Over a year ago, I wrote a post called “Why do People Leave the LDS Church?” It has since become one of my most frequented posts and recently received a comment from a sincere seeker of Jesus who has just left the LDS church. She has started a blog called Musings on Mormonism that shows her sincerety as a seeker of Jesus and her story of being a Mormon and chosing to leave the LDS church, yet devoting herself to following Jesus. I respect her choice and also commend her for following her heart and pray that she brings people closer to Jesus.
Her experience was very similar to the experience the experience of Shawn McCraney’s. Recently I read his book called “I was a Born Again Mormon.” In this book, he describes his experience as an LDS elder and missionary and also is conversion to Christianity and leaving the LDS church. I didn’t agree with a lot of what he wrote, but one thing I did agree with was that it is important to be born again. His definition of what a born again Mormon is and mine are drastically different, but I do agree with him in the fact that we as Mormons (and everyone for that matter) need to be born again.
I feel that it is unfortunate that many of our fellow Christians feel that we are not truly born again and believers in Jesus. No one is perfect, but if we are not doing things out of the love we have for Jesus, then we need to repent and become truly born again.
In John, chapter 3, Jesus tells Nicodemus one must be born again to see the kingdom of God. In the Book of Mormon in Alma, chapter 7 it states we need to be born again through repentance and baptism as well. There are many other scriptures in the Book of Mormon and Bible for those who want to study being born again. Clearly it is something necessary and something that we as LDS should be talking about and thinking about.
In 2007, Elder Bednar, one of the Apostles for the Church of Jesus Christ, gave a great sermon called “Ye Must be Born Again.” In this sermon, he discusses the importance in being born again and accepting Jesus:
We are instructed to “come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny [ourselves] of all ungodliness” (Moroni 10:32), to become “new creature[s]” in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:17), to put off “the natural man” (Mosiah 3:19), and to experience “a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually” (Mosiah 5:2). Please note that the conversion described in these verses is mighty, not minor—a spiritual rebirth and fundamental change of what we feel and desire, what we think and do, and what we are. Indeed, the essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ entails a fundamental and permanent change in our very nature made possible through our reliance upon “the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah” (2 Nephi 2:8). As we choose to follow the Master, we choose to be changed—to be spiritually reborn.
I would like to share with you when I experienced a “mighty change in heart” and was born again as a new creature in Jesus.
During a proselyting mission in Frankfurt, Germany I had had many discussions with non-believers and people who challenged my faith of if there was a God and if Jesus was real. I struggled with my faith for awhile and questioned if there was a God and if Jesus was really the Savior.
During this time, I would sometimes feel angry with myself for feeling this way and viewed myself as a hypocrite. I concluded that if I really wanted to know Jesus I would need to immerse myself in His word and pray, which is exactly what I did. In order to know Jesus, I decided I would read the book Jesus the Christ, by James Talmage along with the New Testament. I studied and prayed for over 8 months and learned a lot, but never did receive a “born again” experience. I actually wasn’t really looking for a sign and had the faith that God would reveal truth to me in His own time and way.
One morning, it happened. As I was praying, I felt completely overcome with a love and joy for Jesus that I had never felt before. Words to a poem, which I may share at some later point entitled “I’m With You ’til the End” came to mind and I dictated as the Spirit of God spoke to me through my writing. As I watched the words fall onto the paper describing who Jesus is and what His mission in life was and how He’s always there to help me, I felt my heart change and my love and desire to share the good news of the gospel overcome me. I wept in gratitude as God had answered my prayers.
That experience was more than 12 years ago now, but it is etched into my heart. I’ve made many mistakes since then, but I am a drastically different person since becoming a new creature in Jesus than I was before. I know that I have the opportunity to daily give my heart to Jesus and that He’ll lead me in all I do. As I try daily to give my heart to Jesus then I notice that I gradually become more like Him in my desires to serve others and to love as He did. Life, relationships, and everything becomes more meaningful.
Those of us who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ should always remember that in all we do nothing matters unless we do it unto the Lord. Our fellow Christian brothers and sisters should never feel that we as Mormons are not born again and new creatures in Jesus, for without Him, nothing else matters.
If you are a Mormon, how would you describe your “born again” experience?
Also, if you are a fellow non-LDS Christian, feel free to share your born again experience as well.
