The Apostle Paul

In church today we discussed the conversion of Saul to become the apostle Paul. I started thinking about it, and I asked myself a question.

Saul was a very wicked man. He witnessed (and approved of) Stephen's death. He persecuted the saints. He put the saints in jail. And he worked tirelessly to fight against the gospel.

We find a similar person in the Book of Mormon. Alma the younger also sought to fight against the gospel. He mocked the saints, he persecuted them. He flattered the righteous into sin. He took joy in his sins and the sins of those around him.

Both Saul and Alma the younger were wicked men. They were zealous in their pursuit of the destruction of the church. And yet, they were both converted to great preachers and followers of Christ. They both had an experience where they were asked why they sought to fight against God. And that if they continued it would be to their own destruction. They both had angelic ministrations to put them on the correct path.

So the question that came to me is, "Why would the Savior personally see to their conversion, and not that of others?" Why them? There are lots of wicked people in this world, people who could (if converted) be effective preachers of Christ. Why doesn't Christ see to their conversion?

I've been thinking about it all day. I've been talking about it with different people. I even expressed some of my thoughts about it. Before I explain my thoughts on the topic now, I feel that I need to give a disclaimer. First, no man can know the disposition of God. I don't know if we can or will know it this life the reason for everything. Second, I truly believe that every person has the responsibility to understand and make peace with any part of the gospel they have questions about. I think questions are good. They open the way to a better understanding.

So here are my thoughts about today's question.

I think that Christ does pay attention to the conversion of every individual soul. We may not all receive angelic visitations or hear a voice telling us to believe. However, we do all receive personal experiences that are meant for us to learn from. Every single one of us has the opportunity to receive personal revelation and divine influence. I think this qualifies as the voice telling us to convert, to repent and be saved.

The other part of this, is that only God knows what's in someone's heart. He could see what Alma the younger and Saul could be. He also knew what it would take to make them tools in his hands. He knew that both Alma and Saul were zealous in their efforts. Once they were brought to a knowledge of the truth, they would remain strong for the rest of their life.

How many times do we read about people being witness to signs, to prophecies, and to miracles. And yet, they still refuse to believe. We see the Jews that witnessed everything that Christ did during his ministry, and yet still wouldn't believe. We see the Nephites who had miracles worked among them, but still refused to repent just a few hundred years after the coming of Christ. People who rely on signs for their faith will find themselves doubting when they no longer have the signs right in front of them.

So why Saul? Why Alma the younger? Look what they became. Look what they accomplished when they started doing the Lord's work. They struggled. They suffered for their faith. It was not easy. But once converted they worked tirelessly, fearlessly, to overcome their past and improve their future.