Today's Favorite Verse: John 3:3, 5

Today's Favorite Verse: 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.

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."

Seeing and entering the kingdom of God are two separate things Jesus mentions. I wanted clarification on that.

"The Prophet Joseph Smith (1805–44) taught about the Savior’s words in verses 3 and 5, which speak of “seeing” and “entering” the kingdom of God: “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” (in History of the Church, 6:58). When a person “sees” the kingdom of God, the Holy Ghost has caused the person to have a mighty “change of heart” (see Alma 5:14). Then the person must participate in the ordinances of the gospel in order to “enter” the kingdom of God."

(New Testament Student Manual, Chapter 22: John 2-4)

It's not enough to only have a change a heart. Entering into ordinances and covenants are what admit us into His presence. Ordinances alone won't save us either, if the heart is not changed. We need both. Then we must live up to our privileges until the end.

Day 3159