This is the first in a series of “lists of ten” posts that identify and analyze ten similar elements found in the Book of Mormon. These lists will not be “top ten” lists, or even “the ten” lists, but simply lists with a common theme that arbitrarily identify ten examples relating to it.

This post deals with a very significant theme of the Book of Mormon: spiritual conversion. Jesus explained in no uncertain terms that “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt 18:3) Conversion being an absolute prerequisite for salvation and admission into heaven, it would certainly be appropriate to examine some Book of Mormon accounts of conversion.

1. Nephi
   We usually see Nephi as the righteous model in contrast to his rebellious brothers Laman and Lemuel. However, if we look carefully, we see that Nephi himself when through some doubtful moments before establishing himself as the pillar of faith that he is known for. After Lehi takes his family and leaves Jerusalem, there seems to be some significant tension in the family. It would seem that Lehi’s visionary ways were straining his credibility. Nephi prays, and reports that the Lord “did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers.” If the Lord softened Nephi’s heart, it would seem that Nephi’s heart was initially hard. Nephi shares his conversion with Sam, and the two become the spiritual leaders among the siblings.
2. Enos
   As the son of Jacob, who was the prophet among the people, Enos doubtless grew up with the gospel taught in his home. Even so, it seems that much of it simply washed over him, and there was very little internalization. The internalization finally did come, however, on his fateful hunting trip where “the words which [he] had often heard [his] father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into [his] heart.” A prayer of epic proportions ensued, and Enos felt the redemptive power of God in his life. Enos became a powerful spiritual leader, and near the end of his life, he looked forward to judgment day, when he would meet the Lord, and “see his face with pleasure.”
3. King Benjamin’s Subjects
   As he became increasingly aware that his time on earth was limited, Benjamin gathered his people together to share a final spiritual message. He relates to them words that an angel had previously delivered to him regarding the coming of Christ, and Christ’s mission to redeem humanity. Deeply moved by Benjamin’s words, the people fall the ground and ask for the atoning blood of Christ to take effect. Upon doing so, “the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ who should come, according to the words which king Benjamin had spoken unto them.”
4. Alma I
   We often hear about the “wicked priests of King Noah” with realizing that our great hero, Alma, was one of them. In fact, we learn that Noah’s criteria for selecting his priests was that they were “lifted up in the pride of their hearts” and “idolatrous, because they…did speak flattering things.” When Abinadi stood before the court, Alma was possibly very active in the interrogation process. However, as some point during Abinadi’s speech, Alma experiences the beginnings of a change of heart. This prompts him to advocate Abinadi’s freedom and safety, an action which leaves Alma with a bounty on his head and armed forces on his tail. Alma’s full conversion is evident in his subsequent actions, when he covertly preaches Abinadi’s message, and establishes a church while still on the lam. Alma and his followers face a number of hardships, such as military threats in the land of Mormon, occupation and slavery in Helam, a grueling trek through the valley of Alma, and eventually integration into Zarahemla. But through it all, Alma’s dedication to God remain unshaken, and he proves to be a powerful influence for good among the Nephites.
5. Alma II and the Sons of Mosiah
   Possibly the most dramatic conversion found in the Book of Mormon is that of Alma the younger and the Sons of Mosiah. They, probably much like Enos, grew up with the gospel in their homes, but clearly experienced very little internalization. But rather than being indifferent, they prove to be active agents of destruction and opposition against the faithful. This of course comes to screeching halt with an apparition of an angel who reproves them for their ways. Alma is most shaken by the event, and is fully incapacitated for several days. But again, like Enos, he remembers his father’s words, and begs for the mercy of Jesus to save him from himself. He is then “born of God,” and sees a vision of the blazing throne of God, explaining that his “soul did long to be there.” Alma and the Sons of Mosiah all become powerful positive forces in the community. Alma become the high priest of the church and does immeasurable good preaching and teaching the word of God to the people. The Sons of Mosiah go preach to the Lamanites, and their actions also have eternal repercussions for both those people they meet, and their posterity.