For more good posts on Mormons being born again visit:
Begging for a Remission of Sins
LDS Alive in Christ (this one is a beautifully written testimony by the author of the site of how he became born again. Highly Recommended)
25 comments
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March 30, 2009 at 3:21 am
Dan
Hey Aaron,
For me personally, my “biggest,” “best”, born-again moments have always come via the repentance process, those times when I have knelt before Him asking for forgiveness of something that I’ve done.
Sometimes in those moments I have felt His love envelope my entire being and His love infuse my very being. It’s hard to describe, and my words don’t do it justice. Howevr, it is at those moments that I feel closer to Him than at any other time.
Good post.
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March 30, 2009 at 5:01 am
ama49
Hi Dan,
I love your thoughts on prayer. I’ve found the same experience many times as well. It’s amazing that Jesus stands at the door and knocks and doesn’t force His way through to our hearts. We open that door through humility, repentance, and sincere prayer.
Thanks for the comment.
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March 30, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Eric Nielson
I think for most Mormons this being born again is associated with receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. I believe that this is what is meant by being born of the spirit in the scriptures you quote.
Now certainly this ordinance can be empty if it is not received by someone who does not yet have faith, or who has not repented of their sins. But I do believe in the ultimate sence that it is an ordinance of the restored priesthood. And thus, many who feel they have been born again are really talking about having faith.
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March 30, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Craig W.
I sincerely believe that we may have many experiences during our lifetime which could be categorized as being “born again.” Over the years I have had several experiences where my faith, testimony, and believe in God and the Savior have been renewed. Some may refer to these as spiritual experiences, but I am not talking about feeling the spirit in a church meeting. I am referring to significant experiences when we experience God on a very high level. For me these experiences have come at both happy and difficult times. Most recently as I struggled with an issue with my business. The key is to remain true to the experience and build upon them. God is very generous with his spirit and very much wants us to experience him often on a “born again” level.
Just my thoughts.
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March 31, 2009 at 1:06 am
ama49
Craig,
I appreciate you sharing your thoughts. I know what you mean with Spiritual experiences and think it is awesome how God can help us on a daily basis if we allow him to.
I guess what I meant by writing the post was the initial “born again” experience that our fellow Christians identify with. The day we accepted Jesus as our personal Savior.
What you share is a great example of how we should live our lives after we’ve accepted Jesus into our lives and allow Heavenly Father and Jesus to help us on a daily and intimate level.
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March 31, 2009 at 1:10 am
ama49
Hi Eric,
Thanks for stopping by again and sharing your thoughts.
You are certainly right because if we truly accept Jesus we’ll want to take the steps by being baptized and then having the spiritual baptism of the Holy Ghost.
You also bring up a good point in that if we take the steps of baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost without wanting to do it or truly accepting Jesus we won’t feel anything and won’t benefit as much as if we accept it in sincere desire and faith.
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March 31, 2009 at 3:46 am
Jared
Thanks for sharing your experience.
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March 31, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Craig W.
ama49
I cannot recall a seminal experience when I was “born again.” I simply remember that I have always had a testimony of the Savior. However, as a missionary I read “Jesus The Christ” by Talmage and at it was during that process that my understanding of the Savior and my dependence on him began to develop and mature. So, from a spiritual perspective, that may be my first real “awakening” to the Savior.
Thanks for the great post.
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March 31, 2009 at 3:52 pm
gloria
Hello, ama.
Thanks for inviting me back to your blog. I appreciate your kind comments on my blog.
Your post speaks about being “born again”. Jesus clearly taught that one must be “born again” to enter the Kingdom of God. John 3:3
I believe that born again expierence occurs when we completely surrender ourselves to the Lordship of Jesus. The book of Romans tells us that we must confess with our mouth and believe in our hearts . Romans 10:13.
Being born again is so much more than “lip service”. My TBM husband kind of pokes fun at me at times, because he believes that I “think” that all a person has to do is say “jesus save me”. I really think it’s so much more complex than just saying “sinner’s prayer”. It’s believeing with all our hearts that what Jesus did on Calvary really does wash away our sins and that we are hopelessly flawed and in deep need of the Lord in our life. That basically we can not make it without Him.
Surrendering to King Jesus, began for me in 2000. At that time I was a practicing LDS. I had a few Christian friends who shared with the “good news”. They told me that Jesus what saves me, not a religion. Well I did go home and offer up a sincere “sinner’s prayer”. I knew I was not perfect , nor could I become perfect. I know I wanted Jesus in my life.
