FINAL THOUGHTS
WHAT TO EXPECT
Based on our experience and our understanding of the scriptures, although there are some common elements, each person's change or baptism of the spirit is unique, like snowflakes or gaining a testimony. Just as no two snowflakes are alike, I have never heard a story from either a convert or born in the church member that was identical to anyone else's experience of how they came into the church or gained a testimony.
Of all the names by which this change is known throughout the scriptures the name "baptism of fire" most closely describes what it feels like for most. The experience apparently varies in intensity for each person and may last a few hours, days, or occasionally weeks. It may involve visitation(s) or vision(s). Apparently all receive the message that their sins are forgiven.
We do not know for certain why the experiences are unique to each person; however, we surmise, that, like a testimony, the Lord gives us what we need, in a way most meaningful to us, perhaps modified by what we are entitled to based on the strength of our faith and works, but this is speculation.
We do know that it is a discernible event or experience. You will definitely know that something has happened and that you are changed as a result of it.
We know of a few that have written of their personal experience of change and have included in the Appendix a few such accounts that have come to our attention. We would like to compile a collection of such experiences and make it available to others because of the extraordinary light and knowledge that usually accompanies such experiences. Whether or not that becomes possible depends on you, dear readers, specifically, whether you will write down and share such experiences with us and whether the Spirit will permit us to make them available to others.
WHAT IT IS NOT - NOT "PURIFICATION"
Although the scriptures are clear that one is sanctified through the baptism of the spirit, they also clearly indicate that this is not the end of the road. Although sin is apparently abhorrent, the possibility for straying off the path through sin is still very real for we are only at the beginning of the path rather than at its end. We quote again a couple of verses from 2 Nephi 31 previously quoted in Chapter 2 to emphasize the point that by experiencing this mighty change we have only just entered the gate into the strait and narrow path.
18 And THEN are ye in this strait and
narrow path which LEADS to eternal life; yea, ye have ENTERED IN BY THE
GATE; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the
Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father
and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that
if ye ENTERED IN by the way ye should receive.
There is another term found in the scriptures referring to yet another and clearly more advanced spiritual state; that term is "purified." Before launching into our effort to explain this we want to let you know that to us the words "pure", "purified" etc. seem to be used in different scriptures in what clearly appears to be two different ways. When one receives their remission of sins through the baptism of fire or the Holy Ghost it is clear that all of their sins are forgiven which cleanses and purifies them. In fact, in some scriptures the terms "clean hands and a pure heart", and "pure", "clean", "purified" are used as synonyms for this spiritual birth. But, remember that this is only the beginning of the path. We have just been born again or born anew spiritually, and, hence, are only little children spiritually. Like all children we then must grow and mature spiritually, just as we do physically.
The second use of the word "purified" refers to a much more spiritually mature state as found, for example, in the phrase "purified and cleansed from all sin." It is this second use of the word "purified" that is discussed here. This state of "purification" may or may not be the same thing as transfiguration; although there are some obvious similarities with the very limited accounts of transfiguration that we have. The following account from 3 Nephi 19 is an excellent example where the Savior uses the word "purified" in this second way. This conclusion stems from the sequence of events, for after the twelve disciples received their baptism of fire, they then had another even more intense experience in which they became "as white as the countenance and also the garments of Jesus" after which Jesus refers to them in verse 28 as having been "purified".
26 And Jesus said unto them: Pray on; nevertheless they did not cease to pray.
27 And he turned from them again, and went a little way off and bowed himself to the earth; and he prayed again unto the Father, saying:
28 Father, I thank thee that thou hast PURIFIED those whom I have chosen, because of their faith, and I pray for them, and also for them who shall believe on their words, that they may be purified in me, through faith on their words, even as they are purified in me.
29 Father, I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me out of the world, because of their faith, that they may be purified in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one, that I may be glorified in them.
30 And when Jesus had spoken these words
he came again unto his disciples; and behold they did pray steadfastly,
without ceasing, unto him; and he did smile upon them again; and behold
they were white, even as Jesus.
27 Wherefore, he is possessor of all things; for all things are subject unto him, both in heaven and on the earth, the life and the light, the Spirit and the power, sent forth by the will of the Father through Jesus Christ, his Son.
28 But no man is possessor of all things except he be PURIFIED and cleansed from all sin.
29 And if ye are PURIFIED and cleansed from all sin, ye shall ask whatsoever you will in the name of Jesus and it shall be done.
30 But know this, it shall be given you what you shall ask; and as ye are appointed to the head, the spirits shall be subject unto you.
Helaman 10:4-5: Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments.
5 And now, because thou hast done
this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I
will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea,
even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for
thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will.
