Lessons for Our Day From the Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ - 2024
Lesson No. Twenty-Four

So, What’s in a Name?… The Answer is Everything - Helaman 5:6-7

Helaman taught to his two sons, Nephi and Lehi, the importance of their names: “Behold, I have given you the names of our fist parents who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good. Therefore, my sons, I would that ye should do that which is good that it may be said of you, and also written, even as it has been said and written of them” (Helaman 5:6-7).

Henry Lunt’s legacy, like many pioneer ancestors, was a good name – Henry is my great grandfather. He joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in England in the fall of 1849, and three month later, following the call of a living prophet, he came to Zion. He was unmarried and knew that he would likely never see his family and friends again, but the most important thing in his life was to follow the Lord’s living prophet. And that decision has blessed the lives of thousands of his descendants, many of whom gathered in Cedar City, Utah on July 20, 2024 to celebrate Henry’s 200th birthday.

Henry heeded the call from the living Prophet to settle Cedar City Utah were he became the first mayor. (A statue of Henry is in front of the Cedar City Municipal Building) Henry also followed the leaders of the Church at the time and entered into plural marriage.

At the suggestion of a living prophet, Henry age 66 and almost blind Henry moved to Mexico – Henry had lived in Cedar City for 40 years and was a community and Church leader. When the federal government began to arrest polygamists, rather than abandon his family, Henry took his youngest two wives and their children to settle in Mormon Colonies in Mexico. His first two wives families were grown and they stayed in Cedar City.

When I remember the name of Henry Lunt I remember his faith and his goodness, and it motivates me to do the best I can – Henry lived modestly, and he was a patriarch in Mexico for 12 years before he died at age 78. He is buried in Mexico. Many families have a history of remarkable and faithful ancestors. This reminds us we also can be faithful and true, it is in our DNA.

Taking upon us the name of Jesus Christ creates an especially important family relationship where He is the Father of our salvation and we are his children – By partaking of the sacrament we covenant with our Father in Heaven that [we] are willing to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he has given [us]; that we may always have his Spirit to be with [us] (Moroni 4:3). King Benjamin further explained: “And now because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters” (Mosiah 5:7).

“So, what’s in a name? When it comes to the name of the Lord’s Church, the answer is Everything!” (Russell M. Nelson, The Correct Name of the Church, Ensign, November 2018). President Nelson has strongly emphasized the importance of using the correct name of the Church. He said: “When we omit His name from His Church, we are inadvertently

removing Him as the central focus of our lives.” He further explained: “To remove the Lord’s name from the Lord’s Church is a major victory for Satan. When we discard the Savior’s name, we are subtly disregarding all that Jesus Christ did for us—even His Atonement” (Ibid).

Testimony – A good test as to the value of something is that if it is shared does it increase of decrease. For example, if money or riches are shared and divided the owner has less and experiences a decrease. If love or faith, for example, is shared, both the giver and the receiver experience an increase of love and faith. It is the same with a good name. If a good name is cherished and passed on from generation to generation the increase is exponential. “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches” (Proverbs 22:1).

Released on August 31st. 2024.