I can’t say I had a bolt of thunder appear or a huge rush of emotion…….. but I can tell you that the 7 yrs that followed that sincere prayer was life changing. Jesus completely revealed Himself to me in such a beautiful and profound way. In the fall of 2007, I left the LDS and have never looked back.
As I mentioned on my blog, I have a heart for the LDS to come to know Jesus in a very intimate and personal way. It’s my heart’s desire and prayer.
The Lord is good. He is faithful and it is solely thru HIS merits that we can inherit life eternal.
God bless,
Gloria
< john 3:16
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March 31, 2009 at 4:10 pm
PK
For most Mormon’s, becoming born again is a life long process. It includes a change of heart. The word repentence means a turning away from sin to following Christ. This is usually a long process as we strive to do away with worldly desires and to place all of our desires on Christ. This cannot be done just by wishing it so, but takes effort to do the works of Christ thus becoming like him. Many people think that Mormons believe works are what saves them. This is not true. Mormon’s do the works of Christ in order to show their faith in him and to become more pure and Christ like. Then through the atonement of Christ, we are saved. The beauty of it is that it does not matter where in the process we die because if we are sincere, then we will be saved. Christ will make up the difference. However, if a person says he has faith in Christ but makes no effort to follow him, how much faith and sincerety does he have?
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April 1, 2009 at 1:38 am
ama49
pk
very great comments and especially your question at the end.
ephesians 2:8 says “by grace ye are saved through faith…”
and we’re all familiar with james 2 “faith without works is dead…”
therefore to answer your question if we truy believe in jesus we will do the works not because we feel we’re earning a ticket to heaven but out of love for the savior.
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April 1, 2009 at 1:46 am
ama49
gloria,
good to see you again. you’re probably seeing some more traffic to your site since i linked you to this post.
i believe it is good for us as believers in christ to remember why we commited to follow him. many people in the lds church tend to get caught up in focusing on callings, etc. without remembering why they made the commitments.
thanks for reminding us the reason why we made the commitment to be baptized and follow jesus in the kingdom of god
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April 1, 2009 at 5:06 pm
gloria
Thanks ama, for your kind remarks and regards.:)
I have a great love for the LDS , and my husband remains active in his ward, so the ties are still there.
God bless ,
Gloria
<
john 3:16
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April 20, 2009 at 3:33 pm
jack
PK (or any Mormon who wants to answer),
Which comes first? Your works or salvation?
Peace and Grace!
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April 20, 2009 at 3:35 pm
jack
To anyone,
PK said, “Christ will make up the difference.” Can anyone show me where this idea is found in the Bible?
Peace and Grace!
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August 10, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Trish
I had accepted Christ as my personal savior at age 16.
I felt like a burden had been lifted but also I was not alone and I felt closer to God then I had before . I truly realized that God loved me thru Jesus.
I was Catholic and then the Charismatic movement or movement of the Holy Spirit came into the Catholic Church .
I left and became non demonational.
I saw a lot of things were I was and thought it is not just enough to pray but we must do something as a Christian where it is helping one another or others.
I truly has sincere non demonational Christians pray for me and just say that God will take care of it.
And at that time I was truly in dire straits and I needed help repairing my home and help with food and other needs.
They truly believed that God would make a way and do it.
At age 30 I joined the LDS church and found what I was looking for .
The Gospel of Jesus Christ in action.
I am still born again that is living the gospel following the teachings of Jesus Christ .
I believe that being born again is a process and from that day at age 16 to today I am still growing and becoming more Christ like and it is thru oportunities of service that we can continue to have our born again experience grow.
Many blesssings In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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August 10, 2009 at 5:53 pm
Trish
Gloria , Yes thank you for the reminder of why we do what we do.
I remember an old gospel song I serve a Risen Savior.
My question is how?
By loving service to others and our families no matter what faith.
I just was in our stake confrence here in Jacksonville fl.
And we were gently reminded by our Stake president that we Must have a personal relationship with Jesus .
He shared his testimony and said that he had a personal relationship with the Savior.
Gloria, so I truly agree it is not religion as such that brings us to Heaven but it is being faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
I think all of our brothers and sisters ( Christian) need to hear this message of being committed to Christ also that being born again.
You dont mention where you attend Church since leaving the Lds.
Remember the scripture says Hebrews 10: 25;
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is but exorting one another and so much more as ye see the day approaching.
