The response to King Benjamin’s question about whether the people believed his words describe being born again. While there are other descriptions of born-again people, there are four characteristics in these verses that seem to be typical of the rebirth experience. The first characteristic is the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent has wrought a mighty change in our hearts (v. 2). A mighty change suggests a complete turnaround, a totally different life style is the result. Alma asked the Zoramites if they had “experienced this mighty change of heart” (Alma 5:14). Alma the younger was changed from the pain of his sins to his soul being “filled with joy as exceeding as was his pains” (Alma 36:19–20), a mighty change.
The second characteristic is to have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually. This change of disposition was also because of the Spirit of the Lord (Mosiah 5:2). From the time of his rebirth, Alma “labored without ceasing, that [he] might bring souls unto repentance” (Alma 36:24). Enos, son of Jacob, after his wrestle “before God [rebirth],” felt “a desire for the welfare of my brethren, the Nephites; wherefore, I did pour out my soul unto God for them” and then “prayed unto [the Lord] with many long strugglings for my brethren, the Lamanites” (Enos 1:2, 9, 11). Both of these reborn people had a desire to do good.
The third characteristic of a born-again person is that by the manifestations of the Spirit, he or she has great views of what is to come (Mosiah 5:3). Compare this with what Jesus taught: “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom” (John 3:3). Another example: Alma the younger, who when born again, saw “God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels” (Alma 36:22).
The fourth characteristic is a willingness to make a covenant with God to be obedient to his commandments (Mosiah 5:5). The covenant made with God is through the waters of baptism which is followed by the baptism of the Spirit. Jesus taught: “Except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). Joseph Smith said, “Being born again, comes by the Spirit of God through ordinances [baptism of water and confirmation to receive the Holy Ghost]” ( TPJS, 162). He also said, “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 [covenants] to enter therein” ( TPJS, 328). Alma the younger labored that others “might also be born of God, and be filled with the Holy Ghost” (Alma 36:24).
Although the record does not say that the people of King Benjamin were born again, the evidence given above should leave no doubt.