- BORN AGAIN – BECOMING ALIVE TO THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT Only a spiritually oriented and adept people can establish and maintain a Zion Society or Environment. Those who do not receive the fullness of the Gospel and are not attuned to the Guidance of the Holy Spirit could never make the changes within themselves necessary to raise to a Zion level, nor would they possess the knowledge and wisdom from God necessary to carry out what God expects of a Zion people. Underlying this fact, however, is an even more basic one, which is, that only those individuals who have experienced a “nature-altering” change, often referred to as being “Born Again”, possess the spiritual foundation upon which a consistent response to the Holy Spirit’s guidance is even made possible. The Spirit’s workings cannot be understood by those who have not been born again because the born again process is the process of becoming alive to the things of the Spirit.
- Elder Orson Pratt expresses this truth in these unique words: “..we succeed, now and then, in bringing some to a higher state; they are born of God…being filled with that superior power (the Holy Ghost) that exists in that celestial world where we formerly resided. Journal of Discourses 21:202, 203
- Those who are born of the Spirit live as to spirituality, spirituality being in-tune with the Spirit of the Lord. Being born again is a condition in which one is sensitive and alive to the things of the Spirit.
- WHAT IT MEANS TO BE “BORN AGAIN”. If, as the Prophets have explained, it is necessary for one to be “Born Again’ in order to become alive to the Holy Spirit’s workings, it is obviously necessary to understand what it means to be “Born Again”. To be “Born Again” means to go through a Spiritual Rebirth, a Transformation: to be changed inwardly so that one becomes a new creature, who sins not, and is alive to Spiritual things.
THERE was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:1-5
Christ called for an entire revolution of Nicodemus’s “inner man”. His manner of thinking, feeling, and acting with reference to spiritual things would have to undergo a fundamental and permanent change. Being born again means to be quickened in the inner man. The scriptures record the following occurrence at the time of the baptism of Adam:
And thus he was baptized, and the Spirit of God descended upon him, and thus he was born of the Spirit, and became quickened in the inner man Moses 6:65
Alma spoke of this rebirth, transformation, or change: .. I am born of the Spirit. And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters; And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.” Mosiah 27:24-25
And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren 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? Alma 5:14-15
This great change in the hearts of men converts them from carnality to spirituality. When we have undergone this mighty change, it is as though we have become a new person, thus the change is likened to a new birth. To experience this change, we must forsake sin, sometimes deep and offensive sin, as well as mild and often times unrecognizable sin, and through applying the blood of Christ in your lives, become clean. You have no more disposition to return to your old ways. You are in reality a new person. This is what is meant by a change of heart. Concerning this great change, those who had been born of God after hearing King Benjamin’s address stated that they had: “No more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually?” Mosiah 5:2
And from the Bible we learn: “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his (Christ’s) seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin, because he is Born of God. John 3:9
Further, being born of God is a spiritual rebirth; a birth through which one comes back into harmony with, and is sensitive to the things of the Spirit. Could we not define what it means to be “Born Again” as : To go through a spiritual rebirth, a transformation to be changed inwardly so that one becomes a new creature, who sins not, and is alive to Spiritual things.
- “VARIOUS TERMS ARE USED TO DESCRIBE BEING “BORN AGAIN” Some are confused in their studies of this subject by the numerous descriptive terms used to explain the “Born Again” experience. Listed below are the more prominent ones, noting that they all refer to the same “nature-altering” spiritual experience, which we hereafter will designate by the term “Born of God.”BORN OF GOD (Mosiah 27:25 Alma 5:14)
BORN AGAIN (Alma 7:14)
SPIRITUALLY BORN AGAIN (Spiritually begotten) (Mosiah 5:7; Alma 5:14)
BORN OF THE SPIRIT (John 3:5, Mosiah 25:24)
A MIGHTY CHANGE (Mosiah 5:2, Alma 5;11-13)
CHANGE OF HEART (Alma 5:7; 5:11-14;19:33 Mosiah 5:2)
NEW CREATURE. (Mosiah 27:26, 2 Cor 5:17)
PUT ON THE NEW MAN (New Person) (Colossians 3:9, 10; Ephesians 4:24)
NEWNESS OF LIFE (Romans 6:4)
QUICKENED IN THE INNER MAN (Moses 6:6)
BAPTISM OF WITH FIRE (3 Nephi 9:19)
BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST (3 Nephi 9:19)
BEING “BORN OF GOD’ DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY COME THROUGH THE ORDINANCES. Besides having the necessary ordinances, one must be spiritually born again to gain exaltation and eternal life. Alma, in the Book of Mormon, is recorded to have asked:
“And now behold my brethren of the Church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?” Alma 5:14BECOMING “TRULY HUMBLE” IS A PREREQUISITE TO BECOMING BORN OF GOD (and redeeming Zion). That becoming what the scriptures term “truly humble” is a prerequisite to obtaining the “Born of God” state, is made evident by what happened to King Benjamin’s people.