49 For I am the Lord thy God, and will
be with thee even unto the end of the world, and through all eternity;
for verily I seal upon you your exaltation, and prepare a throne for
you in the kingdom of my Father with Abraham your father.
To reemphasize the difference between "sanctification" and "purification" notice the Prophet Joseph's progression from his experience upon being baptized in May 1829 to 1831 (Sec. 132 was recorded in 1843 but first received in 1831) when the Lord told him that his calling and election was made sure.
74 Our minds being now enlightened, we began to have the scriptures laid open to our understandings, and the true meaning and intention of their more mysterious passages revealed unto us in a manner which we could never attain to previously, nor ever before thought of.
D&C 132:48-50. And again, verily I say unto you, my servant Joseph, that whatsoever you give on earth, and to whomsoever you give anyone on earth, by my word and according to my law, it shall be visited with blessings and not cursings, and with my power, saith the Lord, and shall be without condemnation on earth and in heaven.
49 For I am the Lord thy God, and will be with thee even unto the end of the world, and through all eternity; for verily I seal upon you your exaltation, and prepare a throne for you in the kingdom of my Father with Abraham your father.
50 Behold, I have seen your sacrifices,
and will forgive all your sins; I have seen your sacrifices in obedience
to that which I have told you.
The scriptures and the personal experiences of Joseph Smith suggest or indicate that the purifying effect of receiving the Holy Ghost apparently needs to occur more than once in order to become "purified." The best illustration of this that we know of is the sequence of events in 3 Nephi 19.
The experiences of the Prophet Joseph are also instructive on the multiplicity of remissions. Even though in 1831 the Lord told Joseph that his calling and election was made sure, yet, in about a half dozen or so later sections of the D&C the Lord tells Joseph that his sins are forgiven, apparently meaning those sins occurring after the last remission. Did Joseph also experience a renewal or refreshing of the baptism of fire? Joseph was certainly filled with the spirit when receiving such revelations. One of our friends who first experienced his baptism of fire at the tender age of ten who is now in his mid 50's has personally experienced from time to time, pursuant to fasting, prayer and seeking, what he calls renewals of his remission of sins complete with being filled with the fire of the spirit. Yet, we are unable to find in the scriptures, other than in 3 Nephi 19, specific references to or instances of what might be considered such renewals or refreshings. However, it is worth noting that the scriptures speak ONLY in terms of "retaining a remission of sins" and obeying the spirit.
Except as discussed in the preceding paragraph, such "renewals or refreshings" are also beyond the scope of our experience. We simply do not have near enough experience beyond our own limited personal experiences to be able to make any other general statements Indeed, it seems to us that the scriptures are intended simply to bring us to the point where we become sanctified and from that point on we are expected to obey the promptings of the spirit. We have found very little in the scriptures on the subject of what one does after being sanctified. In fact, VIRTUALLY EVERYTHING that we have found on that subject is quoted in full later in this chapter under the heading "ENDURING TO THE END - OR RETAINING A REMISSION OF YOUR SINS."
CAUTION
Remember, that where much is given much is expected and that he who sins against the greater light receives the greater condemnation. One of the reasons that receiving this blessing requires such commitment and focus is that the consequences of thereafter dropping out are so serious. Indeed, the risks or consequences of serious sins after being born again would appear to include now having had sufficient witness from the Holy Ghost to be in very serious trouble including the strong possibility, if not a certainty, of becoming a Son of Perdition if one should thereafter reject the Gospel. This observation is based on the following verses of scripture and the quoted statement of the Prophet Joseph.
15 And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.
16 And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved.
D&C 82:1-4, 7, 10. Verily, verily, I say unto you, my servants, that inasmuch as you have forgiven one another your trespasses, even so I, the Lord, forgive you.
2 Nevertheless, there are those among you who have sinned exceedingly; yea, even all of you have sinned; but verily I say unto you, beware from henceforth, and refrain from sin, lest sore judgments fall upon your heads.
3 For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and HE WHO SINS AGAINST THE GREATER LIGHT SHALL RECEIVE THE GREATER CONDEMNATION.
4 Ye call upon my name for revelations, and I give them unto you; and inasmuch as ye keep not my sayings, which I give unto you, ye become transgressors; and justice and judgment are the penalty which is affixed unto my law.
...
7 And now, verily I say unto you, I, the Lord, will not lay any sin to your charge; go your ways and sin no more; but unto that soul who sinneth shall the former sins return, saith the Lord your God.
...
