I was listening to Chapter 41 of Journey to the Veil where he talks John Pontius talked about being “Born Again.” But, not just being born again, but being born again multiple times as a form of progression in the gospel. I was very intrigued by a few things he talked about and I pondered whether it was true. As I pondered it, I figured it was true. Only, I wonder if there is a better phraseology for it. Maybe something to do with the progression on the covenant path. Either way, in its most basic form, being born again, is something most people can relate to and establishes an objective
What is being Born Again?
When Jesus was teaching Nicodemus, he spoke in parable. He told him that a man must be “Born Again” and Nicodemus was confused. How can a man reenter the womb? Not fully understanding what the Savior taught. He was told that a man must be born of the water and the spirit.
Honestly, it would have been easier if Jesus had just said, look Nicodemus, you need to be “born again.” This is how you do it. First, you need to believe and have faith in me. Then you need to be baptized, this is being born of the water. Then I will give you the Holy Ghost. If you receive the witness of the Holy Ghost, this is being born of the Spirit. But, Jesus didn’t do that. Instead, he spoke to him metaphorically. He had to have spiritual eyes to see the true meaning of the message.
JOHN 3:3
3 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.
John 3 (churchofjesuschrist.org)
The Book of Mormon further clarifies what being born again is:
MOSIAH 27:24-25
24 For, said he, I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit.
25 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;
Mosiah 27 (churchofjesuschrist.org)
MOSIAH 5:7
7 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; 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.
Mosiah 5 (churchofjesuschrist.org)
ALMA 5:14,49
14 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?
49 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; 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.
Alma 5 (churchofjesuschrist.org)
The idea of being born again is a change. Not just a recognition that Jesus Christ is your Savior, but a desire to live as he taught. To become one of his followers. It would be almost like answering the call to “Follow Me,” just like his disciples of old.
ROMANS 6:3-11
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Being born again changes us so that we lose the desire to sin. There are two kids of sins here. There are those sins we have committed. When we are “born again,” we are made anew, cleansed from those sins through the blood of Jesus Christ. There are also those sins that lay before us. Those sins we are yet to commit. These are overcome by two things, the first is a desire to sin no more. Trying to live a life similar to the Savior, walking as he walked, following his commandments. And second, continued repenting. We will all continue to sin. The only way to overcome this is to continue to rely upon Jesus Christ for redemption.
If we truly have a change of heart and we are born again, we will not desire to sin. But we will also call continually repent of our sins. We will rely upon His atoning blood to cleanse us of those sins. That we may be perfected through Him.
The Covenant Path
This idea of being born again multiple times refers to the renewing, or recommitting, or in LDS terms it may be better referred to as re-covenanting to walk the covenant path. There has been a lot said since President Nelson became the prophet about the covenant path.
“My third invitation is for you to do a thorough life assessment with the Lord, and perhaps with your parents and your bishop, to ensure that your feet are firmly planted on the covenant path,” President Nelson said. “If you have wandered off, or if there are some things you need to let go of to help your mind and heart be more pure, today is the perfect time to change.”
“Wherever you are on the covenant path—even if, at this moment, you are not centered on the path—I promise you that if you will sincerely and persistently do the spiritual work needed to develop the crucial, spiritual skill of learning how to hear the whisperings of the Holy Ghost, you will have all the direction you will ever need in your life.”
“If you aren’t sure how to repent, talk with your bishop or your parents or both,” President Nelson said. “They will help you understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ. They will help you experience the joy that true repentance always brings.” And don’t put off repentance! Now is the time to play your part in the gathering of Israel.
“Please do not stay off the covenant path one more minute,” he said. “Please come back through true repentance, now. We need you with us in this youth battalion of the Lord. It just won’t be the same without you!”
Keep on the Covenant Path! (churchofjesuschrist.org)
Following that advice from President Nelson could be your first rebirth. It could help you feel born again for the first time. I hope you do.