How Can a Man Be Born of Water and of the Spirit?

The prophet Joseph Smith taught a beautiful distinction between these. He said, when a person hears the gospel of Jesus Christ preached for the first time, there's a slight rebirth that takes place. You don't need to be reborn physically so you can be a new creature in the spirit. This is baptism and confirmation of receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. The gate whereby one enters into that covenant path with him.