2 Responses to “Do mormans believe in being born again? Do they accept Jesus…”
Pamela Dean
2009-03-19 04:32:01
When other Christians ask this question, they are generally asking whether one has accepted Jesus Christ into one's life, according to the promise found in Romans 10:9-10. As latter-day saints, we also believe in being saved. We believe that the terms 'saved' and 'salvation' indicate the making of a covenant with God, that through this covenant relationship we are assured salvation of sin if we are obedient. Through baptism we enter into this saving covenant, and renew it each week when we partake of the sacrament (communion or eucharist in some other churches). We believe that being saved means much more than just accepting Jesus. We believe that through salvation we are assured of six things by God:
1. Salvation from physical death through the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:22)
2. Salvation from sin through faithfulness (Acts 2:37-38)
3. Being born again through baptism (water) and confirmation (spirit) (John 3:3,5)
4. Salvation from ignorance by not knowing the light of the restored gospel (John 8:12)
5. Salvation from the second death, that of being cut off from righteousness and denied a place in any kingdom of glory (also known to LDS as 'outer darkness'; our concept of 'hell', without the heat, flames, devils... Essentially, pure nothingness) (Alma 12:22) and
6. Eternal life or exaltation (John 17:3).
As one can see, we absolutely believe in being saved - in accepting Jesus into our lives, and it is the basis for many of our beliefs that we hold most dear, such as the plan of salvation. Indeed, it is one of our thirteen articles of faith - "We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel."
Jerry Wayne Anderson
2009-04-02 04:41:54
A statue of Jesus Christ at temple square in Salt Lake City.
As a convert [9 years] I often wondered, not if this compromised our status as Christians, but, rather, if it somehow made us less Christian. I have discovered the contrary to be true.
We believe that the purpose of our existence, as the children of God, is one of eternal advancement which is far from complete after our mortal life. The atonement is the most vital key to our exaltation, but what we have to learn in this probationary phase of our infinite existence is so vast and complex, yet plain and simple, that often we seem distracted or focused on mundane things that seemingly have little to do with salvation. The fact of the matter is everything [in every sense of the word] that is good is made possible by and has to do with the atonement [sacrifice] of Jesus Christ.
Through sincere prayer and study I have come to realize that the love and devotion I have for Jesus Christ is the most important aspect of my life I have taken to heart the law of consecration, whereby, I dedicate all that I am in every way to the to the one whose precious sacrifice has ensured my eventual resurrection and eternal life.
I know that I have been born again and saved by the blood of the Lamb and, now, it remains for me to endure to the end as I continue to become converted by thoroughly saturating my whole life with his atonement.
1. Salvation from physical death through the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:22)
2. Salvation from sin through faithfulness (Acts 2:37-38)
3. Being born again through baptism (water) and confirmation (spirit) (John 3:3,5)
4. Salvation from ignorance by not knowing the light of the restored gospel (John 8:12)
5. Salvation from the second death, that of being cut off from righteousness and denied a place in any kingdom of glory (also known to LDS as 'outer darkness'; our concept of 'hell', without the heat, flames, devils... Essentially, pure nothingness) (Alma 12:22) and
6. Eternal life or exaltation (John 17:3).
As one can see, we absolutely believe in being saved - in accepting Jesus into our lives, and it is the basis for many of our beliefs that we hold most dear, such as the plan of salvation. Indeed, it is one of our thirteen articles of faith - "We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel."
We believe that the purpose of our existence, as the children of God, is one of eternal advancement which is far from complete after our mortal life. The atonement is the most vital key to our exaltation, but what we have to learn in this probationary phase of our infinite existence is so vast and complex, yet plain and simple, that often we seem distracted or focused on mundane things that seemingly have little to do with salvation. The fact of the matter is everything [in every sense of the word] that is good is made possible by and has to do with the atonement [sacrifice] of Jesus Christ.
Through sincere prayer and study I have come to realize that the love and devotion I have for Jesus Christ is the most important aspect of my life I have taken to heart the law of consecration, whereby, I dedicate all that I am in every way to the to the one whose precious sacrifice has ensured my eventual resurrection and eternal life.
I know that I have been born again and saved by the blood of the Lamb and, now, it remains for me to endure to the end as I continue to become converted by thoroughly saturating my whole life with his atonement.