What does it mean to “Be Born of God”? The Prophet Alma, in the Book of Mormon, gives us some insight into what it means to “Be Born of God”. Mormons don’t often think of themselves as born-again Christians. That phrase is often associated with evangelicals. But should it? The Savior’s invitation to be “born again” is to all. We are at war: Christ versus Satan. It’s about Time for us to stand up for what we believe in.
Alma said, “And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren [and sisters] of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts? …if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?” (Alma 5:14, 26) Can you say, as the people responded after King Benjamin had shared the great plan of redemption,
And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually. And we, ourselves, also, through the infinite goodness of God, and the manifestations of his Spirit, have great views of that which is to come; and were it expedient, we could prophesy of all things. (Mosiah 5:2, 3) [Bolding is mine.]
The Importance of Being Born Again and the Spirit of Prophecy
Prompted by the “Spirit” I felt to write my two books, It’s About Time and Time & Eternity, the End-Times and Beyond Revealed. In Chapter 11 of the second book, I explicitly share the importance of being “born again,” as one of the “Seven Births” that are part of the Plan to Eternal Life.”
As the Savior told Nicodemus, a person can neither “see” nor “enter into” the “Kingdom of God” unless he/she is “born again” of water and the Spirit. (John 3:3-5) And John the Baptist shares that the Savior offers baptism “with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.” (Matt. 3:11) It is the fire of the Spirit that brings about this “mighty change of heart.”
That mighty change comes independent of the ordinance of baptism; it comes when we have fully repented and have truly given our hearts to God and ask and seek for it, then it can come. The ordinances of the gospel are necessary during our path to eternal life, but not sufficient. The Lord looks upon the heart and also asks for a broken heart and contrite spirit.
Continue reading Have You Been Born of God?