Sister Homer and I have been blessed with six wonderful children. When each was born, we pondered the names that we would give them. Such was the case with our twin daughters who we decided would each carry a name from one of their grandmothers. We did this to honor their grandmothers, hoping that the names would inspire them to be good, just like their grandmothers had been.
In some ways, we were like the prophet Helaman. He and his wife were blessed with two sons who they named Nephi and Lehi. As the boys grew older, Helaman explained to them “I have given unto you the names of our first parents who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names you may remember them; and when you 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.” 1
Helaman understood that names can be powerful. They remind us of who we are and inspire what we want to become. Perhaps that is one reason why we have been encouraged to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ 2 and why President Nelson has recently asked us to use the correct name of the Church.
When we omit His name from His Church, we are inadvertently removing Him as the central focus of our lives.
President Russell M. Nelson
In the October 2018 General Conference of the Church, President Nelson noted that he had “released a statement regarding a course correction for the name of the Church. [He] did this because the Lord impressed upon [his] mind the importance of the name He decreed for His Church, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” 3 President Nelson said that this effort is not a name change, it is not rebranding, it is not cosmetic, it is not a whim and it is not inconsequential…Instead, it is a correction. It is the command of the Lord. 4
As a result, we should do all we can to help ourselves, and others, refer to the Church using the name given by the Lord himself. President Nelson noted, “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…When we omit His name from His Church, we are inadvertently removing Him as the central focus of our lives. 5
I have felt the power of this course correction in my own life. As websites, email addresses and other communication elements have adopted the correct name of the Church, I have been reminded that this is His Church and that I seek to follow him. I have also been reminded that President Nelson promised blessings if we would do our part.
President Nelson said, “My dear brothers and sisters, I promise you that if we will do our best to restore the correct name of the Lord’s Church, He whose Church this is will pour down His power and blessings upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints, the likes of which we have never seen. We will have the knowledge and power of God to help us take the blessings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people and to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord.” 6
It seems to me that, not only will this help prepare the world for the Savior’s return, but it will help prepare our hearts for that day as well. It is my prayer that each of us will remember to use the correct name of the Church and my testimony that, as we do so, the blessings promised by President Nelson will come.
1. Helaman 5:6
2. See 2 Nephi 31:13; Mosiah 5:8; 3 Nephi 27:5; D&C 18:21
3. Russell M. Nelson, “The Correct Name of the Church,” General Conference, October 2018
4. See Russell M. Nelson, “The Correct Name of the Church,” General Conference, October 2018
5. Russell M. Nelson, “The Correct Name of the Church,” General Conference, October 2018
6. Russell M. Nelson, “The Correct Name of the Church,” General Conference, October 2018