Alma 36:21

“Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so better as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, me son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.”

What this scripture means to me is that we will all face pains in life but they are nothing compared to the joy that we will feel. They joy we have in life will make the pains seem like they never happened. It also makes me think of the source of this joy. I think the only way to experience such great joy is through living how you should and having a good relationship with Christ and our Father in Heaven.

The principle that this scripture teaches has to do with change and repentance. In class, Brother Griffin talked about how we often think that change takes weeks, months, or even years, but that is not the case. Change is something that happens quickly, it is the temptations and pains of the sin that can last much longer. What this lesson taught me was to make a decision to change but to be prepared to deal with the temptations that last much longer.

This principle and lesson changes my overall view of change and what it takes. Making the choice to change is simple, but we must be willing to deal with the temptations that will follow that decision. Something that will most definitely not be easy but will be worth it I the end. The joy that comes from dealing with and overcoming the temptations and pains that are felt from the decision to change will be very much worth it in the end. Feeling the joy that the gospel and repentance can bring into your life is far greater than the feelings of pain that come from making that initial decision to change.