Alma Chapter 22

22:15-16 - "...the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy..."
Great teachings come from great questions.
The answer to the king's question is simple but profound - "if thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest."
Repent and have faith in Christ, and these blessings can and will come.


22:15,18 (Alma 20:23) - "...wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day..."
It's interesting to see the progression of the king - in Alma 20:23, his life is threatened, so he is willing to give up half of his kingdom to have his life spared.  In Alma 22:15, he wants eternal life and joy, so he is willing to give up all he possesses, even all his kingdom.  In Alma 22:18 he has received greater understanding and when praying to God is willing to give up all his sins.
We need to reach that same understanding and willingness to do what it takes.


22:16 - "...if thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest..."
We want blessings, and we want hope - and to get it, we have to ask and act in faith.  It truly is a great blessing to have faith, which comes as a gift from the Holy Ghost as we keep the commandments.  As we continue to act on the knowledge we have received, and then ask in faith (even that expanded faith which comes from keeping the commandments), we will receive more.  It is a great circle that helps us come closer to Christ, and it works for everyone.