Some years ago, it occurred to me that being “born again” is a significant event, not to be missed when it happens. Just like a real birth — it’s not something that happens without you experiencing it — as the mother or as the baby, it is a real event. (I know, you don’t remember your birth, but it’s all there in your subconscious.)
When the scriptures say that you must be “born again,” it probably does not refer to a warm feeling of accepting Christ, or even a desire to do good, or a dunk in the baptismal font and conventional laying on of hands.
I suggest that born again is the complete baptism. It is the significant events where God accepts your change of heart, your baptism of water, and your continual repentance. When you are cleansed of sin by the baptism of fire and when you become a new creature in Christ. I’m aware that the whole baptism by fire has become watered down (no pun intended) to mean the ritual of being confirmed a member of the church and being told to receive the Holy Ghost.
For a few people, they may experience the baptism of fire when “confirmed.” I appreciate the Holy Ghost and the guidance I receive when I choose to listen and conform my life to a higher level. But I believe we must experience a significant event to receive the Holy Ghost as a constant companion. We “receive” it from the Lord, not man. And usually after a long process of years of trials and repenting.
John the Baptist is quite clear about these two baptisms. John, a mortal man with the priesthood, has the authority to baptize with water (physical) “unto repentance” — meaning you must continue to repent to receive the further baptism of fire (spirit) from the Lord:
John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Luke 3: 16)
The water baptism is a witness to God that you are willing to keep His commandments and take upon you His name – your new name.
I would say that most often, we receive ordinances before we’re actually ready for the blessings. This is not that weird of an idea. We believe in proxy baptisms, not knowing when and if the person we are doing the baptism will accept it or be ready for it. Still, we do the work — we perform the ordinance by proxy for them. Still, they must have some born again experience in the spirit world. It would be the same for us while living on earth — we must have an actual born again experience. There are two baptisms by immersion – one in water, one in the spirit. That’s why we’re here on earth — to have these experiences and learn to overcome trials by repenting and listening to the Spirit.
The Lord may require a passage of time after we are baptized by water before He actually bestows the baptism of fire. We may not be ready when we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. This is especially true at the age of eight.
I don’t remember anything special on my baptism day. I don’t recall the blessing and bestowal of the gift of the Holy Ghost. I was eight years old. In comparison, when I gave birth to my five children, I remember that. The birth pains of natural childbirth and delivery are not something to be overlooked. Even the one C-section I had was not to be missed. Women share their birthing experiences because they are so significant and transcendent. And nothing like they’ve ever experienced.
Women go through pregnancy, labor, pain, and ultimately a great joy. I can’t really explain the feeling — but when my children were born, I felt like I had gone to the depths of struggling and suffering. And then I was changed — I even received a “new name” — “mother.” And the baby received a new name too. I became a new creature, so-to-speak.
The baptism of fire should be equal to this birth experience. It is an event.
Women relate to this better than men. But at least the father gets to be part of the birth process today. In the past, fathers used to sit around in the waiting room smoking cigars, completely ignorant of the birthing process.
The scriptures explain that we must be born of water and of the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God. When Jesus explains this concept, Nicodemus is confused and says — “How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
Jesus makes a comparison that we should take more seriously. The baptism of water and fire is comparable to birth — real birth, where you receive a new name. I believe that after the ritual baptism and laying on of hands, we must seek a complete remission of our sins and receive the baptism of fire from the Lord.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and I bear record of it from the Father; and whoso believeth in me believeth in the Father also; and unto him will the Father bear record of me, for he will visit him with fire and with the Holy Ghost. (3 Nephi 11)
Born again is a significant event, as extraordinary as birth into this world. There will be a process, such as pregnancy and labor — but it must culminate in birth to be “born again.” The process of repenting and overcoming trials is like the process of pregnancy, labor, delivery. You will be able to pinpoint your baptism of fire when you are truly born again. And it will be a specific event, specific for you.
There are several sources on the baptism of fire. Lorenzo Snow gave us one:
Lorenzo Snow’s Baptism of Fire
Lorenzo Snow
Lorenzo Snow gives us his account, but others have testified of similar born again experiences. Lorenzo Snow in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow, 2011 (Chapter 3)
“I was perfectly satisfied that I had done what was wisdom for me to do under the circumstances.”2 Although he was content for a time with this understanding, he soon yearned for a special manifestation of the Holy Ghost. He said, “I had had no manifestation, but I expected one.3“This manifestation did not immediately follow my baptism, as I expected,” he recalled. “But, although the time was deferred, when I did receive it, its realization was more perfect, tangible and miraculous than even my strongest hopes had led me to anticipate. One day while engaged in my studies, some two or three weeks after I was baptized, I began to reflect upon the fact that I had not obtained a knowledge of the truth of the work—that I had not realized the fulfillment of the promise: ‘He that doeth my will shall know of the doctrine; and I began to feel very uneasy.“I laid aside my books, left the house and wandered around through the fields under the oppressive influence of a gloomy, disconsolate spirit, while an indescribable cloud of darkness seemed to envelop me. I had been accustomed, at the close of the day, to retire for secret prayer to a grove, a short distance from my lodgings, but at this time I felt no inclination to do so.“The spirit of prayer had departed, and the heavens seemed like brass over my head. At length, realizing that the usual time had come for secret prayer, I concluded I would not forego my evening service, and, as a matter of formality, knelt as I was in the habit of doing, and in my accustomed retired place, but not feeling as I was wont to feel.
“I had no sooner opened my lips in an effort to pray, than I heard a sound, just above my head, like the rustling of silken robes, and immediately the Spirit of God descended upon me, completely enveloping my whole person, filling me from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet, and O, the joy and happiness I felt! No language can describe the instantaneous transition from a dense cloud of mental and spiritual darkness into a refulgence of light and knowledge, as it was at that time imparted to my understanding. I then received a perfect knowledge that God lives, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and of the restoration of the Holy Priesthood, and the fulness of the gospel.
“It was a complete baptism—a tangible immersion in the heavenly principle or element, the Holy Ghost; and even more real and physical in its effects upon every part of my system than the immersion by water; dispelling forever, so long as reason and memory last, all possibility of doubt or fear in relation to the fact handed down to us historically, that the ‘Babe of Bethlehem’ is truly the Son of God; also the fact that He is now being revealed to the children of men, and communicating knowledge, the same as in the apostolic times. I was perfectly satisfied, as well I might be, for my expectations were more than realized, I think I may safely say, in an infinite degree.“I cannot tell how long I remained in the full flow of this blissful enjoyment and divine enlightenment, but it was several minutes before the celestial element, which filled and surrounded me, began gradually to withdraw. On arising from my kneeling posture, with my heart swelling with gratitude to God beyond the power of expression, I felt—I knew that he had conferred on me what only an Omnipotent Being can confer—that which is of greater value than all the wealth and honors worlds can bestow.”4
Originally published Feb. 2015. Updated 2019 and Feb 2021.
