Class Notes 08-27-2000

Born Again Discussion (Continuation)

Review Previous Weeks notes—

Saints miss the point that it isn’t just about believing, & repenting and receiving a remission of sin in the waters of baptism, or receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, but if we've done all these things, that we will choose to forsake sin and do good continually. This is what being born again suggests, and according to Alma in Mosiah 11:186-190, is required of any who truly seek salvation with God in his kingdom.

In New testament, the Greek word born, found in John 3, has two meanings. One means to be born (as a child's physical birth from its mother0, the second means to be regenerated). The second meaning was certainly the point of Christ's explanation to Nicodemus.

Book of Mormon provides Four examples of people who had been born again:

1: Alma the younger (Mosiah 11:184-188)

2: King Benjamin’s People make covenant and describe aspects of being covenant people:

Mosiah 3:3 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 3

3:3 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.

3:4 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.

3:5 And it is the faith which we have had on the things which our king has spoken unto us, and has brought us to this great knowledge, whereby we do rejoice with such exceeding great joy;

3:6 And we are willing to enter into a covenant with our God, to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he shall command us, all the remainder of our days, that we may not bring upon ourselves a never ending torment, as has been spoken by the angel, that we may not drink out of the cup of the wrath of God.

3:7 And now, these are the words which King Benjamin desired of them; and therefore he said unto them, Ye have spoken the words that I desired; and the covenant which ye have made, is a righteous covenant.

3:8 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made, ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters:

3:9 For behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him, and have become his sons and his daughters.

3:10 And under this head ye are made free; and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free.

3: Alma the younger appeals to people through preaching to have this change:

Alma 3:86 Yea, to preach unto all, both old and young, both bond and free; yea, I say unto you, the aged, and also the middle aged, and the rising generation; yea, to cry unto them that they must repent and be born again;

Passage: Alma 3:81 - Alma 3:91

81 And moreover, I say unto you, that as it has thus been revealed unto me, that the words which have been spoken by our fathers, are true,
82 Even so according to the spirit of prophecy, which is in me, which is also by the manifestation of the Spirit of God, I say unto you, that I know of myself that whatsoever I shall say unto you concerning that which is to come, is true,
83 And I say unto you, that I know that Jesus Christ shall come; yea, the Son, the only begotten of the Father, full of grace, and mercy, and truth.
84 And behold, it is he that cometh to take away the sins of the world; yea, the sins of every man who steadfastly believeth on his name.
85 And now I say unto you, that this is the order after which I am called; yea, to preach unto my beloved brethren; yea, and every one that dwelleth in the land;
86 Yea, to preach unto all, both old and young, both bond and free; yea, I say unto you, the aged, and also the middle aged, and the rising generation; yea, to cry unto them that they must repent and be born again;
87 Yea, thus saith the Spirit, Repent all ye ends of the earth, for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand; yea, the Son of God cometh in his glory, in his might, majesty, power and dominion.
88 Yea, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, that the Spirit saith, Behold, the glory of the King of all the earth; and also the King of heaven shall very soon shine forth among all the children of men;
89 And also the Spirit saith unto me, yea, crieth unto me with a mighty voice, saying, Go forth and say unto this people, Repent, for except ye repent, ye can in no wise inherit the kingdom of heaven.
90 And again I say unto you, the Spirit saith, Behold, the ax is laid at the root of the tree; therefore every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, shall be hewn down and cast into the fire; yea, a fire which can not be consumed; even an unquenchable fire.
91 Behold, and remember, the Holy One hath spoken it.

Alma 5:24 Now I say unto you, that ye must repent, and be born again: for the Spirit saith, If ye are not born again, ye can not inherit the kingdom of heaven;

Passage: Alma 5:19 - Alma 5:29

19 And behold, he shall be born of Mary at Jerusalem, which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed, and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God;
20 And he shall go forth, suffering pains, and afflictions, and temptations of every kind;
21 And this that the word might be fulfilled which saith, He will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people; and he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people:
22 And he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
23 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh, that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions, according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.
24 Now I say unto you, that ye must repent, and be born again: for the Spirit saith, If ye are not born again, ye can not inherit the kingdom of heaven;
25 Therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness;
26 Yea, I say unto you, Come and fear not, and lay aside every sin, which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down to destruction;
27 Yea, come and go forth, and shew unto your God that ye are willing to repent of your sins, and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this day, by going into the waters of baptism;
28 And whosoever doeth this, and keepeth the commandments of God from thenceforth, the same will remember that I say unto him, yea, he will remember that I have said unto him, he shall have eternal life, according to the testimony of the Holy Spirit, which testifieth in me.
29 And now my beloved brethren, do you believe these things?

Read Next 20 Verses

4: Lamoni’s Father asks How this can happen to him

Alma 13:53 And if there is a God, and if thou art God, 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.

Read Previous 20 Verses

Passage: Alma 13:48 - Alma 13:58

48 And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said, What shall I do, that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken?
49 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?
50 Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess; yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.
51 But Aaron said unto him, 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.
52 And it came to pass that when Aaron had said these words, the king did bow down before the Lord, upon his knees; yea, even he did prostrate himself upon the earth, and cried mightily, saying, O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God;
53 And if there is a God, and if thou art God, 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.
54 And now when the king had said these words, he was struck as if he were dead.
55 And it came to pass that his servants ran and told the queen all that had happened unto the king.
56 And she came in unto the king; and when she saw him lay as if he were dead, and also Aaron and his brethren standing as though they had been the cause of his fall, she was angry with them, and commanded that her servants, or the servants of the king, should take them and slay them.
57 Now the servants had seen the cause of the king's fall, therefore they durst not lay their hands on Aaron and his brethren.
58 And they plead with the queen, saying, Why commandest thou that we should slay these men, when behold, one of them is mightier than us all? Therefore we shall fall before them.