Katie Bourne "How to Change Your Heart"

The scripture that had a large impact on changing my heart, and should have the same effect on yours, is Alma 5:16. "I say unto you, can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear he voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day: come unto me ye blessed , for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth?"

When I received my acceptance letter to BYU I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I always knew that BYU had a wonderful education and exquisite students, but it never felt right for me. I always listened to the rumors and trash talk that everyone around me kept saying. I admit, I wasn't excited to be joining my 3 siblings here in Provo. I really needed a change of heart. It wasn't until about a month and a half into school that I realized how my life would be changed. My heart began to soften and now I couldn't be happier to be attending BYU.

My heart felt restricted by the Church, I knew in my head the church set us free but my heart didn't feel it. President Boyde K. Packar said, "One of Satan's most frequently used deceptions is the notion that the commandments of God are meant to restrict freedom and limit happiness. Young people especially, sometimes feel that the standards of the Lord are like fences and chains, blocking them from those activities that seem most enjoyable in life. But exacly the opposite is true. The gospel plan is the plan by which men are brought to a fulness of joy. This is the first concept I wish to stress: The gospel principles are the steps and guidelines that will help us find true happiness and joy." Until you soften your heart, you can not see all the blessings that are pouring down upon you. 

 Alma 5:26 reads: "And now behold, I say unto you my beloved bretheren, 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?" After experiencing a change of heart, you can always experience it again. When our hearts are hard the spirit cannot dwell in them. We must have love and a tenderness in our hearts for all things. Having the right perspective on situations sets you free. Even your worst trials can turn out to be blessings. Along with the right perspective we must have the drive to never repeat our actions or thoughts again. Mosiah 5:2 says, "...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."

A change of heart requires repentence. Once we accept the Atonement we will be able to accept ourselves. We will have a new attitude toward God, oneself, and life in general. Here at BYU I see the hand of God every day, from the beautiful whether to the smiles I see on campus. My mind has been set free because everyday I am surrounded by the gospel. There is no division  between my church life and my "real" life; THEY ARE ONE. That is what this church is all about, that is what our lives should all be about. Everyday I wake up and see everything I could ever wish for right at my fingertips.

Alma 5:16 

Alma 5:26

Mosiah 5:2

Boyde K. Packer