6. Amulek
   The picture we get of Amulek is often turned into simply Alma’s sidekick, an impromptu companion picked up along the way. But we have several telling clues about what kind of man he Amulek before his encounter with Alma. Amulek was a citizen of Ammonihah, were we learn that “Satan had gotten great hold upon the hearts of the people.” While preaching to his own people, Amulek gives us glimpse into his personal history, explaining that he was a man of what we might term the aristocracy: rich, popular, and successful. Even though he had been aware of the spiritual side of reality, he had ignored it, hardened his heart, and turned a deaf ear to the calls he heard. But one fateful day, as he was traveling to visit a family member, he was visited by an angel who told him to go back home, because a prophet was on his way, and he was to greet him and feed him. He obeys, and meets Alma, who spends many days with him giving him a crash course in the gospel. After preparing, the two set out to preach to the people, and become missionary legends.
7. Zeezrom
   Like Amulek, Zeezrom was a citizen of Ammonihah, employed in the judicial system, and about as corrupt as they come. Unimpressed by Amulek’s teachings, Zeezrom tries to bribe him into denying the existence of God. Amulek rebukes him, and delivers a powerful discourse about the nature of God, redemption, and the resurrection. Zeezrom becomes dumbfounded. Alma, backing Amulek up, points out that Zeezrom has been caught in his tricks. Zeezrom’s heart begins to change, and later, when Alma and Amulek are brought to stand trial before the leaders of Ammonihah, Zeezrom attempts to use his legal expertise to defend them. But it is no use, and he is driven out of the city. Sometime later, Alma and Amulek also manage to escape, and again meet up with Zeezrom in the nearby land of Sidom. Zeezrom, sick with a fever, expresses his newfound faith in Christ, and Alma is thus able to heal him. Zeezrom’s repentance and conversion is permanent, and his is included in the power-house missionary team that later goes to preach to the Zoramites in Antionum.
8. The Anti-Nephi-Lehies
   When the sons of Mosiah split up and go their separate ways, we learn that Ammon goes to land called Ishmael, where he meets Lamoni. Aaron and his companions, after some troubles in Jerusalem and Middoni, make their way to the city of Nephi, where they meet Lamoni’s father. Both Lamoni and Lamoni’s father experience powerful personal conversions, but what is additionally significant is the righteous influence they are able to wield among many of their subjects. The converted Lamanites assume the name “Anti-Nephi-Lehies,” and Lamoni’s brother, who had become the converts’ defacto leader and spokesman, apparently assumed the name “Anti-Nephi-Lehi”. He explains that how they did truly do “all [they] could do to repent sufficiently before God that he would take away [their] stain.” The sons of Mosiah’s missionary labors among the Lamanites have a divisive effect, and the Anti-Nephi-Lehies are forced to leave their homeland. They are however, welcomed into the Nephite land of Jershon, where they live righteously and peacefully, where those who where “converted unto the Lord, never did fall away.”
9. Aminadab
   Like the sons of Mosiah, Helaman’s sons, Nephi and Lehi, travel to the Lamanite lands to preach to the people. They are sentenced to death and thrown into prison. One of those prison guards is an obscure character named Aminadab. Little is known about him other than he is an ex-Nephite: someone who once associated himself with the Nephites, but had dissented, and joined forces with the Lamanites. On the day of Nephi and Lehi’s execution, a spectacular miracle occurs, where a ring of fire encircles Nephi and Lehi, the prison walls fall down, and a piercing voice is heard in a thick mist of darkness. Lehi and Nephi’s faces become visible through the darkness, and they appear to be speaking to someone. The dramatic events seems to cause Aminadab’s former beliefs to resurface, and when the other guards see Nephi and Lehi’s faces and ask Aminadab who they are talking to, Aminadab replies: “They do converse with the angels of God.” He subsequently tells them to remember the teachings of Alma, Amulek and Zeezrom, and to exercise faith in Christ unto repentance. A pentecostal outpouring the spirit as well as angelic ministrations follow, and Aminadab doubtless became an influential leader among the Lamanites as they collectively became more righteous than the Nephites.
10. Samuel’s Listeners
    One of the products of the righteous wave of Lamanites was Samuel. As somewhat of a maverick prophet, Samuel was not recognized as legitimate among the mainstream Nephite institution, yet he had in fact received a valid call from God. His message is one that focused on condemning pride, riches, and prophetic rejection, and laid forth the chance for repentance and the signs of Christ’s birth and death. While most Nephites who hear Samuel reject him wholeheartedly, there are many who are touched by his words. They follow his admonistion to repent, and then seek out Nephi, the accepted Nephite spiritual leader, who baptizes all who are willing to repent. These converts were likely the ones who steadfastly looked for the prophesied signs of Christ, “that they might know that their faith had not been vain.”