10 I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.
TPJS All sins shall be forgiven,
except the sin against the Holy Ghost; for Jesus will save all except the
sons of perdition. What must a man do to commit the unpardonable sin? He
must receive the Holy Ghost, have the heavens opened unto him, and know
God, and then sin against him. After a man has sinned against him, there
is no repentance for him. He has got to say that the sun does not shine
while he sees it; he has got to deny Jesus Christ when the heavens have
been opened to him, and to deny the plan of salvation with his eyes open
to the truth of it: and from that time he begins to be an enemy. Teachings
of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 358.
WHAT IT IS - ADDITIONAL ASPECTS
Qualify as a Candidate for the Church of the Firstborn.
The Church of the Firstborn is the name the Lord has given to the congregation of those who attain eternal life which is the glory of the celestial kingdom. According to the following scripture the "book of the names of the sanctified" is the record of those in this congregation.
2 Behold, this is pleasing unto your Lord, and the angels rejoice over you; the alms of your prayers have come up into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, and are recorded in the book of the names of sanctified, even them of the celestial world.
3 Wherefore, I now send upon you another Comforter, even upon you my friends, that it may abide in your hearts, even the Holy Spirit of promise; which other Comforter is the same that I promised unto my disciples, as is recorded in the testimony of John.
4 This Comforter is the promise which I give unto you of eternal life, even the glory of the celestial kingdom;
5 Which glory is that of the church
of the Firstborn, even of God, the holiest of all, through Jesus Christ
his Son -
22 And all those who are begotten through me are partakers of the glory of the same, and are the church of the Firstborn.
D&C 76:50-54 And again we bear record - for we saw and heard, and this is the testimony of the gospel of Christ concerning them who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just -
51 They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given -
52 That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all their sins, and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed unto this power;
53 And who overcome by faith and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true.
54 They are they who are the church of the Firstborn.
D&C 107:18-19 The power and authority of the higher, or Melchezedek Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church --
19 To have the privilege of receiving
the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto
them, to commune with the general assembly and church of the Firstborn,
and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the
mediator of the new covenant.
Certain Additional Knowledge
Being sanctified is the primary requirement for receiving the things which the brother of Jared saw as recorded in the sealed portion of the plates according to the following from Ether 4.
5 Wherefore the Lord hath commanded me to write them; and I have written them. And he commanded me that I should seal them up; and he also hath commanded that I should seal up the interpretation thereof; wherefore I have sealed up the interpreters, according to the commandment of the Lord.
6 For the Lord said unto me: They shall not go forth unto the Gentiles until the day that they shall repent of their iniquity, and become clean before the Lord.
7 And in the day that they shall exercise faith in me, saith the Lord, even as the brother of Jared did, that THEY MAY BECOME SANCTIFIED IN ME, then will I manifest unto them the things which the brother of Jared saw, even to the unfolding unto them all my revelations, saith Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of the heavens and of the earth, and all things that in them are.
New Insights Into The Scriptures
6 It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance.
Judgments Stayed
D&C 39:17-18 Wherefore lay to with your might and call faithful laborers into my vinyard, that it may be pruned for the last time.
18 And inasmuch as they do repent
and receive the fulness of my gospel, and become sanctified, I WILL
STAY MINE HAND IN JUDGMENT.
"Enduring to the end" is one of the great catch-phrases in the church. One lady, who after learning of the steps of repentance, including confession of sins and that receiving the change was really only the beginning, wryly observed that "The real challenge was enduring to the beginning." We find it hard to disagree with that observation.
Nonetheless, having experienced the change, what comes next? Are we "home free" and just able to coast? Are we now immunized against ever sinning again? As much as we may wish that to be true the scriptures tell us that much additional faith and works are required of those who embark on this path.
Consider what 4th Nephi tells us of the activities of their Zion Society.
And as a group they met "together oft to pray and to hear the word of the Lord." Notice also the emphasis on immersing oneself in the word of the Lord. Nephi, also, in the following verses impressively emphasizes the importance of "feasting upon the word."
19 And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.
20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.
21 And now, behold, my beloved brethren,
this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under the heaven
whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, THIS
IS THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST, and the only and true doctrine of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen.
2 Do ye not remember that I said unto you that AFTER ye had received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the Holy Ghost?
3 ANGELS SPEAK BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for, behold, THE WORDS OF CHRIST WILL TELL YOU ALL THINGS WHAT YE SHOULD DO.
4 Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them it will be because ye ASK not, neither do ye KNOCK; wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, BUT MUST PERISH IN THE DARK.
5 For behold, AGAIN I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, AND RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST, IT WILL SHOW UNTO YOU ALL THINGS WHAT YE SHOULD DO.
6 BEHOLD, THIS IS THE DOCTRINE
OF CHRIST, and there will be no more doctrine given
until after he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh. And when
he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall
say unto you shall ye observe to do.