AND now, it came to pass that when king Benjamin had made an end of speaking the words which had been delivered unto him by the angel of the Lord, that he cast his eyes round about on the multitude, and behold they had fallen to the earth, for the fear of the Lord had come upon them. And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men. Mosiah 4:1-2
AND now, it came to pass that when king Benjamin had thus spoken to his people, he sent among them, desiring to know of his people if they believed the words which he had spoken unto them. 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. Mosiah 5:1-2The scriptures also use the term “depths of humility” to describe the degree of humility necessary to obtain this “born of God” condition and be Saints and followers of God and Christ:
And whoso knocketh, to him will he open; and the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches–yea, they are they whom he despiseth; and save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them. But the things of the wise and the prudent shall be hid from them forever–yea, that happiness which is prepared for the saints. 2 Nephi 9:42-43
Yea, and many did preach with exceedingly great power and authority, unto the bringing down many of them into the depths of humility, to be the humble followers of God and the Lamb. Helaman 6:5
And again, more blessed are they who shall believe in your words because that ye shall testify that ye have seen me, and that ye know that I am. Yea, blessed are they who shall believe in your words, and come down into the depths of humility and be baptized, for they shall be visited with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and shall receive a remission of their sins. 3 Nephi 12:2Perhaps the classic example of one who obtained this humility before being Born of God is found in the life of the Apostle Peter. Fully recognizing that for all of Peter’s professed devotion, he had not yet been Born Again, the Lord said to Him at the last supper:
And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired [to have] you, that he may sift [you] as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. Luke 22:31Later that same night, after Christ had been taken away to be questioned by the high priest, Peter met his test:
Then took they him, and led [him], and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off. And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this [fellow] also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. Luke 22:54-62Peter was brought face to face with who and what he really was; in this state of “true humility” he was at last a candidate to become Born of God. Now let us consider the Peter we find after the Born of God change had taken place. The scriptures record:
And when they had brought them, they set [them] before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straightly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. Then Peter and the [other] apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. Acts 5:27-29
And to him they agreed:
and when they had called the apostles, and beaten [them], they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. Acts 5:40-42
But instead of humility, the Lord often encounters pride in His children. Pride, the opposite of humility, has cost us much. Think of what pride has cost us in the past and what it now costs us in our own lives, our families and the Church. It was essentially the sin of pride that kept us from establishing Zion in the days of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Pride is the great stumbling block to Zion. We must conquer pride. The antidote for pride is humility. Humility does not mean weakness. It does not mean timidity; it does not mean fear. A man can be humble and courageous. In fact the truly humble are the most courageous of all. Humility is the recognition of our dependence upon a higher power, a constant need for the Lord’s support in our lives in order to accomplish His work. It is part of the work of our Holy Order to bring about the distressing circumstances which can cause us to forsake our pride and become truly humble. Yet, we are told there is an easier and more effective way. Consider Alma’s experience with the Zoramites:
And now when Alma heard this, he turned him about, his face immediately towards him, and he beheld with great joy; for he beheld that their afflictions had truly humbled them, and that they were in a preparation to hear the word. Alma 32:6
Then he explained to them:
And now, as I said unto you, that because ye were compelled to be humble ye were blessed, do ye not suppose that they are more blessed who truly humble themselves because of the word? Alma 32:14It is our choice whether we are compelled to be humble or whether we humble ourselves.
TO BE “BORN OF GOD” THERE MUST BE A CONSCIOUS CHOICE (decision) TO FOLLOW CHRIST. Besides being humble, there is another requirement essential to all who would be “Born of God”–they must make a conscious choice to follow Christ! Believing in Christ is not enough; the devils also believe that Jesus is the Christ, but they choose to follow Lucifer.
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. James 2:19
And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, [thou] Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. Mark 5:7
Each of us must not only decide what we think about Christ, but whether or not we are really willing to walk with Him, because the costs of discipleship are real and even harsh in some respects. Throughout the ages prophets have exhorted their people to make a choice.
I, Moroni, would commend you to seek this Jesus. Ether 12:41
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15
And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD [be] God, follow him: but if Baal, [then] follow him. And the people answered him not a word. 1 Kings 18:21
When you choose to follow Christ, you choose to be changed. This mighty change is brought only by faith in Jesus Christ and through the operations of the Spirit upon us. We can change human nature–our own–if we surrender it to Christ.
AND THEN THE CHANGE BEGINS:
HOW THE “BORN OF GOD” CHANGE TAKES PLACE IS NOT EXPLAINABLE. While it may be presumed that the Holy Spirit of God rests down upon an individual causing the “Born of God” change to take place, how that change takes place is not explainable.
