Elder Brent H. Nielson, Second Counselor in the Area Presidency - July 2010

Soon after Sister Nielson and I arrived in New Zealand we were travelling back from a trip to the temple. We got off the motorway to buy something to eat before continuing our trip back to Auckland. As we were preparing to leave, we needed directions back to the motorway. I saw a beautiful Samoan family eating at the same location. I could tell by looking at them that they were probably members of the Church, but I did not know that for sure. We approached them and I asked for directions back to the motorway. As I thanked them for their assistance, one of their little children said to us, "Are you Mormons?" We said that we were and asked them the same question. They indicated that they were members and that they were from the Papatoetoe stake. It was probably obvious to them that we were members of the Church because we were dressed for the temple, but this family was in their casual clothes. What was it about them that made Sister Nielson and me think that they were members of the church?

As I ponder that question, I believe Alma best describes how we knew. This family had received the Saviour's image in their countenances. They were faithful Latter-day Saints who were keeping the commandments and who were raising a wonderful family.

While teaching in Zarahelma, Alma asked the question that we should ask, as we liken the scriptures unto ourselves. In Alma 5:14 he asked, "Have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?" Then he asks another powerful question in verse 26 of the same chapter: "And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?"

Most of us can think of a time in our lives when we have felt the Spirit so strongly that it was undeniable. Most of us have experienced in our lives a mighty change of heart and have received His image in our countenances. Most of us have understood Christ's role in our lives so strongly that we felt to sing the song of redeeming love. As we evaluate our lives today we might ask ourselves as Alma did, "Can I feel so now?"

If your answer to that question is "No—I've had a mighty change, I have had His image in my countenance, but I can't feel it now," then maybe it is time to evaluate the course that your life is taking.

Listen to what Nephi told his brothers Laman and Lemuel in 1 Nephi 17:45–46: "But ye were past feeling, that ye could not feel [the Holy Ghost's] words. . . . Why is it, that ye can be so hard in your hearts?"

Nephi called his brothers to repentance, and their response is interesting. Nephi writes in 1 Nephi 17:48: "And now it came to pass that when I had spoken these words they were angry with me, and were desirous to throw me into the depths of the sea."

Sometimes in our lives when we are "past feeling" and when our hearts have been hardened, our response to those family members, friends, or leaders who may question our behaviour is anger. The Saviour taught, as He visited the American continent in 3 Nephi 11:29, "For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another."

If, as you read these words, you feel angry or you are angry with family or friends or your Church leaders, go and see your bishop or go and talk to the stake president.

It is difficult to have the Saviour's image in your countenance when you are past feeling, or when your heart is hard and when you are angry. Many who are asked the question "Can you feel so now?" might answer "Yes, but not as strongly as I would like it to be." We must work diligently to have that feeling with us always.

After the Saviour's visit to the American continent, the people lived in peace for 400 years. Moroni indicates that there never was a happier people. What is it that the people of Nephi saw that allowed them to live their lives with the Saviour's Spirit always with them and His image constantly in their countenances? We will never know everything, but we do know many things. We know that because of their experience they understood and followed the mind and will of the Father. They had His image in their countenances because they thought, acted and behaved as Jesus would if He were in their presence. He had been in their presence.

After King Benjamin delivered his address, he actually asked the people if they believed the words that he had spoken to them. In Mosiah 5:2 we read, "And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually."

We achieve this mighty change as we humble ourselves, develop a willing heart, keep the commandments and strive to become like the Saviour. Janice Kapp Perry wrote a song called "His Image in Your Countenance" about Alma 5:14 that asks these questions: Have you received His image in your countenance? Does the light of Christ shine in your eyes? Will He know you when He comes again because you will be like Him? When He sees you will the Father know His child by His everlasting image in your eyes? May we all work to have the Saviour's image in our countenances and experience that mighty change of heart so that when we are asked "Can you feel so now?" we can answer with a confident "Yes".