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Born Again - Mormon Doctrine - Page 2

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

Doctrine Mormon - Born

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

Born Again - Mormon Doctrine Studies Doctrine Mormon

"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

Page 2 Doctrine Mormon - Born

"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.

Nd 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

Doctrine Mormon - Born

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

Born Again - Mormon Doctrine

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.

Born - Mormon Doctrine - Page 2

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.
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

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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