Gloria no matter what church you attend , there are even house churches some one has to do the work if you will so dont get that confused with religion.
In some churches people get paid others like ours we all volunteer.
Even in the early church that fed the poor , had tithing and such , it is human beings that God works thru to carry out his works.
I am sure in the early church people were appointed to give to the poor , watch over church monies that were collected , administrative duties.
I do think when anyone gets caught up in the administrative duties and thinks that is will get me to heaven by just doing these duties then they are missing what Jesus taught.
I pray that our Heavenly Father will bless your home with the love and peace of Jesus Christ Amen.
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August 12, 2009 at 3:25 pm
gloria
Trish,
After resigning from the LDS church, I spent time in prayer seeking God’s guidance. After a time, the Lord led me to a small home church, where the word of God was clearly taught. I continue to fellowship/worship with a small non denominational church. We have no creeds but Christ, and the Bible is our authority.
You can read more about how the Lord led me out of the LDS on my blog: http://www.musingsonmormonism.blogspot.com
Kind regards,
gloria
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August 12, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Trish
I did read you blog .
Thank you for sharing.
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August 12, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Trish
Gloria, I appriciate the fact that you want to come closer to Christ.
Obvisously , you are still married and I hope you feel that your husband is devoted to Jesus , I just get a feeling that he is devoted to you and your family.
In my other ward there sisters who attendent church and their husband went to another church.
Again as I stated in my last blog the administrations of the church are needed if the church is to serve the people not just in lip service only.
I think you must use wisdom when doing anything God gave us a mind.
I say to those who feel over loaded with church callings or anything else you need to let them know.
I will share a personal story .
I suffer with the affects of chronic PTSD and I had a calling in the church working with the primary doing music.
I am a singer .
I was really trying but I could feel that my symptoms were becoming agrevated.
I prayed to Father God about this and said Lord I do this because it is service unto your children.
I went on to do one primary performance and not long after that I was realeased.
A sister friend of mine said I saw you struggling but you really tried.
Now I say all of this to say that you are not forced to take these callings and if there is a problem talk with the Bishop or counselors.
Again as a Charismatic non demoninational they had not programs of service and would pray about everthing but they truly believed that God would Just Do It!
Not realizing that God works thru us like it says in Jame and this is pure religion visiting the widows , the sick, ect.
I see the reasons for the callings that is the vehicle in which we serve others in the church.
I like what Joseph Smith said and I am paraphrasing.
Christ is at the head of the church and all the other things are Appendages.
I have basicaly understood this to be that without Christ the others are really not that important and really dont matter.
It is because of Jesus Christ we do what we do.
We are only human beings and yes need to be reminded of this that all that we do is for the cause of Jesus Christ.
Paul reminded the early Christians not to Grow Weary of Doing Good.
Interesting?
I sounds like you are happy where you are in Christ so I say be blessed and the Lord keep you and your family.
Amen.
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September 2, 2009 at 4:50 am
Trish
Jack , I feel of course Salvation comes first .
Without accepting what Jesus did for us and the world then our works would be in vain.
Some christians feel that all you need to do is believe in Jesus and that is it. I have personaly know Christians like this , they truly believe that all you do is ask it Will be Done but they dont say How?.
Well Jesus gave an answer in the Gospel by saying when you do this to the least of my brothers that you do unto me.
Read the surmon on the Mount.
Jesus said if You Love Me keep my commandments.
I think like James has clearly pointed out Faith without Works is dead.
Many Charismatic Christians just by pass this verse.
But other Christians , Methodist, Baptist ect do something to show that they believe in what Jesus said.
Jack I think that is the key, Do you believe what Jesus said.
all of it.
Blessings in Christ,
Trish LDs Lady in Jacksonville Fl.
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March 5, 2010 at 2:57 am
Cerise
Thank you for your story. This is exactly my story with the exception of your religious background. This reading was an answer to a prayer…one that let me know that it is okay that I am not in the “fold”. That his love for me is unprecedented and unwavering. I know that I am blessed no matter my membership. It is a question and only a question of how much like him I have become and how much practice all things in his name.
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June 1, 2013 at 2:40 pm
marie
I grew up in a mostly godless home in southern CA (my parents told me the story of Jesus but were on prescription drugs and never cracked open a bible). During my teens and early 20’s I became increasingly miserable with the parties, sex, and drugs I was participating in. Through a series of events Jesus came into my life so beautifully and powerfully. He gave me the power to not practice sin anymore. It has been 14 years since that happened. I have heard his still small voice many times. After being a single mom for 9 years, he answered my prayers and brought a godly man into my life. I have an intimacy with Jesus that has helped me overcome the world.
