July 8–14: They “Never Did Fall Away”
Alma 23–29
Do you sometimes wonder whether people can really change? Maybe you worry about whether you can overcome poor choices you’ve made or bad habits you’ve developed, or you may have similar worries about loved ones. If so, the story of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies can help you. These people were the sworn enemies of the Nephites. When the sons of Mosiah decided to preach the gospel to them, the Nephites “laughed [them] to scorn.” Killing the Lamanites seemed like a more plausible solution than converting them. (See Alma 26:23–25.)

But the Lamanites did change—through the converting power of Jesus Christ. They were once known as “a hardened and a ferocious people” (Alma 17:14), but they became “distinguished for their zeal towards God” (Alma 27:27). In fact, they “never did fall away” (Alma 23:6).

Maybe you have some thoughts or actions to change or “weapons of … rebellion” to lay down (Alma 23:7). Or maybe you just need to be a little more zealous toward God. No matter what changes you need, Alma 23–29 can give you hope that through the atoning power of Jesus Christ, long-lasting change is possible.