Alma raises a question that should penetrate to the very center of our beings. Have we experienced the mighty change that Alma the Elder and his followers were blessed to receive through belief on the word of God and obedience to covenant requirements? Every individual who has a hope to one day inherit celestial glory and immortality must of necessity go through a mighty change of heart occasioned by faith, repentance, humility, and the transforming renewal of the Spirit. Only by strict obedience to all of the commandments of God can this mighty change of heart become a permanent part of one’s life. The questions are these: Have we been born of God? Have we received His image in our countenance? Have we experienced this mighty change of heart? Elder Neal A. Maxwell states, “‘In process of time’ the patina of pride is burnished off. Hearts that were so set on the things of the world, if sufficiently meek, will either go through ‘a mighty change’ or be broken, so ‘a new heart’ can be given (see D&C 121:35; Alma 5:14; Ezekiel 18:31; 36:26). The righteous and covenant-keeping individuals who endure it well will inherit ‘all that my Father hath’ (D&C 84:38)” (If Thou Endure It Well [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1996], 9).
A doctrinal understanding of the mighty change, i.e. being born again or born of God, is important for us to achieve, as this is our goal as children of God here upon the earth. The following treatment outlines the essential aspects of this process:
Born of God or “born again” refers to the personal spiritual experience in which repentant individuals receive a forgiveness of sins and a witness from God that if they continue to live the commandments and endure to the end, they will inherit eternal life. The scriptures teach that just as each individual is “born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit,” so must one be “born again” of water and the Spirit and be cleansed by the blood of Christ (John 3:5; Moses 6:59). To be born of God implies a sanctifying process by which the old or natural man is supplanted by the new spiritual man who enjoys the companionship of the Holy Ghost and hence is no longer disposed to commit sin (Col. 3:9–10; Mosiah 3:19; TPJS, 51). When individuals are born again they are spiritually begotten sons and daughters of God and more specifically of Jesus Christ (Mosiah 5:7; 27:25). The Book of Mormon prophet Alma 1 calls this inner transformation a “mighty change in your hearts” (Alma 5:14).
LDS scripture and literature contain numerous examples of individuals who have undergone this process of spiritual rebirth. Enos relates that after “mighty prayer and supplication” the Lord declared that his sins had been forgiven (Enos 1:1–8). After King Benjamin’s discourse, the people said that the Spirit had “wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts,” and that they had “no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually” (Mosiah 5:2). Of his conversion experience, Alma 2 says, “Nevertheless, after wading through much tribulation, repenting nigh unto death, the Lord in mercy hath seen fit to snatch me out of an everlasting burning, and I am born of God” (Mosiah 27:28). Similar experiences are recounted about King Lamoni and his father (Alma 19, 22). In an account written in 1832, the Prophet Joseph Smith describes his first vision as being significant not only for opening a new dispensation of the gospel, but also for his personal conversion. He writes, “The Lord opened the heavens upon me and I saw the Lord and he spake unto me saying Joseph my son thy sins are forgiven thee. [A]nd my soul was filled with love and for many days I could rejoice with great joy and the Lord was with me” (TPJS 1:6–7).
Mormon explains the “mighty change” that must occur if one is to be born of God. The first fruit of repentance is the baptism of water and fire, which baptism “cometh by faith unto the fulfilling of the commandments.” Then comes a remission of sins that brings a meekness and lowliness of heart. Such a transformation results in one’s becoming worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost, who “filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence unto prayer” (Moro. 8:25–26).
LDS scriptures teach that spiritual rebirth comes by the grace of God to those who adhere to the principles and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ, namely, faith, repentance, baptism, and reception of the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the process to be genuine, however, one must be diligently engaged in good works, for as James says, “faith without works is dead; … by works [is] faith made perfect” (James 2:20, 22). A mere confession of change, or receiving baptism or another ordinance, does not necessarily mean that one has been born of God.
Other Christian faiths also emphasize the importance of being “born again.” Unlike many of these, Latter-day Saints do not believe this experience alone is sufficient for salvation. Instead, the process of spiritual rebirth signals to Latter-day Saints the beginning of a new life abounding with faith, grace, and good works. Only by enduring to the end may the individual return to the presence of God. Those who receive the ordinance of baptism and are faithful in keeping the commandments may enjoy the constant presence of the Holy Ghost who, like fire, will act as a sanctifier, and will witness to the hearts of the righteous that their sins are forgiven, imparting hope for eternal life.
Persons who have experienced this mighty change manifest attitudinal and behavioral changes. Feeling their hearts riveted to the Lord, their obedience extends beyond performance of duty. President Harold B. Lee taught, “Conversion must mean more than just being a ‘card-carrying’ member of the Church with a tithing receipt, a membership card, a temple recommend, etc. It means to overcome the tendencies to criticize and to strive continually to improve inward weaknesses and not merely the outward appearances” (Ensign, June 1971, 8). Latter-day Saints believe that individuals who are truly born of God gladly give a life of service to their fellow beings—they share the gospel message, sacrifice their own time, energy, and resources for the benefit of others, and in general hold high the Light of Christ, being faithful to all the commandments.” (Ed J. Pinegar, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 1–4 vols., ed. Daniel H. Ludlow [New York: Macmillan, 1992], 218–219)