Think of someone who has had an incredible impact for good on
your life. She might be a parent. He might be a missionary or a home
teacher. She might be a trusted friend
or adviser. They may have known you for
years or for seconds. Perhaps a few
words was all it took. No matter what
their action was, big or small, it revolutionized your life, and put you on a
path completely different than the one you would have taken otherwise.
A sign of spiritual maturity is the desire to be that kind
of hero in the lives of those with whom we associate. In a way, the pathway to spiritual rebirth begins
with an inner drive to aid the spiritual rebirth of others.
Listen to this description of fundamental differences
between those who follow God and those who do not by Joseph Smith:
"Now, in this world, mankind are naturally selfish,
ambitious and striving to excel one above another; yet some are willing to
build up others as well as themselves."
We are naturally inclined to focus on our own welfare,
including our spiritual welfare. Yet, we must put off that natural man tendency
if we are to be reborn as saints. The
opportunity to change the life of a son or daughter of God forever is a very
precious thing. In my personal opinion,
it is the greatest gift God can give us.
It is both essential and inherent to the role of a parent in their
family. Once we have that desire, it
changes the way we see even the most fundamental duties in the church. For example, a man who truly desires the
spiritual welfare of others will never intentionally neglect his hometeaching
because he knows the potential impact it may have on the families he visits. A trip to the temple becomes more than a
chance to assuage a guilty conscience as the patron feels sincere concern for
the person they officiate for.
This initial change can, in a way, be
considered a rebirth of sorts. Yet it is
not refined or complete. It constitutes
merely a change in perspective that potentially leads to greater things. The Savior Himself taught this truth in John
3: 3-5, " Jesus
answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again,
he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, 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 answered, Verily, verily, I say unto
thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit,
he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
Joseph
Smith taught that this scripture represents
two rebirths, one that is required to "see the kingdom of God," and one which is needed to "enter the kingdom."
The desire to bring about
the salvation of others constitutes the first, preparatory rebirth. The second rebirth, though initiated by baptism, may often not be finished or even completely understood until long after the ordinance is complete because the first rebirth has not yet taken place. Those who are transformed by the preparatory rebirth will find beauty
instead of triviality in Alma 26:22, one of the greatest promises in all
scripture, " Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and
bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto
such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it
shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed;
yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance,
even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance."
Thus it is that, armed with the desire to transform the
lives of others, we can finally see the kingdom of God for what it is: a vehicle by which we can instigate the
happiness of everyone around us according to the inspiration and wisdom of God. And so it is that our spiritual birth begins.
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