Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles described how conversion leads to being born again:
“Conversion means ‘to turn with.’ Conversion is a turning from the ways of the world to, and staying with, the ways of the Lord. Conversion includes repentance and obedience. Conversion brings a mighty change of heart [see Mosiah 5:2; Alma 5:12–14]. Thus, a true convert is ‘born again,’ [see John 3:3–7; Mosiah 27:24–26] walking with a newness of life [see Romans 6:3–4].
“As true converts, we are motivated to do what the Lord wants us to do [see Mosiah 5:2–5] and to be who He wants us to be [see 3 Nephi 27:21, 27]” (in Conference Report, Oct. 2005, 90; or Ensign, Nov. 2005, 86).
The Prophet Joseph Smith (1805–44) stated that “being born again, comes by the Spirit of God through ordinances” (History of the Church, 3:392).
Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles described what a true miracle it is to be born again: “Perhaps the greatest miracle … is the healing of sin-sick souls so that those who are spiritually blind and deaf and diseased become again pure and clean and heirs of salvation. Perhaps the greatest miracle of all is that which happens in the life of each person who is born again; who receives the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit of God in his life; who has sin and evil burned out of his soul as though by fire; who lives again spiritually” (The Mortal Messiah, Book 4 [1981], 3:269).
For additional insights on being born of God, see the commentary for Mosiah 5:2 (page 144) and for Mosiah 27:25 (page 166).