Mormon Terminology: Born Again

21 June

Like most topics in Mormonism, there’s not always a straightforward answer to the questions you may ask. Case in point is today’s topic, ‘born again’.

On June 19, 2018, we paid a visit to the LDS Gospel Topics section to look at born again, and the page came back with the following info; See BaptismConversionSalvation.

We found the closest info for born again to be under the topic for conversion. Here’s what it said –

Conversion includes a change in behavior, but it goes beyond behavior; it is a change in our very nature. It is such a significant change that the Lord and His prophets refer to it as a rebirth, a change of heart, and a baptism of fire. … Conversion is a process, not an event. Conversion comes as a result of righteous efforts to follow the Savior…”

What this is really describing is sanctification – when God’s Holy Spirit works in you as you live in the Lord. To be born again the Bible tells us we’re changed!

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Strong’s Concordance gives the transliterations for born again as ‘gennaō’ and ‘anōthen’, with the following info on both –

‘from a variation of <G1085> (genos); to procreate (properly of the father, but by extension of the mother); figurative to regenerate :- bear, beget, be born, bring forth, conceive, be delivered of, gender, make, spring’.

‘from <G507> (ano); from above; by analogy from the first; by implication anew :- from above, again, from the beginning (very first), the top’.

As we can see, being born again isn’t a process at all! Rather, it’s a marked change that takes place the moment we accept Him into our lives/hearts. Neither of these words indicate this is a process to go through, so be sure to share this with a Mormon!

The Church won’t teach this truth for three reasons.

1.They don’t accept the Trinity.

2.They don’t accept God’s power through His Holy Spirit can do the work we never could do,

3.They don’t believe God’s Spirit can reside inside of man forever.

Also, take a few moments to share with a Mormon what it was like for you when you accepted the Lord! When Mormons are baptized at 8 yrs old there’s no regeneration like the Bible speaks of, so this would be a good segue to start a conversation!

With Love in Christ;

Michelle

1 Cor 1:18

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