Elder D. Todd Christofferson on the blessings of spiritual rebirth and divine grace

Elder D. Todd Christofferson (b. January 24, 1945) was called to the Seventy in 1993, and as a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in 2008.

"'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' (John 3:3-5).

"This rebirth was described more fully to Adam as recorded in the book of Moses. God taught Adam that it was necessary for men to repent, be baptized, and receive the Holy Ghost. Adam, seeking deeper understanding, asked why (see Moses 6:50-53). God explained that man must be clean in order to dwell in His presence and that this requires a cleansing birth into the kingdom of God:

"'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, which I have made, and so became of dust a living soul, 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; that ye might be sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory;

"'For by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified' (Moses 6:59-60).

"We see here the elements that bring about our second birth or entry into the kingdom of God analogized to the elements that accompany our birth into mortality (water, blood, and spirit). This birth from mortal life into eternal life requires the interaction of (1) covenants (symbolized by water, the principal feature of our first covenant: baptism), (2) the grace of Christ (symbolized by His blood), and (3) the Holy Spirit, the medium through whom atoning grace is applied to remit sins and sanctify souls.

"Justification and sanctification are accomplished by the grace of Christ, which grace is a gift to man based on faith. But our moral agency is also a necessary element in this divine process. We must will to repent and act to repent. We must elect to be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost, and we must elect to remain loyal to our covenants thereafter. To receive the gift we must act in the manner He has ordained."

- D. Todd Christofferson, "Justification and Sanctification," Ensign, Jun 2001, pp. 18-25
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Elder Christofferson's discussion of justification and sanctification in this article is very insightful and helpful to me. In this segment, he talks about the power and blessing of spiritual rebirth that comes to those who choose to accept the call of discipleship and walk steadily on that path.

The description from the experience of Father Adam is particularly helpful; I've always been grateful for Adam's audacious questioning of God (but why is this necessary?). This leads to the analysis of the symbols of water (baptism), blood (grace), and spirit (application of the atonement). The power of that grace in our lives in accomplishing God's plan continues to amaze me.

How blessed we are to have such a plan of perfect potential, enabling us to use our agency to choose to receive all the blessings our loving Father offers to us, now and eternally!

Dieter F. Uchtdorf on the life of discipleship

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (b. 1940) served as a Seventy from 1994-2004, when he was called as a member of the Quorum of Twelve.  He has served as second counselor in the First Presidency since 2008.

"When we hear the transcendent truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ, hope and faith begin to blossom inside of us (see Romans 10:17). The more we fill our hearts and minds with the message of the risen Christ, the greater our desire is to follow Him and live His teachings. This, in turn, causes our faith to grow and allows the light of Christ to illuminate our hearts. As it does, we recognize the imperfections in our lives, and we desire to be cleansed of the depressing burdens of sin. We yearn for freedom from guilt, and this inspires us to repent....

"To uphold us in the desire to lead a purified and holy life, we are endowed with the baptism of fire—the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, a heavenly Comforter who accompanies and guides us as we walk in the path of righteousness.

"The more we are filled with the Spirit of God, the more we extend ourselves to others. We become peacemakers in our homes and families, we help our fellowmen everywhere, and we reach out in merciful acts of kindness, forgiveness, grace, and long-suffering patience.

"These are the first steps along the true way of life and fulfillment. This is the peaceable way of the follower of Jesus Christ."

- Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Way of the Disciple," Ensign, May 2009, pp. 75-78
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Moroni described Church members in his day as "peaceable followers of Christ" (Moro 7:3). As he discusses what it means to be a disciple of Christ, President Uchtdorf borrows Moroni's phrase and describes the process of a journey on that path. It begins as the "transcendent truths" of the gospel begin to blossom within a heart, and the person allows those feelings to grow and expand:

This process leads to a "baptism of fire" as the gift of the Holy Ghost brings purification and sanctification. And it results in a changed life. Once that transformation begins, the person is filled with God's Spirit, and is filled with desire to be a peacemaker and to reach out to his fellowmen everywhere with "merciful acts of kindness, forgiveness, grace, and long-suffering patience." What a glorious blessing to anticipate, and to work towards!