Being "born again" is an area that the anti-Mormons like to center their attacks on, and it is very confusing as to why they do so. For Mormons, being born again is a highly desirable state to be in. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or affectionately known as the Mormons, being born again can not only relate and define the physical act of baptism by immersion, but it can also relate to a later spiritual experience as well. These two events don't necessarily take place at the same time, and often don't.
Quoting from the Book of Mormon, in Alma 5:14, we read: " 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?
And quoting again from the Book of Mormon, in Mosiah 27:25-26 : " 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."
The above quotes certainly show that the Mormons do believe in being born again, and contrary to what the anti-Mormons proclaim, Mormon theology is closer to their own idea of being born again than they suspect. To a Mormon, being born again, requires a full submission to God and complete trust and acceptance of Christ. I can see no difference in the born again Evangelical or the born again Mormon. Anti-Mormons who insist that Mormons don't believe in being born again are at best uninformed, and at worst, deceitful.
The only difference in the anti-Mormon born again Christian, and the Mormon born again Christian, is that the anti-Mormons go around proclaiming in a loud voice that they are born again. How much is this like the Pharisee's of Jesus' time? Mormons show that they are born again Christians by example, by living their lives as Christ set the example on how to live- with kindness, goodness, and charity.
Next - anti-Mormons and Christ. IMHO
2 comments:
Amen Brother.
Thanks for writing about being born again. I never looked at my conversion in terms of being "born again."
And you are very correct about example. Example has played a large part in my testimony. Example is very powerful.
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