Retain the Name

King Benjamin asked his son Mosiah to gather the people for two purposes:

1. To declare the end of his reign and name Mosiah as his successor.
2. To give his people “a name that never shall be blotted out, except it be through transgression.”

(See Mosiah 1:10-12.)

After Benjamin shared the testimony of an angel “that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent” (Mosiah 3:17), his people pleaded with God, “O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins” (Mosiah 4:2).

They were filled with peace and joy and a desire to do good. (See Mosiah 4:3, Mosiah 5:2-4.) They promised to obey God for the rest of their lives. (See Mosiah 5:5.) Benjamin explained that this change of heart represented a spiritual rebirth and that they were now “the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters” (Mosiah 5:7). Then, he said, “I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ” (Mosiah 5:8).

What did he mean? They had already been spiritually reborn. They had already made a covenant to serve God. What more did they need to do?

Benjamin explained:

This is the name that I said I should give unto you that never should be blotted out, except it be through transgression; therefore, take heed that ye do not transgress, that the name be not blotted out of your hearts.

I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the name written always in your hearts, that ye are not found on the left hand of God, but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called, and also, the name by which he shall call you.

For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?

Mosiah 5:11-13

So, you’ve entered into a covenant relationship with Jesus Christ. What will you do now? Relationships require effort. They require engagement. They require trust, service, gratitude, apologies, forgiveness, patience, and expressions of love. They are not static. Neglect them, and they will atrophy. Attend to them, and they will flourish.

We take upon ourselves the name of Christ by investing in our relationship with Him. As we love and serve Him and strive to emulate Him throughout our lives, we retain His name written in our hearts, and the natural consequence is that we will be comfortable in His presence in the next life.

Today, I will strive to take upon myself the name of Christ. As I partake of the sacrament, I will consider what I can do to grow my relationship with Him this week.