We have added this verse and these few comments because ever since the time when each of us gained our understanding of the central message of this book, we each have sought to share it in the various quorums and classes that we have been called to teach over the years. Would you be surprised to learn that the message has almost without exception been ignored, and that we each have been rebuffed and even rebuked for teaching these principles?
We have chosen to focus on putting forth the message as clearly as possible rather than on the many scriptures addressed to those who will not hear this oh so vital message, such as portions of Chapters 32 and 33 of 2 Nephi. However, the consequences of not hearkening and obeying by seeking for and obtaining one's own remission of sins and rebirth by the Holy Spirit certainly should be painfully obvious indeed.
Well, enough said on this sobering and most uncomfortable (both for us and, presumably, for you) point. Now back to the main theme of what one who has entered into the way must do thereafter.
Moroni emphasizes the importance of retaining the pure love of Christ in one's heart through prayer.
Moroni 7:46-48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail -
47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren,
pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled
with this love, which he hath BESTOWED upon all who are true followers
of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when
he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that
we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen
12 And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true.
13 And ye will not have a mind to injure one another, but to live peaceably, and to render to every man according to that which is his due.
14 And ye will not suffer your children that they go hungry, or naked; neither will ye suffer that they transgress the laws of God, and fight and quarrel one with another, and serve the devil, who is the master of sin, or who is the evil spirit which hath been spoken of by our fathers, he being an enemy to all righteousness.
15 But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another and to serve one another.
16 And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish.
17 Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just -
18 But I say unto you, 0 man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God.
19 For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?
20 And behold, even at this time, ye have been calling on his name and begging for a remission of your sins. And has he suffered that ye have begged in vain? Nay; he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with joy, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy.
21 And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, 0 then, how ye ought to impart of the substance that ye have one to another.
22 And if ye judge the man who putteth up his petition to you for your substance that he perish not, and condemn him, how much more just will be your condemnation for withholding your substance, which doth not belong to you but to God, to whom also your life belongeth; and yet ye put up no petition, nor repent of the thing which thou hast done.
23 I say unto you, wo be unto that man, for his substance shall perish with him; and now, I say these things unto those who are rich as pertaining to the things of this world.
24 And again, I say unto the poor, ye who have not and yet have sufficient, that ye remain from day to day; I mean all who deny the beggar, because ye have not; I would that ye say in your hearts that: I give not because I have not, but if I had I would give.
25 And now, if ye say this in your hearts ye remain guiltless, otherwise ye are condemned; and your condemnation is just for ye covet that which ye have not received.
26 And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken unto you - that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God - I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants.
27 And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order.
28 And I would that ye should remember, that whosoever among you borroweth of his neighbor should return the thing that he borroweth, according as he doth agree, or else thou shalt commit sin; and perhaps thou shalt cause thy neighbor to commit sin also.
29 And finally, I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin; for there are divers ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them.
30 But this much I can tell you, that
if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your
deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of
what ye have heard concerning the coming of your Lord, even unto the end
of your lives, ye must perish. And now, 0 man, remember, and perish not.
Long before I understood what receiving the Holy Ghost actually means I was aware of the following incidents. Now that I truly understand what they really signify, I can not think of a more fitting summation than the final words of both Joseph Smith and Brigham Young from beyond the grave and the words of President Benson.
Several years after the death of the Prophet Joseph, Joseph visited President Brigham Young who recorded that experience as follows.
Those who had been born of God after hearing King Benjamin's address had a mighty change in their hearts. They had "no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually." (See Mosiah 5:2, 7.)
The fourth chapter of Alma describes a period in Nephite history when "the church began to fail in its progress." (Alma 4:10) Alma met this challenge by resigning his seat as a chief judge in government "and confined himself wholly to the high priesthood" responsibility which was his. (Alma 4:20.)
He bore "down in pure testimony" against the people (see Alma 4:19), and in the fifth chapter of Alma he asks over forty crucial questions.
Speaking frankly to the members of the Church, he declared, "I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts." (Alma 5:14.)
He continued, "If ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?" (Alma 5:26.)
Would not the progress of the Church increase dramatically today with an increasing number of those who are spiritually reborn? Can you imagine what would happen in our homes? Can you imagine what would happen with an increasing number of copies of the Book of Mormon in the hands of an increasing number of missionaries who know how to use it and have been born of God? When this happens, we will get the harvest President Kimball envisions. It was the "born of God" Alma who as a missionary was so able to impart the word that many others were also born of God. (See Alma 36:23-26.)
The Lord works from the inside out.
The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of
the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take
themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their
environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment.
The world would shape human behavior, but CHRIST CAN CHANGE HUMAN
NATURE. Ensign, Nov. '85, P. 6