Question: Does Isaiah teach that we’re “born again” more than once as when we’re baptized and receive the Holy Ghost?
Answer: Of the seven spiritual categories of humanity that Isaiah identifies in his prophecy, five experience “creation” or “re-creation” and two undergo “de-creation.” Each re-creation or ascent from one category to the next constitutes a soul’s rebirth to a higher spiritual level. Each is accompanied by a new name or identity, as when people ascend from the Jacob/Israel level to the Zion/Jerusalem level, and beyond those from the sons/servants level to a translated or seraphic state. The descent through trials that precedes each step up this spiritual ladder greatly expands the spiritual awareness of the person who ascends as he keeps ever higher laws of God that are based on higher covenants. The increase in intelligence or spiritual quickening the person thus gains rises with him in the resurrection and determines the degree of glory he inherits:
“Notwithstanding they die, they also shall rise again, a spiritual body. They who are of a celestial spirit shall receive the same body which was a natural body; even ye shall receive your bodies, and your glory shall be that glory by which your bodies are quickened. Ye who are quickened by a portion of the celestial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness. And they who are quickened by a portion of the terrestrial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness. And also they who are quickened by a portion of the telestial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness. And they who remain shall also be quickened; nevertheless, they shall return again to their own place, to enjoy that which they are willing to receive, because they were not willing to enjoy that which they might have received.” (Doctrine & Covenants 88:27–32).