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. John 3:5-8
LOSS OF THE “BORN OF GOD” CHANGE Though the “born of God” change may take place in a person’s inner being, it is no indication that such a change will remain. It can be lost. Through sinfulness or slothfulness, one may lose the Spirit and fall from grace. The Spirit will not dwell in unholy tabernacles.
And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren 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? Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you? Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption raised in incorruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body? Alma 5:14-15
Everyone who aligns their lives with the prescribed conditions is born again. As Alma sought to express this great truth on his recreant brethren at Zarahemla, he sought also to teach them that being born again does not guarantee one a pure heart and clean hands at the final judgment. He said to them:
And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, 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? Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God? Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble? That your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins? Alma 5:26-27
HOW TO MAINTAIN THE “BORN OF GOD” CHANGE.
SEEK FOR CONTINUING KNOWLEDGE AND GUIDANCE THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT. Once an individual has become changed or “alive to spiritual things”, and knowing that such “aliveness” can be lost, the principle question becomes, how does one maintain this “Born of God” Change? According to the scriptures, there appears to be two directives:
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, [then] are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:31-32
The truths that can free us from our sins, guilt, false concepts, erroneous understanding, and unproductive habits and behavior are to be had only through the Holy Spirit. The central core of the Father’s plan of salvation is that to obtain these truths and the peace, happiness, security and freedom these truths bring to the righteous adherents, we must draw upon a source of knowledge that lies above and beyond the ordinary learning processes. Indeed, in all aspects of our lives we need guidance and knowledge from the sure source.
But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering; Having faith on the Lord; having a hope that ye shall receive eternal life; having the love of God always in your hearts, that ye may be lifted up at the last day and enter into his rest. Alma 13:28
“If we continue to encourage the Holy Spirit, it will be in us a spirit of life, light, intelligence and truth, in fact, a spirit of springing up into eternal life.” John Taylor, Journal of Discourses 7:318
“By partaking of the spirit of God it will be within us as a well of water springing up to eternal lives. Daniel H. Wells, Journal of Discourses 12:75
Indeed, Jesus Himself said: Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:13-14
But whosoever drinketh of the water which I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:16
But unto him that keepeth my commandments I will give the mysteries of my kingdom, and the same shall be in him a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life. D&C 63:23
We must obtain a continuing supply of this water which Jesus said would be in us a well of water spring up into everlasting life if we are to resist evil and retain the blessing of being born again. Unless we so live before God so as to have the light of revelation constantly before our eyes, the powers of darkness will prevail over us.
SEEK TO BE CAPTAINED (directed) BY CHRIST To maintain the “Born of God” change or condition, we need not only to seek for continuing knowledge and guidance through the Holy Spirit, but we need to progress one step further and seek to be captained by Christ. The state of being “captained by Christ” is attained when one seeks to have Christ direct the affairs of his life. In other words, to be totally directed by Christ. When we become Captained by Christ, we will be asking, as Paul did:
And he (Saul) fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: [it is] hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord [said] unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. Acts 9:4-6
“The ancients used to look to the Lord for instruction in everything. In all their movements they looked to the Lord for counsel” Charles W. Penrose, J of D 25:336
Indeed, if we were keeping the commandments we should look to Christ in all things.
But ye are commanded in all things to ask of God, who giveth liberally;….. D&C 46:7
Of course, the medium by which we will be directed by Christ in “all things” is, according to Scripture, the Holy Spirit.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:25
But ye are commanded in all things to ask of God, who giveth liberally; and that which the Spirit testifies unto you even so I would that ye should do in all holiness of heart, walking uprightly before me, considering the end of your salvation, doing all things with prayer and thanksgiving, that ye may not be seduced by evil spirits, or doctrines of devils, or the commandments of men; for some are of men, and others of devils. D&C 46:7
“The Spirit of the Almighty is the agent by which His servants should ever be led.” Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses 2:75
… So live that the Spirit of the Lord can instruct your minds at all times, and you can then defy the Devil and all his emissaries. If you have nothing from the Lord to present to the people, be as willing to be silent as you would to preach what might be termed a splendid discourse. Discourses of Brigham Young, p.327 – p.328
The constant and most recurring question in our minds, touching every thought and deed of our lives, should be, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” The answer to that question is found only through revelation.
THE END RESULT OF BEING CAPTAINED (DIRECTED) BY CHRIST IS TO BE CONSUMED IN CHRIST.
