Challenges Develop Great People

I have been reading the first several chapters in Alma and it is hard for me to believe that this great Prophet who has such a strong testimony was the same rebellious young man who went about trying to destroy the Church. Alma left his comfortable life as the Chief Judge to go out and spend the rest of his days as a missionary. He was imprisoned, hungry, tired, and discouraged but he was always obedient and bore a strong and sure testimony. Before our Book of Mormon challenge, I was reading about Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus) in the New Testament. There are many similarities between the two prophets. Both worked hard to destroy the church in their younger years and both were visited by an angel, after which they worked with all diligence to undo the damage they had done and bring souls to Christ. I am wondering if their process of change and repentance helped make them the great prophets they both became. A tool of Satan is to make us feel unworthy and hopeless after we have done something wrong. It is inspiring to know that these two men, both the "vilest of sinners" could become the strongest and best servants working for the Kingdom of God.