One of the scriptures' best documented accounts showing the dramatic regeneration and peace obtained through forgiveness is that of the prophet Alma.
Elder Spencer W. Kimball, then a member of the Council of the Twelve, wrote: "His [Alma'sT earlier life had been one of open rebellion against God, of systematic attempts to destroy the Church. . . ."Then came the visit from the angel, the terrible rebuke which rendered him dumb and paralyzed for three days and nights. During this period he suffered anguish of remorse, an agony of soul which he describes as being `racked with eternal torment.' "
Alma said:
"But I was racked with eternal torment, for my soul was harrowed up to the greatest degree and racked with all my sins.
"Yea, I did remember all my sins and iniquities. . . .
"Yea, and I had murdered many of his children, or rather led them away unto destruction; yea, and in fine so great had been my iniquities, that the very thought of coming into the presence of my God did rack my soul with inexpressible horror.
"Oh, thought I, that I could be banished and become extinct both soul and body, that I might not be brought to stand in the presence of my God, to be judged of my deeds.
"And now, for three days and three nights was I racked, even with the pains of a damned soul." (Alma 36:12-16.)
Elder Kimball wrote: "In Alma's account the sensitive reader can in a measure identify with him, feel his pains, experience his great sense of horror at the recognition of the depth of his sin. The reader can then share also in the great relief which Alma was to find. How did he gain this relief? In the same way every transgressor does - by partaking of the miracle of forgiveness through genuine repentance and by casting himself wholly on the mercies of Jesus Christ." (The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 365.)
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Pres. Benson: 'In the eyes of God, chastity will never be out of date'
Alma and two sons - Shiblon and Corianton - went on a mission to the apostate Zoramites. Shiblon "was a just man, and he did walk uprightly before God. . . ." (Alma 63:2.) However, Corianton abandoned his missionary duties for a harlot, Isabel. (Alma 39:3.)
Reprimanding Corianton, Alma said: "Now my son, I would that ye should repent and forsake your sins, and go no more after the lusts of your eyes, but cross yourself in all these things; for except ye do this ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. Oh, remember, and take it upon you, and cross yourself in these things. (Alma 39:9.)
In an address in the priesthood session of the April 1986 general conference, President Ezra Taft Benson said: " `The lusts of your eyes - in our day what does that expression mean? Movies, television programs, and video recordings that are both suggestive and lewd. Magazines and books that are obscene and pornographic. . . .
"We counsel you, young men, do not pollute your minds with such degrading matter, for the mind through which this filth passes is never the same afterwards. . . . " On another occasion, President Benson counseled: "Sexual immorality is a viper that is striking not only in the world, but in the Church today. Not to admit it is to be dangerously complacement or is like putting one's head in the sand. In the category of crimes, only murder and denying the Holy Ghost come ahead of illicit sexual relations, which we call fornication when it involves an unmarried person, or the graver sin of adultery when it involves one who is married. . . . In the eyes of God, chastity will never be out of date. . . ."
(Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 279.)
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Faithful, repentant will be redeemed
"True repentance, followed by baptism and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, brings forgiveness. Such repentance is impossible without faith in the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ," said President Marion G. Romney of the First Presidency in an October 1980 general conference address.
"This great truth is clearly taught and beautifully taught in the Book of Mormon. Alma, crying unto his people pursuant to the directions of an angel, said:
" `Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is nigh at hand;
" `And not many days hence the Son of God . . .
" ` . . . cometh to redeem those who will be baptized unto repentance, through faith on his name.' (Alma 9:25-27.)
"Alma did not say that Jesus would redeem everybody. The promise was restricted to those who, because of their faith in Christ, would repent and be baptized.
"Amulek, Alma's missionary companion, testified to the same limitation. `I . . . know,' said he, `that Christ shall come among . . . men, to take upon him the transgressions of his people, and that he shall atone for the sins of the world; for the Lord God hath spoken it.
" `And . . . he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; . . . the intent of [thisT . . . sacrifice [beingT to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance.' (Alma 34:8, 15.)
"In this way mercy satisfies `the demands of justice, and encircles them [that is, those who have faith unto repentanceT in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption.' " (Alma 34:16.)