"And behold, he preached the word unto your fathers, and a mighty change was also wrought in their hearts, and they humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God. And behold, they were faithful until the end; therefore they were saved."
The condition of being saved in Alma 5:13 is a whole‑life turning toward the living God—a sequence of transformation that begins with the word, deepens through trust, and endures to the end.
Below is a devotional, scripture‑anchored breakdown using the cross‑reference words: preached, trust, living God, end.
Our salvation is a covenantal journey we walk together.
1. “He preached the word unto your fathers”
— We receive the word
Condition: We let the word of God reach us and work in us.
Alma roots salvation in something God initiates: the word is preached, and we allow it to enter our hearts.
This is not passive listening; it is the moment when truth confronts us, invites us, and begins to reshape our desires.
Supporting scriptures for this section Mosiah 18:1-31 with the focus on verses 7 of this train.
“Alma… began to teach the words of Abinadi.”
“He did read the words of Abinadi unto them.”
“He did preach unto them repentance and redemption, and faith on the Lord.”
“Are ye willing to bear one another’s burdens…?”
“If this be the desire of your hearts…”
“They clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts.”
“O Lord, pour out thy Spirit upon thy servant.”
“Helam… was baptized and arose out of the water rejoicing.”
“He commanded them that they should teach nothing save it were the things which he had taught.”
“Yea, even he commanded them that they should preach nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lord.”
“Having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another.”
“He commanded them that they should observe the sabbath day, and keep it holy.”
“They did walk uprightly before God.”
“How beautiful are they to the eyes of them who there came to the knowledge of their Redeemer.”
“They were commanded that they should gather themselves together oft.”
When we receive the word as the people at the waters of Mormon did, something begins in us that God Himself sustains. The preached word awakens desire, stirs repentance, knits hearts together, and leads us into covenant belonging. Salvation always begins here—when the word is not only heard but welcomed, trusted, and allowed to reshape who we are becoming in Christ.
For us:
▪︎ We open our hearts to the word.
▪︎ We let it correct, comfort, and call us.
▪︎ We allow the Spirit to awaken us to our
need for Christ.
Salvation begins when the word is not just heard but received.
2. “A mighty change was wrought in their
hearts” — We yield to transformation
Condition: We allow God to change us from the inside out.
The “mighty change” is the spiritual rebirth Alma describes elsewhere—a turning from the natural man toward discipleship.
This is not self‑improvement; it is God’s work in us as we surrender.
For us:
▪︎ We let the Lord remove pride, fear, and
rebellion.
▪︎ We accept His mercy and let Him re‑form
our desires.
▪︎ We choose repentance as a daily pattern.
“This mighty change of heart is not an event; it takes faith, repentance, and constant spiritual work to happen.”
from Elder Eduardo Gavarret, April 2022, “A Mighty Change of Heart: ‘I Have Nothing More to Give You.’”
This talk directly addresses the inner transformation Alma describes.
“A mighty change of heart requires that we place our will on the altar of God and surrender to Him.”
This aligns seamlessly with the teaching:
▪︎ We allow God to change us from the
inside out
▪︎ We surrender pride, fear, and rebellion
▪︎ We choose repentance as a daily pattern
▪︎ Salvation requires a changed heart, not
just changed behavior
“The change of heart is a divine process, and it occurs as we consistently turn to the Lord.”
Elder Gavarret’s witness confirms that the “mighty change” is God’s work in us, unfolding as we yield, repent, and let Him reshape our desires — exactly the message of our section. Elder Gavarret continues and we conclude with in his talk:
“Our spiritual transformation will be gradual, but it will occur as we draw nearer to the Savior.”
Salvation requires a changed heart, not just changed behavior.
3. “They humbled themselves”
— We bow our will to God
Condition: We choose humility before the Lord.
“Humility is the recognition of our dependence upon a higher power and the constant need for God’s grace.”
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, April 2010, “Pride and the Priesthood”
Humility is the hinge of salvation. Without it, the word cannot take root and the mighty change cannot continue.
For us:
▪︎ We acknowledge our dependence on
Christ.
▪︎ We stop trusting our own strength alone.
▪︎ We accept correction, covenant, and
discipleship.
Salvation grows in the soil of humility.
4. “They put their trust in the true and living
God” — We trust the Living Christ
Condition: We place our whole reliance on the living God, not on ourselves or the world.
"And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?"
David’s question in 1 Samuel 17:26 was chosen because it is the Old Testament’s clearest declaration that our courage and confidence rest in the living God whom no earthly power can defy.
