Robert L. Millet - Alive in Christ: The Miracle of Spiritual Rebirth

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Millet, Robert L.

Alive in Christ: the miracle of spiritual rebirth / Robert L. Millet.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 1-57345-263-7

1. Regeneration (Theology). 2. Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday SaintsDoctrines. 3. Mormon ChurchDoctrines. I. Title.

BX8643.R36M55 1997

234'.4dc2197-14600

CIP

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 72082

To Jay and Marjorie Eldredge and Harold and Luene Wilkinson whose sweet teachings and silent sermons have encouraged so many to learn of Christ listen to his words, and walk in the meekness of his Spirit

And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters; and thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.

MOSIAH 27:2526

We are made alive in Christ because of our faith.... We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

2 NEPHI 25:2526

PREFACE

And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, Alma said, 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.) These questions, though posed in 83 B.C. to the people of Zarahemla in ancient America, have everlasting relevance to men and women of all ages in all places. Religion deals with things of eternal import, with things of the heart, with the change each of us must undergo to become more godlike and thus more serviceable in the Lords kingdom.

Because he is a living God, our Heavenly Father is forevermore involved in this matter of change. In the beginning he spoke, chaotic matter responded, and the heavens and the earth were formed. The placement of Adam and Eve and all forms of life on earth thereby changed the nature of existence on this planet. Because of the fall of our first parents and because men and women are often enticed to wander from the strait and narrow path, the Father sent his Only Begotten Son to further alter the course of events on earthto reverse what would otherwise continue as a movement toward dissolution. The Savior came into the world to change things, both cosmically and individually.

This is a book about change. Betterment. Improvement. More directly, it is a book about the transformation of the human soul by and through the redeeming mercy and atoning power of Jesus Christ. It is a study of the miracle we know as spiritual rebirth, the manner in which we are made alive in Christ. Underlying all that is said herein are two propositions: first, that we too often tend to live beneath our spiritual privileges and to settle for twilight when sunlight is readily available; and second, that our God is ever ready to extend his remarkable blessings to us in a variety of ways and thereby seeks to bring about a mighty change in us through several channels. In short, he who is omniscient and omnipotent is hardly limited to one avenue or course of action in our lives; spiritual change or conversion may take many forms. I am persuaded that one day, when we are able to review the video of our own life and times, all of us will marvel at the manner in which the omniloving One orchestrated the events and worked his wonders in our lives in truly mysterious ways.

In the preparation of this work I am indebted to many persons. Lori Soza has, as always, been extremely helpful in reviewing the manuscript, making suggestions for improvement, and readying it for publication. Sheri Dew and Ron Millett at Deseret Book have encouraged the project. Suzanne Brady struck that elusive editorial balance between improving upon what was written and yet allowing the published work to reflect accurately and appropriately the views and feelings and style of the writer. As she has done in several earlier projects, Suzanne has simply made this a better book. Though teachers, students, faculty colleagues, and members of the Church throughout the country have done much to challenge me to reach for deeper understanding and then articulate more clearly what I feel on these matters; though so many people have done so much to assist me in this endeavor; and though I have earnestly sought to be in harmony with the standard works and the teachings of latter-day apostles and prophets, I alone am responsible for the conclusions drawn from the evidence cited. This work is a private endeavor and thus not an official publication of either The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or Brigham Young University.

PROLOGUE

Not long after I completed my masters degree, I went to work as a counselor for a social services agency. One day a young woman called to ask if she could meet with me. When we sat across from each other a few days later, she indicated that her bishop had asked that she receive professional counseling.

Whats the problem? I asked.

I dont seem to be able to say no, she responded.

I was perplexed. To whom?

She bowed her head and answered quietly, To men. She then related one of the most pathetic yet horrifying stories I have ever heard. I learned that she was eighteen years old, that she was a Latter-day Saint who had been reared in the Church, that she had first been immoral as a fourteen-year-old, and that since then she had been involved with more men than she could remember, some whose names she did not even know.

How do you feel now? I inquired.

Fine, thank you, she answered.

No, I mean, how do you feel about what you have done, about your sins?

Oh, yes, she said. Well, I think I felt bad the first several times it happened, but I havent really felt anything for three or four years.

Is your bishop working with you on repentance? I asked.

She stated that he was trying to do so but wanted some help from me. (I later phoned the bishop, who had been dumbfounded over her lack of contrition and thought perhaps her sins might also betray some serious psychological problems.)

I wasnt quite sure what to do, but I did know that she could not make much progress until she felt the seriousness of her actions, so I said, Your assignment for next week is to pray, to pray really hardin fact, to pray harder than you have ever prayed before.

She asked, What do I pray for?

Well, you certainly need to pray for forgiveness, but first of all I would recommend that you pray to see things as they really are.

What do you mean?

I mean you need to pray to feel what you ought to feel.