Born Again

1. Born Again John 3-5

2. More religious descrimination The founder of the Jedi religion inspired by the Star Wars films was thrown out of a Tesco supermarket for wearing his distinctive brown hood. Daniel Jones, 23…was told the hood flouted store rules and was ordered to remove it or leave the supermarket. Mr Jones has made an official complaint to Tesco, is considering a boycott of the store and is seeking legal advice. A Tesco spokesperson said: 'He hasn't been banned. Jedis are very welcome to shop in our stores although we would ask them to remove their hoods. 'Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda and Luke Skywalker all appeared hoodless without ever going over to the Dark Side and we are only aware of the Emperor as one who never removed his hood. 'If Jedi walk around our stores with their hoods on, they'll miss lots of special offers.'

3. A little persective

4. Bro. Robert Millett If you stood at the Gate of Heaven and God asked you, ‘why should I let you in?’, what would be your answer? His answer: “I claim entrance because of the Blood of Lamb and His mercy towards me a sinner.”

5. Leo I am an enemy to God

6. Elder Oaks “Testimony is to know and to feel, conversion is to do and to become. Quoted in Kenneth Johnson, Contemplations of a Convert (2000), 106 What stops most of us from becoming converted?

7. Two Witnesses Witness #1 John 3:1-7

8. Moses 6: 59, 60 That by reason of transgression cometh the fall, which fall bringeth death, and inasmuch as ye were born into the world by water, and blood, and the spirit… even so ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the Spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten; … For by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified;

9. Joseph Smith To "see" the kingdom of God is to receive a testimony of the gospel. To "enter" the kingdom of God is to have faith, repent, be baptized, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. It is one thing to see the kingdom of God, and another thing to enter into it. We must have a change of heart to see the kingdom of God, and subscribe the articles of adoption to enter therein. (TPJS, p. 328.)

10. Alma’s view of being born again? "I was in the darkest abyss; but now I behold the marvelous light of God. My soul was racked with eternal torment; but I am snatched, and my soul is pained no more.“ (Mosiah 27:29)

11. John 3:8,9 Questions: What is the ‘wind’ thing? What can well-meaning Saints, not understanding the Atonement, try to claim their salvation through? Their callings? Their linage?

12. Mosiah 5:2  And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually

13. Question Is the “mighty change” limited only to those who need to repent?

14. Moroni …If they humble themselves before me…I will make weak things become strong unto them. Ether 12:27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. .. Paul (2 Cor 12) …there was given me a thorn in the flesh, the messager of Satan… For this I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me…And he said…my strength is made perfect in weakness… Most gladly therefore will I gather glory in my infirmities…

15. 2nd Witness John 4:3-6 John 4:7-10 (Watch the Savior’s teaching style)

16. Bruce R. McConkie  On each of the seven days [at the Feast of Tabernacles] one of these sons of Aaron, after the morning sacrifice was laid on the altar, drew three logs of water—somewhat more than two pints—from the Pool of Siloam. Attended by throngs of worshippers who carried their palm branches, to be waved in the Hosanna Shout, this priest brought the water from the pool in a golden ewer. A solemn procession carried the "living water” to the temple; joyous blasts on the sacred trumpets heralded its arrival; and while one priest poured it into a silver basin on the western side of the altar,

17. 2nd Witness John 4:3-6 John 4:7-10 (Watch the Savior’s teaching style) John 4: 10-19

18. President Kimball Stake presidents, bishops, and branch presidents, please take a particular interest in improving the quality of teaching in the Church. ... I fear, that all too often many of our members come to church, sit through a class or a meeting, and ... then return home having been largely [uninspired]. It is especially unfortunate when this happens at a time ... of stress, temptation, or crisis [in their life]. We all need to be touched and nurtured by the Spirit, and effective teaching is one of the most important ways this can happen. We often do vigorous work, to get members to come to Church but then do not adequately watch over what they receive when they do come. Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball (1982), 524

19. How do we teach others? 1- First understand their needs 2- Let them know you will help them solve their needs. 3- Help them ask the right questions 4- Help them see the solution John 4: 20-26

20. Elder C.S. Lewis T The more you obey your conscience, the more your conscience will demand of you. And your natural self, which is thus being starved and hampered and worried at every turn, will get angrier and angrier. It is as though Jesus were saying to each of us: 'Give me All. I don't want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want You. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it. . . . Hand over the whole natural self. . . . I will give you a new self instead. In fact, I will give you Myself: my own will shall become yours.'  (Mere Christianity, p. 166)