“The Virtue of the Word of God”
Who can measure the power of the word of God as delivered directly by him, as declared by angels, as contained in scriptures, or as spoken by the power of the Holy Ghost? Here Alma declares that the word is the most powerful instrument for change known to mortal man—stronger than intellectual persuasion or military might.
The word heals the wounded soul (see Jacob 2:8), nourishes that soul (see Moroni 6:4), cuts through falsehood and leads one to Christ (see Helaman 3:27-30), is the foundation for faith (see Alma 5:5-13; Romans 10:17; Teachings, p. 148), and results in firmness and steadfastness in the faith (see Helaman 15:7-8). “True doctrine, understood,” Elder Boyd K. Packer has taught, “changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior.” (CR, October 1986, p. 20.)