And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. John 8:28-29
Furthermore I counsel you to stop and think what you are doing, before you commit any more sins, before you give way to your temper. The temper, or the evil propensities of men, when given way to, are the cause of their sinning so much. The Lord is suffering the devil to work upon and try His people. The selfish will, operated upon by the power of Satan, is the strongest cord that vibrates through the human system. This has been verified a thousand times. Men have sacrificed their money, their health, their good names, their friends, and have broken through every tender tie to gratify their wills. Curb that, bridle the tongue, and then hold the mastery over your feelings, that they submit not to the will of the flesh, but to the will of the Holy Ghost; and decide in your own minds that your will and judgment shall be none other than the will and judgment of the Spirit of God, and you will then go and and sin no more. Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol.2, p.9
Men are gathered here, and get the spirit of the devil in them. They do feel the influence of the Spirit of the Lord at times, and then they are humble. But they will allow the spirit of evil to seize hold of them, and they will get full of passion and abuse a neighbor, a child or a wife. The wife will run to the bishop and lay her complaint before him, and he will chasten the husband. It seems to me at times as though there are some men and women who are never happy only when they are miserable, they appear to delight so much in quarreling and contending. But if they will strive to live according to the principles of the Gospel, they will overcome that, with everything else which hinders their progress in the truth. We are here to be sanctified, that every thought, and desire and feeling may be brought into subjection to the will of God. BY; J of D, Vol.11, p.289
It was the prayer of Christ that his disciples, though many, might be one,–that is, to have no mind or will of their own, but all partake of his spirit and his mind; and thus, they being one in him, he could easily love them all. But if one set up a will of his own–rebelled in his feelings against a union with each other and with his legitimate head also, he might pity the folly of that rebellious one, but could not love him as those who rebelled not. Orson Hyde, Journal of Discourses, Vol.5, p.282
Christ was the perfect example of this, often declaring that he came into the world not to do his own will, but the will of His Heavenly Father.
I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. John 5:30
Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. John 4:34
For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. John 6:38
Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. John 7:16
And he said, Abba, Father, all things [are] possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. Mark 14:36
And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning. 3 Nephi 11:11
Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you–that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me. 3 Nephi 27:13
I am Jesus Christ; I came by the will of the Father, and I do his will. D&C 19:24
Yea, even so he shall be led, crucified, and slain, the flesh becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father. Mosiah 15:7
- CHARACTERISTICS OF THOSE CONSUMED IN CHRIST
Those consumed in Christ not only would die for the Lord, but more important, they want to live for Him. In their homes the pictures on the walls, the books on their shelves, the music in the air, their words and acts reveal them as followers of Christ.
And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. John 8:29
They stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things and in all places.
Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life– Mosiah 18:9
Men consumed in Christ set fire in others because they are on fire. They have Christ on their minds as they look to Him in every thought.
Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. D&C 6:36
They have Christ in their hearts as their affections are placed on Him forever.
Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever. Alma 37:36
They feast upon the words of Christ.
Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. 2 Nephi 32:3
They talk of Christ.
1.And we talk of Christ, .. 2 Nephi 25:26
They rejoice in Christ.
- …we rejoice in Christ, … 2 Nephi 25:26
They preach and prophesy of Christ.
- we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies,….. 2 Nephi 25:26
They look to Christ for a remission of their sins.
- ….. that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. 2 Nephi 25:26
They are made alive in Christ.
- For, for this end was the law given; wherefore the law hath become dead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of our faith; yet we keep the law because of the commandments. 2 Nephi 25:25
They glory in (their) Jesus.
- I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell. 2 Nephi 33:6
In short, they lose themselves in the Lord and find eternal life.
- Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. Luke 17:33
- THE END RESULT OF THOSE WHO PROGRESS IN THE “BORN OF GOD” CHANGE.
.. by learning the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation, until you become perfect in Christ Jesus. TPJS, p.151
The end then for the spiritually born man will be that he will be conformed into the image of God –conformed to the type of Spirit life that has taken up an abode in him. Ultimately we shall be like him, be conformed to the Christ image, to the Divine nature.
- THE “BORN OF GOD” CHANGE IS A PREREQUISITE FOR MILLENNIAL LIFE.
- Those who do not possess the Spirit of God cannot comprehend the things of God. As Christ will rule and His will, “will be done” throughout the Millennial Reign, it follows that those living during that time must possess His Spirit to be able to comprehend His will. And as we mentioned in the beginning , “the Spirit’s workings cannot be understood by those who have not been born again”. Then it follows that those not Born of God will not have qualified themselves for Millennial life.
- For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived–verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day. D&C 45:57
- But this [shall be] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. Jeremiah 31:33
- We should go to with our might in the study and understanding of the principles of exaltation, and the Lord will reveal to us further light, until we shall receive the fullness and we shall not be under the necessity of being subject to doubt and seeking advice, because the spirit of the Lord itself will teach us.
- The day is coming, so Jeremiah says, when it will not be necessary for one man to teach his neighbor, saying, “Know the Lord (Jeremiah31:34) for they all shall know Him, from the greatest to the least.
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Jeremiah 31:34