"My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?"
A soul that doesn’t merely believe in God but yearns for the living God, showing that true trust is born from deep longing for His presence.
Trust is more than belief—it is covenantal loyalty.
We lean on Christ as the One who saves, sustains, and sanctifies us.
"Be wise in the days of your probation; strip yourselves of all uncleanness; ask not, that ye may consume it on your lusts, but ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, but that ye will serve the true and living God."
Calling us to serve “the true and living God” with unwavering firmness, showing that trust is proven by the purity of our desires and the steadiness of our devotion.
For us:
▪︎ We trust His promises more than our fears.
▪︎ We trust His Atonement more than our
past.
▪︎ We trust His living reality more than the
instability of the world.
"And gave unto them commandments that they should love and serve him, the only living and true God, and that he should be the only being whom they should worship."
This anchors trust in the living God to covenant worship and obedience, showing that true trust is expressed by loving and serving Him above all else.
Poignant Cross‑Canon Selections
Scriptures from the Topical Guide
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart.”
“We… suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God.”
“Whosoever putteth his trust in him… shall be lifted up at the last day.”
“Put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good.”
“The Lord blessed the people… and made them mighty.” (Adding to complete one verse from each canon)
Salvation is anchored in trusting the living God, not a distant idea of Him.
5. “They were faithful until the end”
— We endure in covenant loyalty
Condition: We remain faithful to Christ throughout our lives.
"And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved."
It is the Savior’s own covenant promise that enduring to the end is the condition of salvation, making it the clearest Book of Mormon statement that lifelong faithfulness is required to remain in Christ’s path.
Endurance is not grim survival; it is steady discipleship—continuing in the path we have entered.
For us:
▪︎ We keep our covenants.
▪︎ We continue repenting, trusting, and
following.
▪︎ We stay aligned with Christ through storms,
blessings, and ordinary days.
Salvation is not a moment; it is a lifelong walk with the Savior.
6. “Therefore they were saved” — Salvation
is the fruit of a lived relationship
Alma’s logic is covenantal and relational:
Word received » Heart changed » Humility » Trust in the living God » Faithfulness to the end » Salvation
This is not a checklist; it is a spiritual pattern describing how God transforms a people who yield to Him.
General Conference April 2022.
"The path to perfection is the covenant path, and Jesus Christ is the center of all ordinances and covenants."
Elder Adeyinka A. Ojediran taught that walking the covenant path is how the Lord transforms us and leads us to eternal life, perfectly mirroring Alma’s pattern of salvation.
Endurance is not grim survival; it is steady discipleship—continuing in the path we have entered.
For us:
▪︎ We keep our covenants.
▪︎ We continue repenting, trusting, and
following.
▪︎ We stay aligned with Christ through storms,
blessings, and ordinary days.
“Enduring to the end is a process of becoming, not merely surviving.”
Elder David A. Bednar taught that enduring to the end is a relational becoming — a lifelong pressing forward with Christ that shapes who we become in Him. General Conference April 2026 "All Who Have Endured Valiantly".
Salvation is not a moment; it is a lifelong walk with the Savior.
Summary:
The condition of being saved (Alma 5:13)
We are saved as we:
▪︎ Receive the preached word
▪︎ Allow God to change our hearts
▪︎ Humble ourselves
▪︎ Trust the true and living God
▪︎ Remain faithful to Him to the end
Salvation is the result of a sustained, humble, trusting relationship with the living Christ.
Closing Witness:
“He Changed Their Hearts, and He Will Change Ours”
Salvation is not a single moment but a lifelong yielding to the living Christ. Alma’s pattern shows us the way: we receive His word, we let it change us, we bow our will, we trust Him wholly, and we remain faithful through every season of life. In this path, God does the transforming as we do the surrendering.
Final Thought:
“The Covenant Path Is a Relationship”
Every step of this journey is relational. We walk with Him, learn from Him, lean on Him, and rise because of Him. The word awakens us, the Spirit reshapes us, humility opens us, trust steadies us, and endurance seals us. Salvation is the fruit of staying with Christ, not just believing in Him.
Testimony:
“He Lives, and He Saves”
I testify that Jesus Christ is the true and living God, and all who come unto Him with a willing heart will find the mighty change Alma described. He meets us in our weakness, lifts us in our storms, and strengthens us to endure with faith and joy. As we receive His word, trust His grace, and remain loyal to Him to the end, He will save us—because He is mighty to save, and His promises are sure. Inspiration our Holy Brothers name Jesus Christ.
Amen
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