time, we were welcomed to his home to present our message to his family.

Week after week we taught this family the message of the restored gospel. They met all of the reading assignments, they prayed, and did everything we asked them to do during the discussions. The husband even began to pay his tithing prior to their baptism. They were finally baptized and confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Upon their baptisms, his wife told us of the “Mighty Change of Heart” that has occurred in her husband. He began happily serving his family by helping to do family chores and he gathered his family for daily family prayer and weekly family home evening. These are things which he had never done before. His love for his wife and children increased as he became a more loving husband and father. He came to church in his best dress -white shirt and tie- and he arrived at the chapel long before the meeting began. He told us that he found peace every time he entered the chapel. He remained faithful until he died a few years ago.

From the examples mentioned above, we see a pattern for those who have a mighty change of heart and who continue to follow the teaching of the Savior. The patterns are:
1. They have a happy countenance.
2. They want to do good continually.
3. They are humble.
4. They have a commitment to the truth.
5. They stay faithful.
6. They continue to have change of heart.

My brothers and sisters, I testify to you that the Lord requires us to have a continual change of heart by keeping our covenants with Him, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.