Alma 36:15- "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."
18-"O Jesus, thou son of God, have mercy on me"
22- "Yea, methought I saw, even as our father Lehi saw, God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concources of angels, in the attitude of singing and praising their God; yea, and my soul did long to be there."
What a difference 7 verses can make. Here we see the complete change of heart that can occur through true repentance. Before Alma was forgiven of his sins he didn't even want to imagine being brought to the presence of God. He said that he would have rather ceased to exist. However, after applying the atoning blood of Christ, his pain was converted into joy. At that point, he now longed to be in God's presence. And thus we see that those who have repented of their sins can truly have confidence before God. Even though we still have our weaknesses, as Alma says in verse 3 and 27 "whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day." So although sometimes we might do things that make us feel like we would rather "become extinct both soul and body", let's just remember that by applying the Atonement through repentance, we can feel worthy to stand in God's presence both in the Temple and after this life.
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