In her conversion story, Maria Castanyer explains how this phrase came to life for her:
"One day Kim told me that I knew all the important essentials of the LDS doctrine, that he felt that the Holy Ghost was with me, and that I could be baptized whenever I wanted. At this I felt a jolt so strong that I thought I had been shattered. I had arrived at the most important decision of my life. Would I have sufficient courage to take this step?
"I asked the missionaries to let me think it over well. I knew that God and I together had to decide. Nobody could interfere in my path to the truth or in the false road I had previously been taking.
"I pleaded with the Lord. I pleaded a great deal, humbly, on my knees, with tears and a broken heart. I knew now what the Lord meant in the Book of Mormon words: 'And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost…'(3 Nephi 9:20.)
"Yes, now I understood the significance of the 'broken heart' that had intrigued me in the Book of Mormon. Now I understood this and many other things that until now had been hazy. I understood that God was asking me to forfeit that which I loved most, for surely my family would renounce me. I understood and accepted.
"I did not yet know everything, and I still don't. But I knew the truth that was in my soul, and I had to accept it because it had been revealed to me and I could never deny it.
"I felt a great peace when I accepted baptism. Everything seemed so clear. No sacrifice-and only the Lord knows how many he has required of me-seemed too much in order for me to be baptized and receive the laying on of hands." (Connie Rector, No More Strangers, "Familiar Echoes," by Maria Castanyer, vol. 3, p. 33-4)
The Lamanites were Baptized with Fire
Boyd K. Packer
"Now, do not feel hesitant or ashamed if you do not know everything. Nephi said: 'I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.' (1 Nephi 11:17.)
"There may be more power in your testimony than even you realize. The Lord said to the Nephites:
'Whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.' (3 Nephi 9:20; italics added.)
"Several years ago I met one of our sons in the mission field in a distant part of the world. He had been there for a year. His first question was this: 'Dad, what can I do to grow spiritually? I have tried so hard to grow spiritually, and I just haven't made any progress.'
"That was his perception: to me it was otherwise. I could hardly believe the maturity, the spiritual growth that he had gained in just one year. He 'knew it not,' for it had come as growth, not as a startling spiritual experience." (That All May Be Edified, p. 339)
Ezra Taft Benson
"…we must be cautious as we discuss…remarkable examples [of conversion]. Though they are real and powerful, they are the exception more than the rule. For every Paul, for every Enos, and for every King Lamoni, there are hundreds and thousands of people who find the process of repentance much more subtle, much more imperceptible. Day by day they move closer to the Lord, little realizing they are building a godlike life. They live quiet lives of goodness, service, and commitment. They are like the Lamanites, who the Lord said 'were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.' (3 Ne. 9:20; italics added.)" (Ensign, Oct. 1989, p. 2-6)