I lived in CA, then Las Vegas NV for 12 years and now I have been in St. George for 2 years, smack dab in the middle of Mormonism. I have studied it because I enjoy study and I do have a heart for every person created in the image of God. I see the LDS people to be family oriented, modest, and hard workers. I see that they have a lot of rules or traditions that are outside of the Bible. I have learned that their books contradict the Bible. I have also learned that in the LDS church it seems that God changes his mind if a modern day profit says so.
When Jesus pulled me out of the darkness, deep chains of sins and spiritual bondage, he did not tell me to join a specific religion. As I contemplate this out…I see Jesus in the new testament rebuking the religious leaders of the day…these leaders made the people to conform to traditions of men at the expense of God’s word….
My son is 13 and we go to church on Sunday. I have had two different Mormon families tell me that Sunday is family day and their kids cannot go outside or play with other people. Personally, I think that is sad and restrictive. Yes, families are important. LDS have great values… but there are so many BROKEN people out there that need to feel connected. When it’s a holiday or a Sunday I look for opportunities to invite lonely people to my table or spend time with them at a park or restaurant etc. I know Jesus would welcome ALL into their home as his family! After all (Matthew 12:48) Who are my brothers, who is my mother, but those who do the will of God.
I respect all people. I just can’t wrap my brain around the LDS church. Why would they obey the Bible…yet obey books that clearly contradict it in many ways? (Kolob, marriage, baptism for the dead etc) Wouldn’t they toss out the bible and just hold to the book of Mormon? Does a religious system save or does Jesus? Does Jesus change or is he the same yesterday, today, and forever?
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July 8, 2013 at 8:38 am
Cal
Thanks for your testimony, Marie.
I pray regularly that Mormons—and all Christians—will grow in the light of the Lord Jesus, grow out of the darkness of contradictions to the truth.
I also know, as God has revealed to me, that the great mercy of the Father, who has sent his own Son to wipe away our sins in forgiveness, has also set Jesus at his own right hand to cover those sins that Christians do in ignorance—such as baptisms for the dead. (Romans 14 applies here.)
I believe that as long as we are sincerely walking in the light of the Holy Spirit—the limited amount of light that we possess—Jesus covers the rest. If not, where would we all be? “The depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God” are so unsearchable, and his paths beyond tracing out (Rom. 11:33). How could anyone ever qualify for eternity in the presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, without a covering?
God bless you, sister!
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November 29, 2014 at 9:56 pm
Naomi
I just recently left the LDS church after much searching for the truth. In my search for the truth, God gave me His baptism (The gift of the Holy Ghost). This was before I left the church. This initially happened only after I learnt that God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost is only one God, that there is only one heaven and one hell as options for eternal destiny and that the Bible is truly the Word of God and can be a foundation for us as we truly seek Jesus as our living word. I know that there is a big difference between what Mormons believe to be born again and Christians, because it happened to me. I don’t know the initial day in which it happened, but it only happened after sincere repentance, falling on my face before Jesus is fear of going to hell because of my sinful nature. After He gave me the Real True Holy Spirit, it had nothing to do with feelings. I did not feel the time He baptized me, but I knew that my life had changed all of a sudden. All I could think about was Jesus and I worried about my life in judgement of a Holy God. Months have passed and I still have the same urgency of living my life for God, proclaiming His gospel no matter what and wanting so badly that everyone could experience this total change of heart. I am even more concerned for Mormons because I do not believe that they can experience the true born again experience without giving up on some things that they cling to as doctrines. I actually believe that if you do not see Jesus Christ as the Almighty God who came to earth in the flesh to die for our since and to overcome death, then you are denying the True God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. There are too many untruths in the church for it to be Christs church, because God is Truth. The True God is not found in any church, but true believers worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. Satan can mimic God’s powers here on earth and He can totally mess with our feelings, since our hearts are deceitful above all else. Do not be deceived by Satan. He is the father of all lies and if you delve into church history the lies come to the surface. I pray that all of you will seek God earnestly away from the church and what you think you know to be true, because God will reveal His truth to you when you truly seek Him without listening to worldly leaders and teachers.
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