The Power of Imagination

In speaking to some people in Zarahemla (Alma 5) who have strayed from the gospel, Alma encourages them to use the three powers of the mind that create faith. One of these powers of the mind we don’t talk about much, and yet it can be so powerful in helping us live what we believe; that is the power we have to imagine. 

Alma encourages the people to imagine themselves standing before God and asks them to imagine how they will feel and what they will do. Will they try to lie to God and claim they are innocent? Or will they stand before Him confident in their righteousness? 

As I imagine myself in that position, I feel a determination to do better. It makes what I have been taught seem more real. It then gives me a memory instead of just a few words that I can recall anytime I need strength. But there are other ways we can use imagination to help us. One is to think of situations and circumstances when we fall short or make mistakes and use our imagination to determine a better response the next time we find ourselves in that situation. We can plan new behavior to break old habits, and plan for new responses to people who “push our buttons.”

Imagination is a powerful tool that we have been given to help us grow closer to our Father in Heaven and Savior, a tool we don’t use nearly enough.