Seek to Know Thee

Today I want to talk about the conversion of a Lamanite king in the Book of Mormon. He had been humbled and was being taught the gospel by Aaron, a Nephite missionary. After Aaron taught him about the fall of Adam, the scriptures, the plan of redemption, and Jesus Christ, the king said:

Alma 22:15 …What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.

Like this Lamanite king, many of us have felt this desire to have the wicked spirit rooted out of us. We all want to be filled with joy and have our guilt taken away. Aaron continues to explain to the king that he must repent of all his sins and bow down before God and call on his name in faith. The Lamanite king does as Aaron says and expresses to God that he will give away all his sins to know Him. This is one of my favorite passages in the Book of Mormon because it shows us the true feelings of a conversion to God. It causes me to ponder on my own conversion and commitment to God. Am I will to give away all my sins to know him? Am I willing to give up all that I possess? I know that as we seek to know Jesus Christ, we will feel more of His love and have an inner peace and hope that will carry us through our life on earth.